In BOM I demonstrated how I like to make 4-patch units. After much trial and error (like posting to my old blog site and then trying to figure out how to get it here!) I think I have a document that will be helpful! Forgive any grammar or spelling errors – I was stretching my brain to get this far!
Now for the meat and potatoes!
Start with 2 fabrics for your 4-patch units.

Cut strips desired width. In my sample I cut 2” strips. I also have my fabrics layered right sides together and I am using my stripology XL to cut perfect strips. (if you are following this to make your block – your pattern wants you to cut your strips 2-1/2″ YOU SHOULD! or your block won’t work!

Look at those pretty strips. I used FQ and I layered my fabric right sides together so I can just pick them up and sew after cutting the strips.

Check your 1/4″ seam allowance and get ready to sew those trips. At home I use my Jan Krentz tool, but we have a very similar tool available at the shop to check your 1/4″. On my Juki machine I also like to use this great seam guide that screws in place.


Press your strips carefully (when you get to the end of the blog you will see why I said to press carefully!). I pressed towards the dark fabric to prevent shadowing.

Now place your 2 strips sets right sides together and nestle them at the seams.

Set your stitch length to a basting length – approx 5

If you are using a seam guide – move it to the side or change your presser foot. Line the nestled strip sets together – and use that long stitch to baste them together – just next to the existing seam. On my Bernina I use a long serpentine stitch that goes side to side over the seam.

The basting stitch is the cream thread!

After you baste the strip together it is time to sub-cut the units. Because I started with 2″ strips I will sub-cut these 2″. If you started with 2-1/2″ you will sub-cut 2-1/2″ (unless you want rectangles instead of squares). I had a brilliance moment when I realized I can use my Stripology to do do my sub-cuts too!

Look at all those units that are now ready to SEW!

Friendly reminder to set your machine back to regular stitching mode!

Look ma – no pins! Because these units are basted together I can just pick them up and sew and sew and sew!

I love chain piecing and the basting stitches insure no slippage!

Here I gently pulled the unit apart after stitching and I can just pull those basting stitches out. Once in a while I might have to use the scissors or seam ripper but they usually just come apart.

I love to “spin” my seams to I have a very flat center!

I lightly press the back of the unit to “train” the seams to go where I want them to!

Oh My GOODNESS! Look at that pretty center! Remember no pins were used.

Now that you have reached the end of the blog I will confess – my sample block didn’t line up on the edges – even though that center was perfect! Well I didn’t PRESS carefully and my blue fabric has an extra fold over near the seam. (It’s really hard to see in the photo!)

Did you enjoy the blog? What topics would you like to see in the future? Leave a comment so I will know. Please share this with your friends and tell them to follow HollyDee Quilts on Facebook and Instagram!
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Denise
CEO – Chief Encouragement Officer
HollyDee Quilts – Luling TX
Great blog post! Thank you Denise!
Thanks Whitney – there was a big re-learning curve for me! Didn’t help that I have an OLD blog and a NEW blog (that we imported all the old stuff). I think I have it figured out now!
Thanks a bunch!