How to Piece a Four Patch Trees in the Park Quilt Block

Today let's look at another way to piece the Trees in the Park quilt block. This method uses a Four Patch for the basic layout and is composed with only squares and Half Square Triangles. I also played with color to create a different look when the block is made into a quilt. Let's get sewing!

(You can find my first version of the Trees in the Park block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-the-trees-in-the-park-traditional-quilt-block-a-free-tutorial.)

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Four Patch Trees in the Park Quilt Block:

• Light/Pink: 2 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 3" squares, and 2 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Blue: 2 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 3" squares, and 2 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Burgundy: 8 - 3" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using four of the Dark/Bungundy 3" squares and the four Light/Pink 3" squares, sew together eight Half Square Triangle units. Press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Bungundy fabric and trim the units to 2.5" square.

You can find a detailed tutorial for making Half Square Triangles at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block. In the picture below you can see the steps involved in the construction.

Step 2:

In this picture you can see the eight Half Square Triangle units after they are all trimmed up.

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 using the remaining Dark/Burgundy 3" squares and the Medium/Blue 3" squares only press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Blue fabric. You can see the eight units all trimmed up and the first one shows the back so you can see the direction of the seam allowance.

Two Patch Units:

Step 4:

Using the picture below for reference, sew two Step 2 Half Square Triangle units together and press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Bungundy fabric. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 5:

Repeat Step 4 only changing the orientation of the Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 6:

In the picture shown below you can see the completed units.

Step 7:

Repeat Steps 4 through 6 only using the Step 3 Half Square Triangle units. Press the seam allowances toward the Medium/Blue fabric.

Corner Units:

Step 8:

Lay out a Light/Pink 4.5" square, a Light/Pink 2.5" square, and two opposing Step 6 units as shown in the picture below.

Step 9:

Sew the units into two rows and press the seam allowances toward the Light/Pink squares as shown below.

Step 10:

Now you can sew the two rows together. I recommend using the twirl/furl/tweak method for pressing the seam allowances as shown in the picture below. This is so the seams will nest when you're sewing the block together.

Repeat for a total of two Corner units.

Step 11:

Repeat Steps 8 through 10 only using the Medium/Blue squares and the Blue/Burgundy Half Square Triangles.

Putting It All Together:

Step 12:

Lay out all the Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a typical Four Patch block.

 

Step 13:

Sew the units into two rows.

Step 14:

Press the seam allowances toward the Blue/Burgundy Corner units as shown below.

Step 15:

Sew the rows together to complete the block.

Step 16:

Press the seam allowances. I used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing but you can press however you wish.

Layout Ideas:

Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout. I like the "arrows" being a dark color.

Here's the same layout with more fun colors.

Here's a scrappy version with every other block rotated 90 degrees.

And here's an on-point layout with alternating block rotated 90 degrees.

Conclusion:

I thought this Four Patch Trees in the Park block would be easier to sew together since it uses Half Square Triangles instead of Flying Geese units - but all the pressing added more complexity. For those who have trouble with Flying Geese, then this version is made for you! I think I'll stick with my original tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-the-trees-in-the-park-traditional-quilt-block-a-free-tutorial

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Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Looking for star quilt blocks? Check out this roundup post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/30-of-the-best-star-quilt-block-patterns

P.P.S. Need a quilt pattern in a hurry? Check out my easy downloadable PDF patterns at https://fabric406.etsy.com