Crossroads in Democracy Quilt Block Tutorial: Easy Star and Four-Patch Design
The Crossroads in Democracy quilt block is a striking yet simple design that combines timeless symbolism with beginner-friendly piecing. This 12" block features a bold two-color star framing a braced square at the center, while the four-patch corners create a beautiful crossroads effect that ties the whole design together.
Made entirely with squares and rectangles, it’s an easy block to sew. Whether you use it in a sampler quilt, repeat it for a dramatic layout, or feature it on its own, this block offers a classic look with meaningful impact.
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Crossroads in Democracy Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 16 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Blue: 9 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Purple: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
- Dark/Navy: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, 2 - 1.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 2 - 1.5" x 2.5" rectangles
Sewing Directions:
Center Unit:
Step 1:
Sew the two Dark/Navy 1.5" x 2.5" rectangles to opposite sides of a Medium/Blue 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.
Step 2:
Press the seam allowances. I've pressed mine toward the Medium/Blue square but you can press however you wish.
Step 3:
Now you can sew the two Dark/Navy 1.5" x 4.5" rectangles to the sides of the Step 2 unit.
Step 4:
And press the seam allowances away from the center of the unit as shown below.
Corner Units:
Step 5:
Using eight of the Light/White 2.5" squares and the remaining eight Medium/Blue 2.5" squares, sew together four Four-Patch units like the ones in the picture below. If you are making multiple blocks, I would recommend using the strip piecing method for making these units. You can check out my tutorial for several ways to make a basic Four Patch block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block.
Middle Units:
Step 6:
Now we are going to "snowball" one corner of a Dark/Navy 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle with a Light/White 2.5" square. This is basically the first steps for making a Flying Geese block. Here are the steps going from left to right, top to bottom:
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White 2.5" square.
- Sew the Light/White 2.5" square to the Dark/Navy rectangle along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Light/White square and press.
- Open the square up and trim the seam allowance.
- Refold.
Step 7:
Repeat Step 6 for a total of four units like the ones you see in the picture below.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 only using the Medium/Purple rectangles instead of the Dark/Navy ones and changing the orientation of the Light/White square to make a mirror image of the Step 7 units. I also repressed the seam allowance so that it goes toward the Medium/Purple fabric (this will make matching seams easier in the next step).
Step 9:
Match up a Step 7 and a Step 8 unit and sew together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance whichever direction you choose. I have mine going toward the Dark/Navy fabric.
Step 10:
Repeat Step 9 for a total of four Middle units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 11:
Layout out the Center unit, the Corner units, and the Middle units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a typical Nine Patch block.
Step 12:
Sew the units into three rows as shown below.
Step 13:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown.
Step 14:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 15:
All that's left is the final pressing. I pressed the seam allowances away from the center of the block as the block seemed to lay flatter that way. However, if you are making several blocks for a quilt (with no sashing), I would recommend pressing toward the center so you could have nesting seams from block to block.
Layout Ideas:
Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout with colors similar to the tutorial.
And here's the same coloring but with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones added. I think this layout shows the "crossroads" or chain design better.
This is an alternating layout using a cute Sunbonnet Sue applique block for the alternating block.
This also an alternating layout using a simple chain block for the alternate block.
This is an on-point layout with light purple sashing and cornerstones and the background fabric used for the setting triangles.
Another on-point layout - this time with an alternating block. This one uses a simple chain block for an alternating block that extends into the setting triangles.
I had to do another alternating applique block. In this on-point setting, the four applique blocks are surrounded by the Crossroads in Democracy block and the light blue background is used for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
I had lots of fun with this block! The construction was easy and the layout options were plentiful. I especially like the layouts with applique blocks.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more easy blocks? Take a look at these beginner-friendly tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406