Assemble Strip Sets for Nine-Patch Centers
Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout.
- Sew a 2-1/2" x 7-3/4" long dark strip lengthwise to each side of a muslin strip of the same size. Press seam allowances towards the dark strips.
- Square up one end of the strip set. Cut away three 2-1/2" long segments, beginning with the squared end. Set aside.
- Sew a 2-1/2" x 7-3/4" long muslin strip lengthwise to each side of a dark strip of the same size. Press seam allowances towards the dark strip.
- Square up one end of the new strip set. Cut away three 2-1/2" long segments, beginning with the squared end.
Assemble the Nine-Patch Centers
- Gather two segments with muslin on their outer edges and one with a muslin square at the center. Sew the segments together into three rows, using the segment with a muslin center in row 2, at the block's midpoint. Press seam allowances either direction.
- Gather the remaining segments and sew them together in three rows, placing the segment with a dark center square in row 2, at the block's midpoint. Press seam allowances either direction.
- Each nine-patch block should measure 6-1/2" square. If they do not, use one of my easy techniques to square up the quilt block.
Add the Corner Triangles
- Cut each 5-1/8" square in half once diagonally.
- Fold each triangle in half along its longest edge to find its midpoint. Finger press.
- Fold each block in half horizontally, then vertically, to find midpoints of each side. Finger press.
- Place a corner triangle along one side of a block, matching midpoints. Sew to block. Repeat on all remaining block edges, then repeat for remaining block. Press seam allowances towards the corner triangles.
Triangle Option
There's another option to help you center the long edge of a triangle along the edge of a square --
trim the triangle's tips. You might try it with a piece of scrap fabric first, before cutting fabric reserved for the quilt block.
