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Cross-Stitched Quilt Block // Technique Tutorial Tuesdays

This post is part of the Technique Tutorial Tuesdays Series. Click here to see all of the posts and learn more about the series. Yesterday I shared the Cross-Stitched Heart Quilt that I made for my swap partner. I took photos for a tutorial while I was working on it thinking it would be fun for this series, and based on feedback from yesterday I decided to make it the first technique tutorial.

The Tutorial

Checkout the revised version of this tutorial here.

Cross-Stitch Block Tutorial

This week we will be making a Cross-Stitch block. Now really this is just an X block, but the reason I am calling it a "Cross-Stitch" is that this little block can be used to act as a cross-stitch in a much greater pattern. It finishes at 3" and then 2.5" when sewn into a quilt. In the Cross-Stitched Heart Quilt I used these blocks to make a cross-stitched heart. The possibilities with this block are really endless, you could use them to create any words and shapes or even follow cross-stitch patterns like this…

Mid Century Modern "Love Heart"pattern by tinymodernist

or even something like this…

Sampler Motif by crossstitch.about.com

Here is what I had made…

Mini Quilt for my Swap Partner Salty Oat

Material/Cutting List (for 1 Block)

  • 1 - 4.5" x 1.5" piece of fabric (used for X)
  • 2 - 2" x 1.5" pieces of fabric (used for X)
  • 2 - 1.75" square pieces of fabric (used for background)

Lets Begin

We will be using 1/4" seam allowance and pressing ALL seams open.

Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial

  • Step 1: Cut out the fabric per the Material/Cutting List above.
  • Step 2: Cut all the 1.75" squares in half to create two identical triangles.
  • Step 3: Lay the pieces out using the photo as a guide for how they will be sewn.
  • Step 4: Place the first triangle on one of the 2" x 1.5" pieces, lining the top of the triangle up with the edge that will be closest to the center of the X.
  • Step 5: Sew the triangle in place.
  • Step 6: Finger press your seam OPEN.

Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial

  • Step 7: Lay the next triangle out on the same 2"x 1.5" piece and repeat steps 4, 5, and 6.
  • Step 8: You should now have a 2" x 1.5" piece that has two triangle "wings". Lay that piece on top of your 4.5" x 1.4" piece centering it in place. Sew in place.
  • Step 9: Finger press your seam open.
  • Step 10: Lay the next winged piece on top and just as in step 8 and sew in place.
  • Step 11: First finger press your block with seams open, and then lightly press with a hot iron and starch.
  • Step 12: Using a 3” ruler, line up the 1.5" mark on the ruler with the exact center of your X and trim the block to a perfect 3".

Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial

You now have an exact X block that should be 3" x 3" and after sewn into a quilt will be 2.5" square!

This is a fun easy block to make. I can't wait to see what you make with it. I would really love it if you would share your projects at the Pile O' Fabric Flickr group!

Alyssa

Alyssa Williams

Alyssa Williams

Creator of Pile O' Fabric

Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.

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