Cat's Cradle Block Made Easy!

Are you ready to use the Cat's Cradle XL Creative Grids Ruler to make a Cat's Cradle Block perfect every time? This method Makes 2 Blocks at once. 

Collect your items - Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, Long Ruler, small pair of embroidery scissors, sewing machine with neutral thread, 3 pieces of fabric - a light, medium and dark. A rotating cutting mat is helpful, but not necessary!

In my example I have chosen a light aqua, a dark teal, and a large floral for my 3 fabrics.

Step 1

We will be using the Cat's Cradle XL Ruler by Creative Grids to make our blocks. The ruler will tell you what size to cut your squares and rectangles.

Cut 2 small squares and 2 small rectangles. Cut 1 large rectangle. (Makes 2 blocks at once)

Step 2

Lay a small square right sides together with a small rectangle - sew a 1/4" seam down the short side. Do this with both sets. Press toward the rectangle.

Step 3

Lay the two units right sides together, with the square at either end. They will not meet in the middle. There are not seams to match. Sew the 1/4" seam. along the length. Before pressing use a sharp pair of small scissors, fold the blocks in half and snip to the seam line. This will allow you to press toward the rectangle on each half of the block. 

Step 4

Lay your Cat's Cradle Ruler on the back side of the block - mark from the corner, making sure you mark through the intersection of the square. By stitching right through that intersection you will ensure nice crisp points.

Turn block and repeat the marking on the other side. 

Step 5

Layer with the large rectangle face up on the bottom and the marked block face down (right-sides together) Place pins along the marked lines and stitch on the lines. As you stitch make sure you go through the intersection of the triangles and square to ensure crisp points. 

Step 6

Trim 1/4" away from your seam line using your Cat's Cradle XL ruler to line up the 1/4" seam. 

Rotate your mat and trim the other side. 

You will have a small strip that is discard. 

Press the two blocks toward the large triangles. Check to make sure you have nice crisp points before trimming the blocks. If not, rip out a few stitches either side of the center and stitch again.

Step 7

Using the Cat's Cradle Ruler you will position the square on the right side of the fabric in the square and trim 2 sides. 

Turn the block 180* and repeat on the opposing two sides making sure you center the square to meet the square in the small half and check your sides that the ruler is lined up square.

Optional Step 8

Want to make a split Cat's Cradle Block? Add a focus fabric square on the opposite corner, the instructions on what size square to cut are with your ruler.  Mark the square on the diagonal, sew on the seam line, trim a 1/4" away and press toward the triangle you just added and you now have a Split Cat's Cradle Block.