Hi Friends! Since I snapped a few pics along the way of my improved disappearing nine patch quilt for my little girl, I thought I’d throw together a quick little tutorial for anyone interested in this super easy, versatile block.
Oddly, even though I’ve been quilting off & on for around 15 years, for some reason I never knew about this easy block until this year! A little bizarre, I know, but I figure if I just discovered it, maybe some others of you don’t know about it either. It’s a little bit magical, and I like a splash of magic in my quilts.
So, we start with squares. 5″ squares to be exact. I cut mine from yardage, but charm squares are awesome for this too. For a really scrappy look like mine has, I recommend at least 10 different fabrics. The more fabrics you use, the less chance you’ll end up with similar prints touching (my pet peeve!)
Next, lay out 9 of your squares in an arrangement that you like, keeping in mind that the square in the center will be cut into small pieces, so a really large print might not be best there. The squares in the corners will not be cut at all, so put your big prints or fussy cuts there.
Next, sew the squares in each row together. Press the seams to the same direction, alternating in each row (so top row seams go to the right, middle row goes left, and bottom goes right).
Now, pin & sew your rows together, being sure to nest each of the matching seams.
Not sure what I mean by “nest?” Line up the seams and hold them between your fingers. Wiggle a bit until you feel them “lock” together- the edges will butt up against each other tightly since you pressed the seams in opposite directions. Always matching your seams this way ensures your seams will ALWAYS line up perfectly and will look flawless. Definitely worth the extra brain power during pressing!
Now slip a pin directly into that space between where the seams line up. You’ll notice that it goes in easily. If it feels like you’re pushing through several layers of fabric (ie the seam allowance) then pull it out and reposition until you feel it only go through the 2 layers.
Now comes the magical part! So you have a nicely pressed 9-patch that should measure 14″ square. If it doesn’t, trim it so it does.
Now, line up your clear ruler with one side edge and measure 7″ in- this should be the center line. Cut. Repeat in the other direction, being careful to line your pieces up precisely if you turn them.
Repeat this process for all of your squares, switching around your placement with each 9-patch to create scrappy variety. You’ll have a big yummy stack of 7″ squares like this.
Now comes the fun part- laying out your blocks. It’s like a puzzle, mixing up all your pieces to create crazy unique combos. You could just go petal to the metal at this point and start sewing stuff together, but I’m a little too OCD for that method. I prefer to lay each square out first, so I know that I’m not going to end up with 4 squares at the very end that look less-than-awesome together.
Nest & pin seams, and sew the blocks together as you would a 4-patch.
At this point you can really go crazy with chain stitching to crank this baby out in record time. (don’t clip your thread or remove squares between seams- just keep stitchin!)
There you have it! A fun, scrappy block that looks like you did so much more tedious cutting & sewing than you really did! I told you, it’s MAGIC!
Hi Amy, am really interested in making this, not sure if I missed it but how many of these blocks to you make? Like the original 9 patch. Have tons of charm squares and this would be a great use for them – thank you!
Lovely quilt, easy too. Never made one like this, I have made a 9 patch similar. Only after cutting I join up the 4 blocks I turn them so no seams touch each other – it makes it easier again.
Hi nextvangogh, my name is Susan…I am going to try this one next also but I think you could make as many blocks as necessary to get the length and width of the quilt that you need. The blocks must end up about 13.5 inches square and with a sash and border it could end up 64 inches wide and 79.5 inches long…am I close Amy? I am guessing from the photo that Amy made 20 blocks, is that right Amy? I love your colors Amy and I have so many fabrics in my stash and just bought a charm square cutting ruler so I am going to use more of my stash.
Hi, I’m Teri. Where did you find a charm square cutting ruler Susan? Or did you get a 5″ square ruler and call it a charm sq ruler? My mom is in an Alzheimer’s facility, and sewing little charm squares to make quilts is still one of our activities together. We have sewn all of our quilts by hand, since a sewing machine is too scary for her anymore. One of our quilts won 2nd place at a From Your Hands quilt show our local fabric store put on 3 yrs ago! Anyway, this pattern would be perfect for mom and I.
Hi Teri, I believe I got my charm square ruler from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I order things from them every once in a while.Your quilts with your mom sound amazing. I did make the disappearing 9-patch quilt and am now in process of machine quilting it. It turned out cute. I did four rows of five blocks like Amy. I put white sashing in between the blocks and then a 2 inch border of a light blue print and then a 3 inch border of a dark blue. I backed it with the light blue. I would love to see pix of your quilts. my email address is spx823@aol.com. I don’t know how to attach pix here but do know how to on email.
