This would have to be a favourite quilt block for me. 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.
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.)
Watch the video ( or scroll down for written instructions).
- 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
Linda says
Such a quick way to make this quilt. Thank you for a great tutorial.
Diana says
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I definitely want to make a quilt using this block!
Wanda says
Thank you for your lovely comment Diana. It really is a lovely block and so versatile. It’s one of my favourites.
Carol says
Thank you so much for a really different, unique block! I love the second pattern that evolves.
Alanda says
I’m happy you like this block Carol. This is one of my favorites,(along with quite a few others, lol).