double 4-patch on-point, red and white, top completed

Red and White Double 4 patch On-Point
83 1/2 by 67 inches
top completed 2025

block finishes 6 inches
143 blocks

I made a double 4-patch with different sized blocks in my solids + prints series, block described HERE and quilt described HERE (that was a great quilt!) and I wanted to make one with red and whites.

This quilt has a smaller block size.
I have lots of white with red prints and while making the chickens quilt cut those and more into parts for this quilt. I kept the backgrounds tight from white to cream with red prints but I also included other color prints to make it more interesting to my eye.
I was not sure what to do about the red--solid? scrap?--when I came upon this great chicken wire print.

Morning Serenade by Susan Wright for Wilmington Prints 

The print is directional so I had to make the decision of keeping the orientation constant or letting it go every which way. Oddly, every which way is harder to make happen with one print, so I went with consistent.  I let the whites go every which way.
I only had to pay attention with the first seam of the 2 inch squares--being consistent with how I fed it into the machine. After that, making sure I fed the 4-patches with the red entering first, then the chicken wire orientation was consistent for the whole quilt.

Cutting for one block:
Four white scrap 2 inch squares 
Four red constant 2 inch squares
Two white scrap 3 1/2 inch squares

Cutting for this quilt:
(((note, there may be errors in numbers)))
572 red 2 inch squares
572 white scrap 2 inch squares
286 white scrap 3 1/2 inch squares
32 white scrap setting triangles *details on cutting below
4 white scrap corner triangles*

Sew the red and white 2 inch squares together
PRESS to the red square
For each half-block make a 4-patch
Be consistent with feeding in the four patches by always having the red enter the machine first.
PRESS consistantly
Add the 3 /12 inch white square
PRESS to the white square
Then piece into full blocks. Make sure to feed into machine with a 4-patch first.
DO NOT PRESS yet.

half-block piecing

half-block pressing

Full block sewing

Reserving a single block for each row, I sew blocks into pairs and 4s, keeping the block seam parallel/horizontal with the block joining seams.
Sewing the blocks into pairs makes laying out the top easier--half the quilt will already be sewn!
Lay out in an on-point set.
Sew into diagonal rows

I trim the setting triangle at 6 1/2 inches on the side that needs to line up with the end block for each row. I wait to trim until ready to sew so that I make sure I trim the correct edge.
PRESS all block seams and the half-block seams and setting triangle seams of odd rows to the left and even rows to the right.
Sew rows together
PRESS rows as you sew them together.
Press rows up to the left for the first half of the quilt, then start pressing remaining rows down to the right.
Everything nests!
Staystitch around the quilt

*Setting triangles
I prefer to over-cut my setting triangles so to float the top.
For this quilt I cut the triangles using my large square with the hypotenuse along the straight of grain and the cuts at 7 1/2 inches.
The corner triangles were cut from bisecting 6 inch squares.

cutting a setting triangle with the 7 1/2 inch mark from each side on the straight edge

trimming a corner of a setting triangle at 6 1/2 inches

I have a great variety of white with red fabrics. I also added a scattering of other colors on white to add to the mix.

That barn is very reminiscent of our barn which I fear is no longer present
 

My design of a traditional block. Use at your pleasure.

Backing is Lola Dutch by Sarajane for Michael Miller Fabrics #DH8583
"Learn about Everything"