How to Sew a Nine Patch Quilt Block

For the beginning quilter, a nine patch block can be a low stress way to begin your first quilt. These versatile blocks, usually made of nine equally sized squares sewn into a simple grid, can be used in many settings and to achieve many different looks with your quilt, but are quick and easy to sew.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Iron and ironing board
• Template plastic
• Sewing scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread that matches one or the other of your fabrics
• Sewing pins

Instructions

Prepare to Sew the Block

1. Choose two fabrics for your nine patch block, one light and one dark, to use in your quilt. Before you begin, make sure to wash, dry and press you fabrics.

2. Cut a 4.5 inch square from the template plastic. This template will ensure your patches will all be the same size.

3. Place the fabric wrong side up and trace around your template with a light pencil. Trace the template five times on the dark fabric and four times on the light. Cut these 4.5 inch square out with your sewing scissors.

4. Lay out your block so that you will know what order to sew the pieces together. Place a dark square at each of the four corners and in the center; place a light square between the dark squares on the sides.

Sew Your Nine Patch Block

1. Choose the first two squares in the first row, place them right sides together and sew them on your sewing machine using a straight stitch and a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Then add the third square, making sure the pattern remains the same as your initial layout.

2. Sew rows two and three together the same way. Then, press the seams toward the darker fabric.

3. Take your first completed row and pin it to your second completed row, right sides together, carefully matching the corners of the patches. Then sew the two rows together using a straight stitch.

4. Add the third row to the other two. Then press the seams toward the center row.

5. Admire the 12 inch nine patch block that you have now completed. Make eight more blocks to create a small nine patch wall hanging quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you sew the rows together, lay out your nine patch block again to make sure you have the rows in the correct order.