4-patch Charm Squares …

Robyn R

So, what more can be done with the stash of 5″ squares, OKA (Otherwise Known As) ‘home-cut’ charm packs?

Back to the stash box to pull out odd squares and pair them up together light and dark.

Lay them out RST (Right Sides Together), sew down the opposite sides,

Cut apart at 2.5″,

Nest and pin seams RST, and again sew down the opposite sides,

Repeat cutting apart at 2.5″,

To produce two unfinished 4.5″ four-patch squares, and with an accurate quarter-inch seam allowance, there’s very little, or no, trimming!

Rummaged back through the scrap stash for an odd piece of plain fabric (discovered I don’t have much in the way of plains at all), cut into 4’5″ squares to use as alternate blocks. More scrap pieces for backing and binding means another small QFO top (OKA ‘flimsy’) is done.

Of course that’s only half the job - there’s ruler-foot quilting to do. After ditch stitching all the blocks, a curve ruler made for a simple melon pattern to go with a simple quilt - it’s all it needed.

This was sewn using Bonnie Hunter’s ‘Leaders and Enders’ method - hence the link to Bonnie’s new 2020 challenge. I think the stash has been reduced by about a millimetre - or even less!

There are heaps of internet resources for working with 5″ squares. One of my go-to YouTube favourites is New Zealand’s ‘Gourmet Quilter (Susan Claire), she even has a playlist dedicated to what can be done with 5″ squares. Check it out here.

Meanwhile - back to the sewing machine…

Stay safe,

Robyn