Quilt block · Nine-patch · Beginner
Pennsylvania quilt block
A center square framed by strips, with small squares at the corners of the frame and in the corners of the block.
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
8 rectangles
- B4 rectangles 4½″ × 1½″
- C4 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares
- A8 squares 1½″
Accent · Apricot in the picture
1 square
- D1 square 2½″
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
8 rectangles
- B4 rectangles 6½″ × 2″
- C4 rectangles 3½″ × 2″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares
- A8 squares 2″
Accent · Apricot in the picture
1 square
- D1 square 3½″
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
8 rectangles
- B4 rectangles 8½″ × 2½″
- C4 rectangles 4½″ × 2½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares
- A8 squares 2½″
Accent · Apricot in the picture
1 square
- D1 square 4½″
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 2 sections, 4½″ × 1½″
Sew 2 Medium A squares and a Background C rectangle together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 4½″ × 1½″ (4″ × 1″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 4½″ × 2½″
Sew 2 Background C rectangles and an Accent D square together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 4½″ × 2½″ (4″ × 2″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 4½″
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. 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 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 2 sections, 6½″ × 2″
Sew 2 Medium A squares and a Background C rectangle together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 6½″ × 2″ (6″ × 1½″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 6½″ × 3½″
Sew 2 Background C rectangles and an Accent D square together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 6½″ × 3½″ (6″ × 3″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 6½″
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 6½″ (6″ 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 2 sections, 8½″ × 2½″
Sew 2 Medium A squares and a Background C rectangle together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 8½″ × 2½″ (8″ × 2″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 8½″ × 4½″
Sew 2 Background C rectangles and an Accent D square together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 8½″ × 4½″ (8″ × 4″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 8½″
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 8½″ (8″ 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?
Its 6 × 6 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 5 sections (A, B, C, D and E), 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: 17 pieces in 4 different shapes. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.