4 patch
 

a long while ago I goofed (nothing new) I wanted to cut 21/2 inch strips by wof well! I thought I was doing so well until I realized that I was using the wrong side of the ruler I didn't have the pink 1/2 inch side lined up so instead I cut 2 inches I just came across them I like to make them into 4 patch blocks I know they will be 31/2 and finish at 3 inch so I sewed 2 strips together 1/4 inch seam pressed to one side now I want to sub cut the strip now this is where I'm confused......what size should I sub cut them? so I can put them together into a 4 patch I should have cut them all 2x2 to begin with then made the 4 patch, but thought I ask here first before I get my seam ripper out.....thanks

Cut them two-inches wide - (this is assuming that your two strip unit is now 3-1/2 inches wide) - the same width as your original strips.

After they are sewn together, the four-patch unit should be 3-1/2 ix 3-1/2 inches.

Don't feel so bad. We have ALL made this mistake at least ONCE in our quilting life. bearisgray has the measure right, you will have a four patch unit that will be 3.5" unfinished.

You subcut the same width as you cut the strips for each color......because "a square has 4 equal sides".

Or in other words, if you cut one side of a square (the strips) at 'such & such' a width, then you have to cut the other sides of a square (the subcut) at 'such & such' a width. :)

Jan in VA

Yup, Jan is right. Took awhile to learn this one. Wish I'd known this simple rule when I was a beginner.

I am sure many of us have done this. But make a wonderful quilt with the 4 patches. Waste not, want not so they say.

yep, you can even put the four patches as a center in a larger block. Have fun!!

thanks so much everyone :)

I would venture to say most people strip piece exactly like this, and not by cutting 2" squares. Your accuracy is better, it's faster and more fun. If I am making 4 patches, I sew strips lt/dk together of different sizes, when one color runs out I add another, same with light. I am a scrappy girl so I like diversity. When the sewn strips are long enough I put the ends together after pressing and cut my 2 patches. There will be some odd balls that were added and don't make it to the size I am cutting and those go in the scrap bins - I sew these together lengthwise for string blocks later. Much faster than cutting 2" squares - that would drive me bonkers. (You cut your sewn strips at 2")