AQS Block by Block Basics: Sixteen Patch sponsored by AccuQuilt
- By American Quilter's Society
- Jan 14, 2025

Welcome to the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! Each month we'll spend three weeks playing with one block. Week one, we'll kick things off with hand piecing from templates like the quilters of yesterday. For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting System and machine piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing. Finally, in week three, we'll focus on making the block fabulous with a variety of embellishment techniques.
Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.
Sixteen Patch Block
12" x 12" finished block size
Week One: Template cutting and hand piecing
Week Two: AccuQuilt cutting and precision machine piecing
Week Three: Embellishment fun
Each month, we'll complete two blocks, one hand pieced and one machine pieced. You can finish one or both of the blocks to make mini quilts or use them in projects. We'll have lots of creative ideas along the way for using your 12" blocks. We'll also offer finishing instructions if you prefer to save all the blocks for a quilt.
Week Three
Welcome to week three of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week three, we'll be adding extra embellishment to our blocks. This month, we're focusing on decorative hand and machine stitches which can create fun effects and enhance the block.
In the months ahead, we'll explore many techniques including some for various finishing options. Have fun combining and building upon each month's embellishment techniques as it goes. Let's start with embroidery!
Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.
Hand Decorative Stitches
I love using hand embroidery stitches to decorate blocks. The way a stitch forms and the shapes it makes if tweaked this way or that is fun to play with against the fabric. For example, I alternated one-wrap and two-wrap French Knots to create textures for the trees of my purple fabric. I took inspiration from the fabric prints, from nature, and from the stitches themselves, letting them lead the dance of needle and floss. - Emily Cross
Supplies for Hand Embroidery
Embroidery Needle (select a needle with an eye big enough to handle the thread, floss, or perle cotton you'd like to use and make sure it has a sharp point)
Embroidery Hoop
Stabilizer, if needed
Thread, Floss, Perle Cotton, Yarn
Small Scissors
For the Sixteen Patch block, the fabric inspired our embellishment choices. The sweet prints begged for a few simple stitches to highlight their charm.
Random sets of trees were embellished with French Knots and some of the flowers were highlighted with Lazy Daisy stitches.
Here are a couple of handy videos if you aren't familiar with these stitches.
Lazy Daisy Stitches
Click here to learn how to make Lazy Daisy stitches along with other basic embroidery stitches.
French Knots
Click here to learn how to make French Knots.
Take a look at your fabrics, grab your needle, and let your inspiration guide you!
Machine Decorative Stitches
I remember looking at the stitch icons on my mom's sewing machine as a child and wondering why in the world she stuck to the boring old straight stitch all the time. It still gives me a thrill to fire up my machine and pick out a pretty stitch. - Emily Cross
Supplies for Machine Embroidery
Sewing Machine with Decorative Stitches
Sewing Machine Needle (big enough to handle the thread weight of the thread you'd like to use)
Thread
Batting or Stabilizer
Small Scissors
We used a scrap of batting to help stabilize our stitching and add a little pop to the block.
Selecting Thread
It's important to test your thread before using it on your block. Grab a scrap of fabric and apply a stabilizer or batting scrap, whatever you'll use for your block, and test your decorative thread with a straight stitch to ensure it works well with the needle and machine tension, then test the decorative stitch.
Tip: Pull off extra thread for variegated varieties to see how the color plays out across the block.
We decided on the Feather Stitch. Centering the needle on the seam line gives a great effect.
First, stitch all the seams going the same direction. Then, turn the block and finish with going the other direction.
Take a look at your machine and let all the pretty stitch patterns inspire you!
Be sure to stop by the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook to show off your finished blocks.
Next month, we will make the Uneven Nine Patch block.
Week Two
Welcome to week two of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting GO! to die cut the fabric, and then we’ll machine piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.
Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.
Download the free Sixteen Patch block pattern from AccuQuilt here.
Selecting Fabrics
The Sixteen Patch offers quilters a variety of design options, from two-tone varieties to super scrappy blocks with sixteen unique fabrics. Check out some of the layouts below for inspiration!
Two-color designs work in a variety of values from light to dark and contrasts from high to low.
Three-color designs lend themselves to scrappiness to provide subtle variations within each tone. See how repetitions of blocks start to create cool patterns when scaled up to a quilt.
Four-color designs can lend a sense of balance to a block or quilt.
Five-color designs can push the volume to the max with a wide range of colors. Calm it down with similar colors in different shades if the asymmetrical blocks and resulting quilt layouts are too wild!
Choose fabrics that work with your design. Press your fabrics before cutting if needed, for a smooth process.
Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!
