Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Cross and Chains quilt block
A pieced center of squares on point, with chains of small squares and triangles round it.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
8 squares and 24 triangles
- A2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B10 squares 1⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- C8 squares 1¾″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
9 squares and 4 triangles
- A2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- D1 square 2¾″then cut with template D
- C8 squares 1¾″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Cross and Chains’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
8 squares and 24 triangles
- A2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B10 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
- C8 squares 2¼″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
9 squares and 4 triangles
- A2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- D1 square 3¾″then cut with template D
- C8 squares 2¼″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Cross and Chains’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
8 squares and 24 triangles
- A2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B10 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- C8 squares 2¾″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
9 squares and 4 triangles
- A2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- D1 square 4¾″then cut with template D
- C8 squares 2¾″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Cross and Chains’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background A triangle to a Dark A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 8 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam: Dark C piece to Background C piece. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background A triangle to a Dark A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 8 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam: Dark C piece to Background C piece. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background A triangle to a Dark A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 8 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam: Dark C piece to Background C piece. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 1 square-in-a-square unit
Sew triangles to two opposite sides of the center square and press out; then to the other two sides, and press out. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
Its 12 × 12 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 19 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and S), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 45 pieces in 4 different shapes and 32 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.