Originally Posted by lizcecil
I think I will rethink what I want to do here.
Is the problem that you don't have enough 5" squares? That's a fun and easy fix: BUY MORE!!! :D :D :D
I think your idea is a good one.
Just to finish answering your original question on how to sew the 4-patch:
1. Take a dark and a light square. Put them right sides together and sew along one side using a 1/4" seam allowance. (The 1/4" is standard for quilting, but it is OK to use a different seam allowance on straight seams as long as it is consistent.)
2. Press the seam to the dark side.
3. Repeat the process with a second set of dark/light squares.
4. Lay the 2-patch block right sides together so the dark square is of one is on the light square of the other. The seams in the center should be nesting which makes alignment easy.
5. Pin the layers and sew them together.
6. Press the block open.
The 4-patch is one of the easiest patterns for a beginning quilter.
Have fun.