The Greek Square or Greek Cross Quilt Block Tutorial: Easy, Fast, and Versatile

The Greek Square quilt block, also known as the Greek Cross, Grecian Square or Grecian Design, is a timeless and easy-to-sew block that’s perfect for quilters of all skill levels. Constructed using only squares, rectangles, and half-square triangles, this variation of the classic Churn Dash block comes together quickly and offers several eye-catching design possibilities. 

The Greek Square block has been attributed to several publications/designers in the past such as Ladies Art Company, Woman's World, and Nancy Cabot. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step by step through piecing this versatile block and explore a variety of layout options to inspire your next quilt project.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Greek Square Quilt Block:

• Light: 2 - 5" squares, and 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Pink: 1 - 4.5" square, and 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Blue: 2 - 5" squares
• (To determine how much fabric would be needed for a quilt using this block, check out my tutorial: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-much-fabric-do-i-need)

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangles:

Step 1:

Step 2:

• Open up the patch and press the seam allowance toward the Blue fabric. 
• Square up/trim the units to 4.5" square. 
• You can find my tutorial for making HST units at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a total of four HST units.

Middle Units:

Step 4:

• Match up a Light and a Pink 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle and sew together on a long side as shown in the picture below.
• Press the seam allowance toward the Pink fabric.

Step 5:

Repeat Step 4 for a total of four Middle units like the ones in the picture below.

Putting It All Together:

Step 6:

Layout the Half Square Triangle units, the Middle units, and the Pink 4.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

 

Step 7:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

 

Step 8:

Press the seam allowances toward the Middle units as shown in the picture below.

 

Step 9:

Then sew the three rows together to complete the block.

 

Step 10:

And finally press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown in the picture below.

Layout Ideas:

This is the basic 4 x 4 layout with colors similar to the tutorial. This would be cute for a baby quilt.

 

Here's the same layout but with sashing and cornerstones added. You get a nice Shoofly design in between the crosses.

 

This example shows what happens when you change the position of the colors in every other block. 

 

This every-other-block layout uses a simple chain block for the alternating block.

 

For this alternating layout, a star block was used for the alternating block.

 

This is an on-point layout using the Greek Cross color placement and a light green for the setting triangles.

 

This is also an on-point layout using a chain block for an alternating block that extends into the setting triangles.

 

And last but not least, this is an on-point layout with dark sashing, cornerstones, and setting triangles.

 

Conclusion:

I enjoyed how quickly this Greek Square block went together! My color choice wasn't the best for pictures, but in real life I like the cottagecore/baby quilt look with the soft colors. For being such a simple block, it makes some very nice looking quilt layouts!

 

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 blocks: 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