Garden Crossroads Quilt Block Pattern

Design a beautiful quilt block inspired by a vibrant spring garden with this block pattern from Rachel Nielsen. A wonderful pattern for precuts or scraps, this quilt block pattern uses beginner-friendly 4-patch blocks with cross blocks to create this fresh take on a traditional crossroads quilt block. We love the idea of creating a country chic throw pillow with this block or combining several blocks for a dreamy spring wall hanging.

Designer Notes:

• Use precuts or fabrics from your stash. A precut jelly roll makes quick work of cutting the smaller squares since they are already 2 1/2 inches wide.
• Please read all instructions before beginning. All seams are 1/4 inch.
• Fabrics used:
  • Kona White
  • Strawberry Lemonade fabric line from Moda

Materials:

• Fabric (See Cutting Instructions below.)
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Iron / Ironing board or mat
• Cutting board / Rotary cutter / Straight edge ruler

Cutting Instructions:

• 8) 4 1/2 inch squares in white
• 48) 2 1/2 inch squares in a variety of colors

Piecing Instructions:

MAKE THE CROSS BLOCKS:

1. For each block, select one white 4 1/2  inch square and two colored 2 1/2 inch squares.
2. On the two smaller squares, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner on the back side of the fabric.
3. Place the small squares on opposite corners of the white square with the lines parallel to each other.
4. Sew along the drawn lines.
5. Trim 1/4 inch away from the seam on the point side of the seam.
6. Press the seams flat.
7. The block should be 4 1/2 inches at this point.
8. Repeat to make a total of 8 blocks.
   
   

MAKING THE FOUR PATCH BLOCKS:

1. To make a four patch block, select four 2 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Arrange the block in two rows of two.
3. Sew together the two squares for the top row, then sew the two squares for the bottom row.
4. Press the seams. Note: The designer likes to press the seam for the top row to the left and the bottom row to the right. Then the seams will nest nicely as we sew the rows together.
5. Sew the two rows together.
6. Press seams flat.
7. These blocks should also be 4 1/2 inches square.
8. Repeat to make 8 four patch blocks.
   
   

LAYOUT AND ASSEMBLY OF THE CROSSROADS BLOCK:

1. Select two 4-patch blocks and two cross blocks.
2. Arrange them so that the cross blocks are opposite each other, with the points creating a diagonal line across the block. Place the 4-patch blocks in the remaining corners, opposite each other.
3. Sew together each row. Press flat.
4. Sew the rows together.  Press flat.
5. Repeat to make 4 of these blocks.
6. These blocks should measure 8 1/2 inches.
   
   
7. Arrange the 4 blocks again in a 4-patch formation. Rotate the blocks as necessary to create a large X with the white sections of the blocks.
8. Sew together each row. Press flat.
9. Sew the rows together. Press flat.
10. The finished block is 16 1/2 inches. Once sewn into a quilt, it will be a 16 inch block.
    
    

Note: There are a few different ways to arrange this block. The designer prefers the X method as it looks more like a crossroads.

Another way is to arrange the blocks so that the white lines create a diamond shape as shown below. 

Either way will create a very similar look when put together in a quilt.

This is a quilt designed with the x block. 

This is a quilt designed with the diamond pattern. 

A third way to create this type of quilt is to use the 4-patches to create a 16 patch, and create the X with the cross pieces, then alternate them as you put the quilt together.