The Cactus Rose quilt block is a very old block that has been known by many different names in the past 200 years. I decided to show the Cactus Rose or Cactus Basket in honor of this months desert themed blog hop. Be sure to visit the other designers at the bottom of this page to see their desert block.
To print this page, go to the Cactus Rose Quilt Block page and use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom, just above the comments. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
Fabric Requirements and Cutting Instructions for the Block
Sand Background
- (2) 3-1/2″ squares
- (3) 4″ squares
- (2) 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ rectangles
Red Leaves
- (2) 4″ squares
- (1) 7″ square
Green Basket
- (1) 4″ squares
- (1) 7″ square
How to Create and Square Up a Half Square Triangle (HST) Quilt Block
The Traditional Method of making Half Square Triangle Blocks (HSTs) is to place two identical squares right sides together. These squares should be 7/8″ larger than the finished size of the final HST. Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark.
You will have made two identical Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks. My personal preference is to cut squares 1″ larger than the finished size of the final HST and square it up to the correct size after pressing.
There are two ways you can square up your block.
You can place a square ruler so the diagonal line is directly over the seam and just cut two sides. Quilt-in-a-Day has a Square Up Ruler that uses this method.
Or you can press open the block (pressing to the dark) and square it up using a ruler the same size as the block you are making. A fussy-cut ruler with lines on both diagonals will be very helpful with this.
Make these HSTs
Piecing the Block
To piece this part of the block, you will need the (4) 3-1/2″ Red/Sand HSTs, the 6-1/2″ Red/Green HST and a 3-1/2″ Sand square. Press to the center.
Make Two of these units for the block side and bottom border using the (2) Sand 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ rectangles and the (2) Green HSTs.
Add the remaining 3-1/2″ Sand square and finish piecing it like this, again pressing to the center:
You are done! Four of these would make a great Mini-Quilt. For example:
If you would like to make this block in a different size, you need our free technique sheet with a chart.
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Visit These Designers!
Coiled Snake by Carolina Moore
Pyramids by Patchwork Breeze
Bison Skull by Crafty Staci
Renewal (snake) by Eudaimonia Studio
Gecko by Inquiring Quilter
Cactus Rose by Scrapdash
Oasis by Appliques Quilts and More
Adobe House by QuiltFabrication
Sand in my Toes by Patti’s Patchwork
Diamondback Quilt Block by Brown Bird Designs
Desert Bear by Colette Belt Design
Yucca by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Arizona Poppy by Cristy Fincher
Palm Tree by Slightly Biased Quilts
Desert Cactus
A Prickly Pear in the Garden
Goldenhead Flower by Emerald Falls Quilts
Blooming in the Desert
Tucson Too Late by Orange Blossom
Hi, Well, It sure would be nice if you made this into a – PDF file-I really don’t want to print 18 pages at this time.
You shouldn’t have to print 18 pages! If you are on the https://scrapdash.com/cactus-rose-quilt-block/ page, you can use the green Print Friendly button. That creates a 2-page PDF.