Stitching the Southwest, Part Nine: The Cactus
Hello, dear Southwest-loving quilters!
Today, things are getting a little prickly in our Southwest Quilt Along, because we’re sewing the cactus quilt block!
And since cacti simply belong in the desert landscape, this block will appear twice in our quilt.
Cacti are true stars of the desert. They grow where hardly any other plants survive, in dry, hot regions with very little water. Instead of leaves, they have spines that protect them from animals and, at the same time, help conserve water. Clever, right?
One of the most famous cacti is the Saguaro from the American Southwest. With its characteristic arms, it almost looks like it’s happily waving at us. Some saguaros grow years old and several meters tall, true giants of the desert!
And although they look so prickly, many cacti produce beautiful, vibrant blossoms, a little bit like our quilt blocks: clear shapes, but full of life and color.
“Be like a cactus, stand tall, stay sharp, and bloom where others struggle.”
The Cactus Quilt Block In the Quilt
Our cactus block is sewn using Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP). This technique ensures that even the narrow arms and clear shapes come out nice and precise.
In the finished quilt, we will sew the block twice to create a typical Southwest feeling.
For your cactus, you could use:
- different shades of green for the cactus
- sand, beige, or desert tones for the background
- small floral fabrics for the flowers
Of course, the block also works wonderfully scrappy or modern after all, cacti can be just as individual as our quilts.
You can either sew the entire quilt or just the cactus block on its own. The quilt pattern is part of the Southwest pattern collection, but it is, of course, also available individually.
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The complete Southwest Trails pattern collection
(Use the code SOUTHWEST to receive 20% off)
Are You New to the Southwest Quilt Along?
If you’ve just joined us: a warm welcome! You can jump in anytime and sew your own Southwest quilt.
Together, we’re sewing a quilt made of FPP blocks (Foundation Paper Piecing). We’re drawing inspiration from the Southwest, especially its landscapes and traditional motifs. The instructions for the individual quilt blocks are published regularly on the WeAllSew Blog. Today we’re quilting another motif from the series.
Already released:
- Desert Peaks
- Cowboy Hat
- Canyon Tides
- Guitar
- Horseshoe
- Cowboy Boots
- Campfire
- Feathers
When quilting, one rule matters most: no stress!
We want to avoid time pressure; that’s not the purpose of our beautiful hobby.
However, if you would like to participate in the final giveaway, you will need to share a photo of your finished quilt top on Instagram using #SouthwestQAL or in the WeAllSew Community Section by May 10, 2026.
Here is the link to my first Quilt Along post, where I summarized all the important information.
My Fabric Choice for the Cactus
- Sparkler Beach (background)
- Sparkler Bear Lake (cactus)
- Riley Fuchsia (blossoms)
Quick Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) Instructions
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Print only the pattern segments you will actually sew all pieces labeled with letters and numbers.
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Lay out all segments according to the numbered overview. This helps keep track, especially with the smaller pieces.
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Some segments must be glued together. Please do not use tape, as the block will be pressed several times.
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Some segments consist of a single piece of fabric without seams. You can fix these wrong sides together with a fabric glue stick or secure them with pins.
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Sew all segments together according to the instructions. Remember: remove paper from seam allowances and press often.
What Do You Think About a Cactus Wall Hanging?
It has a certain charm, doesn’t it?
The cactus block brings a piece of desert landscape and Southwest atmosphere into your quilt, and together with the other motifs, a beautiful Southwestern scene will gradually emerge.
I’m really looking forward to seeing your cacti and the colors you choose for your blocks!
Post your creations on Instagram using the hashtag #SouthwestQAL, or share them in the WeAllSew Community Section!
Happy quilting!
See you next week,
Ingrid 🌵🧵
