The Makings of a Disappearing Nine Patch...........

When I first came across this pattern on the web it was being called a Split Nine Patch on several sites. As I researched this further i have found the correct name for it to be Disppearing Nine Patch. This a an easy quilt block to make even for a beginner quilter. You begin with nine 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch squares. You can use any combination of fabrics but it is nice to have the center square an accent color as when the block is cut and resewn it will appear in four different places in the completed quilt block.

So, to begin you will require 9 squares of fabric to make one quilt block. Arrange your quilt blocks in a pleasing pattern with your chosen fabrics. The four blocks that are are in the outer corners will not be cut when you split the block so they will appear as focus fabrics in the block when completed.

Begin by sewing your first row of three blocks together with 1/4 inch seams. Continue sewing your blocks together until you have 3 rows of 3 blocks each. When pressing your seams on the back of these 3 rows press the seams on 2 of the blocks to the left and one of the rows to the right. When you sew the rows together begin with one of the rows that is pressed to the left, then sew the one with the seams sewed to the right and then the one with the seams pressed to the left. By doing so your seams will "nestle" and give you more accuracy in alignment and your seams will lay flatter. When pressing, do not stretch your blocks by moving your iron about all over the block. Do not use steam.

So, your first row should look like this.

When your rows are all sewed together this is how they should look.

and from the back with your seams pressed in alternating rows and sewed.

See how the seams alternate direction from row to row?

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the tutorial on how to complete this quilt block.