Quilt block · Four-patch · First quilt
Square in a Square quilt block
A square set on point, with a triangle on each side to square it up again. Also called Diamond in a Square.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 corner triangles
- B2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 6¾″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Square in a Square’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 corner triangles
- B2 squares 5⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 9¾″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Square in a Square’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 corner triangles
- B2 squares 6⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 12¾″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Square in a Square’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
Twelve TrianglesFour-patch
Rocky Mountain PuzzleFour-patch
Half-Square TriangleFour-patch
Crown and StarFour-patch
More like this: Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Square in a Square the same block as Diamond in a Square?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Diamond in a Square as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 2 × 2 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It sews on one paper, its pieces added in order. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s a first-quilt block: 5 pieces in 2 different shapes. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.