Learn How to Make a Plus Quilt Block

I hope you’re ready to play along with the Quilt Block of the Month series here on the Polka Dot Chair! This month we kick things off with a 15 inch Plus Quilt Block Tutorial. It’s designed to be a skill-builder block.

The September Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple plus block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

Let’s get this party started, shall we? The first block in our series is a Plus Block. I picked this block because I thought it would give you great practice stitching those 1/4″ seams.

Table of Contents - Jump To:

Quilt Block of the Month series on polkadotchair.com - create a quilt in 12 easy steps!

UPDATE: You can now purchase a PDF with ALL of the block instructions for each month in one place!! Click here to PURCHASE

About The Plus Quilt Block:

This block measures 15″ x 15″ (after finishing) and is composed of 25 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares. It’s just a simple grid, but the pattern comes alive when you pick which fabrics go in which spot in the grid. Does that make sense?

I stitched it up in 3 different fabric variations to give you some ideas for changing the look of the block. There is a low-volume version above. I’m calling this one my “hidden holiday” quilt. Notice the Apple in the center there?

It’s my “nod” to September. There may be a pumpkin hidden in the block next month 🙂

September Quilt Block of the Month: a tutorial for a Plus Block on polkadotchair.com

This version has a gray “linen look” background—I’m working on this one for my teenage son—and this version has a simple white background.

I’m also planning to make a Christmas themed set of blocks, but I will stitch that one along with you guys this month.

Let’s get started!

15 Inch Plus Quilt Block Pattern:

Begin by cutting:

20 squares from your background fabric, each 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

5 squares of all the same color of fabric in various prints, each 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ (you can repeat a print if you like, but keep them all the same basic color so that the “plus” shows up well in your block).

Plus Block Layout:

Lay out your squares in a grid with the colored pieces of fabric, making a plus sign in the center.

You are going to stitch this block together by rows.

Stitching:

Please pick up the pieces in row 1 and pin them together. Stitch with 1/4″ seam.

Repeat for all five rows.

Press the seams of your block to one side in alternating directions. For example, the even-numbered rows press to the right, and the odd-numbered rows press to the left. This nifty trick will help you line up your seams when you stitch the rows together.

Stitch the Rows Together:

Lay out your rows in order again.

Pin row 1 to row two right sides facing.

Quilt Tip!

“Nest” the seams next to each other. Since the seams are pressed in opposite directions, they will snuggle right up next to each other.

Place a pin in every seam.

Stitch with 1/4″ seam allowance.

Next, stitch row 2 to row 3 until you’ve stitched all five rows together.

Press the seams all to one side again. Remember to go “up and down” with your iron, not side to side.

Square up and trim the block so that it measures 15 1/2″ x 15 1/2″.

September Quilt Block of the Month: a tutorial for a Plus Block - join in the quilt along and make a quilt yourself in 12 easy steps. Just 1 block per month.

That’s it!!

If you have questions about the block construction just leave them in the comments section, I’ll answer them there. That way others will benefit from all of the answers.