Choose one rectangular piece for your center. 1” - 2” works well for smaller blocks; 3” - 4” works well for larger blocks. You will need a variety of strip lengths, from the width of your center block all the way to the full block length. Strips do not have to be exact rectangles. Angles in your strips will make a more wonky, improv-looking block.

In the diagram to the right, the lime green (first) block is my center block. I have laid the pieces out in order from smallest to largest by length, and paired them up so that each set of two is a similar color family. I will be adding teal to the top and bottom, and orange to the left and right sides.

Starting with your center block, sew the shortest strips to the top and bottom. Press toward outer strips. Trim left and right sides.

Add strips to left and right sides. Press toward outer strips. Trim top and bottom.

Repeat, adding top and bottom, then left and right, trimming in between sets, until your block is slightly larger than the final block size.

Square up edges of block block on all four sides down to the final block size. Use trimmings to start next scrap block.