Learn How to Sew the Four Crowns Quilt Block: A Classic Design with Flying Geese and Half-Square Triangles

By: Elaine Huff

Learn how to make the classic Four Crowns quilt block in this step-by-step tutorial. This 12-inch quilt block combines half-square triangles and flying geese units to create a striking diamond design that stands out in both traditional and modern quilts.

Whether you prefer a scrappy look with fabric leftovers or carefully planned color placement for maximum contrast, the Four Crowns block offers endless creative possibilities. Follow along for cutting instructions, piecing tips, and assembly techniques to create a precise, eye-catching block for your next quilting project.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Four Crowns Quilt Block:

Light/White: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, 4 - 3" squares, and 8 - 2.5" squares
Medium/Aqua Floral: 1 - 4.5" square
Medium/Aqua: 8 - 2.5" squares, and 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Assorted Prints: 1 - 3" square, and 1 - 2.5" squares EACH of four different colors
Assorted Prints: 4 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/White 3" squares and the Assorted Prints 3" squares, make Half Square Triangle (HST) units as shown. Here are the steps corresponding to the images in the picture below going from top to bottom, left to right.

Match up a Light/White square and an Assorted Prints square right sides together.
Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White square and sew 1/4" (or a little less) on each side of the line.
Cut along the diagonal line. You will have 2 half-square triangle patches.
Open up the patch and press the seam allowance toward the Assorted Prints fabric.
Square up/trim the units to 2.5" square.
You can find my tutorial for making HST units at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 for a total of 8 Half Square Triangle units like the ones in the picture below.

Corner Units:

Step 3:

Lay out two matching Step 2 HST units with their matching 2.5" square, and an Assorted Prints 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 4:

Sew the units into two rows and press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangle units as shown below.

Step 5:

Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance toward the matching color 2.5" square and HST as shown in the picture below.

Step 6:

Repeat with the remaining Assorted Prints sets and 2.5" squares for a total of four Corner units like the ones shown below.

Flying Geese Units:

Step 7:

Using eight Light/White 2.5" squares and four Medium/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, sew together four Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first steps.

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White 2.5" squares.
Sew a Light/White 2.5" square to a Medium/Aqua rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
Match the corners of the Light/White square and press (second image).
Open the square up and trim the seam allowance (third image).
Refold (bottom image).

Step 8:

Repeat Step 7 on the adjacent corner of the Medium/Aqua rectangle.

Step 9:

Repeat Steps 7 and 8 only using eight Medium/Aqua 2.5" squares and four Light/White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.

Middle Units:

Step 10:

Lay out a Step 8 and a Step 9 Flying Geese unit as shown below.

Step 11:

Sew the two units together and press the seam allowance toward the Step 8 Flying Geese unit as shown.

Step 12:

Repeat Steps 10 and 11 for a total of four Middle units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 13:

Lay out the Corner units, the Middle units, and the Medium/Aqua Floral 4.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 14:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 15:

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

Step 16:

Finally sew the three rows together.

Step 17:

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown.

Layout Ideas:

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

This layout uses the traditional light, medium, and dark colors.

Here's another color placement option.

This is another scrappy example with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones added. I like the separation the sashing creates between the blocks.

This is an alternating layout where every other block is a Dresdan Blade block.

Here's an example of an on-point layout with sashing and cornerstones added. The setting triangles are the background color.

This is an alternating on-point design using a chain block for the alternate block and extending it into the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

The Four Corners is a lovely block that went together easily. I used the Medium/Aqua fabric to see what a lighter colored diamond design would look like. It's okay but I think a darker color would have been better. And I'm not sure I would make a scrappy quilt with this block. My favorite layout is the Dresdan Plate block!

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 some 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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