From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Nine Patch Units

Start making this patchwork block by strip piecing the its nine-patch centers.

1. Sew the three 2-1/2" x 17" strips together into a strip set as shown, with the medium light cool fabric in the center. Carefully press seam allowances away from the center strip.

2. Use rotary cutting equipment to square-up one end of the strip set. Cut six 2-1/2" segments from it. Check the leading edge often to make sure it remains at a 90 degree angle with the long edge.

3. Sew the three shorter strips together, with the dark-cool strip in the center. Press seam allowances toward the center strip. Square up one end of the strip set and cut three 2-1/2" segments from it.

4. Arrange two segments from Step 2 and one segment from Step 3 to form a nine-patch unit, flipping one outer unit around so that like-fabrics are arranged diagonally from each other as shown.

5. Sew segments together, matching seams carefully. Press new seam allowances in any direction. Make a total of three nine-patch units.