'Greek Cross' or 'Greek Cross' or just the Wisdom of the Greeks

Today's feature is about ... yes, you guessed it ... the Greek Cross quilt block, but depending on whether you want a simple task to complete for today or a more challenging one, I have created patterns for two different Greek Cross quilt blocks.

Greek Cross quilt block

The first version is a simple Greek Cross block -- a great choice if you are new to making quilts and perhaps this is a first introduction to a nine patch design. However, don't be fooled into thinking that "simple" equates to "boring". By changing up the arrangement of the blocks and of course the various colours, your quilt will be striking.

Seven Patch Greek Cross quilt block

The second version is for those quilters who want more of a challenge. The Seven Patch Greek Cross has many more pieces and therefore more care must be taken to produce accurate patches. None of the patches are difficult to make though, as the block contains only squares, rectangles and half square triangles.

An interesting side note: - Nine patch quilt blocks are so named because they have nine patches to make up the block. Seven patch quilt blocks have 49 patches, so why are they not called "forty-nine" patch quilt blocks? I guess that would just scare off quilters, so instead the seven patch is so named because it is created on a 7 x 7 grid.

Those Greeks were some smart guys

_{"School of Athens' by Rafael, image of Plato}

• "We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less."
  ~ Diogenes


• "Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
  ~ Plato


• "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."
  ~ Socrates


• "You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity."
  ~ Epicurus


• "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth."
  ~ Diogenes


• "Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies."
  ~ Aristotle


• "My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher."
  ~ Socrates


• "Wisdom outweighs any wealth."
  ~ Sophocles

_{Greek Cross quilt block images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'School of Athens' image of Plato by Rafael, courtesy of public domain}