Traditional Tuesday - Block 41

Patience Corners

Block 41 - Patience Corners

About 10 years ago, my local guild did this block as a signature swap. It turned out really cool - each participant made their blocks with the squares in muslin and the strips in a print of their choice. Each wrote her name in one of the center squares and something about herself in the other center square. I still have my blocks - enough for a double quilt. But I never made them into the quilt. Typical. I stopped doing block swaps shortly after that!

You'll need two prints and a neutral solid for your block.

Cutting:

• From each print, cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares.
• From the neutral, cut:
• 4 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips
• 4 - 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips

Sew the short neutral strip to the top of each square. Press.

Sew the remaining strips to the side of each square. Press.

Lay out the units as shown and sew together like a 4-patch. Make sure to have matching fabrics touch in the center.

Here's some traditional versions of Patience Corners:
This version shows the squares neutral and the strips in a print. You can do yours this way if you prefer. Also look at the cool Amish version below the block.
This is a scrappy version - every square is different.  I like the optical illusion the strips make when sewn in a straight set!