Hi there! Thankfully you’ve commented on this post, otherwise I’d be ALMOST clueless! Haha. I’ve just bought myself some charm packs (I’m cheating!) to put together a quilt using this block! However, I’m rather new to the whole idea and I’m curious as to how wide you think the sashing is on Amy’s quilt. I’ve looked up tutorials on sashing and it seems most people use 1.5″ strips (resulting in 1″ sashing) but this sashing seems to be a bit bigger?
Any input would be appreciated!
Hi Michelle! Thanks for stopping by to view my tutorial! On this quilt I used 2″ sashing strips (so 1.5″ after seam allowances).
Happy quilting!
Amy
Thanks so much for your response! I was looking into 2.5″ (just a wild guess) so I’m glad you responded! This will be my first quilt project! I found this tutorial a WHILE ago and finally have gathered up the courage! Haha. Your quilt is beautiful, by the way. I can only hope mine will come out just as gorgeous! If you happen to have a tutorial around that I haven’t found yet, on how YOU do your sashing/borders, I’d really appreciate it. I’ve been researching it all day and think I have found a couple I can understand! Haha..
Again, thanks so much!
I’m back again! I just received my charms and started laying out my first 9 patch. I’m curious, and this may be a dumb question (I’m a firm believer in ‘the only dumb question is the one not asked’) BUT, when you sew your original patches together, do you backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams?
Not a dumb question at all! No need to back stitch at any point when assembling this quilt top. In fact, you will rarely need to back stitch in any quilting projects, since all of your raw edges are always going to be secured in another seam, which acts to secure that area instead of a back stitch. The only times when you will want to use one, is if you are appliqueing patches, starting or stopping quilting of your layers in the middle of the quilt (not if it’s off the edge though), and stitching on your binding. Other than those instances, no need to give it a second thought. :)
Hope this makes sense, and answers your question! Happy quilting!
Amy
Hey Michelle…In response to your question…I don’t backstitch in quilting because most of the seams will be sewn to another piece of fabric. I wish there was a way to post my scrappy disappearing nine patch here but here is the pinterest link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/214202526000828783/. I loved making mine. I quilted it on my home sewing machine by sewing a 1/4 stitch from each seam line.
Amy: How in heaven’s name do you have time to do all this??!!..Anyway, I love the disappearing 9-patch….did one for charity, but mine was set differently than yours…the small pieces were in the middle, & I put the blocks on point….I like your placement as well. You are an amazing woman…thank you for all your expertise & sharing it with us…
Too cute. Thank you, Ms. Amy!
Cheers,
Lyric
http://www.sewcroandquilt.wordpress.com
I’ve made two of these quilts and I love them. The next one I make is going to be like an expample I saw using only two fabrics plus the middle and to change the position of the fabrics for every other block. It was a great look for a more subdued quilt.
I would love to see a pic of your quilt, as it sounds like a great design.
Nice tutorial -I love the fabrics you used!
love the tute,m going to try it right away.thank you.xx
Do you square up your blocks? I am pretty new to quilting and wasn’t sure if I should square up the 7″ blocks or wait and square them up after I sew 4 of the 7″ blocks together which forms the larger block. Does it matter which way I do it?
I am a bit late in discovering this tutorial, as I see the dates are back in early 2014. I have a question for Susan Paxton or for anyone else who quilts on their sewing machine. What kind of thread do you use? I usually use invisible thread. It does a nice job, but it can get kind of unwieldy at times. I would be interested in knowing what others use. Thanks.
I am even later than you Wilma – so I don’t know if you will ever read this but I just had to reply!! I would say never use anything other than COTTON THREAD. It is so much more workable and perfect for piecing – it works well with the cotton fabric you are using for piecing. I’ve been told that invisible thread – for piecing – might actually cut into the fabric after a while. I use just two shades – One light and one darker and I find they work perfectly.
Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a
community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have
done a wonderful job!
Hi Amy,
I’m making a sampler quilt of 9″ blocks. What size should I cut the original squares so the finished disappearing 9 patch will result in a 9″ block?
Thanks for posting this – it’s still a great resource all these years later! I’m making a baby quilt that just needs a little more oomph! and here it is.
Hi Amy! Thanks for another tutorial of another great project! :)
Is it necessary to put strips in between squares? Love disappearing nine patch patterns. New to quilting, have not done one yet but will soon.
Very nicely done! I am new to patchworking but think it is very exciting