• Right click on the PRINTABLE PATTERN link corresponding with each block. If you use the Netscape web browser, choose "Save Link As" to download the file. If you use Internet Explorer web browser, choose "Save Target As." I recommend this method more highly than left-clicking and attempting to print the PDF pattern directly from your web browser's window. This way is much quicker and less prone to hangups.
• Save the file to the file folder of your choice on your hard drive.
• You can open the file while either online or offline.
• When printing the pattern file, be sure the Fit To Page option is NOT checked in the Print dialogue box.
• Beginning with the Indented Cross PDF pattern sheet, I've included an one-inch box as a printer accuracy guide. If the box isn't one inch on all sides, then your printer isn't printing the patterns accurately.
• If you have questions, please email me.

EQ4 Project Files - - If you use Electric Quilt 4 software, I can send you the project file(s) containing the block pattern(s).  The project files are compatible with EQ4 only.   But I'll be glad to send them to you, so email me.  

And now for the fun stuff...

CrossWay Quilt © Layout finished quilt size 68" x 84" Scroll down for individual blocks.

For my own quilt, I have plans to quilt a Celtic knotwork design within the large Latin Cross. For examples of Celtic Knotwork and tutorials on how to design your own motifs, I recommend visiting Aon: Celtic Art and Illumination, a website by artist Cari Buziak.

