Make the Pinch Me Quilt Block Step by Step With Bob

I’ve got a fun little quilt block to share with you, and this might be one of the easiest ones you’ll ever make! I named it Pinch Me because the design reminds me of a little clamp getting ready to pinch something. It looks a bit like the letter C, too. If you see something else, let me know in the comments!

I think it’s beautiful, and it’s made entirely from simple squares. No half-square triangles, no angles to cut, and nothing complicated.

For this project, I chose a wildflower print from Art Gallery Fabrics’ Lush Reverie collection and paired it with a basic white background. You can use whatever fabrics you like. Just choose two that contrast enough to show off the design.

What You’ll Need to Cut

I started with 2½-inch squares. They’re easy to cut from jelly roll strips, which makes getting everything ready nice and simple.

To make two quilt blocks, cut:

• 16 print squares: 2½″ × 2½″ each

• 16 background squares: 2½″ × 2½″ each

Use a ¼-inch seam allowance throughout. Each block will measure 8½ inches square unfinished and 8 inches square finished once it’s sewn into your quilt.

Let’s Put These Blocks Together

1. Make a Simple Swap

Put your print squares in one pile and your background squares in another.

Now take two squares from each pile and swap them. That little exchange gives you everything you need for two coordinating blocks:

• One block with 14 background squares and two print squares

• One block with 14 print squares and two background squares

We’re only swapping two little pieces, but that’s what creates the design!

2. Arrange Your Squares

Lay out each block in four rows of four squares. Follow the arrangement I show in the video to position your two contrasting squares correctly.

Pause and take a screenshot of the layout before you start sewing. That way, you’ll have something to check as you put your rows together.

3. Sew the Rows

Sew the four squares in each row together using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Keep everything in order so those contrasting squares stay in the right places.

Press your seams in alternating directions from one row to the next so they’ll nest together when you join the rows.

4. Join Everything Together

Sew your rows together, matching the seam intersections, and give the block a press. Repeat with your second arrangement.

Now you have two Pinch Me blocks! Each one should measure 8½ inches square before you join it to other blocks.

Keeping It Simple

My intermediate quilters may already be looking at this and thinking about using larger rectangles in place of some of those little squares. You absolutely can. You’ll need to do the math and account for the seam allowances when figuring out your cutting sizes.

For this project, I wanted to keep it beginner-friendly. Working with squares makes the layout easy to follow and gives you a chance to practice those consistent seams.

I Hope You’ll Give It a Try!

These blocks look beautiful together. Make a few pairs, lay them out, and play with the arrangement before sewing them into your quilt.

Watch the full tutorial included here, sew along with me, and tell me what fabrics you’d choose for your own Pinch Me blocks. I’d love to hear what you’re making!

Happy sewing!