Sewing project using up various scraps and making a pouch. Scraps sewn together to make a piece of fabric. Then cut to size making pouches.
It is amazing how scraps, can do its thing and become a beautiful handy pouch.
Make them any size of your liking.
Here how they are made.
1. Sew many pieces together to reach the length you desire. 2. Cut out a piece of fusible batting and a piece of lining the same size as the patchwork. 3. Fuse on the batting to the patchwork.
4. With right sides together pin or clip and leave a marking of about 2 - 3 inched to enable to turn inside out. 5. Stitch 6. Press 7. Turn up to the desired size you wish the pouch to be. Clip. 8. Stitch around, ensure that all catches , as it is a very narrow seam. Sometimes it is better to stitch around a second time. 9. Fold down the top to form a flap. 10. Arrange a snap or velcro for closure. 11. Press 🧵🪡
Optional: Quilting can be done here at the point prior to number 5. You can arrange any shape you so desire at point prior to 5. (Rounded corners, Triangle, Square etc.)
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Put two squares together, right sides together and sew a 1/4 each seam around the circumference of the square or block.
Clip the corners.
Draw an X shape in the middle of the square or block. Pull it away from the other and where the X meets in the center make a small insertion to start cutting on those lines.
Open and press. Trim and cut the excess on the corners off.
Press
If you have more scraps of fabric the size of the square then repeat the process. The process here was done three times.
Just barely made it, didn't have anymore fabric to make another. I gather I will make something with it like a Mug Rug, Placemat, a bag that it can be appliqued on etc.
A Square in a Square (also known as a diamond-in-a-square) is a classic quilting block pattern consisting of a central square framed by four triangles to form an outer square. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Popular Assembly Methods
The Stitch-and-Flip Method (No-Waste): You align smaller fabric squares onto the corners of a large center square, sew diagonally from corner to corner, trim the excess, and flip the corners out. [6, 7]
The Triangle Piecing Method: You cut two smaller outer squares in half diagonally to create four triangles, which are then centered and chain-pieced onto each side of your main focal square. [8, 9]
Jodi Barrows' Specialized Technique: A revolutionary strip-piecing method using custom rulers to strip-piece outer borders onto a center square, stripping out human cutting errors for rapid assembly. [10, 11, 12]
Standard Quilt Block Sizing Math
To make a perfect block traditionally without a specialty ruler, use these baseline calculations: [6]
Center Fabric Square: Cut your center fabric to the desired finished block size plus $\frac{1}{2}$ inch (e.g., cut a $6\frac{1}{2}$-inch square for a 6-inch finished unit). [6, 13]
Corner Triangles: Cut two smaller accent squares to half the finished block size plus $\frac{1}{2}$ inch (e.g., $3\frac{1}{2}$ inches), then slice them in half diagonally to yield your four corner triangles. [6, 8]
If you are currently planning a project, I can generate a custom cutting measurement chart or recommend specialty rulers and fabric packs to streamline your assembly. Would you like to build a specific block size? [14, 15]
Here is a comprehensive, blog-ready guide to the Square-in-a-Square quilt block. You can copy, paste, and adapt this layout directly for your FYI article or knowledge base.
The Quilter’s Guide to the Square-in-a-Square Block
The Square-in-a-Square (often called a Diamond-in-a-Square) is a foundational quilt block. It looks like a diamond nested inside a square frame. It is highly versatile, acting as a standalone block, a vibrant cornerstone for borders, or the center unit for complex patterns like the Storm at Sea or Ohio Star.
📐 The Golden Formulas (No-Waste Math)
To help your readers cut perfect pieces every time without relying on specialized rulers, use these standard mathematical formulas.
Note: All calculations include the standard 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Formula 1: The Standard Piecing Method
This method uses a central square and four corner triangles (cut from two larger squares sliced once diagonally).
Center Square Size = Finished Size + 1/2 inch
Corner Squares Size = (Finished Size ÷ 2) + 7/8 inch (Cut 2 squares, then slice diagonally corner-to-corner to make 4 triangles)
Formula 2: The "Stitch-and-Flip" Method
This method is incredibly popular because it avoids bias edges. You sew smaller squares directly onto the corners of a large square and trim the excess.
Center Square Size = Finished Size + 1/2 inch
Corner Squares Size = (Finished Size ÷ 2) + 1/2 inch (Cut 4 individual squares; do not slice them)
📊 Quick-Reference Cutting Chart
Here is a handy cheat sheet for the most common finished block sizes using the Standard Piecing Method:
Finished Block Size
Cut 1 Center Square
Cut 2 Corner Squares (Slice diagonally for 4 triangles)
2" x 2"
$2\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 2\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$1\ \frac{7}{8}" \times 1\ \frac{7}{8}"$
3" x 3"
$3\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 3\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$2\ \frac{3}{8}" \times 2\ \frac{3}{8}"$
4" x 4"
$4\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 4\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$2\ \frac{7}{8}" \times 2\ \frac{7}{8}"$
6" x 6"
$6\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 6\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$3\ \frac{7}{8}" \times 3\ \frac{7}{8}"$
8" x 8"
$8\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 8\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$4\ \frac{7}{8}" \times 4\ \frac{7}{8}"$
12" x 12"
$12\ \frac{1}{2}" \times 12\ \frac{1}{2}"$
$6\ \frac{7}{8}" \times 6\ \frac{7}{8}"$
🧵 Step-by-Step Construction (Standard Method)
Prep the Triangles: Take your two outer corner squares and cut them diagonally once from corner to corner. You will now have four triangles.
Find the Centers: Fold your center square in half and lightly crease the edges to find the midpoint of all four sides. Do the same for the long edge (the hypotenuse) of your four triangles.
Sew Side 1 & 2: Match the center crease of a triangle to the center crease of the left side of the center square. Pin and sew with a 1/4-inch seam. Repeat this process on the exact opposite (right) side.
Press: Press the seams open or toward the triangles.
Sew Side 3 & 4: Attach the remaining two triangles to the top and bottom sides of the square, aligning the center creases.
Square Up: Press flat. Use a quilting ruler to ensure your block is perfectly square and that you have exactly 1/4 inch of fabric outside the inner diamond points to prevent cutting them off later!
💡 Pro-Tips for Your Blog Readers
Watch the Bias: Cutting squares diagonally exposes the "bias" (stretchy grain) of the fabric. Handle the cut triangles gently so they do not stretch out of shape at the sewing machine.
Fussy Cutting: This block is perfect for "fussy cutting"—centering a specific motif (like a flower, a cute animal, or a graphic logo) right in the middle of the center square.
The Oversize Strategy: Many modern quilters prefer to cut their corner triangles 1/4 inch larger than the math requires, sew the block together, and then trim it down to the exact size for flawless precision.
If you want to expand this post, I can draft a section on troubleshooting wavy blocks or provide a list of companion blocks that look great next to it. What area would you like to explore next?
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