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                                               How to make Combination Blocks

                                                                            There are two types of combination blocks.

                              The first is commonly known as a four patch.    

                             The second one is the same idea only with triangles instead of squares  

        What makes this method diffferant?  We are going to sew fabric together first and then cut out a square from the center of our joined fabric swatches.   A swatch is a piece of fabric that is cut out without measuring.  Just guess at an approximate size and rough cut a piece off or use scraps you already have. This may bother some people but you can reuse the leftovers in other projects. The small waste is a tradeoff for the savings in time and effort. Ironically the larger the fabric is cut the easier it is to reuse the leftover pieces because your leftovers will be big enough to join to another set of fabrics and make another "block". By using this method you can make a lot more pieced quilt "blocks" in a lot less time than you would if you cut out each triangle and square before you sew each triangle or square together. Try it and see what you think!!  It's a great shortcut!!  I use this shortcut because the other methods of cutting out squares only works if you use a lot of the same color blocks. I do a lot of scrappy projects and this is great for multi colored quilt tops!!

                                                    You will need:  for both types of  "blocks"

                                                   (approx. 2"x 2")--2 swatches of light fabric

                                                   (approx. 2"x 2")--2 swatches of dark fabric

                                                A template - I usually use a 1 1/2" acrylic template

                                 You can find these in my online store  www.patchworkbyrhonda.com

                                                                     You will also need:

                                 thread / pins / scissors / mini cutting mat / rotary cutter / 2 1/2" x 9" ruler

                                                                      Joining the Fabric

   Place one light and one dark swatch face to face(front of fabric) -Lay them on a cutting mat.

   Lay the ruler along one side and cut a straight edge. Repeat this with two more swatches. Open the joined swatches and iron the seams open. I prefer to iron open because you get less bulk that way. If you iron to the dark side then that side will be slightly higher than the light and that makes a lot of differance in miniatures. If your using this method with larger pieces as for a quilt top then it won't be as much of an issue.

   Now lay the first set of joined swatches face up on the cutting mat.                                 

   Lay the ruler on the swatches so you can cut a straight edge.              

   Repeat this step with both sets of joined swatches.                             

   Now put both sets together and match the seam to seam carefully on the straight cut edge. I like to tack the seams together so they won't slip to one side or the other. Pins work but sometimes after I sew the seams they will not be exactly matched. I admit I am a perfectionist but the better they match the better your project will look. If your lines don't match up it can look like a cracked mirror with crooked looking lines. If you tack your seam with a stitch across the seams( on the line you will sew on) it is an ounce of prevention that saves frustration later. I hate to tear out stitches!! --Now sew the swatches together.   Open the seam and iron.  - - Lay the joined swatches face up on the cutting mat. Place your template on the seams so the lines on your template match up to the seams for the four patch square.  With a rotary cutter --cut out the "block".  Iron the "block" flat and trim any threads or if a corner isn't square gently trim even. Continue making as many "blocks" as you need for your project.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                           Tack           Joined swatches       Template                cut out         Four patch Block

  To make the triangle four patch just repeat the same steps above and place the corners of the template on the seams.

                              Template on seams                    cut out              Triangle Four Patch