Quilt Block: Fools Square Quilt Block

I really like  how this square comes together. I did start out doing the centre checkerboard in the usual way by cutting the strips of fabric across the width of fabric. But decided that as I was only making the two squares it was just as easy to cut the fabric into the squares required.

I have just used 2 contrasting fabrics because I think it shows the pattern off nicely. But as always you can use as many colours as you wish.

These instructions make a 10″ finished block.

What You Need:

Fabric 1 (white):

• 8 squares @ 2½” x 2½”
• 6 squares @ 3″ x 3″

Fabric 2 (green):

• 5 squares @ 2½” x 2½”
• 6 squares @ 3″ x 3″

What to Do:

Make up the centre block first.

• Take the 2 ½”squares and lay out in a checkerboard pattern as per the image below.
• Place the first two squares in row 1 one on top of the other with right sides facing.
• Sew the squares together with a ¼” seam.

• Add the next square to the first two with right sides facing
• Sew the squares together with a ¼” seam.
• Sew the other two rows in the same manner.

Sew the rows together.

• Place the top row on top of the next row down, right sides together
• Sew the rows together with a ¼” seam.
• Do the same for the last row.

• Press the seams as shown below.

• Put the centre piece aside.

Make the Half Square Triangles.

• Take one 3″ square (white).
• Draw a line on one piece, across the diagonal from corner to corner.
• Place on top of a contrasting coloured (green) square and neatly match up the edges.
• Pin to hold in place.

• Sew a seam line ¼” on either side of the drawn line.

• Slice the square across the diagonal on the drawn line.

• This gives you 2 half square triangles.

• Press the seams to the dark side.

• Trim the half square triangles to 2½”. If you  are unsure of how to do this here is a link to our video on how to do it.

Lay out the pieces to form the pattern.

• Sew the side pieces together. Place the top square on top of the next square and sew together,

• Sew the last square to the other two squares
• Do the same with the other side pieces.

• Sew the side pieces to the centre piece.

• Press the seams towards the centre.

• Sew the top and bottom rows in the following manner.
• Place the first two squares one on top of the other, right sides together and sew with a ¼” seam.
• Do the same with the last two squares in the row

• Sew the middle square to the first two squares that you have sewn together.
• Right sides together.
• Then sew the last two squares to the middle square.
• This forms the top row.
• Repeat the process for the bottom row.

• Press the outside seams towards the outer edge.
• Press the middle seams towards the centre.
• See photo below.

• Sew the top and bottom rows to the centre block.
• Lay the top row over the centre block, right sides together.
• Sew with a ¼” seam.
• Repeat with the bottom row.

• The Fools Square quilt block is now finished.