Directions for Nine Patch Quilts

Cotton batting gives a quilt its volume.

Nine-patch quilts are made using small squares of fabric to create larger block patterns. Each block has nine squares, which can be arranged in a variety of patterns. As you become more comfortable sewing these blocks, you can make them as complex as you want. An important part of seaming is pressing the seams. After you sew each square together, press the seam with an iron.

Things You'll Need

• Quilting fabric in various colors
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting mat
• Quilting ruler
• Quilting pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Iron
• Cotton batting
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Making the Nine Patch Blocks

1. Cut the pre-washed fabric into small, equal-sized squares using the rotary cutter. The block containing nine separate fabric squares can be 6 inches on each side, meaning individual squares should be 2 1/2 inches on each side. The extra 1/2 inch allows for seaming.

2. Lay the squares out on your workspace and create your pattern. The easiest pattern involves using only two colors (five one color, four another). The five squares will form the corners and center of the block with the four differently colored squares filling in the gaps.

3. Sew the block together. Starting with the top row, sew adjoining edges of the squares together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew the second and third rows together the same way. Press each seam with an iron so it's flattened against the fabric.

4. Join the three rows together. Sew the same 1/4-inch seams as before, joining the top row to the middle row then the middle row to the bottom row. Press the seams when finished. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you have enough blocks to make your quilt.

Building the Nine Patch Quilt

1. Lay out the nine-patch blocks into your desired pattern. Unless your pattern says otherwise, you should have an equal number of blocks on each side of your quilt.

2. Pin the blocks together, with squares right sides together, making sure that there's only a 1/4-inch seam between each one.

3. Sew the seams. Just as in the previous section, sew the blocks together row by row. After you've completed a seam, press it open before continuing onto the next. Join all of the rows together to complete the top layer of your quilt.

4. Select a complementary fabric to use as the backing. Cut it to the same dimensions as the top layer.

Final Assembly and Sewing

1. Lay the backing on a flat surface. Spread the cotton batting evenly onto the backing. Lay the quilted top on the batting.

2. Pin the three layers together, starting in the middle. Place a pin at the corner of each block to keep all three layers together.

3. Machine or hand sew the three layers together. Follow the lines of the blocks and sew vertical and horizontal lines across the entire length and width of the quilt every 6 inches.

4. Cut four strips of fabric approximately 1 inch wide and as long as the sides of your quilt. Fold the raw edges of the strips under and press. Pin the folded strips to the edges of the quilt so it covers the raw edge of the front and back of the quilt. Sew them onto the quilt to close all the sides.

References

• Quilting 101: How to Make a Quilt
• Scrap Quilts: Pressing Quilt Blocks and Fabrics
• Penelope Waits: Simple Nine Patch Quilt Pattern