Easy Four Patch Quilt Pattern for Beginners
Welcome back to Four Patch February!
This week, we’re remixing one of my all-time most popular projects — the Patchwork Minky Blanket — and giving it a fresh twist with a classic four-patch quilt block layout. If you haven’t watched the full tutorial yet, be sure to check out the coordinating YouTube video where I walk you through every step of the process, from fabric selection to final stitching.
This version features 5 ½” squares in a mix of dark and light woodland-inspired fabrics, paired with a soft and cozy minky backing. The result? A quick, beginner-friendly patchwork blanket that looks impressive but comes together fast.
Why You’ll Love This Four-Patch Minky Blanket
If you’re searching for:
- Easy quilt patterns for beginners
- Four-patch quilt block ideas
- DIY minky blanket tutorials
- Quick weekend sewing projects
- Woodland fabric quilt inspiration
- Beginner patchwork blanket patterns
This project checks every box.
The four-patch design keeps piecing simple and repetitive (perfect for new quilters), while the alternating dark and light fabrics create beautiful contrast and visual movement across the quilt top.
And because we’re using larger 5 ½” precut squares, this project works up quickly — making it ideal for gifts, baby blankets, or seasonal home décor.
Be sure to watch the video tutorial for full assembly instructions and my best tips for sewing with minky fabric.
Fabric & Supply Details
For this four-patch variation, I used:
- 5 ½” cotton fabric squares (40 dark + 40 light woodland prints)
- Coordinating minky fabric for backing (I had a cream minky swirl or rosette)
- Thread to match
- Rotary cutter and quilting ruler
- Sewing machine
- Pins or clips (especially helpful when sewing with minky)
The key to a strong four-patch layout is contrast. Pairing dark woodland prints with lighter coordinating fabrics really makes each block stand out.
Understanding the Four-Patch Layout
The four-patch quilt block is one of the most classic and beginner-friendly quilt blocks. Each block consists of four squares sewn together in a 2×2 arrangement.
For this project:
- Two dark squares
- Two light squares
- Arranged diagonally for contrast
This simple alternating layout creates a timeless checkerboard-style effect when repeated across the quilt top.
If you’d like a simple visual guide, I’ve included a FREE basic layout outline for this four-patch variation — linked here and in the description of the YouTube video.
For those who want more detailed cutting instructions and size variations, full pattern details are also available for purchase (linked here and in the video description).
Step-by-Step Overview (Full Tutorial in Video)
While this blog post gives you a helpful overview, I highly recommend following along with the full YouTube tutorial for visual guidance and real-time tips.
Here’s the basic process:
1. Sew Your Rows
Pair one dark and one light square together. Sew with a consistent ¼” seam allowance.
2. Press Seams
Press seams toward the darker fabric to reduce shadowing.
3. Nest and Join
Place two rows right sides together, nesting seams to create crisp intersections. Sew the rows together.
4. Press Final Block
Press your completed four-patch block flat.
Repeat until you have enough blocks for your desired blanket size.
Click on the picture below to head over to YouTube and watch the tutorial.
Assembling the Quilt Top
Lay out your four-patch blocks in alternating directions to enhance the contrast and create movement across the quilt.
This step is where the magic happens — you’ll see the woodland-inspired fabrics start to create a cohesive, cozy look.
Once arranged:
- Sew blocks into rows
- Press seams
- Join rows together
Again, I show this entire layout process in detail in the video, so don’t skip that step if you’re a visual learner!
Adding the Minky Backing
Sewing with minky fabric can feel intimidating if you’re new, but this project is a great beginner-friendly introduction.
A few quick tips:
- Use lots of pins or clips
- Sew slowly
- Let the machine feed the fabric (don’t pull) and use a walking foot on your machine if you have one
- Expect a little fluff — it’s normal!
In a previous video, I shared my favorite method for attaching minky backing smoothly and evenly. I also have a PMB master class (completely free!) linked HERE where I detail how to pull it all togehter and get a wonderful professional finish on this self-binding blanket using just the minky fabric.
The result is a super soft, cozy patchwork minky blanket that feels just as good as it looks.
Why This Is Perfect for Beginners
This project is ideal if you’re new to quilting because:
- It uses simple straight seams
- The four-patch block is repetitive and forgiving
- Larger 5 ½” squares mean faster piecing
- Minimal quilting required
- Quick finish for confidence building
If you’ve been wanting to try patchwork quilting but felt intimidated, this is your sign to start. You could always skip the minky backing and finish your quilt top with a more traditional backing and binding if you prefer.
Plus the fabric combinations for these quilts are truly endless. Check out some of my past PMBs HERE to get inspired!
Grab the Pattern + Free Layout Guide
To make this even easier:
- The full Patchwork Minky Blanket pattern details are available for purchase (linked here and in the video description).
- A FREE basic four-patch layout outline is available on the blog.
- The full step-by-step video tutorial walks you through everything from start to finish.
Be sure to bookmark both the blog and the video so you can reference them while sewing.
Four Patch February Series
This project is part of my Four Patch February series, where we explore creative variations of the timeless four-patch quilt block.
If you love:
- Beginner quilting tutorials
- Easy patchwork projects
- Cozy DIY blanket ideas
- Woodland fabric sewing inspiration
- Fast and functional quilt patterns
You’ll want to subscribe to my NEWSLETTER for the rest of the series and future series like this full of inspiration for your sewing and quilting practice.
Thank you so much for sewing along with me this week!
If you make your own Four Patch February Patchwork Minky Blanket, I’d love to see it — share your photos and let me know if you went with dark woodland, light woodland, or a mix of both!
And don’t forget to watch the full YouTube tutorial for all the step-by-step details. Happy quilting, and keep an eye out for more 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)