Directions for Nine Patch Quilts

A nine-patch quilt is made of blocks of nine squares, three rows vertical and three rows vertical. The nine-patch quilt if good for beginners to practice and build their skills. The nine squares can be creatively designed with your own choice of patterns and colors. The squares are sewn together in various blocks to create an entire quilt.

Choose your materials. Fabric can be solid colors and printed; you will need one yard of dark cotton fabric and a yard of light cotton fabric. The two yards of fabric can create a thirty-six inch square. Also set aside 1 ¼ yard of cotton fabric for the backing. Wash all of the fabrics so the shrinkage can take place before starting the project. A crib-sized quilt batting, quilting thread, and sewing thread are the other materials necessary to create your quilt.  A nine-patch quilt will consist of 41 light squares and 40 dark squares. Create a template out of poster board measuring 4 ½-inches; use your template to cut out squares of your chosen fabric.

Piecing

There are two patterns involved in a nine-patch quilt. There are light and dark colored fabrics for each block of patches. Sew the fabrics right side up. To start your first block, sew a light square and a dark square together with a ¼-inch seam allowance. Repeat this step, being sure to interchange between light and dark fabrics, until you have nine squares. Use an iron to press the seams together. The next block should be started the same way, with the light and dark squares interchanging.

Final Touches

Cut the backing fabric. The backing is larger than the quilt top; wrong side facing up. Place the batting on the backing fabric (sandwiching), and pin together with large pins. Use a hand or machine to sew your quilt. Cut the excess fabric and decide on the binding for your quilt. The binding can be done in dark or light fabric.