Four Crowns Quilt Block

I love obscure quilt blocks. If I don’t recognize the block it likely means that the block is really old and isn’t use much anymore. I don’t always go by names because quilt block names can be vary by region, not sure how many times someone has asked me about a quilt block and I am clueless until I see it. This block is listed as four crowns but upon further research it also came up as union, an effective square, union block, and union square. There are some great website out there today that have cataloged the entire history of patchwork quilt blocks. I was browsing the other day and found the four crowns quilt block. It intrigued me and I knew I just had to make my own.

four crowns quilt block

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I use two websites when looking for blocks Generations Quilt Patterns, I like this one the best because there are pictures with the names, and The Quilt Index. The Quilt Index doesn’t have photos with names which turns it into a rabbit hole sometimes. I was scrolling through Generations Quilt Patterns when the four crowns quilt block jumped out at me. I had never seen it before so it wasn’t one of those blocks that I recognized the design but not the name. I read their directions for putting the block together but they used paper piecing. I have no problems with paper piecing but when I started to break the quilt apart I realized the block wasn’t made up of any units that would benefit from paper piecing.

Traditionally, quilt blocks were 12 1/2″ or smaller. An easy way to update a traditional quilt block is to change its size. Since the original website had patterns for smaller blocks I enlarged the block. I prefer going big because it requires less blocks to make a quilt. Also, the bigger the block it is the easier it is to hide small goofs. Little blocks show the goofs a lot more than big blocks. This block will finish at 14 1/2″ and in a project it will finish at 14″.

I know the block looks complicated but you’ve already learned how to put the pieces together. We need flying geese and half square triangles. Now it’s just a matter of putting those pieces together with some squares. If you missed those two tutorials you can head over and see how to put those together first.

This block is the basis for my first paid quilt pattern. I am currently looking for a few pattern testers. If you would like more information on being a pattern tester or if you would like to be the first to know when the pattern is available you can sign up here.

four crowns quilt block pinterest

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