Learn how to make a second style of a 4 patch disappearing quilt block – the criss cross. This is a fun way to change a four patch into a new quilt block!

After trying a few disappearing quilt blocks— the 4 patch, 9 patch, 16 patch and pinwheel….I thought it would be fun to expand this just a little bit.

Today I will show you how to sew up the 4 patch disappearing quilt block– Criss Cross.

Materials Needed:

4 squares of fabric- equal in size (I used 5″ X 5″ squares and the block turned out to be 8″ X 8″ unfinished)

2– light

2– medium/dark

I found this quilt block to be most successful when the squares are the same– 2 light matching and 2 medium matching.   This would be great for a 2 color quilt!

Instructions for the 4 patch disappearing quilt block- Criss Cross:

1)  Sew your 4 squares of fabric together- same colors are opposite each other

2)  Mark with a pencil 2″ from each corner on both sides.  You should have a total of 8 marks on your square.  These marks won’t show as long as you keep them inside the 1/4″ seam area

3)  Line up your ruler with 2 of the marks and cut– these cuts will be diagonal and around 1 1/4″ from the center of the block

4)  Repeat this— you will have one cut on either side of the center of the block, and another 2 cuts on either side the opposite direction

5)  Move the larger pieces so the colors are alternating.  You want them to go- light, dark, light dark.  If two of the same colors are touching you need to make an adjustment.  You can also play with the pinwheel in the center- do you want the same colors touching or opposites again?

6)  Sew 3 pieces together to from strips.  Sew the corner piece with 2 triangles {repeat with each side} and then one corner piece with the center and then another corner

7)  Sew these rows together and square up the block.  Mine squared up to 8″ X 8″

I am pretty sure that I will be making a few more of these! I love the look and they really are simple to sew.

What other style of disappearing quilt blocks have you sewn?