The Cracker quilt block pattern is a variation of the square in a square pattern. The center square is a set of three strips of fabric. It was first published in Women’s World in 1931. (Source: Encylopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns compiled by Barbara Brackman)
Traditionally made with a background fabric (generally white or off-white) and one color or small print. This quilt block is a perfect way to use up scraps. It was popular as an autograph or signature quilt. The center strip is traditionally light-colored and perfect to highlight a signature. This quilt block goes together quickly but forms a great design with its on-point layout.
Here are the dimensions to cut your fabric for one cracker quilt block:
How to Make the Cracker Quilt Block
The Cracker Quilt block is a simple block to make and goes together quickly. A perfect block for beginners.
No need for foundation paper to make this simple block.
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Materials
- Two fabrics cut per the cutting chart above. I used white as the background and red as my color in an 8-inch block.
- One (1) 5-inch square of red
- One (1) 5-inch square of white
- One (1) 2-1/2 x 6-1/2 rectangle of white
- Two (2) 2-1/2 x 6-1/2 rectangles of red
- Thread for sewing
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Quilters ruler
- Iron
- Pressing surface
Instructions
- Start by cutting your fabrics for the cracker quilt block.
- Cut each of the squares in half diagonally, forming triangles.
- Let's start sewing by making the center square from the strips of fabric. The background fabric, which I'm using white goes in the middle. Lay the center strip on top of one of the outside fabrics and sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance with right sides together.
- Take the second outside strip and sew to the other side of the center strip with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Press seams to your preference. Read our article about pressing seams for quilting. Lay out the center square and the triangles on your work table. Make sure the background fabric triangles are next to the colored fabric strips. (Ask me how I know to double check that!).
- Sew the colored fabric triangles to the center square with a 1/4-inch seam allowance with right sides together. Press the seams.
- Sew the background triangles to the other sides of the center pieced square with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and right sides together. Press your seams.
- The triangles were intentionally cut a wee bit larger than needed so we can trim the block to 8-1/2 inches. When sewn together it will be an 8-inch finished quilt block.
- Here is the finished quilt block all pressed and ready to be put into a quilt!
- TIP: If you are making several of these blocks, cut them all at once and chain stitch each step. That means line up all of the strips and sew them one after another.
- Here are four cracker blocks all finished and ready to be sewn together.
- And, the four cracker quilt blocks all sewn together.
Recommended Products
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Can I use other colors in my cracker quilt?
Of course! You can do whatever you want! Here is an option that uses 3 fabrics and places the colored triangles next to the color strips for a different look.
And, the same three colors with a different block layout:
Or, use lots of colors!
Play around with having all of the blocks the same direction, or rotating every other block 90-degrees to make diagonal lines.
Tips and ideas for the cracker block
- Make a baby quilt and have family members sign the center blocks.
- Make a table runner for Thanksgiving and have everyone who comes for the feast sign a block.
- Use charm squares for the corners of the 8-inch finished block.. Just cut them in a diagonal line to form the triangles.
- Lot of possibilities! Cut the color or print fabrics from fat quarters or different fabrics from your scrap pile!
- Most of all have fun!
Here is a quilt I made with leftover cracker quilt blocks that I was gifted by Tina Davis. She makes quilts with signatures and had the blocks with the open centers. I knew exactly what I needed to make in today’s world.
Here is another quilt I upcycled.
Browse through all of our free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.
