Prussian Blue Four-Patch Free Project

Prussian Blue Four-Patch Free Project

Posted by Deirdre Quirk on Aug 6th 2018

Do you love reproduction quilts and fabric? Then you'll love this free project taken from True Blue Quilts by Annette Plog, which traces the history of blue fabric throughout the nineteenth century, with plenty of quilt designs along the way.

Designed and made by Annette Plog, quilted by Sheri Mecom

Finished quilt: 68 ̋ × 79 ̋ • Finished block: 4 ̋ × 4 ̋

This quilt is my reproduction of a wonderful antique quilt dated 1830. I used Prussian blues and browns in florals, stripes, ombrés, and different-sized prints. Although the quilt is assembled in diagonal rows, the alternate blocks form strong vertical lines at the center and then surround and frame the quilt.

Materials

Lights, mediums, and darks: 1/4 yard each of 18 different browns, tans, and blues

Medium tan floral: 5/8 yard

Medium blue floral: 3/4 yard

Light floral: 3/4 yard

Dark brown: 7/8 yard

Setting triangles: 3/4 yard of light blue

Binding: 1/2 yard

Backing: 5 yards

Batting: 76 ̋ × 87 ̋

Cutting

Four-Patch blocks

From each of the 18 lights, mediums, and darks: Cut 3 strips 2 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric.

Alternate blocks

Medium tan floral: Cut 4 strips 4 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric. Subcut 27 squares 4 1/2 ̋ × 4 1/2 ̋.

Medium blue floral: Cut 5 strips 4 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric. Subcut 36 squares 4 1/2 ̋ × 4 1/2 ̋.

Light floral: Cut 5 strips 4 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric. Subcut 36 squares 41/2 ̋ × 41/2 ̋.

Dark brown: Cut 6 strips 4 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric. Subcut 44 squares 4 1/2 ̋ × 4 1/2 ̋.

Setting triangles

Cut 12 squares 7 ̋ × 7 ̋. Cut each square in quarters diagonally to yield 48 side setting triangles.

Cut 2 squares 3 3/4 ̋ × 3 3/4 ̋. Cut each square in half diagonally to yield 4 corner setting triangles.

Construction

Four-Patch Block

Work with pairs of 2 1/2 ̋ strips from the light, medium, and dark fabrics, making sure there is some contrast between the strips in each pair. The strips don’t have to contrast a lot. Some pairs should have strong contrast, while others could contain different colors of similar value.

1. Right sides together, stitch the strips along the long edge. Press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric.

2. Cut the strip set into 14 segments 2 1/2 ̋ wide.

3. Place a pair of segments right sides together, with like colors at opposite ends. Sew together and press the seam to one side to complete a Four-Patch block. 

Four-Patch block. Make 168.

4. Repeat Steps 1–3, using all of the light, medium, and dark 2 1/2 ̋ strips to make 168 blocks. There will be extra segments.

Quilt Assembly

1. Referring to the quilt photo for color placement and to the quilt assembly diagram (next page), arrange the Four-Patch blocks, alternate blocks, side setting triangles, and corner setting triangles in diagonal rows.

2. Sew the quilt together in diagonal rows, starting at the top left corner. Sew the rows together to complete the top.

Quilt assembly

NOTE: Step-by-Step Block Placement

It may be easier for you to understand the block placement if you start by arranging all of the alternate blocks first and then fill in the open spaces with the Four-Patch blocks. Arrange the alternate blocks on point, tip to tip.

1. Starting in the center of the quilt, place a column of 9 tan floral alternate blocks on point.

2. Place a column of 9 blue floral alternate blocks on each side of the tan column.

3. Add another column of 9 tan floral blocks on each side of the blue blocks and then another column of 9 blue floral blocks on the outside edges. This completes the vertical columns of alternate blocks at the quilt center.

4. Next create an inner border of light floral blocks around the vertical columns. Start by placing a column of 9 light floral blocks on each side of the blue columns. Then place a row of 9 light floral blocks across the top and bottom of the quilt.

5. In the same manner as in Step 4, create an outer border of dark brown blocks around the quilt.

6. Fill in with Four-Patch blocks in all the open spaces. Place most of the Four-Patches with the brown patches in the horizontal positions, but mix it up every now and then to add a random quality to the placement.

Finishing

Quilt using a favorite quilt design. This one is machine quilted with an overall orange peel design. Bind your quilt, and enjoy.

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