February 8, 2006     Added in February, 2002

BLOCK 1, SIMPLE NINE-PATCH

Lesson 1, Part I of 3:  Block 1 Preparation

 

The first block is going to be one of the most simple of blocks to make:  The Nine-Patch

 

Making a Fabric Key:

 

Before beginning any cutting, it is important to know your fabrics!  What do I mean?  Well, since we are using six different fabrics, it would be easy to confuse them during the construction of the upcoming blocks, espcially since this class is spaced out over a period of 12 months.  So, the first thing that I request that you do (and I strongly recommend this!) is to print out the template located at http://sregora.com/quilting/school/sampler_101/fabrickey.jpg and then cut a small swatch from each fabric and attach it to the template in its appropriate place.  And keep it handy!

 

Rotary Cutting Instructions:

 

  1. Using Fabric B, cut three (3) 4.5” strips that are 22” long.
  2. Using Fabric D, cut three (3) 4.5” strips that are 22” long.

Lesson 1, Part 2 of 3:  Block 1 Assembly

 

It is important to note that:

  • It is highly recommended that you read this entire set of instructions before sewing,
  • Due to the length of this message, it cannot be displayed all at once without clicking on View Full Message located at the bottom of the message.

 

 

Rotary Cutting Instructions:

 

The 9-patch block  is going to consist of making two sets of strips: Strip Set 1 and Strip Set 2.

 

Strip Set 1:

  1. Using the strips cut in the Preparation step, arrange three of the strips in this order with the right sides up:  BDB
  2. Placing strip B right sides to D, pin them in place, then sew them together with a scant ¼” seam.
  3. Here is where you should check for accuracy!  This first seam should be ¼”.  If it is, continue, but if it isn’t, remove the stitches (don’t you just love to rip out seams??), and sew it again, this time sewing it accurately by learning from the first time.
  4. While still folded, lay the strips out and press them.  Why keep it flat and not open the two pieces to press?  This is called “setting” the seam and it allows the seam to lay flatter and look crisper if you do this before opening to press.
  5. Next, unfold the two strips and press the seam toward D.
  6. Take the last strip, strip B, and place it right sides together with the unsewn edge of D.  Pin in place, then sew together.
  7. While folded, lay the strips out and press the seam just sewn, setting it, as described in step 4 above.
  8. Next, unfold the strips and press the seam toward D, then press the entire Strip Set 1 flat, being careful to avoid distortion.

 

Strip Set 2:

  1. Using the remaining strips cut in the Preparation step, arrange three of the strips in this order with the right sides up:  DBD
  2. Placing strip D right sides to B, pin them in place, then sew them together with a scant ¼” seam.
  3. While still folded, lay the strips out and press them by setting the seam.
  4. Next, unfold the two strips and press the seam toward D.
  5. Take the last strip, strip D, and place it right sides together with the unsewn edge of B.  Pin in place, then sew together.
  6. While folded, lay the strips out and press the seam just sewn, setting the seam.
  7. Next, unfold the strips and press the seam toward D, then press the entire Strip Set 2 flat, being careful to avoid distortion.

 

You should now have two strip sets.  Refer to http://sregora.com/quilting/school/sampler_101/SS1.jpg and http://sregora.com/quilting/school/sampler_101/SS2.jpg for illustrations of how these two sets should look at this point.

 

Cutting the Strip Sets:

 

  1. From Strip Set 1, cut two (2) segments that are each 4.5” wide.  These will be referred to as Segment 1s.
  2. From Strip Set 2, cut one (1) 4.5” wide segment.  This will be referred to as Segment 2.

 

Refer to http://sregora.com/quilting/school/sampler_101/segments.jpg for an illustration of these segments.

 

Note:  You will have fabric left over in both strip sets.  Do not discard this!  It will be used in future blocks for this sampler.  J

 

Sewing the Segments Into Block 1:

 

  1. Arrange the three segments sewn in the previous instructions, right sides up, in this order (refer to steps 1 and 2 in the previous set of instructions as to how the cut segments are numbered):  121
  2. Place a Segment 1 right sides together with Segment 2.  Since the seams in both segments were pressed toward Fabric D, you should be able to easily match the seams for sewing by “snugging” them together (since the seams are going in opposite directions when matching).  Pin these in place if you are not comfortable with matching seams to sew.  This method of “snugging” is an excellent way of ensuring that seams will match!
  3. Sew Segment 1 to Segment 2 with a scant ¼” seam, then press it while still folded, setting the seam.
  4. Open the unit, and press it flat.
  5. Place the remaining Segment 1 on the unsewn side of the unit, right sides together.  Match the seams for sewing by “snugging” them together, then pin them in place.  Note:  Once you get the hang of “snugging”, pinning will become obsolete!  Isn’t that great???
  6. Sew Segment 1 to the unit with a scant ¼” seam, then press it while still folded, setting the seam.
  7. Open the three-segment unit, and press it flat.
  8. Using an acrylic ruler, “square” up the block by trimming it to exactly 12.5”.  This is where you find out how important sewing with the scant ¼” seam allowance is!  It’s much easier to trim off a little excess than it is to glue fabric onto the sides!

 

Refer to http://sregora.com/quilting/school/sampler_101/block1assembly.jpg for an illustration of the assembly of this block.

 

This completes the instructions for Block 1, the Nine-Patch.  It should measure precisely 12.5”.

For more information, please contact quilting@quiltingpassion.com

Back to Quilting with a Passion!

 

©