The First Sixteen

I couldn't help it. I had to start sewing the nine patches together.

Aren't they pretty?
I can hardly wait for the June blocks.
Oh, and there WILL be a July swap too. I think 48 blocks will make a really nice quilt.

Quick Strip Pieced Nine Patch Tutorial

We're getting ready to start the three by three nine patch swap, so I thought it appropriate to quickly post a little tutorial for strip pieced nine patches.

There "seams" to be a nine patch revival in blogland right now.

These instructions are for 6" finished nine patches, but to calculate the strip width for any size, just divide the finished size of your nine patch by three and add 1/2" to the result. For example, for the 6" nine patches, it would be 6 divided by 3, which is 2, plus 0.5. Strip width 2.5".

For the purposes of this tutorial (and the swap), each nine patch will be constructed from only two fabrics.

Cut the fabric into 2.5" strips. The length and number of strips will depend on how many nine patches you wish to make. If you're using scraps, remember that for each block you will need 5 strips of one color and 4 strips of the other, each at least 2.5" long.

Sew the strips together along the long sides as below. If you're making all your blocks identical, you will need twice the length of one strip combination as the other. If you alternate fabrics, you can use even lengths of strips.

Press the seams of one strip set toward the outside and the seams of the other toward the inside. This will reduce bulk when you sew them together.

Cut each three-fabric strip into 2.5" sections.

Lay out the blocks...

...and sew the strip sections together.