Elizabeth Hartman from Oh, Fransson! shares her last installment our Block Sew-Along series. We’ve had a Triangle Block, Spiderweb Block, Dresden Plate Block and today Elizabeth shows you how to sew Wonky Cross Blocks.
Don’t don’t forget about the great quilting resources at Oh, Fransson! (Quilt Making Basics, Quilt Patterns, Quilt-Alongs and much more!). Elizabeth also has a variety of quilting and sewing patterns for you to purchase. Thanks for a fun series, Elizabeth!
If you’re sewing along we want to see what you create! You can:
- Write about it on your blog, then leave a link in a comment on any of the block sew-along posts.
- Share your block (or quilt?!) with our quilting Flickr group.
- Write about it and post a photo in the sew-along section of the forum.
There are several names for blocks like these. Some people like to call them cross blocks. I prefer to think of them as “plus sign” or “intersection” blocks. Whatever you want to call them, these are simple, graphic blocks that can be made quickly and easily. If you’re someone who isn’t as enthusiastic about the more labor-intensive blocks I’ve been talking about during the last two weeks, this block should be a refreshing change of pace. If you’ve been hesitant to try a “wonky” block, this might be a good place to start!
All directions assume a quarter inch seam allowance, with seams pressed open.
For each 8.5” x 8.5” (8” x 8” finished) block, you’ll need an 8.5” x 8.5” fabric square and two contrasting fabric strips (the two strips should be cut from the same fabric). There’s no fussy measuring on this one. Your strips just need to be about 10” long and between 1.5” and 2.5” wide.
Lay the 8.5” square on your cutting mat and make a wonky vertical cut, dividing the square into a left and right half. Place one of your contrasting strips between the two halves. Sew the two halves to either side of the contrasting strip, as shown above.
Now, make a wonky horizontal cut through the center of your block. Place your second contrasting strip between the two halves. Sew the two halves of your block to either side of the contrasting strip, aligning both halves of the perpendicular contrasting strip as best you can. Square up your finished block to 8.5” x 8.5”
I sewed four different blocks together to make a 16.5” mini quilt. If you make a mini quilt like mine, I recommend varying the size of your contrasting strips and the degree of the angles on your wonky cuts.
This is a simple, forgiving block, so have fun and don’t be afraid to try lots of different variations!
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» Quilt Block Sew-Along, Sew-Alongs, Sewing Tutorials + Patterns » Wonky Cross Block Sew-Along
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Fabulous – so much easier than the way I would have thought of doing it!
Thanks for this tute! It looks like it´s fun – so I´ll try it out the next days…
These tutorials have been wonderful, thank you! I am new to quilting and these are very accessible and inviting.
oh fransson! you are amazing!!!
wonderful tutorial.
I had to take my machine in to get serviced so I am behind on my sew-along, but I will catch up quickly as soon as I get it back. I’ve got all these great ideas in my head now and no machine to try them out on!
Thanks Elizabeth – another great tutorial
great tutorial. Thank you!
Thank you for the tutorial. I’ve been sketching cross/plus/intersection block patterns since saw these.
Gosh, you make this look so easy. I have loved all four blocks.
Thanks for walking us through that, I can’t wait to give it a try.
That will burn through soooo many scraps, thanks!
I finished the Fourth! Here is a link to the last block as well as a picture of all 4 blocks together.
http://wearecorrys.blogspot.com/2010/04/wonky-to-finish-it-up.html
Thanks so much Elizabeth!! These were so fun to make and your tutorials were so easy to follow! I look forward to quilting along with you again in the future.
Awesome! Again, I am lamenting my current lack of free time! Such a greay job picking blocks to share!!
These look great – I am going to try these in a “sampler” quilt.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Looks very simple! I’ll have to try this. Thanks!
Wonky is best! Hooray for less measuring.
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I wish there were more coming!
Thanks Elizabeth for these tutorials!!
This is so great. I just started making some blocks for this kind of quilt. This technique is way faster then what I was doing. What a thrill to find this tutorial. Thanks so much!
