Jolly Bar 5 Quilt Along – Block 4: Refractions

We’re back with another beautiful block in the Jolly Bar 5 Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop, and today I’m sharing Block 4—the Refractions block! This design is a striking example of how half square triangles can be arranged to create strong lines and movement across a quilt block.

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Block 4 of the Jolly Bar 5 quilt along "Refractions" with a text overlay of "Jolly Bar 5 Block 4: Refractions"

About the Refractions Block

You’ll find the Refractions block on page 50 of the Jolly Bar Book Vol. 5. It finishes at 16.5 inches square and is made with eight Jolly Bar rectangles plus background fabric. If you’ve been enjoying the HST-heavy blocks so far, you’re going to love this one.

This block is constructed entirely from half square triangles, arranged to form a radiating pattern that feels both modern and bold. It’s the kind of design that looks impressive but is made from a familiar and beginner-friendly technique.

Angled photo of the completed Refractions block. Quilt block 4 in the Jolly Bar 5 quilt along

My Fabric Choices

For this block, I chose eight different prints from the Berry & Pine collection by Lella Boutique, keeping a balanced mix of reds, darker greens, lighter greens, and low volume prints. Since the block is entirely made of half square triangles, each fabric gets a chance to stand out while still playing nicely with the others.

My background fabric throughout this quilt is Christmas Magic Dot by Lella Boutique. It continues to add that subtle festive sparkle while letting the main prints shine.

Sewing and trimming all the HSTs took a little extra time, but the effort was well worth it. I took care during layout to ensure a balanced look and made sure all my triangle points faced the right direction before final assembly. It’s a great reminder of how much design power there is in even the simplest shapes!

Completed Refractions quilt block pictured with a Jolly Bar volume 5 book. Made with Berry and Pine fabrics.

A Bold and Balanced Finish

That’s Block 4 of the Jolly Bar 5 Quilt Along all wrapped up! I love how dynamic this Refractions block feels and how it continues to build on the story of the quilt so far.

I’ll be back soon with Block 5, which officially marks the halfway point of the quilt along—see you then!