I was just looking for Tucker block instructions when I came across your posting. One gal in my guild who showed us how to make it had us make four-patch blocks with charm squares. Then we made cuts through this block about an inch and a half on either side of the middle seams, both vertically and horizontally, which then gives you nine patches. You turn the four rectangles 180 degrees (the four corner and middle patches are squares and stay put), and then sew it all back together for the Tucker block. I'm not exactly sure I stated this correctly, so try it on four old charms that you don't care about first.

Is it this one: http://sewwonderful.blogspot.com/201...o-9-patch.html

Thanks, Singerbabe! We had our guild meeting a few days ago and this is what is was. your next posting with the link is the same I believe. They told me to turn all center pieces 180 degrees-I'm not sure if that is what you were saying or not. ONe gal there had did it using 2 1/2" blocks and turned out real cute. I think on a 5", it should be at least a 1 1/2-2" cut. Sure 'seams' easy and fun!! I have to try it this weekend and make a potholder or something! Obviously there are lots of names for it.
Darlene

Yes, it must go by several names, but I could not find it on a computer search. Today my guild had a sewing day and the gal who taught it to us last year was there making, guess what, Tucker blocks! So I asked her how much she recommends for the distance of the cuts she makes from the center seams of the four-patches. She said she cuts 1-3/4 inches from the center seams if she starts with 6 or 6-1/2 inch squares. If using charm packs (5 inch beginning squares), she makes the cuts from the center seams of the four-patches 1-1/2 inches on either side. She was working with six inch squares, and her blocks looked great. Of course, it's all a matter of personal taste. I'm still wondering why it's been called the Tucker block when you can't find it called that on the internet! But I did find instructions by googling "disappearing four-patch."

By the way, the gal I referred to is from your neck of the woods, but she calls it "Minnesnowta." Cute!

Isn't this board just the greatest?! Here we are at least 1500 miles apart and yet just so close because of this wonderful hobby of quilting and the internet!! Technology is wonderful (esp. when it works!) Yes, often we hear "Minnesnowta" but it certainly isn't because of the last few years. We have had very little snow and right now we are sooooooo dry that I think we would even take snow in October just to get some moisture! Fires are a real threat is anything gets started so we are all hoping and praying for rain. Thanks for helping me/us out. You are the best-KUDOS! df