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More Patterns

Not So Much of a Trick

Can't Stop Spinnin'

Not Quite Bow Ties

4-Patch Mock Log Cabin

Grandma's Choice

9-Patch Variation

Scrappy Baskets

Comforts of Home

Quilting How Tos

About Fabric Grain

Pressing Basics

Rotary Cutting Tools

Rotary Cut Strips & Tips

Sewing Accurate Seams

I've Always Had Good
Service from Fabric.com

Marbling on Cloth

Hand Marbling How to
For anyone who wants to hand marble on cloth. By Janet Wickell.

Janet's Books

Teach Yourself Quilting
A complete reference for beginners to experienced quilters, with step-by-step instructions for techniques and projects.

QUICK Little Quilts
Patterns, drawings, photos, plus a thorough basics section that's a perfect reference for quilts of any size.

Easy-to-Make Dollhouse Quilts
A collection of quilts with 1" blocks for dollhouses.

If you've read Rodale Press's Classic American Quilt Series, you've read other books by Janet. She was the freelance writer for eight out of ten books in that series, and continued writing and editing for other Rodale quilting books. She has also been a contributor to other topnotch quilting publications.

Four Patch Mock Log Cabin Block
8" Finished Quilt Block

This 4-patch quilt block goes together super-fast when you use chain piecing assembly techniques.

Choose the four 'outer' fabrics based on their value in relation to each other, stairstepping from dark to medium in a clockwise manner as shown here.

You needn't sew with black and white fabrics. They are used here to help illustrate value placement.

The instructions make three blocks.

Quilt Block Cutting Chart

Fabric Qty Size

Deep-Dark 3 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles; can be different fabrics, but all should be of similar deep-dark value

Dark 3 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles; can be different fabrics, but all should be of similar dark value

Medium Dark 3 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles; can be different fabrics, but all should be of similar medium-dark value

Medium 3 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles; can be different fabrics, but all should be of similar medium value

Medium Light
for four-patches 1 2 1/2" x 17" strip

Light
for four-patches 1 2 1/2" x 17" strip

Use an exact 1/4" seam allowance for all seams.

Cut all pieces so the fabric's straight grain runs parallel to the outer edges.

1. Sew the 17-inch light and medium-light strips together on their long sides. Press seam allowance towards the darker strip. Square up one end of the strip and cut six 2-1/2" segments from it.

2. Sew together two units from Step 1, matching center seams carefully. Press. Make five more four-patch units.

3. Sew a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" deep-dark strip to the top of a four patch, positioning the patches as shown here.

Without breaking the thread, run another four-patch/deep-dark combo through the machine, then a third.

Remove from the machine, clip the threads between the units, and press seam allowances towards the deep-dark strips.

4. Sew a 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" dark rectangle to the right-hand side of each partial block, chain piecing again. Press seam allowances towards the dark strips.

5. Add a medium-dark strip to the bottom of each block. Press seam allowances towards the new strip.

6. Finish up by sewing the final, medium strip to the remaining side. Press as before.

Instructions and Graphics
©Janet Wickell, 2000

Quilt Guilds: You may use this pattern in your Guild classes provided the instructions are marked with the copyright information above.

e-mail Janet Wickell