Delaware Quilts

Four Color Card Tricks

This is a nine patch block made up of diagonal half squares and quarter squares. This block deals with open biased edges, and which should be treated carefully. Don't stretch those edges, or your block will not go together correctly.

Check your measurements very carefully. Each block should measure 12 1/2 inches when it is finished. Accuracy from beginning to end will assure that your blocks come out perfectly. Measure carefully, sew carefully, and you will have a perfect block.

For a four color card tricks block you will need -
      from color one cut one 4 7/8 inch block, then cut in half diagonally
also cut on 5 1/4 inch block, then cut in quarters diagonally
      from color two cut one 4 7/8 inch block, then cut in half diagonally
also cut on 5 1/4 inch block, then cut in quarters diagonally
      From color three cut one 4 7/8 inch block, then cut in half diagonally
also cut on 5 1/4 inch block, then cut in quarters diagonally
      from color four cut one 4 7/8 inch block, then cut in half diagonally
also cut on 5 1/4 inch block, then cut in quarters diagonally
      from your background cut two 4 7/8 inch blocks, then cut each one in half diagonally
also cut one 5 1/4 inch block, and cut in quarters diagonally


I find it easiest to lay the pieces out to make the block design.


Then sew each one of the nine patch units together. Just work with the two or three pieces that you need for each section at a time. Remember you are dealing with bias edges, do not stretch them. Each unit should measure 4 1/2 inches when finished.


Next sew the top row together,


the middle row,


and the bottom row.


Then sew all the rows together, press for ease of construction, meaning which ever way your seam allowances want to go best. Remember you are working with bias edges, so press them gently and don't force them to go where they don't want to go. Your finished card tricks block should measure exactly 12 1/2 inches.


Card Tricks © Delaware Quilts January 2003
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Updated November 21, 2022

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