Free Pattern - Hot Cross Quilt Block

Today let's sew together this traditional quilt block called Hot Cross. I assume it's named after hot cross buns but that's only a guess! It looks more difficult than it is so let's get started!

Fabric Requirements:

• Medium 1/Pink: 4 - 1.25" squares, and 8 - 1.25" x 9" rectangles
• Medium 2/Blue: 4 - 3” squares, and 2 - 6" squares cut in half diagonally for a total of 8 triangles
• Dark/Black: 5 - 1.25" squares, 4 - 1.25" x 3" rectangles, 4 - 1.25" x 3.75" rectangles, and 4 - 1.25" x 9" rectangles

Sewing Directions:

Step 1:

Strip Sets:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew together a Medium 1/Pink 1.25” x 9” rectangle, a Dark/Black 1.25” x 9” rectangle, and another Medium 1/Pink 1.25” x 9” rectangle along the long sides.  

Step 2:

Press seam allowances toward the Dark/Black strip as shown below. The strip set should measure 2.75” in width.  Repeat for a total of 4 strip sets.  Square up one short end – the other end will be trimmed off later.

Step 3:

Nine-Patch Center:

Using the picture below as a reference, arrange 5 Dark/Black 1.25” squares and 4 Medium 1/Pink 1.25” squares in a nine-patch pattern.  Sew the squares into rows. Press seam allowances toward the Dark/Black fabric. Sew the rows together. 

Step 4:

Press seam allowances toward the outside of the patch as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial on making the Nine-Patch block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-nine-patch-quilt-block

Step 5:

Triangle Unit:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew a Dark/Black 1.25” x 3” rectangle to one side of a Medium 2/Blue 3” square.  

Step 6:

Press seam allowance toward the Dark/Black rectangle as shown below.  

Step 7:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew a Dark/Black 1.25” x 3.75” rectangle to an adjacent side of the Step 5 unit.  

Step 8:

Press seam allowance toward the Dark/Black rectangle as shown below.  

Step 9:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew a Medium 2/Blue triangle to the Step 7 unit.  

Step 10:

Press seam allowance toward the Medium 2/Blue triangle as shown in the picture below.  

Step 11:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew a Medium 2/Blue triangle to the Step 9 unit.  Repeat Steps 5 through 11 to make a total of 4 Triangle Units.

Step 12:

Press seam allowance toward the Medium 2/Blue triangle as shown in the picture below.  

Step 13:

Using the picture below as a reference, sew one Step 12 unit to each side of a Step 1 unit, aligning the edges as shown and taking care that the Dark/Black strips line up in the same spot on each side of the Step 1 unit.  

Step 14:

Press seam allowance toward the center as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of 2 units.

Step 15:

Using Diagram 8 as a reference, sew one Step 1 unit to opposite sides of a Step 3 unit.  

Step 16:

Press seam allowance away from the Step 3 unit as shown below.

Putting It All Together:

Step 17:

Sew one Step 13 unit to each side of a Step 15 unit as shown in the picture below.  

Step 18:

Press seam allowances toward the center as shown below.

Step 19:

Square up the Hot Cross quilt block, trimming off excess but making sure to leave a .25” seam allowance so you don't lose your points. In a perfect world, the block will measure 12.5” square.  

In Conclusion: 

While this Hot Cross block is not a beginner block, it is not too difficult either. Just take your time and it will turn out great! This should be stunning in a quilt - diagonal strips and diamond shapes. I'll have to make up some layouts of this block on the computer and share them with you.

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Like the fabric used in this block? They are from Kimberbell Designs and you can click on the following link to see them: https://fabric406.com/collections/all/designer_kimberbell-designs