Scrappy Cross Patchwork Block Tutorial

I love a good scrappy patchwork block. They’re so satisfying – almost like getting something for nothing.

This block was born out of wanting to use up some of my Friedlander scraps and two of these adorable mini-charm packs.

After some playing around this layout stood out the most to me. I really love the contrast of the hot orange against the greens and blues.

This scrappy cross patchwork block is 9″ square when complete, 8.5″ when finished (i.e sewn to other blocks).

You can grab a printable PDF version of this block pattern by putting your email address in below:

You’ll need the following scraps to make one block:

Fire up your trusty sewing machine and then sew these components:

Pop the short arms of the cross between the quarters to form halves. Then sew your two halves together, either side of the long cross arm, to get the final product:

Trim up your block to be 9″ square and you’re ready to make the next one.

Wait – a quick note on pressing. Feel free to press the blue/green subunits however you like, as they won’t need to be sewn across from another seam when joining the blocks. However, when pressing the central cross seams, I’d recommend pressing half your blocks with seams outward:

And the other half of your blocks with seams inward:

So that when you sew your blocks together the seams of your crosses will nest like so:

Mmmm, snuggly.

One other point regarding fabric selection and making sure your fabrics are discernible from each other (i.e. there is enough contrast between the three fabric groups). I think this block below might have done better with a more “solid-like” fabric for the centre cross. The print I used was a little too patterned and so my cross doesn’t stand out from the background as much as I’d like. A learning point for next time!

I made 4 blocks for a mini quilt.

I think this block could also look good laid out on point:

It also looked pretty cool with some bright skinny sashing:

I wanted to use this layout but woe, I only had enough orange left for either sashing or binding. These are the perils of working with scraps :)

I think this block would make a fun modern baby quilt as well.

If I had a better supply of orange scraps I would cut some 1 inch strips and put some sashing in between the four-squares rows, as per this mock-up:

Hmm, maybe I’d put another column in there and make it a little wider. This quilt would come in at 34″ x 52″. If I added another column that would make it 42.5″ x 52″. What do you think?

Although, at only 34″ wide it’s easier to back with a single stretch of yardage, which I must say is a BIG plus! That is my favourite thing about sewing baby quilts!

Am I the only one who would rather not piece a backing? ;)

Happy sewing!

Kirsty x

P.S. If you’d like this tutorial is an easily printed PDF format, pop your email address in below and I’ll send it to you:

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