All About Blocks

11 Nov 2006 04:20 PM

A nine-patch is perhaps the second easiest of all blocks to piece (right behind the four-patch). It is a very versatile block that is usually made from two contrasting colors, A and B, although adding more colors generates interest and secondary patterns. Alternating it with the Snowball block is always a great choice, too!

For an interesting twist, reverse Fabrics A and B!

For fast results, try piecing this block using a strip-piecing technique.

Fabric Requirements for One Block
FABRIC	6" Finished	9" Finished	12" Finished
A	5 - 2.5" x 2.5"	5 - 3.5" x 3.5"	5 - 4.5" x 4.5"
B	4 - 2.5" x 2.5"	4 - 3.5" x 3.5"	4 - 4.5" x 4.5"

Instructions

Using the diagram at the right, lay out the fabrics as illustrated, into the first row. Sew each square together, using a scant 1/4" seam allowance to form the pieced row shown at the right. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make the third row. Press the seams on the first and third rows to one side, both to the same direction.	+ + =
Using the diagram at the right, lay out the fabrics as illustrated, into the second row. Sew each square together, using a scant 1/4" seam allowance to form the pieced row shown at the right. Press the seams on the second row to the opposite direction of the the first and third rows.	+ + =
Lay out the three rows as shown, then sew them together using a scant 1/4" seam. Make sure that the colors are placed so that they appear in opposite positions. Press the block flat. It should measure 1/2" larger than the finished size at this point.	+ + =
	Using this block alone, in a simple layout with a sashing, results as shown to the left.
Using this block with a Snowball block as an alternating block of the same size results as shown to the right.

"All About Blocks" is a work in progress, so be sure to check back often, as more and more free block patterns in multiple sizes are added! All block patterns that are linked to from the "Quilting Passion Patterns" page are created by Terry Crawford, and although many of them are traditional patterns, a great deal of them are original designs. Please respect the copyright of this site. Thank you!