Countdown to Christmas 12/6/2019: Cross Quilt Block
Cutting Requirements for 12″ finished block (scant 1/4″ seam allowance):
- Pink: Cut TWO (2) 4 1/2″ squares. On the back side of the squares draw a diagonal line, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. (These are paired with the Red 4 1/2″ squares, which will create FOUR (4) Half-Square Triangles.)
- Pink: Cut ONE (1) 4 7/8″ square. (This is paired with the White 4 7/8″ square which will create TWO (2) Half-Square Triangles. You only need ONE (1) of these Half-Square Triangles for this quilt block.)
- Pink: Cut ONE (1) 4 1/2″ square. Then cut the square diagonally, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. Will yield TWO (2) triangles. You only need ONE (1) of these triangles for this quilt block. (This is flanked by the results of the White 2 7/8″ square, which will create ONE (1) Flying Geese.)
- Red: Cut TWO (2) 4 1/2″ squares. (These are paired with the Pink 4 1/2″ squares, which will create FOUR (4) Half-Square Triangles.)
- Red: Cut ONE (1) 4 7/8″ square. (This is paired with the White 4 7/8″ square which will create TWO (2) Half-Square Triangles. You only need ONE (1) of these Half-Square Triangles for this quilt block.)
- White: Cut ONE (1) 4 1/2″ square. (This is the upper right-hand corner of this quilt block.)
- White: Cut ONE (1) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangle. (This will flank the results of ONE (1) of the White 4 1/2″ squares.)
- White: Cut One (1) 4 1/2 ” x 6 1/2″ rectangle. (This will flank the results of ONE (1) of the White 4 1/2″ squares.)
- White: Cut FIVE (5) 2 7/8″ squares. Then cut the squares diagonally, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. Will yield TWO (2) triangles per square. (These will flank all of the Half-Square Triangles.)
- White: Cut ONE (1) 2 7/8″ square. Then cut the square diagonally, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. Will yield TWO (2) triangles. (These will flank the results of the Pink 4 1/2″ square, which will create ONE (1) Flying Geese.)
- White: Cut ONE (1) 4 7/8″ square. On the back side of the square draw a diagonal line, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. (This is paired with the Pink 4 7/8″ square which will create TWO (2) Half-Square Triangles. You only need ONE (1) of these Half-Square Triangles for this quilt block.)
- White: Cut ONE (1) 4 7/8″ square. On the back side of the square draw a diagonal line, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. (This is paired with the Red 4 7/8″ square which will create TWO (2) Half-Square Triangles. You only need ONE (1) of these Half-Square Triangles for this quilt block.)
Here’s the best way to sew this “Cross” quilt block together:
- Sew all of the Half-Square Triangles (HST’s) together first.
- Next sew their associated triangles to the HST’s (as listed above in the “Cutting Instructions”).
- Now sew the top third together (everything above the Yellow line).
- Then sew the Flying Geese together.
- Now sew the bottom row together (everything below the Yellow line) including the White
4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle. - Finally sew both TWO (2) rows together!
If you make TWELVE (12) Cross Quilt Block, you will end up with the quilt top pictured above. The size will be 36″ x 48″ finished, 36 1/2″ x 48 1/2″ unfinished.



Cross Quilt Block Diagram

I love your cross square, and I have a question:
Above states “On the back side of the squares draw a diagonal line, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. (These are paired with the Red 4 1/2″ squares, which will create SIX (6) Half-Square Triangles. ”
My question is: Are we putting right sides together and then stitching 1/4″ away from the middle line on each side? And then we cut on the middle line once we’ve made the stitches on each side? Thank you for your help!
Hi Amy! You’re correct! Take a look at my “Tutorials” page to be sure that you’re creating your Half-Square Triangles (and any other special techniques) correctly. Be sure to look at my “Cross” quilt block again. I edited it just prior to responding to you. I changed the way the quilt block’s sewn together & added some specific instructions on how it’s the best way to sew it together!
I am curious how to sew the top two rows together with the HST already being completed. Can you please advise?
Hi Charlotte! Do you see the Blue line & the Yellow line? If you do then those are guides to help you sew all three rows together!