The many benefits of nine patch quilt blocks make it a popular choice for quilting projects. Not only are they easy to create using 9 squares of identical size fabric, but you can also easily scale them up or down and adapt them to achieve different results. Adding in half-square triangle pieces can totally transform the project and bring a whole new look.
Your journey as a quilter can easily begin with the Nine-Patch quilt block. This particular block has been around since the 1800s, and is one of the most famous and widely used blocks in the world of quilting. It offers great flexibility, despite the ease of use, when combined with other blocks.
Basics of the Nine-Patch
Nine-patch quilt blocks look their best when you place light and dark fabrics together in a checkerboard pattern. This type of block is great for charm packs which are 5″ squares pre-cut fabric.
Assembling the Nine-Patch Block
Building a nine-patch block begins with connecting three blocks of equal size. Doing this properly requires a seam allowance of 1/4″. This is important to ensure the best results. See the image below for more detail.
Don’t forget that you can make the blocks larger or smaller to fit your preferences. The important thing is that each of them forms a square with the same size, so feel free to experiment with scale!
Sew three individual blocks and you will have a strip. To achieve a checkerboard pattern alternate the order of the fabric for each strip. The sequence of the squares on the strip should be light – dark – light or dark – light – dark.
Once you have made the three rows with alternate colors, just sew one to the other as indicated below.
And that is it! You have a very easy to make Nine-Patch Block!
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