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The Easy Squares Table Topper finishes at 32-1/2 inches square, with five 8-inch Four-Patch blocks framed by setting squares and pieced borders. It uses conventional rotary-cut patchwork, a 1/4-inch seam allowance and three coordinated fabric groups: green, plum and pink.
Project specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Finished size | 32-1/2 inches square |
| Finished block size | 8 inches square |
| Center layout | Five Four-Patch blocks with four green setting squares, arranged in three rows |
| Fabric width assumed | 44/45-inch-wide, 100% cotton quilting fabric |
| Pattern publication | June 14, 2013 |
American Patchwork & Quilting editors describe the design as: “Four-Patch blocks, setting squares, and rectangles are all you need to make an easy-to-piece table topper.” The featured fabrics were from the Eva collection by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics; the project was inspired by “Orchard Lane” by Jill Abeloe Mead and lists Kathleen Williams as quiltmaker.
Fabric and batting requirements
| Material | Amount | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Assorted green prints | 5/8 yard total | Setting squares and border pieces |
| Assorted plum prints | 1/2 yard total | Four-Patch blocks and border pieces |
| Assorted pink prints | 1/3 yard total | Four-Patch blocks and border pieces |
| Plum print for binding | 3/8 yard | Binding strips |
| Backing fabric | 1-1/8 yards | Quilt backing |
| Batting | 39-inch square | Batting layer |
Keep the green, plum and pink groups visually distinct so the Four-Patch units and setting squares remain legible. Within each color group, assorted prints provide variety without changing the cutting plan.
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Use a rotary cutter, quilting ruler and cutting mat for accurate strips and squares. The pattern’s cut list is:
#1 Best Overall
- Long and skinny or short and wide, modern and minimal or traditional and scrappy, the 56 toppers in this book fit any table
- This collection features patterns bytoday's favorite designers
- Styled photography offers a colorful preview of how the quick-to-stitch projects look on tabletops and shows creative ways to include the designs in your home decor
- Seasonal and holiday themed projects are ideal for gift giving and year-round stitching
- See more in product description.
- Green prints: four 8-1/2-inch setting squares and eight rectangles measuring 4-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches.
- Plum prints: eighteen 4-1/2-inch squares.
- Pink prints: fourteen 4-1/2-inch squares.
- Binding: four 2-1/2 by 42-inch strips from the plum print.
Label cut pieces by color and function before sewing. The extra-looking count of plum and pink squares is needed because those pieces serve both the five Four-Patch blocks and the pieced borders.
Make the Four-Patch blocks
- Pair the squares. Place right sides together and pair two plum 4-1/2-inch squares with two pink 4-1/2-inch squares for each block. Use a consistent color arrangement across all five blocks, or vary the print combinations while keeping the plum-and-pink balance.
- Sew with a 1/4-inch seam. Join the pairs, then press the Four-Patch units toward the plum prints unless another pressing direction is required for accurate matching.
- Join the units. Sew the paired units together to form five Four-Patch blocks. Each block should measure 8-1/2 inches square at this stage, including seam allowances, and finish at 8 inches square after quilting.
- Check the blocks. Square up only as needed, preserving the 8-1/2-inch unfinished measurement so the center aligns with the setting squares.
Assemble the quilt center
- Lay out the five Four-Patch blocks and four 8-1/2-inch green setting squares in the pattern’s three-row arrangement before sewing.
- Join each row with a 1/4-inch seam. Press the row seams toward the setting squares where possible.
- Sew the rows together, then press the joined seams in one direction as specified by the pattern. A final measurement check should confirm that the center is square before borders are added.
Piece and attach the borders
The borders combine the green 4-1/2 by 8-1/2-inch rectangles with pink and plum 4-1/2-inch squares. Assemble the short and long border units in the required sequence, keeping the color order consistent at both ends.
- Piece the border units from the cut rectangles and squares.
- Measure the quilt center before attaching borders; use the center measurement rather than stretching the border units to fit.
- Sew the completed borders to opposite edges first, then attach the remaining pair.
- Press the border seams according to the pattern’s layout so the edges lie flat.
Layer, quilt and bind
- Place the backing wrong side up, center the 39-inch batting square over it, and position the completed quilt top right side up.
- Secure the three layers using your preferred basting method.
- Quilt as desired. The pattern does not prescribe a particular quilting design or density.
- Join the four 2-1/2 by 42-inch plum binding strips, attach the binding to the quilt edge, and finish it by hand or machine.
Why this design is beginner-friendly
The construction relies on repeatable Four-Patch piecing, square setting pieces and straight pieced borders. It does not require foundation paper piecing, appliqué or curved seams. The main accuracy challenge is maintaining the unfinished 8-1/2-inch block and setting-square measurements so the three-row center and borders meet cleanly.
Planning color and scale
- Use one value range within each color family so green setting squares read as spaces between the blocks.
- Reserve the strongest contrast for the plum-and-pink Four-Patches if you want the center to be the focal point.
- Cut a test Four-Patch from scrap fabric first; it verifies your seam allowance and pressing direction before you use the listed yardage.
- Because the finished piece is 32-1/2 inches square, it suits a small dining table, accent table or central tabletop display rather than a full-size tablecloth.
What is and is not documented
The official pattern specifies the dimensions, materials, cut sizes and construction sequence, but it does not publish a completion time, cost, sales figure or success rate. The measurements above are project specifications, not performance statistics. The broader American Patchwork & Quilting roundup containing this project was updated January 5, 2026 and places it among table toppers using varied techniques and layouts, including foundation paper piecing, appliqué, mitered borders and pinwheels.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Rank #4
- Designer Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts
- Pattern includes illustrations and instructions
- Great addition to any quilter's collection!
- Package Dimension : 11inches L x 10inches W x 8.8inches H
Rank #3
- Let your creative spirit soar with this nature-inspired, 17dimensional table topper
- Stitch together to reveal secondary leaves
- Another fold 'n stitch project designed for gift-giving as well as your own table
- Package dimensions : 6.0 inches (H) x 9.75 inches (L) x 0.1 inches (W)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
