9 Square Quilting Block

  • Supplies:

5 Lighter colour blocks 3.5×3.5 inches
4 Darker colour blocks 3.5×3.5 inches
– OR –
4 Lighter colour blocks 3.5×3.5 inches
5 Darker colour blocks 3.5×3.5 inches

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • It is extremely important to make sure you use 1/4″ seam allowance.
  • When pressing seams – this is the one time you’re going to need to really lean into the dark side.

Instructions:
The most common way to assemble a nine-patch block is by attaching three uniform-sized blocks across to form a single strip as illustrated below.

Use a 1/4″ seam allowance throughout your piecing.

Once three individual blocks are attached across they will create a strip. The nine-patch grid works best when it is done in an alternating grid. The first row should be Dark Square + Light Square + Dark Square. The second row should be Light Square + Dark Square + Light Square. The third row should repeat the first. 

Once you’ve created your three alternating rows, connect them as illustrated below.

Your block should have a finished size of 9.5×9.5 inches, Trim if needed.

Press the seam allowances toward the medium/dark squares. Usually, seam allowances are pressed toward the darker fabric to prevent show-through on the quilt top. Also, pressing the seam allowances in opposite directions means that when you sew the rows/columns together, the seams will nest together nicely and makes for nice intersections that lay flat.