How to Sew a Nine Patch Quilt Block (Free Pattern)!

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ByCaroline Fairbanks-Critchfield Updated on

Learn to sew the easy 9-patch block! The nine-patch unit is found in many patchwork quilts. Some quilters repeat it many times with no other blocks, and some use it to accent other blocks. Many more complicated quilt blocks build on the simple design of the nine patch. Enter your email below to receive this nine patch quilt block pattern as a free downloadable file!

Let me teach you my fast and easy strip piecing method for sewing multiple nine patch blocks at once. Instead of cutting squares at first, I cut fabric strips. The strips are sewn together in sets of three. Then you will cut your strip sets to make 3-patch units that will be sewn into 9-patch quilt blocks.

After you learn this strip piecing technique, you’ll be able to use it in lots of different blocks, including others in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong. I demonstrated strip piecing with more strips than just 3 in a video tutorial too.

Download the 9 Patch block pattern as a free printable PDF file.

Enter your email address below to download the free nine-patch quilt block pattern (which is pages 3-4 of the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong Quilt Pattern).

Then check your inbox for a link to download the free PDF file. It may take 5-10 minutes to arrive. If you do not see the email with a download link in your main inbox, please check your junk folder in case it went there.

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Instructions for 12” (finished size) Nine Patch Quilt Blocks

These instructions make 6 nine-patch blocks. Finished block size: 12’’ x 12’’ (they are 12 1/2’’ x 12 1/2’’ before you sew them in the quilt).

You will need:

  • 4 different colors or prints of fabric to cut the strips listed below
  • a rotary cutter acrylic ruler, and mat
  • sewing machine
  • thread (I suggest thread matching the light gray fabric)
  • ironing board and iron

Cutting:

  • Light Gray (or other light fabric):
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2” x 42”
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2” x 15”
    • cut 2 strips 4 1/2’’ x 28’’
  • Peach (or other light fabric):
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2’’ x 42’’
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2” x 15”
  • Navy (or other dark fabric):
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2” x 42”
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2” x 15”
  • Deep Coral (or other dark fabric):
    • cut 1 strip 4 1/2’’ x 28’’

Variation: If you are not making our quiltalong quilt, cut the same number of strips, but cut all of the strips the entire width of the fabric (40-42”) instead.

By using longer strips, you can make 9 four patch blocks instead of only 6 with hardly any fabric waste (like I did in my free 9-Patch Baby Quilt Pattern).

Assembly:

Use a 1/4’’ seam allowance and a short stitch length such as 1.5-2.

1. Combo #1:
Place a light gray strip and a navy fabric strip right sides together. Sew along one long edge. Open and press the seam away from the light gray fabric.

Place a peach strip on top of the light gray fabric and sew along the long edge. Open and press the seam away from the light gray fabric.

Tips:

  • Pressing your seams away from the light gray fabric enables you to nest the seams in step 4.
  • Sewing with a scant quarter inch seam allowance will ensure your blocks are the right size, plus you’ll have enough to square them up at the end.

Sew two strip sets in Combo #1. One strip set will be 42” long, and the other one will be 15” long.

2. Combo #2:
Place a light gray strip and a deep coral fabric strip right sides together. Sew along one long edge. Open and press the seam away from the light gray fabric. 

Add the third strip: place another light gray strip on top of the deep coral fabric and sew along the long edge. Open and press the seam away from the light gray fabric.

You only need one strip set for Combo #2. It should be 28” long.

3. Trim the ends of the strip sets to make them even. Sub-cut each strip set into 4 pieces that are 4 1/2’’ wide. There will be a bit of fabric leftover from each strip set.

You will need 12 pieces from Combo #1.

You will need 6 pieces from Combo #2.

4. Sew three pieces together as seen above to make a nine patch block.

By pressing the seams in your strip sets away from the light gray fabric, you will be able to nest your seams and not use pins!

You may now press your seams as desired (to the side or open).

Repeat to make 6 blocks. Trim and square your blocks to 12 1/2”, if desired.

This is Block #2 in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong

Get ready to sew all your favorite quilt blocks this year! This is the year that we are going to sew everything but the kitchen sink in our Kitchen Sink 2022 Quiltalong.

This bold graphic quilt is perfect for learning new quilt making skills that build on one another, or for putting skills you already have into a big beautiful quilt.

Tips: As you work block by block on your kitchen sink quilt, save your scraps because you will be able to use them later on.

These awesome scrapbooking bins are perfect for keeping your finished blocks safe until it’s time to sew them together into a quilt top.

Here are the 10 free quilt block patterns in the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong:

Don’t miss all my other free quilt patterns, too!

xoxo,

Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂

Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield is an author and publisher who is passionate about the world of sewing and quilting. You can find her work in books, sewing patterns, magazines, and articles all over the web. She founded and publishes her ideas on the popular sewing website SewCanShe.com.