How to Make A Square in a Square Quilt Block ~ Tutorial

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Today I’m sharing a simple tutorial to make a Square in a Square Quilt Block, because it is part of our Block of the Month this year and I wanted to have it as a resource to accompany the pattern.

This post is the first of a series of “How to” blog posts on how to make various classic quilt blocks. Most of these blocks will be used in patterns, BOMs, SALs and QALs this year and going forward. I hope that by creating these tutorials it will build a valuable resource for my readers and my students!

This first block is what we will be using as the center of our Say it With Flowers Block this year.

About the Square in a Square Quilt Block

I have always been rather scared of triangles, and so I was also scared of this quilt block! However, once I actually tried to make my first one, I found out it really wasn’t that hard. Granted I used my Accuquilt 12″ Qube to make it the first time, and that was super easy (more on that later), but even when I tried to make it without Accuquilt, it was easier than I expected.

It’s always good when things turn out better than you think, isn’t it?!

This simple quilt block is also called an Economy Quilt Block, or a Diamond in a Square Quilt Block. It can be used in other traditional blocks,  and using larger squares and triangles can be turned into a quick and easy quilt.  I am going to experiment a bit with this concept later in the year.

There are different ways of making a square in a square block but I will just be sharing one simple method with you today.

The basic block construction is that of a square of fabric with triangles around it.  The blocks can be as simple as having a center and one round of setting triangles, or I have seen blocks with many layers of triangles. I think the most common one has two “rounds” and looks like this:

But for our block today we will be using a small square for the center, and triangles next to them like this:

As I said above, there are different methods to making this block, and I am by no means saying this is the best way, but it turns out quite well and has less waste than other methods.

Ok, let’s get on with the tutorial! First up, what you need…

Fabric Requirements for a Single Block – 6 1/2″ Unfinished

• one 4 3/4″ square of background fabric

• two 3 3/4″ squares of feature fabric

~ A quarter-inch seam allowance is used ~

Square in a Square Quilt Block Tutorial AKA Economy Block Tutorial

Step 1 ~ Making the Triangles

Take the two smaller squares, and using a ruler and a rotary cutter, cut them in half on the diagonal to make four triangles. No need to draw diagonal lines, just line up the ruler with the corners and cut!

You will now have these pieces for your block:

Step 2 ~ Folding the Pieces

Fold the center square in half and finger press a crease in the middle of the square, on the top and bottom edges like this:

Do the same thing with the triangles, making a crease on the long side, in the center of the triangle:

Your pieces of fabric will now all look like this with folds in them:

Step 3 ~ Sewing the First Two Triangles to the Square

We are now going to be placing two triangles on opposite sides of the center square.

To do this, take one of the triangles and place it right sides together on the square, lining up the creases:

Pin, taking care not to stretch the fabric. Keeping the stretchy bias edges flat is probably the hardest part of making this quilt block, so don’t be afraid to use extra pins! I used three – one in the middle, then one each close to the outside corners of the triangles:  

Do the same with a triangle on the opposite side, then sew:

Step 4 ~ Setting the Seams

Take the block to the ironing board and set the seams:

Setting the seams in a quilt block helps the thread sink into the fabric and makes it better when pressing the seams to whichever direction is needed. It also helps to smooth out any tension issues there may have been while stitching.

I usually try to set my seams when I can. Sometimes when chain piecing or using special techniques like Eleanor Burn’s Log Cabin, you can’t. But whenever possible, I like to take the time to set them. It doesn’t take long!

If you have never set your seams, give it a go – it’s just a matter of pressing the seams with a hot iron. I use steam, but that is a matter of preference.

Step 5 ~ Pressing the Seams

Press the seams away from the center block:

After setting the seams, I usually turn my block around and press to the relevant direction from the front (or right side) of the block.

Since this block has a light center that will be used for the embroidered flower, I am pressing toward the darker fabric:

If you were using a darker center square, for example a feature fabric, you could press to the inside, but I found that this lays really nice and flat and for the “Say it With Flowers” block makes it easier for putting the block together.

Step 6 ~ Sewing the Remaining Triangles to the Square

Take another triangle and as above, line it up with the one of the other sides of the unit:

Pin another to the bottom edge, and sew:

Step 7 ~ Setting Seams and Pressing

Once again, set the seams:

And press seams away from the center square:

Step 8 ~ Trim the Block

Square up and trim the block if needed, using a square ruler, and cutting off the little triangles that are sticking out:

The block should measure 6 1/2″ square. The finished size, once it is included in another block or quilt will be 6″.

What If My Block Isn’t Perfect?

Let me tell you something… the sample I did for this post was not perfect.

GASP!

I have seen tutorials with instructions on how to make a perfect such and such block… well, they may be perfect and may be able to make perfect blocks, but I am not and I can’t!

Please don’t stress if your block isn’t perfect. Once it is part of another block or the whole quilt top, no one is going to see that imperfection.

I always come back to the saying “Only God is Perfect” that is said to be an Amish proverb… no matter the origins of the quote, and whether it is true that the Amish always leave one mistake in their quilts, it is my unspoken motto… and I never need to purposely leave a mistake in my quilts.. they are full of them!

Make it Easier with Accuquilt!

​I used the Qube 12″ finished set to make my square in a square blocks for our Block of the Month this year. I must say it made it so easy!

If you have the 12″ Qube, here’s what you need to cut:

Cut 1: of Shape 6: GO! Square on Point-4 3/4″ (4 1/4″ Finished)

Cut 4: of Shape 5: GO! Half Square Triangle-3″ Finished Square

Putting the block together is as simple as lining up and centering the triangles (no folding needed) along the edges of the center block and following the instructions above.

As I said, we will be using this square in a square block as the center block for our Sawtooth Star block. Our simple stitchery flower will be going in the center of the block – it’s your choice if you would like to stitch the flower first and then trim it down to the right size, or if you want to make the block first. 

That’s it for this tutorial! I’ll be back with another tomorrow for the next step for our Say it with Flowers Block!

Pin for later!