I grew up with my mom’s stories of the new-fangled rotary cutter she taught my great-grandmother to use back in the ‘80s. Staring down the AccuQuilt GO! sitting on the table in front of me with my mom by my side, I relished grabbing the instructions and jumping into it with her. It felt like the future was sitting on the table in front of us! It took moments to line up the fabric, die, and cutting mat, seconds to turn the hand crank, and suddenly we had cut our first piece with the AccuQuilt GO! I noted with pleasure the quiet nature of the device and am really looking forward to spending time getting creative with this cutting system! - Emily Cross of Ozark Modern Crafting
Supplies for Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!
Download the free Sixteen Patch block pattern from AccuQuilt here.
Small scissors to cut threads, if needed
Dies Used:
GO! Square-3½” (3” Finished) (55006)
Fabric:
At least two different fabrics, but you could use up to sixteen unique fabrics. A fabric piece needs to be at least 4” wide and long to cut a square.
Cut Pieces
Step one: Layer fabric on the die with foam side up.
For cutting accuracy, be sure to place the fabric so the lengthwise grain, which has little to no stretch, goes into the roller.
The machine is truly ambidextrous, the instructions are the same whether fed through from the right or left of the roller.
Stack up to six layers of fabric.
Step two: Place the cutting mat over the fabric and die and feed them through the AccuQuilt GO! while turning the hand crank.
Once through the roller, rub a hand over the cutting mat and gently lift it.
Trim any threads if needed.
Step three: Repeat to cut 16 squares from your fabrics.
Machine Piecing
Machine piecing is rich with a variety of techniques and tricks for assembly. Below we'll cover some of the basics. If you have any trouble figuring it out or have questions, visit the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook. We'll be happy to show you how.
Machine Piecing Supplies
Download the free Sixteen Patch block pattern from AccuQuilt here.
Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Fabric - For the Sixteen Patch block, we need (16) 3½" x 3½" squares
Four Patch Assembly
Sixteen Patch Blocks can be assembled in rows or units. This is how to assemble the block in units called Four Patches.
Step One: Arrange the block into four quadrants to form Four Patches. Working one quadrant at a time, sew pairs by taking two squares and laying them right sides together.
Sew a 1/4" seam.
Conserve thread and time by sewing multiple pairs in a row with only a short gap in between. This is called chain piecing.
Press towards the darker fabric.
Step Two: Repeat with the other squares.
Step Three: Take two pairs and layer them right sides together. Pinch the seams between your fingers, arranging them in opposite directions so they lock.
Then sew the pairs together.
Four Patch unit measures 6½" x 6½" unfinished. Repeat to make 4 Four Patches.
Block Assembly
Now, we're ready to begin piecing our units into a block. Arrange the four patch units back into the block design.
- Take two of the four patch units and lay them right sides together. Sew a 1/4" seam and press in one direction.
- Repeat with the other four patch units, pressing in the opposite direction of the previous pair.
- Take the two rows and lay them right sides together. Sew a 1/4" seam. At this point, you may be tempted to press your block. However, you may want to wait until you decide on your embellishment and quilting in week three.
Sixteen Patch block measures 12½" x 12½" unfinished.
Be sure to stop by the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook to show off your finished blocks.
Next week, we will embellish our blocks with hand and machine techniques.
Week One
Making a Template
My first introduction to quilting was helping my grandmother-in-law-to-be (I didn't know that at the time) trace little cardboard shapes onto scraps of fabric stored in an old popcorn tin. Once we had the number of shapes we needed, we'd sit together and cut them out. For my help, she'd entertain me with stories.
We didn't have too many cutting sessions before I wanted to know what she was making with all those bits of fabric with shapes drawn on them. Grandma Mary showed me and I was hooked.
It's my honor to share this quilting tradition with you. - Betsey
Supplies for Making Templates
Scrap Cardboard (cereal boxes are a popular choice, but any single-layer heavyweight cardboard you can cut will do)
Pencil (you may want to get fancy here and use your preferred marking tool, but a pencil works best)
Clear Ruler (square acrylic quilting ruler is my favorite, but a clear graph ruler works too)
Paper Scissors
Make a 3" Square Template
For hand piecing, the templates are cut to the finished size of the patch. For the Sixteen Patch block, we need a 3" square template.
Step one: Trace a 3" square onto a piece of cardboard.
Step two: Cut out the square on the line. If you use a marking tool that gives you a thick line, you'll cut at the inside of the line so you don't make your template larger than three inches.
Step three: Write the size on the square.
Making the Patches *Important - Please Read*
Seam allowances are different for hand piecing. They don't serve as a guide for accuracy rather they exist so the fabric doesn't fray too much while you sew. If you're new to hand piecing, give yourself some extra room. You can always trim them down later. DO NOT CUT ON THE DRAWN LINE - it's tempting, but don't do it.
Step one: Select the fabric. You'll need at least two different fabrics for this block, but you could use up to sixteen unique fabrics.
Step two: Trace the template on the backside of the fabric leaving enough room between the patches for the seam allowances (a 1/4" or so for each patch is preferred for the seam allowance, but it's not a rule for hand piecing - you'll learn what you like best). For the Sixteen Patch block, you'll need (16) patches.
