Quilt block · Seven-patch · Intermediate
Diamond Cross quilt block
A seven-patch: a cross of rectangles round a small center square, a dark triangle pointing in at the end of each arm, and between the arms four-patches of squares and half-square triangle units round dark corner squares. Also called Ratchet Wheel.
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
The center square, 12 rectangles, 8 side triangles and 8 triangles
- E8 squares 1½″then cut with template E
- B12 rectangles 2¼″ × 1⅜″then cut with template B
- A1 square 1⅜″then cut with template A
- C8 rectangles 1½″ × 1″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
12 squares, 4 point triangles and 8 triangles
- E8 squares 1½″then cut with template E
- D4 rectangles 1½″ × 1⅜″then cut with template D
- A12 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Diamond Cross cuts cleanly at 3½″ or 7″. At 6″ its half-square triangles' short sides are ⁶⁄₇″, so they need templates.
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
The center square, 12 rectangles, 8 side triangles and 8 triangles
- B12 rectangles 3⅛″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
- A1 square 1⅞″then cut with template A
- E8 squares 1⅞″then cut with template E
- C8 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
12 squares, 4 point triangles and 8 triangles
- A12 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
- D4 squares 1⅞″then cut with template D
- E8 squares 1⅞″then cut with template E
Between the lines. Diamond Cross cuts cleanly at 7″ or 10½″. At 9″ its half-square triangles' short sides are 1²⁄₇″, so they need templates.
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
The center square, 12 rectangles, 8 side triangles and 8 triangles
- E8 squares 2⅜″then cut with template E
- B12 rectangles 4″ × 2¼″then cut with template B
- A1 square 2¼″then cut with template A
- C8 rectangles 2⅜″ × 1½″then cut with template C
Dark · Navy in the picture
12 squares, 4 point triangles and 8 triangles
- E8 squares 2⅜″then cut with template E
- D4 rectangles 2⅜″ × 2¼″then cut with template D
- A12 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Diamond Cross cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″. At 12″ its half-square triangles' short sides are 1⁵⁄₇″, so they need templates.
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.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Dark D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark E triangle to a Background E triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew a Dark A piece and a half-square triangle unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 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.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Dark D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark E triangle to a Background E triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew a Dark A piece and a half-square triangle unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 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.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Dark D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark E triangle to a Background E triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew a Dark A piece and a half-square triangle unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Seven-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Diamond Cross the same block as Ratchet Wheel?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Ratchet Wheel as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
On its 14 × 14 grid, 6″, 9″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 11 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K), 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: 53 pieces in 5 different shapes and 24 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.