--- title: "The Cactus Rose Quilt Block" date: 2024-05-07 author: "Phoebe Moon" featured_image: "https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/large-cactus-rose.jpg" categories: - name: "Free Patterns" url: "/category/free-pattern.md" - name: "Quilt Block Tutorial" url: "/category/block-tutorial.md" --- # The Cactus Rose Quilt Block 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. [![The Cactus Rose Quilt Block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cactus-Rose-Block-640-300x300.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cactus-Rose-Block-640.jpg) Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with [spray sizing](https://amzn.to/3N4zMer). 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. ![How to Create and Square Up an HST Quilt Block](https://i0.wp.com/scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Picture1.png?resize=141%2C139&ssl=1) 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](https://amzn.to/3w2FJgx) 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](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=R75S6Z07R48Z) you are making. [A fussy-cut ruler with lines](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=R75S6Z07R48Z) on both diagonals will be very helpful with this. ## Make these HSTs [![Green HST](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/green-HST.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/green-HST.jpg)Using a 4″ Sand square and a 4″ Green square, make 2 HSTs and square them up to 3-1/2″. [![Red HST](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/red-HST.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/red-HST.jpg)Using (2) 4″ Sand squares and (2) 4″ Red squares, make 4 HSTs and square them up to 3-1/2″. [![Red and Green HST](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/red-and-green-HST.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/red-and-green-HST.jpg)Using a 7″ Red square and a 7″ Green square, make 2 HSTs and square them up to 6-1/2″. You will only need one per block. ### 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. [![center unit of the Cactus Rose quilt block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/center-unit.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/center-unit.jpg) 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. [![Cactus rose block border](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/side-border.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/side-border.jpg) Add the remaining 3-1/2″ Sand square and finish piecing it like this, again pressing to the center: [![Cactus Rose Quilt Block Piecing Diagram](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/large-cactus-rose.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/large-cactus-rose.jpg) You are done! Four of these would make a **[great Mini-Quilt](https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhoebeMoonDesigns?section_id=36013476)**. For example: [![Cactus Rose Mini-Quilt](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cactus-Rose-Tabletopper.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cactus-Rose-Tabletopper.jpg) --- 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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