The Makings of a Disappearing Nine Patch (Continued)

So we left off yesterday by completing your nine patch block. If your block is not completely square you will have to trim off the excess on each block to make them all a uniform size. All blocks have to be the same size in order for them to be sewn together to make your quilt top or table runner or whatever other project you have chosen.

The next step after trimming is to take your nine patch block and measure where your center is horizontally and vertically on your squares. Using this measurement you will cut through the center of your block from bottom to top and from side to side. By making these two cuts you will now have four small blocks from your one nine patch block.

So as you can see by my somewhat crooked arrows (don't cut your fabric crooked) that after you make these two cuts you will end up with four small blocks. As I described to you yesterday you can see where the four corner blocks have not been affected by either of these cuts and their size has remained intact. The center block has now been divided into four small squares and the other 4 blocks have now been divided into 2 rectangles each.

Now if you turn any two blocks that diagonal from each other. The other two blocks should remain in the same position. You can play with your blocks and come up with a pattern that you like and when you put them all together you can see the overall effect.

You can see by rotating the four blocks how the nine patch changes. What used to be 9 squares has now turned into a large block with small and large squares and a number of rectangles. When you have decided on a pleasing arrangement go ahead and sew the four blocks together.

Begin by sewing your top 2 blocks and pressing the seam to the left and then sew your bottom 2 blocks together and press the seam to the right. Now lie them good sides facing together, line up your seams, pin, sew together and press your seam to anchor it before opening the block. Then unfold and press the block open. Follow this procedure for all of your blocks.

Once all of your blocks are sewn together arrange them in a pattern that you find appealing ( do this by hanging on a design wall or lying them out on the floor before sewing rows together).

Once you have them arranged you are ready to begin sewing them together row by row. I find it easier to stack my blocks as I take them off my design wall row by row. Keep the top of the row to the top of your sewing table so they do not get mixed up. At this point it is easy to do so. I use a pin in the top of the first block to remind me which eand is up in case I inadvertently rotate them as I am taking them off the wall and to my sewing desk.

Continue by sewing blocks together in rows and pressing your seams all either to the left on one row or to the right. Once your rows are complete sew them together in groups of 2. This makes large rows easier to handle. Sew 2 rows of 2 together to form another large portion and so on until you have your 2 halves and then sew the 2 halves together and voila! A quilt top!!

Ideas on layout for these quilt blocks and more information about them can be found almost anywhere on the internet by searching "disappearing nine patch quilt block". Have fun with your project. These blocks are so easy to make and look like you did all this fancy cutting when all you did was cut a nine square block into four pieces and sew it back together again.

This quilt block proves once again that not all quilting projects are as hard as what they may seem. There are many methods of piecing quilt blocks that are fun and very easy to do.

Happy Sew Day!!