Delaware Quilts

Red Cross

For a 12 1/2 inch Red Cross block (12 inches when sewn in a quilt) you need the following cuts.

For the Diagonal Half Squares (or HST) you need:
    Four 3 3/8 inch squares of the white-on-white.
    Four 3 3/8 inch squares of the black and white print.
    Eight 3 3/8 inch squares of the black
For the center strips you need four 5 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch strips of the red and one 2 1/2 inch square of black.
           

First we will make the diagonal half squares (DHS) or half square triangles, which ever you prefer calling them. You can use which ever technique you want to make them, but this is my favorite.

First, mark your lightest squares diagonally through the center. (This will be a cutting line when you are finished.) Place your black or black and white print 3 3/8 inch square, right sides together with the 3 3/8 inch marked square. Sew on either side of the drawn line, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. Cut this square in half on the cutting line. You will now have two diagonal half-squares, which should measure exactly 3 inches. Repeat with the remaining 3 3/8 inch squares. Press them all to the darkest fabrics, all 16 should be pressed the same way.

Make two units like this,             and then two like this.

Now sew a red strip between two of the units you just made. Notice how those units are turned, putting the black DHS in the center next to the red strip.

Make two units like this.
One of those units will be turned around when you put the block together.

Sew together this middle row


Assemble following the diagram.

Your Red Cross block should measure 12 1/2 inches.
     


Two Red Cross quilts. The second one is made just by turning alternating blocks.


Red Cross © Delaware Quilts December 2010
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Updated June 22, 2020

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