It has been many years since I have dyed fabric for a project,,,,,,,,it didn't turn out very well, I could not get the fabric to stop fading on the other swatches. I gave up and threw it away Dyes are much improved today I'm sure, but I don't have the time I used to either. Four patch was not the first one. Just the crazy patch and then the square. then the four patch. If I remember history, the quilt came from patching the whole peices of Blanket, with the worn out clothing when ever it had worn spot, Then, they used these left over pieces to mend clothing.