Step three: Cut out the patches leaving enough fabric outside the drawn line for a seam allowance.
Hand Piecing
It was so nice to sit and stitch a seam here and there throughout the week. The way two pieces of fabric, a needle, and thread feels between my fingers is an old and familiar feeling. The work was quiet and the weave of the fabric felt so satisfying between my fingers. I spent the whole time I pieced dreaming up what sort of fun I would want to get up to for embellishment in week three. I can’t wait to get my hands on this block again! - Emily Cross from Ozark Modern Crafting
Hand piecing has a few tricks of its own. Below we'll cover some of the basics. If you have any trouble figuring it out or have questions, visit the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook. We'll be happy to show you how.
Hand Piecing Supplies
Sharp Needle (any size you prefer)
Thread (typically it's good to match the fiber of the fabric you are using in a neutral color)
Scissors
Fabric - For the Sixteen Patch block, we need (16) patches
The Quilter's Knot
The Quilter's Knot is a tension knot that can be adjusted in size by the number of wraps you use.
Step one: Thread your needle.
Step Two: Bring the long tail of your thread up to your needle so the end of the thread where you want the knot is pointing at the eye of the needle. Pinch the thread against the needle with the same fingers you are holding the needle.
Step Three: While still holding the thread against the needle, use your other hand to wrap the loose thread around the needle three or four times. Pinch the wraps with the same hand you are pinching the needle and thread tail. Continue pinching for the next step.
Step Four: With your free hand, grab the pointed end of the needle and pull the needle up until you feel the knot form between your pinched fingers.
The Tailor's Lock Stitch
The Tailor's Lock stitch is a running stitch with a back stitch at the beginning. It's used in hand piecing to help secure the patches together.
Step One: With the right sides of two patches together, pierce the point of your needle through one marked corner. Check the other patch to confirm that the needle pierced the marked corner. Take a small stitch along the marked line.
Step Two: Begin again in the corner and take 4 to 5 running stitches along the marked line. Pull the thread through.
Step Three: Insert your needle back behind the last stitch to create a Tailor's lock stitch, and then take 4-5 running stitches along the marked line.
Step Four: When you reach the end take a back stitch.
The End Knot
When you come to the other corner, it's time to tie a knot. An End knot is two loop knots on top of each other.
Step One: Use your needle to take a tiny stitch through both layers at the corner. As you slowly pull your thread, stop when the loop is a couple of inches and pass your needle through the loop.
Step Two: Pull the loop closed creating the first loop knot.
Step Three: Make another stitch over the first loop knot and pass your needle through its loop to make a second loop knot.
Piecing the Rows
Now, we're ready to begin piecing our patches into rows.
1. Decide how you want to arrange your patches and layout your block. The Sixteen Patch block has four rows of four patches each.
2. Begin the top row by picking up the first two patches and stitching them right sides together.
3. Continue by stitching the next patch in the row to the set until you've completed the row. Finger press each of the seams in the row in the same direction.
4. Make all four rows.
Passing Through the Seam
We have one more skill to add before we sew the rows together. In hand piecing, we sew through the seam meetings without stitching the seam allowances down so they are free to arrange for pressing and quilting later. This is achieved by passing the threaded needle through the seam just above the seam's stitches.
Step one: When you come to a seam, take a back stitch on the marked link, right up to the seam.
Step two: Pass the needle through the seam on the same side you are stitching from, above the seam's stitches. If you pass the needle below the seam's stitches your stitch will show on the front of your block.
Step three: Once on the other side of the seam, take a stitch forward, and then backstitch over this stitch to continue.
Assembling the Sixteen Patch Block
It's time to stitch our rows together and complete our block. You may find it helpful to use pins or clips during this part. Do what is comfortable for you.
1. Lay the top row on the second row, right sides together. At this point, you can pin or clip the rows together if you choose.
2. Take your first locking stitch at the beginning corner. Stitch until you reach the first set of seams.
3. Stop and make sure the seams are aligned. Once the seams are matched, take your first back stitch, then pass through the seam and take your next stitch.
4. Continue stitching the row matching and passing through the seams as you come to them.
5. Once completed, finger press your rows.
6. Continue this process until you've stitched all the rows in the block.
At this point, you may be tempted to press your block. However, you may want to wait until you decide on your embellishment and quilting in week three.
Be sure to stop by the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook to show off your finished blocks.
Next week, we will be making the same block again with completely different techniques.
Block Schedule
January: Sixteen Patch
February: Uneven Nine Patch
March: Jewel Box
April: Clay's Choice
May: Card Trick
June: Turnstile
July: Sawtooth Star
August: Fish
September: Dutchman's Puzzle
October: Bear Paw
November: Flower Basket
December: Split Back Star
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