Stitchtale

Stepped Cross with Centre Square quilt block

A classic block that sews up in an afternoon and looks right in almost any fabric.

8 steps, start to finishWatch the Stepped Cross with Centre Square sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Stepped Cross with Centre Square quilt

Try it in your colours

Try it in your colours

Tap a colourway, or pick each fabric. The film at the top changes too.

Colourways

Or pick each fabric

Love it? Find real fabric in these colours at the fabric shop.

Cut sizes for one Stepped Cross with Centre Square block

Pick the finished size. Every cut includes the ¼″ seam allowance.

Cutting for one 6″ finished Stepped Cross with Centre Square block
PieceCutQty
Background rectanglebackground fabric1.7″ × 2.9″4
Point squaremain fabric1.7″ × 1.7″6
Background squarebackground fabric1.7″ × 1.7″4
Point rectanglemain fabric1.7″ × 4.1″2
Center squareaccent fabric1.7″ × 1.7″1
Cutting for one 9″ finished Stepped Cross with Centre Square block
PieceCutQty
Background rectanglebackground fabric2.3″ × 4.1″4
Point squaremain fabric2.3″ × 2.3″6
Background squarebackground fabric2.3″ × 2.3″4
Point rectanglemain fabric2.3″ × 5.9″2
Center squareaccent fabric2.3″ × 2.3″1
Cutting for one 12″ finished Stepped Cross with Centre Square block
PieceCutQty
Background rectanglebackground fabric2.9″ × 5.3″4
Point squaremain fabric2.9″ × 2.9″6
Background squarebackground fabric2.9″ × 2.9″4
Point rectanglemain fabric2.9″ × 7.699999999999999″2
Center squareaccent fabric2.9″ × 2.9″1

Good to know

What size should I make a Stepped Cross with Centre Square block?

Any size that suits your quilt. 12″ is the easiest to sew, and 9″ or 6″ look lovely in a busy, scrappy quilt. It sits on a 5 by 5 grid, so a finished size that divides by 5 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Stepped Cross with Centre Square blocks do I need for a quilt?

At 12″ you need 9 blocks for a wall quilt, 12 for a baby quilt, 30 for a throw, 48 for a twin quilt and 72 for a queen quilt. Sashing or a border between them means fewer blocks for the same size.

Is the Stepped Cross with Centre Square good for a beginner?

Yes. It's all rectangles and squares, so it makes a lovely first block. Keep your ¼″ seam steady and the corners will meet.

What's the trick to a neat Stepped Cross with Centre Square?

Sew a test Stepped Cross with Centre Square first and measure it. If it comes out the right size, the rest will too.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Stepped Cross with Centre Square and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Stepped Cross with Centre Square quilt