Quilt block · Nine-patch · Beginner
Birds in the Air quilt block
A nine-patch cut on the diagonal: one big medium triangle, and on the other side half-square triangle units, with three small dark birds flying.
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
6 triangles
- A3 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 birds
- A2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Medium · Denim in the picture
1 large triangle
- B1 square 6⅞″cut once on the diagonal
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
6 triangles
- A3 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 birds
- A2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Medium · Denim in the picture
1 large triangle
- B1 square 9⅞″cut once on the diagonal
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
6 triangles
- A3 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 birds
- A2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Medium · Denim in the picture
1 large triangle
- B1 square 12⅞″cut once on the diagonal
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.
- Add 3 corner triangles
Sew the Dark A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew 2 sections and a Background A triangle together in a column. Press toward the plain pieces.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Medium B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add the last corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the last corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 3 corner triangles
Sew the Dark A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew 2 sections and a Background A triangle together in a column. Press toward the plain pieces.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Medium B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add the last corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the last corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 3 corner triangles
Sew the Dark A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew 2 sections and a Background A triangle together in a column. Press toward the plain pieces.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Medium B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 1 section
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Add the last corner triangle
Sew the Background A triangle across the last corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
Practical OrchardNine-patch
Wandering StarNine-patch
Grandmother’s DreamNine-patch
Snowball Nine PatchNine-patch
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?
Its 3 × 3 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 2 sections (A and B), 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 a good block for a beginner: 10 pieces in 2 different shapes and 3 points to match. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.