SeeMyQuilt
Patchwork · Beginner

Disappearing Four Patch quilt block

A four patch cut into nine pieces and resewn with the side pieces turned: four corner squares, eight rectangles and a small four patch in the center.

Disappearing Four Patch: main and background. A 6 × 6 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Disappearing Four Patch (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Main4 rectangles2 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Main2 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles2 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

9" Disappearing Four Patch (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Main4 rectangles3 1/2" × 2"–
Main2 squares2" × 2"–
Background2 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles3 1/2" × 2"–
Background2 squares2" × 2"–

12" Disappearing Four Patch (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Main4 rectangles4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Main2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

15" Disappearing Four Patch (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Main4 rectangles5 1/2" × 3"–
Main2 squares3" × 3"–
Background2 squares5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles5 1/2" × 3"–
Background2 squares3" × 3"–

How to make a 15" Disappearing Four Patch block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 6 × 6 grid, and each cell finishes at 2 1/2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Disappearing Four Patch quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"7/8 yd7/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 1/2 yd1 1/2 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"2 1/8 yd2 1/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"2 7/8 yd2 7/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"4 3/8 yd4 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"5 5/8 yd5 5/8 yd2 1/8 yd10 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 15" Disappearing Four Patch blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Disappearing Four Patch in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Disappearing Four Patch block need?

Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 15 inch Disappearing Four Patch?

2 main squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 4 main rectangles at 5 1/2" × 3"; 2 main squares at 3" × 3"; 2 background squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 4 background rectangles at 5 1/2" × 3"; 2 background squares at 3" × 3".

How many Disappearing Four Patch blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

More patchwork blocks

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