I am working on a “non-wonky” type of this quilt or rather a tessellation patterned quilt. It was kind of hard to figure out my background fabric, but I finally decided on turquoise to go with the pink,blue,green,yellow,orange and browns in the main geometric shapes. My first queen size quilt too–EXCITED! Thanks for your great tute!!
Hooray for wonky blocks! Even wonky quilters like me can make them. Thanks, Elizabeth for sharing it
this is one I’d love to try!
Oh does this have to be the last of Elizabeth’s blocks? I love her tutorials!
I love how complicated it looks, but so easy and carefree. Makes me go “now why didn’t I think of that?” I’m going to do this block, make a quilt, and impress all my friends!
That block looks like so much fun!!
A clear tutorial and an interesting block.
I really like the looks of this block. Thanks for another great tutorial.
Love all things wonky! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Great tutorial. And I love the songbird background in the bottom-left block
It’s delightful and looks like a fun design to sew!
SIGH! I love her tutorials! So wonderfully done and helpful. When is she putting a book out??
So simple when you see this
great tutorial thanks.
alli b
Simple and forgiving. I’m ready to be wonkier than I usually am. Thanks for all the great tutorials (and giveaways).
these are so fun! I have been wanting to try “wonky” blocks, and this looks like a great place to start!
Thanks for another great tutorial…it seems much easier than it looks.
This looks like fun. Thanks!
Great tutorial. So clear. Thanks!
very very nice! I really do need to attempt quilting, this series has really inspired me to try it out!
Fun! Love the block!
I thought this block was going to be way more complicated. I have a bin of strips just waiting to be made into a wonky cross quilt.
I have loved this block sew-along (even though I need to catch up!) I can’t wait to get all 4 of my blocks finished. Thanks for a great start to the week!
Easy, fun technique.
Love it. I think all the mini quilts look great.
The colors are beautiful!
Jana
Another great tutorial = simple and easy to follow – thanks.
Thanks for the great, clear instructions. Love these blocks1
I can’t wait to get started on all of these great blocks!
I really like this block because it looks complex but is so easy.
Oh man, ANOTHER project to add to my ever-growing “Must Try This” list!
This is fun!
I love the wonky cross blocks. They look like fun to make.
Ooh I just love anything that doesn’t require precision at every cut.
I love how “wonky” has become a technical quilting term.
How cool are those cross blocks?!! I need to get off my computer, get the house cleaned up and get sewing!!
Anything using scraps is great!! I think Wonky is the new beige!!
I just love Elizabeth’s tutorials. She is such a good teacher!
OOOO! love this! we just made these blocks in red and white for a friend!
See now this is totally my speed. Something that you can mess up, but that still looks great. Love it!
I love this! And the colors are wonderful!
I love the fabric combination.
I like this wonky block! Thanks for the great tutorials!!
Your color sense is very appealing. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this block! Will definitely try sometime
Thanks!
Elizabeth always has such straight-forward and practical tutorials that always encourage creativity. I really love following her blog and I’m glad you got her to do some tutorials for quilting II month.
thanks for the tutorial.
Oh my goodness…totally not how I thought it was put together…what a great way to use leftover strips. I love just cutting up strips and seeing what happens but lately nothing has been happening so now I am totally inspired!:)
Thank you for the instructions. And I thought it was more complicated than that.
I can’t wait to try this one!
I’ve just started making something like this. Fun to see her interpretation!
What an easy and fun block to make. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Thank You for the tutorial!
Great tutorial on this type of block design!
Thanks for the great tutorial!
Another great block! Thanks, Elizabeth and Sew Mama Sew!
I love wonky designs.
I want to try this!
I am happy to see this tutorial. Thanks!! I hope to try this.
Oh wow! I love how abstract this piece is…very neat!
Thanks!
Looks very simple! I’ll have to try this. Thanks!
I learn so much from Elizabeth’s tutes, no only how to create a block or quilt but also tips and expert advice ~
too cute! thanks!
I have been looking for a tutorial for this design. I love the abstract look to the piece. Thanks for the instructions!
Much easier than it looks! Thanks so much for the great tutorial!