SeeMyQuiltFool's Square quilt block
A cross of four accent squares around a plain center, with a dark square and three half-square triangles in each corner.
Cutting chart by block size
5" Fool's Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Background | 6 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 5 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 4 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
7 1/2" Fool's Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 6 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 5 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
10" Fool's Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 6 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 5 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
15" Fool's Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 6 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 5 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
How to make a 15" Fool's Square block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 5 × 5 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Fool's Square quilt (15" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 36" × 51" | 5/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 51" × 66" | 1 1/8 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 4 (16) | 66" × 66" | 1 1/2 yd | 2 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 66" × 96" | 2 1/8 yd | 2 7/8 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 6 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 96" × 96" | 3 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 8 3/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 111" × 111" | 4 1/4 yd | 5 7/8 yd | 3 1/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 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" Fool's Square blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 16 | 66" × 66" | – |
| With sashing | 12 | 55" × 72" | Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 8 pieced + 8 plain | 66" × 66" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 13 | 69 3/4" × 69 3/4" | Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd |
See Fool's Square 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
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Fool's Square block need?
Three: main, background and accent. 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 Fool's Square?
4 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 4 main squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 6 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 5 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 accent squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 4 accent squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".
How many Fool's Square blocks for a lap quilt?
12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.
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