10th Anniversary Summer Sampler Series : Greek Cross

Our second block of the quilt along is the Greek Cross, which can be found on Page 209 Block 1646c of Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia Of Pieced Quilt Patterns. According to The Quilted Cross by J Michelle Watts, "The Greek cross is one of the original forms used by Christians. Before Christianity, this cross was an emblem of the Greek goddess of crossroads, Hecate."

The Greek Cross is a traditional equal nine patch made up of half square triangles (HSTs), squares and rectangles. Nine patch blocks consist of nine squares, three across and three down. They are simple and were often used as a teaching block to children as they learned to quilt.

This block can look dramatically different depending on your color choices and where you decide to leave "white space".

If you are new to quilting, or would just like to stitch along with someone, my cohost Lee has created a video of the Greek Cross quilt block assembly!

Greek Cross Quilt Block Tutorial

Please note, all seams are 1/4"
Final block size 12-1/2" x 12-1/2” unfinished
HST = Half Square Triangle

Cut Your Fabric

Step 1. Cut your fabric according to the cutting chart below, matching it up by letter to the diagram on the right.

Corner Triangles:

(A) Cut (2) 5” x 5” color squares (if corners are all same fabric) -OR- Cut (4) 5” x 5” squares (if corners are all different/scrappy fabric)

Center Cross:

(B) Cut (1) 4-1/2” x 4-1/2” square
(C) Cut (4) 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rectangles

Background:

(D) Cut (2) 5” x 5” squares
(E) Cut (4) 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rectangles

Assemble Your Block

Step 2. Place (1) Background 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rectangle (E) and (1) Center Cross 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rectangle (C) right sides together. Sew together along the 4-1/2" edge. Press your fabric to the darkest side. Repeat for the other (3) sets of Background (E) and Center Cross (C) 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rectangles.

Step 3. Cut your (2) Background 5" x 5" squares (D) along the diagonal.

If using same fabric for all corners, repeat the cut along the diagonal for your (2) Corner Triangle 5" x 5" squares (A).

If using scrappy fabrics for your corners, repeat the cut along the diagonal for your (4) Corner Triangle 5" x 5" squares (A) and set aside one of each of the resulting half square triangles (HST). You will only need 1 of each fabric (for a total of 4 colored triangles).

Step 4. Sew (1) Background HST to (1) Colored HST along the long edge, creating a square. Press towards the darkest fabric. Repeat with the remaining (3) Background HSTs and (3) Colored HSTs.

Step 5. Your resulting square will be slightly larger than 4-1/2" x 4-1/2”. Trim your block to 4-1/2" x 4-1/2”.

Tip: Using a quilting ruler, place the seam down the diagonal of the ruler.  Trim at the top and right of the square.

Step 6. You now have all 9 units needed to assemble your quilt block. Lay out your units as shown and sew together the top row, middle row, and bottom row. For each row, press your seams in the opposite direction. For example, press the top row seams to the right, the middle row seams to the left, and the bottom row seams to the right.

Step 7. Sew the rows together. Press your seams open.

I hope you will join us in making the rest of the original Summer Sampler Series quilt blocks. The schedule can be found on the 10th Anniversary page.