Tag Archives: Antique quilts

Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial


Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial

Hello Dear Friends and Readers.  If you have scraps, then this quilt block is a real winner!  Personally I love the design shape.  This is a fantastic quilt block for scraps.  All dark and medium scraps are welcome.  I’m using 2 1/2″ units as the basis for this quilt, but they can be any size you choose.  This makes a large quilt block of 16 1/2″ square.  All seams are based on 1/4″

Make as many or as few quilt blocks until it reaches a size you are happy with.  Each block will consist of four units.  The units contain four patch blocks.  Read more about four patch blocks in the link.

Four Patch Favorite

Requirements for each unit

12 of 2 ½“  x 2 ½“  scrap medium and dark squares
2 of  4 ½“ x 4 ½“ white or cream homespun squares
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Construction
Sew 8 of the 2 1/2″ squares into pairs, then sew the pairs into 2 four patch blocks ensuring that the centre seams are nested.  Press.
Use a pencil to draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the remainder four 2 1/2″ squares.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Then take the 4 1/2″ white homespun square.  Lay a 2 1/2″ square, with the drawn line, face down on one corner, and the same on the opposite corner.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Sew along the lines then trim off the corners leaving a 1/4″ seam.  Finger press.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Now position the blocks as shown for the first unit.
Repeat these steps again 3 times, before sewing the units together.
The only tricky bit is placement of the diagonal units.  Note that the diagonal blocks must be placed differently for each unit.
Ensure that each unit is correctly orientated before sewing the units together.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Sew each unit together as a four patch.  Then sew the units together as a four patch to make the block.  Press.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
I made six of these blocks for a baby quilt.  Here is the link to the finished quilt.
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
Arkansas Cross Road Quilt Block Tutorial susies-scraps.com
If you enjoyed this quilt block tutorial, you may also some of these block ideas.  They are always a wonderful way to use your scraps!
or this simple but favourite perennial block.
Hoping you are having a really lovely quilty day,
Susie