Four-Patch Quilting for Beginners: Scrap-Friendly Coaster DIY + Four-Patch February Series
If you’re looking for an easy way to dive into four-patch quilting, you’re going to love this project. Welcome to the very first post in my Four-Patch February series—a month-long exploration of one of the most foundational (and versatile!) quilt blocks out there: the four-patch block.
This series is designed for quilters of all levels, whether you’re brand new to quilting or a seasoned sewist who loves classic blocks with modern potential. Each week in February, we’ll explore a different four-patch block combination, building skills and confidence while creating practical, usable projects along the way.
Be sure to watch the full video tutorial here: Simple 4-Patch Valentine DIY
Why the Four-Patch Block Matters
The four-patch quilt block is a true workhorse in quilting. It’s simple, fast to piece, and endlessly adaptable. Once you understand the basics, you can use this block in everything from modern quilts to traditional layouts, and scale it up or down for almost any project.
That’s why I chose it as the focus for this month. By the end of Four-Patch February, you’ll not only understand how this block works—you’ll have several creative ways to use it.
Today’s Project: Simple Four-Patch Coaster DIY
For week one, we’re starting small with a four-patch coaster DIY that’s perfect for scrap quilting. This is a quick, satisfying project that’s ideal for:
- Using up fabric scraps
- Practicing accurate piecing
- Creating cute, seasonal handmade gifts
- Quilting confidence boosts
Materials You’ll Need
- Four 2 1/2 inch fabric squares (scraps work perfectly!) – 3 red and 1 white for this Valentine heart tutorial
- One 5 inch background fabric square
- One 5 inch batting square
- Basic sewing supplies (thread and needle or sewing machine, rotary cutter or scissors, ruler, iron)
This size makes the project approachable and fast—you can easily sew several coasters in one sitting. For each additional coaster, repeat the materials above.
Step-by-Step Overview
The coaster begins with piecing two pairs of 2 1/2 inch squares, pressing, and then joining them to form the classic four-patch block. Once the block is complete, it’s layered with batting and background fabric and stitched into a finished coaster.
If you’re new to quilting, this project teaches essential skills like:
- Accurate quarter-inch seams
- Pressing for clean block alignment
- Squaring up small quilted projects
I walk through each step in detail in the video tutorial, so if you’re more of a visual learner, you’ll definitely want to follow along there. Again, if you prefer to follow along with written insptrctions, you can find them as a PDF dowload in my Etsy shop or included with the DIY Coaster kits shown below.
Watch the tutorial here:
Scrap Quilting Made Simple
One of my favorite things about this project is how scrap-friendly it is. Those leftover 2 1/2 inch squares add up quickly, and this coaster is a great way to turn them into something useful instead of letting them sit in a drawer.
You can keep the look modern and minimal with high-contrast fabrics, or lean into a scrappy, playful style by mixing prints and colors. There’s no wrong answer here—that’s the beauty of quilting.
FInd all of my available DIY Coaster kits HERE: laruedefleurs – Etsy
Pattern Options: Coaster or Pot Holder
If you’d like a written guide to go along with the video, I’ve got you covered. I offer a downloadable pattern that includes:
- The Valentine four-patch coaster shown in the video (Purchase PDF Pattern HERE.)
- A larger pot holder version featured at the end of the tutorial (Purchase PDF Pattern HERE.)
Both sizes use the same basic construction method, so once you learn one, you can easily make the other.
Want Everything Ready to Sew?
If cutting isn’t your favorite part, or you just want a stress-free project, I also sell non-seasonal quilting kits that include everything you need to get started. These kits are perfect if you want to jump right in without digging through your stash.
Shop the quilting kits here:
What’s Coming Next in Four-Patch February
This coaster is just the beginning. Each week in February, we’ll explore a new four-patch block variation, building on what you’ve already learned and creating more fun, functional projects along the way.
If you don’t want to miss a step:
- Subscribe to the YouTube channel
- Bookmark this blog
- Or sign up for updates so you can sew along all month
Thanks for kicking off Four-Patch February with me. Grab your scraps, fire up your sewing machine, and let’s keep quilting together—one four-patch at a time. Happy making, and keep an eye out for more in the Four-Patch February series with fresh project inspirations on my YouTube, blog and IG soon! Janice
Inspiration and resources are linked where applicable. All written work and photographs are original content and are copyright protected; kindly give due credit by linking back to my website if you use or share.
(©2026, Janice Bailor // laruedefleurs.com)