Quilt Class: Disappearing Nine Patch

New Ideas for a Very Old Block

The sample block is made with
4 1/2" squares but you can make it
with any size square you want.

Cut 9 - 4 1/2" squares:
1 - light
4 - medium
4 - dark

Arrange so the light is in the
center and the mediums
are in the corners, darks will
be the outer centers.

Sew together in 3 rows, press
seams in rows 1 & 3 to the outside
and seams in row 2 to the inside.

Sew rows together and square
to 12 1/2".  That's your 9 patch,
now you'll make it disappear.

Cut a + sign through the

center of the block.

Rotate the upper left and lower

right units as shown so the light

squares are now in the outer

corners for those 2 units.

Sew back together as a

4 Patch by sewing together

in 2 rows.  Press seam in row

1 to the left and row 2 to the right.

Sew the rows together.

Square to 12".

You can use these blocks to

make many projects including

placemats made with a 9 patch 

 using 4" squares.

A little purse made with a

9 patch using 4" squares.

A tote made from a 9 patch

using 3" squares.

A lap quilt made from a 9 patch

using 4 1/2" squares.  I made it using

 2 charm packs and a border fabric.