Quilter's Recipe Box Alternate block 1 - Thrifty Block (Four Patch Unit)

Today's block is a quick and easy block.  This makes a great alternate block because of the chain effect!  I made this block using two colors plus my background fabric.

To make this block you will need a 2 x 16 inch strip of your background fabric, a 2 x 16 strip of your main color plus a 3 1/2 inch square of the main color and four 3 1/2 squares of your secondary color.

Using the strip piecing method, make four blocks using the two 2 x 16 inch strips.  Arrange your blocks like this -

And sew it together!  Press the seams away from the four patches for the least bulk.  Your finished block will look like this:

Here's an idea of how you could use this block in combination with a Friendship star block:

I really like making quilts that use two different blocks because you can get some really nice secondary effects with them.  I'll have a new block next week using the four-patch unit, so make sure you come back and see what I come up with!