Easy and Scrappy: How to Make the Nine Patch Frame Quilt Block
If you’re looking for a fun, beginner-friendly quilt block that comes together quickly and adds a striking visual pop to your projects, the Nine Patch Frame block is perfect for you! This easy and scrappy block combines the simplicity of a traditional nine-patch with the added flair of a framed diamond shape in the center.
It’s a fantastic way to use up fabric scraps while creating a dynamic design that looks far more complex than it is. Whether you’re working on a sampler quilt or a scrappy masterpiece, this block will shine. Let’s dive into the step-by-step tutorial!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Nine Patch Frame Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
- Assorted Prints: 5 - 4.5" squares
- Dark/Aqua: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 12 - 2.5" squares
Sewing Directions:
Corner Units:
Step 1:
Using one of the Assorted Prints 4.5" squares and a Dark/Aqua 2.5" square "snowball" a corner of the 4.5" square. Here are the first steps:
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Aqua square.
- Sew the Aqua square to the Assorted Prints square along the marked line (top left image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Aqua square and press (top right image).
- Open the small square up and trim the seam allowance (bottom left image).
- Refold (bottom right image).
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 for a total of four Corner units.
Flying Geese Units:
Step 3:
Using two Light/White 2.5" squares and a Dark/Aqua 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle, sew together a Flying Geese unit as shown in the picture below. These are essentially the same steps as for the Corner units above.
For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block.
Step 4:
Repeat Step 3 on the adjacent corner of the Aqua rectangle as shown in the picture below.
Step 5:
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for a total of four Flying Geese units like the ones below.
Step 6:
Repeat Steps 3 through 5 only substituting Dark/Aqua 2.5" squares and Light/White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.
Middle Units:
Step 7:
Sew together a Step 5 and a Step 6 Flying Geese unit and press the seam allowance as shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
Repeat Step 7 for a total of four Middle units like the ones shown below.
Putting It All Together:
Step 9:
Lay out the Corner units, the Middle units, and the remaining Assorted Prints 4.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 10:
Sew the units into three rows.
Step 11:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown in the picture below.
Step 12:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 13:
Finally, press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown below.
Layout Ideas:
Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout with scrappy colors and a dark diamond.
This is the same layout as above but with light sashing and dark cornerstones added.
In this example, an alternating Nine Patch block was used. Looks like those diamonds are floating on the quilt top.
Here's a dramatic layout with alternating blocks.
Of course you don't have to do a scrappy block. This is an on-point example with plain background setting triangles.
And this on-point layout uses scrappy blocks in the center and partial plain nine patch blocks for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
I found the Nine Patch Frame to be really quick and easy to sew together. Don't let the Flying Geese scare you off - they really are just snowballed rectangles. I had fun with the different layouts too!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more scrappy blocks? Take a look at these blocks: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/40-of-the-best-free-scrappy-quilt-block-tutorials
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406