Quilt block · Nine-patch · Intermediate
At the Square quilt block
A nine-patch: hourglass units in the corners, three-strip units on the sides and a plain center square.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square, 8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 3¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- C1 square 2½″
- B6 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 3¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B6 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Between the lines. At the Square cuts cleanly at 4½″ or 9″. At 6″ its rectangles are ⅔″ wide, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square, 8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- C1 square 3½″
- B6 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B6 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square, 8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 5¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- C1 square 4½″
- B6 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 hourglass triangles and 6 strips
- A2 squares 5¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B6 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Between the lines. At the Square cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″. At 12″ its rectangles are 1⅓″ wide, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Medium A and Background A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Medium and Background
Sew the Medium B and Background B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Background and Medium
Sew the Background B and Medium B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Medium A and Background A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Medium and Background
Sew the Medium B and Background B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Background and Medium
Sew the Background B and Medium B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Medium A and Background A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Medium and Background
Sew the Medium B and Background B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 2 rail units: Background and Medium
Sew the Background B and Medium B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Nine-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
At 9″ every piece measures with a ruler. On its 18 × 18 grid, 6″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 7 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 29 pieces in 3 different shapes and 8 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.