Disappearing Center Square Quilt Block | Step-by-Step With Bob

Macaroni and cheese fabric? I’ve been waiting to use this one for ages! This Disappearing Center Square quilt block is a fun, easy project that makes two matching blocks at once. I paired our Sew Creative Mac and Cheese #1 fabric with a black background to make that cheesy print stand out. I even wore my macaroni-and-cheese-colored glasses for the occasion!

Supplies and Cutting

From each fabric, cut:

• One 6" square

• Two 3" × 6" strips

• Two 3" × 11" strips

You’ll also need a rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, pins, thread and an iron.

Fabric featured: Sew Creative Mac and Cheese #1, digitally printed at Sewing Parts Online
Finished block size: 10" square
Yield: Two matching quilt blocks

Use a ¼" seam allowance throughout.

Step 1: Frame the Center Squares

Start with your print square. Sew a 3" × 6" background strip to two opposite sides and press. Then sew a 3" × 11" background strip to the remaining two sides and press.

Repeat with the background square, framing it with the print strips. You’ll have two blocks with opposite fabric placement.

Don’t trim the edges yet. The strips may extend slightly beyond the edges, and that’s OK at this stage.

Step 2: Cut Diagonally

Place one block fully on your cutting mat. Line up your ruler with two opposite corners of the inner 6" center square, then cut diagonally through the entire block.

Repeat with the second block, cutting in the same direction.

Use the center square’s corners as your guide, even if the ruler doesn’t line up perfectly with the outer corners.

Step 3: Swap the Halves

Swap one half of the first block with one half of the second. Each new block should combine a print-center half with a background-center half.

Place the halves right sides together, carefully matching the seams along the diagonal cut.

Step 4: Pin and Sew

Pin the diagonal edges together to keep the seams aligned. These edges are cut on the bias, so they can stretch more easily.

Sew with a ¼" seam allowance, handling the fabric gently without pulling. Press the blocks open.

Step 5: Square Up

Now trim the uneven outer edges and square up each block to 10½" unfinished, keeping the center design centered. Each block will finish at 10" square once sewn into your quilt.

Give It a Try!

I love how a simple swap transforms these framed squares into a completely different design. Put several blocks together, and it gets even better! Try this with our Mac and Cheese #1 fabric or choose a favorite print and a contrasting background.

Watch the full video tutorial below to follow along. Be sure to follow Sewing Parts Online on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more sewing and quilting projects.

Happy sewing!