How to Sew the Easy Double Nine Patch Quilt Block
Today let's piece together the Double Nine Patch quilt block. This is an easy but very versatile block - great for the beginner as well as more advanced quilters. It looks good by itself and as an alternating block. In it's scrappy version, the Double Nine Patch is also a great stash buster. I've included some layout options at the end, so don't forget to check them out. Let's get started!
Fabric Requirements for a 13.5" Finished Double Nine Patch Quilt Block:
I have a bunch of 2" squares in my stash so I'm showing a scrappy version of the block.
- Light/Ivory: 4 - 5" squares, and 20 - 2" squares
- Assorted: 25 - 2" squares
Sewing Directions:
Nine Patch Units:
Step 1:
Lay out five of the Assorted 2" squares and four of the Light/Ivory 2" squares as shown in the picture below.
Step 2:
Sew the squares into 3 rows as shown in the picture below.
Step 3:
Press the seam allowances toward the medium/dark squares. Usually seam allowances are pressed toward the darker fabric to prevent show through on the quilt top. Also, pressing the seam allowances in opposite directions means that when you sew the rows together, the seams will nest together nicely and makes for nice intersections that lay flat.
Step 4:
Sew the rows together as shown.
Step 5:
Press seam allowances toward the inside of the block as shown below. Trim/square up the block if necessary.
Step 6:
Repeat Steps 1 through 5 for a total of five Nine Patch units. You can find the tutorial for making a Nine Patch block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-nine-patch-quilt-block. If you are making your Double Nine Patch block from yardage, the tutorial also shows how to use strip piecing to make your blocks.
Putting It All Together:
Step 7:
Now you can lay out the five Nine Patch units and the four Light/Ivory 5" squares as shown below. Again you will sew them together like a typical Nine Patch block.
Step 8:
Sew the units together into three rows.
Step 9:
Press the seam allowances toward the Light/Ivory 5" squares as shown in the picture below.
Step 10:
Sew the rows together, and ...
Step 11:
Press the seam allowances away from the center as shown in the picture below. You're done! Told you it was easy!
Layout Options:
This block would be great as an alternating block with some cute applique blocks like Sunbonnet Sues.
If you wanted to show off your quilting skills, you could alternate 13.5" (finished) Light/Ivory squares with the Double Nine Patch blocks and have a great place to quilt motifs.
Or how about sashing and cornerstones.
Here's an example of an on-point layout with plain setting triangles.
This is same on-point layout as above but with a dark sashing and cornerstones added.
Also an on-point layout with an applique in every other block.
Conclusion:
The Double Nine Patch quilt block is quick and easy. As a scrap quilt, it uses up lots of small leftovers. Lots of opportunities for creativity!
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial for the Double Nine Patch. If you liked this post and want to see more quilting tutorials like this, simply click here to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF quilt pattern called Chained Weathervane.
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more scrappy blocks? Check out this blog post by clicking on this link: 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