For those quilters wanting a little more of a challenge, five inch quilt blocks might be the answer -- smaller blocks usually means more blocks to make. Another reason for using five inch blocks is to create a secondary pattern. By using 4 blocks and rotating each of them, you get a different larger quilt block. These larger blocks can then be laid out in variety of ways to make some very interesting original designs.

Red Cross

Sample Quilt Layouts

When using the Red Cross quilt block you will likely consider if or how you would like the crosses to be a focus in the quilt.

The quilt layout shown on the left uses a standard side by side setting with sashing strips separating the blocks. The breaks up the look of so much red in the illustrated quilt (but not by much).

The quilt layout featured on the right sets the blocks on point with large triangles on each corner of a block. This sets up the chance to have a "colour blocking" look to the quilt, as placement and colour choice of those corner triangles allows for this option. The resultant quilt has a very different look from the other design.

Download the RED CROSS free quilt block pattern

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