How to Sew the Lucky Clover Quilt Block (Easy 12" Pattern)

By: Elaine Huff

Looking for an easy quilt block that packs a serious visual punch? The Lucky Clover quilt block is a beginner-friendly 12" pattern that transforms into a stunning chain and diamond design once you start sewing blocks together. Traditionally stitched in a monochromatic palette - four shades of a single color plus one background fabric - this block creates gorgeous depth and movement with minimal piecing complexity.

Whether you're building your first quilt or looking for a quick, satisfying project, this step-by-step tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know to master the Lucky Clover block.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Lucky Clover Quilt Block:

Light/White: 16 - 2.5" squares
Medium 1/Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Medium 2/Aqua Floral: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Dark 1/Aqua Stars: 6 - 2.5" squares
Dark 2/Aqua Butterflies: 6 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Four Patch Units:

Step 1:

Using four Light/White and four Dark 1/Aqua Stars 2.5" squares sew together two Four Patch units. You can find a detailed tutorial for making Four Patch units at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block.

You can see in the picture below that I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing the unit.

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 only substitute the Dark 2/Aqua Butterflies squares for the Dark 1/Aqua Stars squares.

Step 3:

Using the picture below for reference, sew together a Four Patch unit with the remaining two Dark 1/Aqua Stars squares and the two Dark 2/Aqua Butterflies squares.

Step 4:

Here's a picture of all the Four Patch units for this block.

Snowball Rectangle Units:

Step 5:

Make two Snowball Rectangle units using the Medium 2/Aqua Floral 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and the Light/White 2.5" squares. This unit goes together just like one corner of a Snowball block except that you use a rectangle for the base. You can find my tutorial for making a Snowball block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-snowball-block

Here are the first steps, going from top to bottom:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of a 2.5" square and sew the 2.5" square to one corner of the Medium 2/Aqua Floral rectangle along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked line.
Match the corners of the 2.5" square and press.

Step 6:

Open up the 2.5" square and trim the seam allowance.
Refold.
Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 7:

Repress the seam allowance toward the Medium 1/Aqua Floral fabric as shown in the picture below.

Step 8:

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 only substituting the Medium 1/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles for the Medium 2/Aqua Floral rectangles.

Step 9:

Repeat Step 7.

Step 10:

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 only changing the orientation of the Light/White 2.5" square as shown below.

Step 11:

Repeat Step 8 only changing the orientation of the Light/White 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 12:

Here's a picture of all the Snowball Rectangle units.

Middle Units:

Step 13:

Sew together a Step 10 unit and a Step 9 unit and press the seam allowance toward the Medium 2/Blue Floral fabric as shown below. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 14:

Sew together a Step 11 unit and a Step 7 unit and press the seam allowance toward the Medium 1/Blue fabric as depicted in the picture below. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 15:

Here's a picture of the four Middle units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 16:

Lay out all the Four Patch units and the Middle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 17:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 18:

Press the seam allowances toward the Middle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 19:

Finally sew the three rows together.

Step 20:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown.

Layout Ideas:

This is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.

This is the same layout as above but with 2" sashing and cornerstones added. The coloring is also the traditional greens which makes the name "Lucky Clover" appropriate.

For this example, I replaced the light fabric with black for a dramatic look.

This version of the basic 4 x 4 layout rotates every other block 90 degrees.

This is an alternating layout where every other block is a Snowball block.

Another alternating design using a simple chain block for the alternate block.

This is an alternating on-point layout with applique blocks for the alternate block and plain background fabric for the setting triangles.

This alternating on-point layout uses a Snowball block for the alternate block and the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

Even though there are lots of steps to this block, it is easy to sew together. Once I got the pressing directions figured out, the points came out nice. I do like the layouts with sashing or alternating blocks the best. I feel that the block makes a quilt looks busy without some separation.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Looking for more beginner-friendly blocks? Take a look at these tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks

P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406

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