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Greek Cross

Diagram of the Greek Cross quilt block layout
Design with this block

Techniques used (complete these first)

Two-at-a-Time Half-Square Triangles

HST Unit

Produces two matching Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) from a pair of squares.

  1. Cut one square from each fabric using the 2-at-a-time starting size.
  2. Place the two squares right sides together and mark one diagonal line.
  3. Sew 1/4 inch from both sides of the marked line.
  4. Cut on the marked line to separate the two units.
  5. Press open and trim each HST to unfinished size.

Pro tip: When the pattern needs an odd HST count, this method is ideal for making the final pair without committing to larger batches.

Four-at-a-Time No-Waste Flying Geese

Flying Geese Unit

Vervain patterns use this method whenever Flying Geese appear: four matching units from one large goose square and four small sky squares, with no stitch-and-flip waste. Finished geese are twice as wide as they are tall (for example 3" × 6").

  1. From your cutting list, cut one large square (goose fabric) per batch of four geese: finished width + 1 1/4".
  2. Cut four small squares (sky fabric) per batch: finished height + 7/8" each. When two sky colors are used, the list shows two small-square lines (two squares per color per batch).
  3. Place two small squares on opposite corners of the large square, right sides together. Mark a diagonal through the small squares and sew a scant 1/4" on both sides of the line.
  4. Cut on the marked line and press open—you will have two heart-shaped halves.
  5. On each half, place a small square on the remaining open corner, mark the diagonal, sew a scant 1/4" on both sides, and cut on the line.
  6. Press open and trim each unit to the unfinished size shown on your pattern (finished width + 1/2" by finished height + 1/2").

Pro tip: One batch always makes four geese; if your quilt needs fewer than four of the same size and colors, set aside the extras or plan another project—the cutting list batches up the same way as our HST optimizer.

Strip Piecing

Strip Set Unit

Sewing long strips of fabric together before sub-cutting them into smaller units. This increases speed and alignment accuracy.

  1. Cut long strips of fabric to the calculated width.
  2. Align strips right sides together and sew along the entire length.
  3. Press the seams (usually toward the darker fabric).
  4. Use a rotary cutter and ruler to sub-cut the strip set into units at the required intervals.

Pro tip: Check your seam allowance after the first few inches to ensure the total width of the strip set is exactly what the pattern calls for. For strip sets with multiple seams, alternate your sewing direction for each seam to keep the strips aligned and prevent the fabric from warping or leaning. Sub-cut to the unfinished unit size listed in your cutting instructions.

Subunits first

Using the techniques listed above, make the following sub units: 1 Shoofly Unit, 4 HST Units, 3 Two-Stripe Unit (legacy)s, 1 Plain Square Unit, 2 Plain Square Units, 2 Plain Square Units, 4 flying goose units, 1 flying goose unit.

Block Assembly

Assembly instructions are currently in the works, check back soon for updates!

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