Quilt Block: Arkansas Crossroads Quilt Block Tutorial

This would have to be one of my favorite quilt blocks. The Arkansas Crossroads Quilt Block is quick and easy to make and looks awesome when you put 6 of them together. It forms two patterns – a cross pattern and a square in a diamond pattern.

Watch the video below or scroll down for the step-by-step written instructions

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The instructions below will make a 10″ finished block (10 ½” unfinished)

• Colour 1

  • 2 @ 5½” x 5½” squares

• Colour 2

  • 4 @ 3″ x 3″ squares
  • 1 @ 3″ x 13″ strip – (NOTE: This amount is for one block. If you are creating more than one block, you can cut a 3″ strip by the width of the fabric.)

• Colour 3

  • 1 @ 3″ x 13″ strip – (NOTE: This amount is for one block. If you are creating more than one block, you can cut a 3″ strip by the width of the fabric.)

 

TOOLS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:

• Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½” 
• Olfa 24″ x 36″ double sided healing mat
• Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
• Oliso Iron
• Gutermann Sew All thread
• FriXion Pens

 

Method

• Take one of the 13″ long strips and lay it face down on top of the other long strip, right sides together.
• Sew down the long edges on one side with a ¼” seam.

• Press the seam to the ‘dark side’.

• Your strip should now measure 5½” in width.

• Cut this strip into 3″ blocks.
• This strip will give you 4 blocks.

• And here is how your small blocks look once they have been cut.
• Just put them aside for the moment while we work with the other squares.

• Turn your 3″ squares over so that the wrong side is facing up.
• Draw a line with a fabric pen, from one point to the other point diagonally across the square.
• Do this to all four squares.

• Take one of the 3″ squares and lay it, right sides together, on the corner of one of the 5½” squares.
• Match the edges and pin in place.
• Do this to the other edge as well.
• Repeat on the other square.
• Sew along the diagonal line for each square with a ¼” seam.

• Trim the excess fabric from the corner a ¼” from the seam line.

• This is how your blocks look now.

• Open out the triangle pieces and press open.

• Now we are going to make our 4 patch block.
• Take the four patches we made earlier and place them on the mat so that you have alternating colours.
• Take one patch and lay it right sides together,
• Sew together with a ¼” seam.
• Do the same for the other two patches.

• Lay your patches out on the mat.
• Make sure you have the dark squares running down the middle.
• Place the two top squares one on top of the other with right sides facing.
• Sew together with a ¼” seam.
• Do the same with the bottom two squares.

• Now lay the two top blocks over the bottom two blocks, right sides together.
• Sew them together with a ¼” seam.

• Your block is now complete!

Some ideas for using the Arkansas Crossing Quilt Block