Christmas cacti are popular around the holidays with their festive red and green colors and blooms just in time for the celebrations (we hope)! They are a fresh twist on traditional poinsettias – and generally last for several months or years in your home.

Our free Christmas Cactus appliqué pattern is perfect for sprucing up a quilt block, making a holiday pillow, or a wall hanging. Whether you are decorating your home or making a handmade gift, this cheerful succulent brings a modern holiday vibe.

Learn how to make this festive Christmas Cactus quilt using a raw-edge fused appliqué technique.

Christmas Cactus quilt block finished on table with a plant

What you’ll learn:

Tips for tracing and cutting out the shapes for the Christmas Cactus
Laying out the elements on a background piece
Best practices for fusing
Ideas for stitching and finishing

Download the Free christmas cactus appliqué pattern (PDF)

Basic steps

Download and print the free appliqué pattern
Cut out the three main elements for the design from the pattern
Prepare templates
Prepare 10-1/2 inch squares for the background fabric
Prepare fabrics for the Christmas Cactus with double-sided fusible web
Trace the designs to the back of the fabric with a removable fabric marker
Cut out the elements – you’ll need four (4) of each for each quilt block
Fuse the elements to the background fabric
Sew your squares together
Sandwich your quilt (Read our article on how to sandwich a quilt)
Stitch the elements in place, quilting at the same time
Finish your quilt with either a binding or facing. (Refer to our articles on how to face a quilt and how to bind a quilt)

Ready for step-by-step instructions with photos?

20" x 20" wall hanging

How to Make a Raw-Edge Appliqué Christmas Cactus Quilt Block

Prep Time: 1 hour

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Confident Beginner

Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Cactus quilt block.

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Make one and finish as a potholder, make four (4) and finish as a table topper or wall hanging. Or, go all out and make 35 for a throw!

Materials

1 red fat quarter for the flowers
1 green fat quarter for the stem
1 yard double-sided fusible web
Four (4) 10-1/2 inch squares for the background fabric
25" x 25" fabric for the backing
25" x 25" piece of batting
Template plastic, cardstock or overhead transparency
Thread for topstitching

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Pressing surface
Teflon pressing sheet or piece of parchment paper
Removable fabric marker, I used a Frixion pen
Sharp scissors for cutting out the shapes

Instructions

Start by fusing the double-sided fusible web to the wrong side of your green and red fabrics. Read our article on fusible web for tips and how-to. Print out the Christmas Cactus pattern.
Cut out the paper pieces and transfer them to a template. For the template, you can use cardstock, special template plastic, or overhead transparency. I used an old file folder.
Use your templates to trace the shapes on the WRONG SIDE of the fused fabrics.
Next, using a sharp pair of scissors, cut out your shapes. I prefer these spring handle Fiskars or my Karen Buckley Perfect Scissors.
Here are all of my fabrics ready to put together the Christmas Cactus Quilt Block.
Mark horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines on your background quilt square. Use a removable fabric marker. I used a Frixion pen. NOTE: Yes, you really need all of these lines to place the appliqués evenly on the background fabric.
Begin placing the elements on the background fabric starting in the middle.
Tuck the end of the stem under the first layer.
Then, tuck the bud at the top under the top of the stem.
Cover with a pressing sheet and press the Christmas cactus in place.
If you are making a quilt, now sew your quilt blocks together with a 1/4" seam allowance.
I made four squares for a wall hanging or table topper.
Time to sandwich the quilt. Read our article to learn more about sandwiching a quilt. Then, quilt to your preference. I stitched in the ditch between each of the blocks, and sewed around each of the appliqué pieces. Securing the appliqué pieces can double as the quilting for this piece. I used two variegated threads and a straight stitch. Start at the top with the flower bud. It tucks under the green stem.
Trim the excess batting and backing fabric from around your quilt. Bind or face to finish it. I choose to bind it. Read our articles on binding a quilt and facing a quilt. And here is the finished wall hanging! Or use it as a table topper.

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Tips and ideas for your Christmas Cactus Appliqué

This pattern is perfect for a wool appliqué project. Cut the pieces from wool felt and appliqué by hand to a wool or cotton background.

Make it scrappy by using a variety of red and green scraps.

Try different decorative stitches for your appliqué. I was working on an older machine where my choice was straight or zigzag stitch. I chose zigzag. 🙂 If I had my regular machine, I’d probably use a blanket stitch. TIP: Make sure to test whatever stitch and thread you select on some scrap fabrics layered with batting.

For extra sparkle, you could add some stitching with metallic threads. Or add some beads!

For a non-traditional twist, use different flower colors for this holiday sewing project.

NOTE: It is much easier to make the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal placement lines to place your appliqué pieces. The first time I made this block, I only marked diagonal lines. Each block looked fine by itself. But, when I sewed them together, they were not the same. Time to redo the project! Here is what not to do: