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    Home » Quilts

    Diagonal Cut Disappearing 4 Patch Quilt Block Tutorial

    Updated: Aug 13, 2021 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    Learn how to create disappearing four-patch quilt blocks using diagonal cuts. Using this method, you can create quilt blocks that look much more complicated to piece than they actually are! We’ve even created 6 sample quilt top layouts featuring the blocks for you as well.

    aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table

    Last month we looked at making disappearing four patch designs that used horizontal and vertical cuts. These are perfect for directional and non-directional prints because none of the patch pieces are rotated to create the new block design.

    Table of Contents
    • What is a Disappearing 4 Patch Block?
    • 4 Patch Blocks Made with Diagonal Cuts
    • Instructions
    • Quilt Top Layouts Using Diagonal Cut Disappearing 4 Patch Blocks

    What is a Disappearing 4 Patch Block?

    A disappearing four-patch block is designed by arranging and sewing together four squares of fabric to create a traditional four-patch quilt block. Instead of leaving the block like this, it is cut up, and the pieces are rearranged to make the original design “disappear.” These blocks are great for using scraps and putting them together into quilts or other patchwork projects.

    aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on dark aqua cutting mat

    4 Patch Blocks Made with Diagonal Cuts

    There are two more designs in this month’s tutorial, but this time they both use diagonal cuts. Because the way the pieces are rearranged and rotated in these blocks, I’d highly recommend using non-directional prints.

    aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on dark aqua cutting mat

    Instructions

    aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table

    Diagonal Cut Disappearing 4 Patch Quilt Blocks

    Amy Ball
    A disappearing four-patch block is designed by arranging and sewing together four squares of fabric to create a traditional four-patch quilt block. Instead of leaving the block like this, it is cut up and the pieces rearranged to make the original design “disappear”.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 30 mins
    Active Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

    Equipment

    • Sewing Machine
    • Basic Sewing Tools
    • Rotary Cutter
    • Cutting Mat
    • Quilt Ruler
    • Fabric pencil/pen

    supplies

    Jumbled Corners Block

    • 2 squares fabric 4½” x 4½” Colour A background
    • 1 square fabric 4½” x 4½” Colour B main print
    • 1 square fabric 4½” x 4½” Colour C main print

    Butterfly Block

    • 2 squares fabric 4½” x 4½” Colour A background
    • 2 squares fabric 4½” x 4½” Colour B main print

    Instructions
     

    Jumbled Corners Block

    • Take four 4½” squares, two of fabric A, one of fabric B and one of fabric C. Sew them together into a four patch block with the fabric A squares in opposite corners.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Mark 2⅛” on the block edges, either side of each seam; you should have eight marks. Now join these up with drawn diagonal lines across the block.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Cut along all the drawn diagonal lines. Try to do this slowly and carefully so that the pieces don’t move. If the pieces do move then you have the drawn lines as guides to help with the cutting.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Rearrange the pieces. Swap the top and left triangles pieces with each other, swap the right and bottom triangles with each other, and rotate the centre square 90° clockwise.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Sew the units together into three diagonal rows.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Then sew the three rows together and press well.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Finish the block by trimming off the excess fabric to create a 7” square block.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table

    Butterfly Block

    • Take four 4½” squares, two of fabric A and two of fabric B. Sew them together into a four patch block with the fabrics alternating.
      aqua and blue quilt block on gray pressing mat
    • Position the block with your main print (fabric B here) in the top left and bottom right corners. Mark 2⅛” in and down from the top right corner, and mark 2⅛” in and up from the bottom left corner. These markings should all be on your background (fabric A) squares. Now join the marks up with two drawn diagonal lines across the block.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Cut along the two drawn diagonal lines.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Then cut the two triangle units in half from the long edge to the opposite central corner.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Swap the triangle units in each corner so the little fabric A triangles now create a square in two block corners.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Sew the triangle units together and press the seams open.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Then sew the two large corner units to the central diagonal unit. Make sure the central seams are right in the middle of the little fabric B triangles from the central diagonal unit. Match up this central seam first rather then starting at one end as there will be excess fabric here which is trimmed off later.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    • Press well.
    • Finish the block by trimming it down to create a 7” square block.
      aqua, blue, & orange quilt blocks on white table
    PRINT
    Tried this tutorial?Let us know how it was!

    Quilt Top Layouts Using Diagonal Cut Disappearing 4 Patch Blocks

    As you sew these blocks and arrange them into grids to create a quilt, you can see that you can make some really cool quilt tops.

    Here are a few mockups of the blocks. The top row shows how the blocks are sewn together; the bottom is the rows sewn into a quilt top.

    Jumbled Blocks

    diagram of orange and blue quilt blocks in quilt top layout
    diagram of orange and blue quilt blocks in quilt top layout
    diagram of orange and blue quilt blocks in quilt top layout

    Butterfly Blocks

    About the Designer

    Amy Ball is a modern quilt designer and founder of Coffee Rings Studio. Amy regularly contributes projects to magazines and creates online courses and workshops for beginner quilters. Subscribe to Amy’s newsletter to receive your free ‘Guide to (near) Perfect Patchwork’ and follow her on Instagram at @coffeeringsstudio. Also, check out Amy’s digital and paper patterns in her Etsy shop.

    Also by Amy:

    Guide to (near) Perfect Patchwork

    Cleaning your sewing machine | Top tips

    iron and quilt blocks on ironing board

    Pressing Tools | Top tips

    More Quilts

    • How to Create Applique Shapes & Raw Edge Applique Tutorial
    • 3 Tips for Quilting with Small Fabric Pieces
    • Quilt as You Go Baby Bib Pattern
    • How to Fussy Cut Fabric for Quilting Projects

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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