Making Nine Patch blocks with Strip Piecing
The nine patch block is popular because it is easy to make and so versatile. It consists of nine squares of fabric in a three by three layout.
The most obvious way to make a nine patch block is to cut squares and join them together.
This method is fine, but if you have to make a lot of identical blocks, it is more efficient to use a technique called strip piecing.
Strip piecing involves sewing strips of fabric together and then cutting those to the size you need. Once you are familiar with the concept, you can adapt it to many quilt patterns.
Watch the video and scroll down to see images showing how to use this technique to make nine patch blocks.
Tutorial
The block made in the tutorial is made with the traditional light/dark fabric layout, but the method can be used for any layout.
Just look at the rows in the block you want to make to see how the strip sets should look.
Cut the strips
Cut strips the entire width of the fabric. The width of the strips will be determined by the size you want the block to be.
For a 6″ finished block, the strips will be 2-1/2″ wide.
For different sized blocks, consult the chart, but cut a strip instead of squares:
Join the strips into sets
Join the strips together in groups of three. You will need two different strip sets.
One group will have dark fabric on the outside and the other group will have light fabric on the outside. Take your time stitching these strips together and be careful with seam allowances. You want a 1/4” seam allowance all the way along.
Press the seams so that the seam allowances go under the darker fabric.
You might want to measure the strips to make sure they are the width of the block. Mine should be 6-1/2” wide to make a 6” finished block.
Cut the sets
Once the strips are joined, we will sub-cut them into little strips. These will also be the size of the squares, so mine are 2-1/2” wide.
You can see that these strips are the rows that will make up the block.
Finished block
Join the rows together to make the block. Since the seams were pressed to the dark side, they will nest nicely making it easier to join.
Use the nine patch block in quilts
There are many ways a nine patch block can be used in a quilt design. Have fun playing with fabric and making your own.
For lots of inspiration, check out the tutorial for the basic nine patch block (scroll down to see quilts!)
Be sure to #epidastudio when you share your projects on social media!