Do you know how many different variations there are for the Cross Roads Quilt Block? Here I’m showing you how to make the block that was originally attributed to Nancy Cabot. Loretta Leitner Rising wrote the “Nancy Cabot” syndicated column for the Chicago Tribune in the 1930s. Quilters ordered pattern booklets by mail. And, sometimes it is referred to as the crossroads quilt pattern.
The Cross Roads quilt block uses three fabrics and is a sixteen (16) unit layout. The block contains half square triangles and squares made from strip sets. It’s a perfect pattern for a beginner looking to make a quilt block that looks a little more complex, but uses two basic patchwork techniques. Here is how you cut the fabrics to make one quilt block:
How to Make the Cross Roads Quilt Block
The cross roads quilt block is a sixteen (16) patch block that uses three fabrics. When combined with multiple blocks of the same pattern, it forms great off set squares in a pattern.
Basic piecing techniques are used for this quilt block. Perfect for quilters of all skill levels. If you can sew a straight line, you can make this!
No need for paper patterns. All of the fabric cuts can be made with your rotary cutter and quilters ruler!
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Materials
- 1/4 yard each of three (3) different fabrics. Best to select one light, one medium and one dark
- Thread to blend with fabric choices
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Quilter's ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Removable fabric marker; I used a Frixion pen
Instructions
- Start by cutting your fabrics according to the fabric calculator above. I made a 12-inch finished quilt block.
- I started by making the eight (8) half square triangles needed for one block. Take four of each of your squares and layer them on top of each other, light square on top. Using your fabric marker, draw a diagonal line on each of the light colored squares. NOTE: Always test your marker on a scrap of fabric first.
This will be your stitching guide line for sewing the half square triangles. - With your quarter-inch foot on your sewing machine (on a Bernina it is foot #57) and using the marked line as your guide, stitch 1/4-inch from the diagonal line.
- Turn and sew 1/4-inch on the other side of the line.
- Tip: Sew along one side for all of your blocks at once, then turn and sew along the other side of the guide line. This is called chain stitching the blocks together.
- Now, cut your blocks apart along the guide line using your rotary cutter and ruler. This forms your half square triangles.
- Here is a pile of half square triangles ready to be pressed.
Press your seams to your preference. Read our article on pressing seams for quilting/projects/how-to-press-your-seams-in-quilting/. - Now it is time to make the strip pieced blocks. Layer one of the strips on top of the other and sew along the long edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Press the seam to your preference. - Using your quilters ruler, cut these strips into 3-1/2" squares. Your strip set should be 3-1/2" wide when sewn together. You'll need eight (8) of these strip squares. Now lay out your half square triangles and the strip squares in this format.
- I like to sew each of the rows together first.
Press the seams to your preference. - Then sew each of the rows together and give your entire block a good press.
- Here are four finished cross roads quilt blocks ready to sew together.
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Making a lot of blocks? Check out our article on the different ways to make half square triangles. My favorite methods are two at a time (shown above), four at a time and eight at a time. With those methods, your outside edges remain on grain and not bias. Bias edges can stretch and cause headaches when sewing the quilt patches together to form the block.
Ideas for making a cross roads quilt
- Make a scrappy cross roads block by sorting scraps into three value piles – light, medium, and dark. Make your blocks by placing values in the same positions in the blocks.
- Pull out your favorite fat quarter bundle to make these blocks. A fat quarter should make enough blocks for a throw size quilt.
- Use solid color fabrics for a modern quilt pattern.
Here are some other blocks that use half square triangles.
Browse through more free quilt patterns and quilt tutorials on Create Whimsy.
