How to Sew the St. Gregory's Cross Quilt Block: A 12" Geometric Pattern Using Flying Geese & Square-in-a-Square Units
Learn how to make the St. Gregory's Cross quilt block - a striking 12" traditional pattern that transforms simple units into a bold geometric statement. Built from classic flying geese and square-in-a-square units in three coordinating fabrics (light, medium, and dark), this block is a masterclass in value contrast and precision piecing.
Whether you're a confident beginner or seasoned quilter, the St. Gregory's Cross rewards careful fabric placement with a design that truly comes alive when repeated across a quilt - creating a mesmerizing interlocking pattern with incredible secondary design potential. Grab your rotary cutter and let's get started! Don't forget to check out the Layout Ideas section!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished St. Gregory's Cross Quilt Block:
- Light/Cream: 4 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Gold: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 16 - 2.5" squares
- Dark/Brown: 1 - 4.5" square, and 8 - 2.5" squares
Sewing Directions:
Marking Lines:
Step 1:
To start mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of ALL of the 2.5" squares. I've only shown one of each color in the picture below for my convenience.
Flying Geese Units:
Step 2:
Using eight Light/Cream 2.5" squares and four Medium/Gold 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, sew together four Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first steps.
- Sew a Light/Cream 2.5" square to a Medium/Gold rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Light/Cream square and press (second image).
- Open the square up and trim the seam allowance (third image).
- Refold (bottom image).
Step 3:
Repeat Step 2 on the adjacent corner.
Step 4:
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for a total of four Flying Geese units like the ones in the picture below.
Step 5:
Repeat Steps 2 through 5 only using eight Medium/Gold 2.5" squares and four Light/Cream 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.
Middle Units:
Step 6:
Lay out and sew a Step 4 and a Step 5 Flying Geese unit together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance away from the Medium/Gold rectangle as shown.
Step 7:
Repeat Step 6 for a total of four Middle units like the ones shown below.
Square in a Square Units:
Step 8:
Using a Light/Cream 4.5" square, two Medium/Gold 2.5" squares and two Dark/Brown 2.5" square "snowball" the corners of the Light/Cream 4.5" square. I like to work on two opposite corners at a time. Click Square in a Square for a detailed tutorial on making this unit. Here are the first steps going from top to bottom, left to right:
- Sew two Medium/Gold 2.5" squares to opposite corners of the Light/Cream 4.5" square along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked lines.
- Match the corners of the 2.5" squares and press.
- Open up the 2.5" squares and trim the seam allowances.
- Refold.
Step 9:
Repeat Step 8 on the remaining two corners with two Dark/Brown 2.5" squares.
Step 10:
Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for a total of four Square in a Square units like the ones shown in the picture below.
Putting It All Together:
Step 11:
Lay out the Middle Units, the Square in a Square units, and the Dark/Brown 4.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 12:
Sew the units into three rows.
Step 13:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown below.
Step 14:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 15:
Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. I like to press the final seams (Steps 13 and 15) in opposite directions. This is so that when you're sewing blocks together, you can rotate every other one and these seams will nest together nicely.
Layout Ideas:
This is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial so you can get a feel for what a quilt would look like with this block.
And here's the same layout as above but with narrow (1") dark sashing and medium cornerstones added.
This is an example of an alternating layout where every other block is a grid-type block. This makes an interesting celtic or intertwining design that connects with the main block.
This alternating version uses a modified Snowball block to create a lovely large diamond pattern. That open space would be great for some fancy quilting or embroidery/applique!
This is an example of an on-point layout. I added in a dark purple for some of the light triangles to create a star design in the block. The setting triangles are the same light fabric as in the block.
This is an alternating on-point layout using a simple chain block as the alternating block and setting triangles. I like how it creates a dark edge around the quilt - sort of a built in border.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed sewing the St. Gregory's Cross block together. With only two basic units and a square, it went together quickly and I was pleasantly surprised with the dynamic designs the block can make when made into a quilt.
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 beginner-friendly blocks? Take a look at these 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