nine-patch out of strips

I'm finally mentally back from Spring break.  My house is somewhat in order and I'm ready to pick up where we left off. 

So remember when I cut these 14 different flower print fabrics, selvage to selvage, into 3" strips?

 

And said that I would use them to make another simple nine-patch quilt like this one?

And that I would let you in on the simplest and quickest way that I have found to piece all those 3" strips into nine-patch blocks?

Well here goes:

1.  Choose your favorite coordinating fabrics.  I have 14 different fabrics here for a large twin-sized quilt but you can make this with as few as 8 for a baby-sized one. (an even number of fabrics is best so that you can match them up later)

2.  Cut Three 3" strips, selvage to selvage, out of each fabric.  If you're doing the math here, you only need 9 inches, selvage to selvage, of any one fabric which is not a lot so you can use up all the ends of yardage you have lying around.  Tutorial for cutting strips here.

3.  Pair the fabrics up into sets of 2.  For example, if you have 14 different fabrics you will have 7 sets of 2.  This is the fun part because any way you pair them they will look great. 

4.  Sew the 2 sets of three 3" strips, selvage to selvage, as shown in photo above.  Now you have 2 panels, each made up of three strips.

5.  Press.

Note:  I don't want to confuse anyone but for those who want a scrappier nine-patch block or simply don't have enough fabric to cut three strips (like yours truly) you can substitute a similar fabric for one of the strip sets.  See how the green flowers are two different fabrics.  If you do this make sure to keep the second fabric constant else you will lose the nine-patch form.

6.  Cut the strip sets across into 3" strips.  You will have about 13 strips out of each selvage to selvage set, which is enough to make 8 nine-patch blocks.

Cutting Tip:  Because the top & bottom edges may be a bit uneven or stretch a bit during pressing... Always align your measuring ruler (right) with a sewn seam rather than the top or bottom edge.  This will give you perfectly straight 3" strips.

7.  Sew half the strips into nine-patch blocks like so.  (you'll have enough for 4 blocks)

 

And sew the other half of the strips like so.  (you'll have enough for 4 of these blocks)

8.  Press.

 

The scrappy blocks will look like this...

 

And this.

 

My blocks are all done.  Because I had 7 sets of fabrics and each selvage to selvage strip yields 8 blocks I have 56 eight-inch blocks which will make a large twin size quilt for Spring.  Promise you will be the first to see it once I get it all assembled.  

Even if you never make this particular quilt, I hope you found something here that you can use to simplify the sewing and quilting process.  Making is fun and exciting and should not feel intimidating or, dare I say, like work.

Comments

[wishes, true and kind]

Those are gorgeous blocks! Love all your fabric choices!

joan

[Nancy]

lots of useful information--and pretty blocks! thank you, Larissa.

[wishes, true and kind]

Wow -- thank you for the sweet, sweet comments on my blog! Have fun with your solids!

[Jodi]

I always learn something from you. You fabrics are beautiful. It's going to be such a pretty quilt -- is it for your daughter?

[Jenny]

Yay! A twin-size quilt top is sitting in my project basket with my seam ripper after it didn't come out like I wanted, and this may be the new direction I need. Just lovely. Thank you!

[Meg Evans]

Again, I just love all those fabrics! I'm going to keep this in mind as a new project (for my spare time!).

[Gale]

Great tutorial. Particularly helpful for a total newbie (that would be me).

[kristyn]

your tutorials are the BEST! and I always take something away. as usual, I love your fabric choices!!

[Andrea]

Your tutorials are always beautiful and make it seem so easy :)!

[Mousy Brown]

Thank you - for someone new to quilting that is a big, big help! :D

[Karen]

Great tutorial, Larissa. I usually hand piece but you make it look so easy. I might have the nerve to try it on the machine!

[Adirondack Mama]

You are a genius Larissa.

Gorgeous.

[Ruth]

I am hoping that armed with your amazing tutorials I will be brave enough to make a quilt this summer. I have thought about it and I want to conquer my quilting fears. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge!!

Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words.

Ruth

[MrPuffy]

It's such a great pattern and makes for such a beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing your know~how and someday I hope to be able to make a quilt of my own!

[leslie]

i just washed my boys fabric today.
hope to get started using this AMAZING tutorial this week/weekend!
thank you!!!

[Heather]

Awesome tutorial Larissa, as usual. I learned something really new today, and I am looking forward to putting it to use.

[Kim D.]

Thanks for the tutorial. It makes me want to start yet another project, but I'm trying to be good. will add this to the list of quilts to make.

[Lisa Q]

I always learn something from your tutorials...for example, I just learned that if I measure against the sewn seam I'll get a straighter cut than measuring against the edge...that may solve some of my wonky block issues. Thanks girl! Can't wait to see it all together.

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