String Around Four-Patch
designed and *copy write by Faye 'faeb' Burden 1988

Queen or Full size 86.5 X 104.5 inches
Block size 4.5 inches.

The beauty of this quilt lies in the simplicity of the design and the fabrics that is chosen. It was designed to be a template free and quick project . It is cut entirely with the rotary cutter. You can see some of mine in MY QUILT ALBUM. I have made this design so many times I have lost count. I am always pleased with the results. It is an easy design to quilt either by hand or machine. A knowledge of rotary cutting and basic quilting skills will be needed. I do not include them here as I assume you already know this.
The fabric that you choose is very important in this design. Give a lot of thought and plan for this. I have never made it as a scrap quilt. I think it would work nice if fabric B were dark prints and C were medium prints with fabric A lights. The fabric D should be of just one fabric to tie the design together.Someday perhaps I will try this. I will tell you what has works nice for me to guide anyone who may need help with choosing fabrics but you should do your own thing. It is your quilt.

 

Color A: (2 yards)  This is the background color and should be rather plain. It is the white shown on my graph on the left.

Color B: (3.75 yards) This is the part that is shown as a green check. I choose the other colors to coordinate with this one. I have found this looks best in a medium to large multipart print. This is the binding fabric also.

Color C: (3 yards) This is the blue polka dotted fabric in my graph.
I find this part looks best in a small two color scale and of a soft contrasting color, maybe one of the colors in color A.

Color D: (2.0 yards) This is the main fabric in the quilt and the one that will make/break your quilt so choose it carefully. Make it your darkest or most contrasting color,  in a small 2 color print or a solid. You can see how important this color is by just looking at the design on the left.
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Cutting Instructions: The yardage is based on 42 inch without selvages.Remove all selvages and cut strips crosswise of your fabric.
Fabric A Cut 110 five inch blocks.
Fabric B For Blocks cut 15 strips 2.75 inches wide. These should be a total of 17.5 yards long when joined together to form one long strip.
Cut 26 strips 2.75 yards wide for the border. Sew these together to make 3 strips each 10 yards long for the wide outer border.
For binding cut 8 strips 2 inches wide and join to make one long strip. Fold in half length wise and press. Sew raw edges to quilt for dbl hem.
Fabric C For blocks cut same as fabric B blocks.
Cut 26 strips 2.0 inches wide and sew together to make three strips 10 yards long for the border.
Fabric D Cut 8 strips 2.5 inches. Sew these together to make 2 strips 65 inches and 2 strips 85 inches. These are for the narrow inner border. 
Cut 26 strips 1.75 inches wide and sew these together to make 3 strips 10 yards long for the wide outer border.
Assembly 
Step 1 The blocks. Place the block fabric A and B strips with right sides together and sew a .25 inch seam the entire length of these.
Cut this strip every 2.75 inches and resew to form the 111 blocks for the quilt. Join these in rows as shown with the A fabric blocks. Be sure you keep your colors in the correct position.
Step 2 The 1st border. Pin and sew the narrow fabric D borders.
Hint: I always mark my borders before sewing with tiny marks on the wrong side. First make a mark at .25 inches for the seam allowance then mark the border strip at 4.5 inches for each block along the edge (13 or 17) and finally .25 for other seam allowance. You will need to mark the ends of these border strips for joining in the corners too.  This little extra care will guarantee your borders will not ripple and each side of quilt will have the same size border. 
Pin the border to the quilt matching these marks to the block seams and sew. You can make the corners as you wish just be sure to mark correctly for which way your are going to sew them.
Step 3 The String Border Join the 10 yard lengths together lengthwise and in the order as shown then sew these together to make a piece that measures 15 inches by 10 yards. Cut this crosswise ever 12 inches and join to form the border strips. (Caution: You will need to watch the cutting edge of this as you cut crosswise and make sure it is kept squared. I find I have to square it often). There should be 2 ends 87 inches and 2 sides 105 inches. Sew a row of small stay stitches .25 inch from one long edge to keep your seam from pulling loose. Join these border strips to the edge of quilt, mitering the corners. The seams will not match at the corners but that is the way it should be. I quilt on each side of all seams and a flower in the larger background squares. Sign, date and take a photo. Enjoy!

Note:  About the copywrite to my instructions. 
You may make this quilt for what every purpose you wish. The quilt is yours to do with as you please. You may make a copy of these instruction for your own use to aid in making your quilt but you can not copy and redistribute these instructions in any form or for any reason without my permission. In most cases I will grant permission on request for non-profit use.  faeb

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