SeeMyQuilt
Pinwheels & triangles · Confident beginner

Crosses and Losses quilt block

Two quarters each hold a large triangle with a small half-square triangle and two small triangles in the corner beyond it. The other two quarters are four patches of two squares and two half-square triangles.

Crosses and Losses: main and background. A 4 × 4 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Crosses and Losses (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square3 7/8" × 3 7/8"2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"10 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2" × 2"–

8" Crosses and Losses (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square4 7/8" × 4 7/8"2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"10 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

10" Crosses and Losses (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square5 7/8" × 5 7/8"2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"10 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares3" × 3"–

12" Crosses and Losses (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square6 7/8" × 6 7/8"2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"10 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 12" Crosses and Losses block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
  3. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Crosses and Losses quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby3 × 4 (12)42" × 54"1 yd1 1/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap4 × 5 (20)54" × 66"1 5/8 yd2 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw5 × 6 (30)66" × 78"2 1/8 yd2 7/8 yd1 3/8 yd5 yd
Twin6 × 8 (48)78" × 102"3 1/2 yd4 5/8 yd1 3/4 yd9 1/4 yd
Queen8 × 8 (64)102" × 102"4 3/4 yd6 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King9 × 9 (81)114" × 114"6 yd7 3/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 1/4 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 12" Crosses and Losses blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side3066" × 78"–
With sashing2060" × 74"Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks15 pieced + 15 plain66" × 78"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1857" × 74"Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd

See Crosses and Losses in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Crosses and Losses block need?

Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Crosses and Losses?

1 main square at 6 7/8" × 6 7/8"; 3 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 5 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 4 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Crosses and Losses blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

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