Square Within Squares Quilt Block Tutorial

Today let's sew together a Square Within Squares quilt block. This is not the same as the basic Square in a Square block but some of the components are the same. It is a fairly easy block to complete so let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Square Within Squares Quilt Block:

• Light/White: 4 - 2.5" x 8.5" rectangles, 2 - 3" squares, and 8 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Blue Print: 2 - 3" squares, and 8 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/White 3" squares and the Medium/Blue Print 3" squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Here's a link to my tutorial for how to sew a basic Half Square Triangle (HST) block: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block Trim/square up the HSTs to 2.5" squares.

Pinwheel Unit:

Step 2:

Now you can make the Pinwheel unit using the HSTs from Step 1 like the one shown in the photo below. You will find my tutorial for sewing a Pinwheel block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/pinwheel-quilt-block-pattern

Flying Geese Units:

Step 3:

Next you can sew together four Flying Geese units using the Light/White 2.5" squares and the Dark/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles as shown in the picture below. You can check out my method of constructing Flying Geese blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

Elongated Flying Geese Units:

Step 4:

Using the Light/White 2.5" x 8.5" rectangles and the Medium/Blue Print 2.5" squares, sew together four of what I'm calling an Elongated Flying Geese unit. This unit is made just like a Flying Geese unit except you use a longer rectangle. In the picture below you can see the steps to constructing this Elongated Flying Geese unit. 

 

Putting It All Together:

Center Unit:

Step 5:

Lay out the Pinwheel unit, the Flying Geese units, and four of the Dark/Blue 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 6:

Sew the units together like an uneven Nine Patch - sew into three rows as shown below.

Step 7:

Press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units as shown in the photo below.

Step 8:

And now you can sew the three rows together to make the Center unit.

Step 9:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the unit as shown below.

Step 10:

Next is to lay out the Center unit, the Elongated Flying Geese units, and the remaining Dark/Blue 2.5" squares as shown below. And once again, this will sew together like an uneven Nine Patch block.

Step 11:

Sew the units together into three rows as shown below.

Step 12:

And press the seam allowances away from the Elongated Flying Geese units.

Step 13:

Now you can sew the three rows together as shown in the picture below.

Step 14:

And finally, press the seam allowances away from the center of the Square Within Squares quilt block. You're done!

Conclusion:

The Square Within Squares quilt block was fun to sew together. It was pretty easy with only Half Square Triangles, Flying Geese, and squares needed to complete the block. Also, when you sew multiple blocks together, a Square in a Square design will appear at the intersection - more interest for your quilt!

Also the Center unit would be a cute little block all by itself. 

If you accidentally (or on purpose) rotate the Elongated Flying Geese units, you get a completely different-looking block like what's shown below. If you substituted the Dark/Blue 2.5" squares in the corners with Light/White squares, you'd have a nice star block. Additionally, you'd get another small star at the intersection of multiple blocks!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial for the Square Within Squares quilt block. If you liked this post and want to see more quilting tutorials like this, simply click here to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF quilt pattern called Chained Weathervane.

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. To figure out yardage for a quilt, check out this post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-much-fabric-do-i-need