Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt Block: Criss-Cross Cut

The 9 patch criss-cross quilt block is seriously one of the most basic and easy quilt block. Mix it up with a few fun rotary cuts and you have yourself a super quick, simple and easy to sew quilt block!

The world of disappearing quilt blocks is a fun one….today we are going to mix it up with a few extra cuts.

– Basic Quilting Supplies –

• Rotary cutter or a new sharp blade
• Cutting Mat
• Quilt Ruler
• Sewing Machine – This brother is my favorite!
• Iron here
• Thread
• Bobbins
• Scissors
• Seam Ripper – Not my favorite thing to do!

Disappearing Quilt Block Instructions:

1)  Sew your 9 patch together. The squares I used are 5″ X 5″ and are 30’s style of prints.

2)  Cut the block like a standard 9 patch disappearing quilt block. The cuts will go down the center of the block, up and down and sideways

3)  Here comes the fun— make 4 more cuts. Take the squares and cut them diagonally from corner to corner— notice the direction they are cut for each section~

4)  Move things around– there are a few options. Play with it for a bit and then decide your favorite combination

5)  Sew the triangles together again to make a square

6)  Sew the 4 blocks together to make a square again

The block unfinished measured 13″ X 13″  Kind of an ‘off’ size, but if I kept making them they would all be consistent and easy to sew together, so it isn’t too big of a deal.

---

Tips & Tricks for the Criss-Cross Quilt Block

1. Use high-contrast fabrics
The criss-cross effect pops best when there’s a noticeable contrast between your light, medium, and dark fabrics.

2. Starch your fabric before cutting
Pre-starching helps prevent distortion when you’re slicing and re-sewing the pieces—especially with those diagonal cuts.

3. Double-check your layout
Before sewing your sections back together, lay out the block to make sure the pieces are rotated correctly. A quick preview saves time (and seam ripping!).

4. Chain piece for efficiency
If you’re making multiple blocks, chain piecing can speed things up and keep your sewing flow going.

6. Play with the layout
Try rotating blocks or placing sashing in between to get different design effects. The criss-cross pattern can create cool secondary designs in a full quilt!

---

Are you loving the disappearing quilt blocks?

You’ll find a few other projects and printables here:

Mistakes To Avoid

1. Not checking fabric placement
If your darks and lights aren’t balanced, the criss-cross design can get lost. Take a moment to plan your layout before sewing.

2. Skipping the pressing step
Pressing your seams as you go helps everything line up neatly—don’t skip it!

3. Forgetting to square up
After sewing the pieces back together, your block might be a little off. Always square it up to keep your quilt top looking polished.

4. Mixing up block pieces
Once you cut the 9 patch, it’s easy to mix up the sections. Keep them in order to avoid rework or an unbalanced design.

Disappearing Quilt Block & Pattern eBook Collection!

---

~More Disappearing Quilt Block Tutorials ~

• 15+ Disappearing Quilt Patterns
• Disappearing Quilt Blocks and Patterns
• Disappearing Quilt Blocks – Row Along
• Disappearing 4 Patch Quilt Block Tutorial
• Disappearing 16 Patch Quilt Block Tutorial
• Disappearing Pinwheel Quilt Block Tutorial
• Disappearing Pinwheel Quilt Block – Arrow
• Baby Quilt Tutorial – Disappearing 4 Patch
• Printable Disappearing Quilt Block How To’s
• 4 Patch Disappearing Quilt Block – Criss Cross
• Disappearing Quilt Blocks, Quilts And Printables
• Disappearing 9 Patch With A Double Twist Tutorial
• Disappearing Pinwheel Quilt Block – Double Pinwheel
• The Round Robin Edition 7 – Disappearing Quilt Blocks

Frequently Asked Question Of The Criss-Cross Block

+ Is this block beginner-friendly?

Yes! It’s a great project for beginners looking to try something new beyond basic blocks. Straight-line sewing and simple cutting are all you need.

+ Can I turn this block into a full quilt?

Yes! Just repeat the block and arrange them in rows. Sashing or borders can help highlight each block if you’d like more separation.

+ Can I chain piece these blocks?

Absolutely! Chain piecing speeds up the sewing process, especially when making multiple blocks for a quilt.

---