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Foundation Paper Piecing Most of the cross blocks are foundation paper piecing (FPP) patterns. Beginners with some experience in FPP should be able to accomplish these patterns without a problem. Please take note, however, that I have given generous cutting sizes for those fabrics that will be used in the FPP patterns. This is to provide more wiggle room/a fudge factor for seam allowances when sewing on the line and flipping. Trim the excess as you go. For more information and an online tutorial for foundation paper piecing, please visit Zippy Designs, publisher of the "Quilts with Style" magazine (no affiliation). Fabric Amounts Originally as a block-of-the-month sort of quilt, The CrossWay Quilt's cross blocks didn't have fabric requirements included in their instructions. In my quilt, the background/light colored fabric is different for each cross block. Most of the individual blocks take a fat quarter of the light-colored fabric and a fat quarter of the cross fabric. The exception to this is the five blocks for the large Latin Cross which requires a half yard each of the light fabric and cross fabric. The fabric requirements for the sashing blocks are listed on the Spikenard pattern sheet. The fabric requirements for the cornerstone blocks and two borders are listed on the Spikenard Root pattern sheet. One visitor to my site who made a version of the CrossWay Quilt wanted to use the same light-colored fabric for all the cross and sashing block backgrounds as well as for the light, outside border. She tells me she used about 5 1/2 yards to do this. If you have further questions regarding fabric requirements, please email me.
Blocks	History/Information
Embattled Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 139kb	In the sixteenth century, a son's birthorder began to appear on family heraldry/coats of arms. These "cadence signs" included the battlement-like squares which adorn the basic cross on this quilt block. Reflecting the strength of an embattled fortress, and coupled with the spiritual (and political) power of the Cross, the cadence mark on this quilt block also signified the strength of the first-born son.
Cotised Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 119kb	The name of this cross refers to the cotises, or ribbon-like bands, which run parallel to the four arms of the cross. This was a foundational design for more extravagant crests in heraldry. Stripped of all ornamentation, though, this cross remains a distinct symbol of the connection & influence of the Church--if not more importantly of the work of Christ's cross*--to Western culture at that time. *The importance of Jesus' work on the cross is explained in Paul's letter to the church in Colosse, "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [i.e., Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.&rdquo (Col 1:19-20)
Indented Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 152kb	Of ancient origin, the indented cross also has been noteably attested to Robert Giffard, the Seigneur of Beauport. An immigrant to New France around 1634, to what is now a part of Canada, Robert arrived as a surgeon. As a Seigneurie under King Louis XIV, he was in charge of attracting settlers to his large land grant along the St. Lawrence River. His crest also included four lions. This version of the cross, however, can be paper foundation pieced easily.
Dovetailed Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 143kb	While there is no attested heraldry for this cross, its name inadvertantly alludes to a striking image in Psalm 68:11-13 of a dove (the people of God blessed with success) in a time of war: "The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it: 'Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.  Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of [my] dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.' " (New International Version)
Raguly Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 148kb	This is actually a slight variation on the Raguly Cross. The ancient version doesn't have the eight small triangles closest to the center of the cross. It is attested to the bearings of only one person, a man named Liston whose history was undisclosed despite my research. However, his bearings were a gold cross on a red background. You color your block however you like. CORRECTION: The cut, unfinished, measurement of Unit C in the Raguly Cross needs to be 2” x 5”, not 2.5” x 5”. If you use the corrected measurement, everything in Step 5 of the instructions will now fit together properly. Please make a note of this correction on the pattern sheet you print out since it currently shows the incorrect measurement.
Gamma Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 148kb	While this cross has not been attested to armory in history or mythology, it is a historic cross. It is composed of the Greek letter "gamma" which appears four times. Being the third letter of the Greek alphabet, the gamma has symbolized to some Christians the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion and death. This resurrection was recorded in each of the four Gospels of the New Testament. In the language of Christian symbolism, these Gospels are represented sometimes when something is repeated four times, as is the gamma in this cross.
Calvary Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 80kb	This cross is known also as the Holy Cross. It is the Latin Cross, the cross of Jesus' sacrifice, resting atop three steps which allegorically represent the virtues Faith, Hope, and Love. These are the great virtues the Apostle Paul describes in the thirteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthian church. The cross also is the foundation to the Bunn Family heraldic crest.
Latin Cross PRINTABLE PATTERN 91kb	As an ancient symbol, the Latin Cross not only represents Christianity as the structure upon which Jesus was crucified approximately 2000 years ago, but also it symbolized of the Staff of Apollo, the Greek sun god. As the enduring symbol of Christianity, though, it remains to remind people of Jesus' words, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24-25) In armory, the Latin Cross is the foundation for many families' heraldry.
Spikenard PRINTABLE PATTERN 130kb	According to The Lion Encyclopedia of the Bible, the spikenard (nard) is a plant which grows in India and was made into a sweet-smelling ointment. "It was imported to Israel in sealed alabaster jars to preserve the perfume. This was the costly gift that Mary lavished on Jesus" before he was crucified and buried. Song of Solomon 4:13; Mark 14:3; John 12:3. This is the sashing block for the CrossWay Quilt. The sashing cornerstone block, a companion to the spikenard block, will follow this installment. CORRECTION: Under the cutting instructions, "434 small leaves (template A--14 leaves per block)" is listed twice accidentally. The total number of small leaves for the sashing blocks is 434 NOT 868.
Spikenard Root PRINTABLE PATTERN 339kb	This is a representation of the root of the spikenard plant. It is the vital, aromatic part of the plant which is first dried, then steamed to distill the woody, sweet-scented oil. The oil also is used for medicinal purposes. NOTE: Please be patient when downloading this file. It is the largest file of all the instruction sheets because it contains a graphic of the completed quilt.

CrossWay Quilt Gallery

If you would like for me to display your CrossWay Quilt project, please email me.

Keri made the CrossWay quilt for her sister as a housewarming gift.
Celeste made this quilt of Calvary Crosses for her sister and brother-in-law's 25th anniversary.	An internet friend of mine--whose name is also Celeste but who isn't the same person in the first picture--made this for a one-time missionary to Japan who is also a descendant of Charlemange. Celeste elected to reduce the Spikenard applique to four sashing blocks and quilt a Celtic design in the rest of the sashing.

A Short List of
Interesting Reading
In association with Amazon.com bookseller, I've listed a few books pertaining to crosses in quilting, symbolism in crosses, spirituality in quilting and other books along those lines which have interested me. Simply click on the title to find out more about the book.

Crosses of Many Cultures by Joyce Mori	Dictionary of Symbols by Carl Liungman	The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church E.A. Livingstone, editor
The Dream Quilt by Celeste Ryan a children's story	A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art by Gertrude Grace Sill	The Wordsworth Complete Guide to Heraldry by A.C. Fox-Davies