Raspberry Kiss {Block Tutorial}

I'm not sure if this block has an official name, I'm calling it Raspberry Kiss. Below are the instructions for making one 4 1/4" finished square.

Making a pillow 

If you'd like to make a 20" pillow then make 16 of these squares (4 rows of 4) and add a 2" border on all sides. My Aerial Kisses Pillow finished at 24", I used 25 of these blocks (5 rows of 5) and added a 2" border on all sides.

Resizing this block

If you'd like to resize this block, see cutting dimensions for an 8 1/2" block and my resizing tips, at the end of this tutorial.

Directions for Making a 4 1/4" finished block

Fabric cutting

Centre cross block cut ~

4 - 1 1/2" background fabric squares
2 - 1 1/2" cross fabric squares
1 - 3 1/2"x 1 1/2" cross fabric rectangle

Corner triangles cut ~

2 - 3" squares
Then cut each square in half diagonally to yield 4 triangles. If you're using a directional fabric, as I have here, make sure to cut the squares in opposite directions as I've done below (that is, if you'd like the fabric to go in a uniform direction).

Directions for block assembly

Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout.

Sew the centre cross block together.

The centre cross block should measure 3 1/2" square at this point.

Add the corner triangles.

I like to lay them out before sewing them together.


The triangles need to be centred on each side. To line the triangles up accurately, I fold both the triangle and the centre block in half and finger press a crease at the centre. I like to fold each piece in opposite directions so that when lined up, they nestle inside each other. Here I've folded the centre cross block with right sides together...


and the triangle with wrong sides together.


Nestle the fold in the triangle into the fold in the cross block as shown here and sew.


Repeat the process on the opposite side so that you now have two triangles attached to your cross block.


Press your block.


Repeat the process with the two remaining triangles





Press your block.


Trim the ears.


Your first block is finished...


Make a few more!


If you use this tutorial, I'd love to know! Any questions, let me know too!

Cutting Instructions for an 8 1/2" finished block

Centre Block cut ~

4 - 2 1/2" background fabric squares
2 - 2 1/2" cross fabric squares
1 - 6 1/2"x 2 1/2" cross fabric rectangle

Corner Triangles cut ~

2 - 5 1/8" squares, cut these in half diagonally to yield 4 triangles (if you prefer, cut these squares a little bigger and trim the finished block back)

Notes on resizing this block.

Make the centre cross block to your desired size.

To determine the cutting size for the corner triangles I found this great calculator at Quilter's Paradise  for square in square blocks.  In the column Select Starting Dimension select Inside Square Finished Length. Enter your centre block finished length measurement in the top drop down box and press Calculate.

The  resulting Corner Square Side Length is the size to cut the two squares required for the corner triangles. If you prefer, you can cut these squares a little bigger than necessary, this will give you room to trim back.

This handy little calculator also gives you the size of your finished block!

As an example, if you base your centre cross block on 2 1/2"' squares, the centre block will finish at 6". Enter 6" as the Inside Square Finished Length. The calculator tells you to cut your corner squares to 5 1/8" and the size of your finished block will be 8 1/2".

Screenshot of the calculator at Quilter's Paradise