9 patch Quilt Square

The 9 patch is another fairly simple quilt square. I usually use 2-3 different pieces of coordinating fabric for this square.  The fabric is cut into smallish squares; the size of the squares depends on the size needed for the final completed square.

In this instance, I needed finished squares that measured 12 1/2 inches.  I cut my fabrics into small squares measuring 4 1/2 inches each.   Because I wanted to use 3 different fabrics, I cut  4 dark solid fabric squares, 4 print fabric squares, and 1 light solid fabric square.

Then I pinned the top line together:  2 print fabrics on each end with a dark solid fabric in the center.  The middle line consists of 2 dark solids on each end with the light solid in the center.  The final line is the same as the top line.  Each is sewn with a 1/4 inch seam. 

At this point, all seams are ironed flat with the seam toward the darker fabric.  Then each line of squares is sewn to the other lines of squares using a 1/4 seam allowance.  Again, iron the seams flat.

Check the square to make sure it meets the finished square measurement.

Once the smaller squares are cut, putting the square together takes less than 30 minutes, including pinning, sewing, and ironing.

Here is a picture of our finished 9 patch square.

The white fabric in the center of this square is a white on white print.  We might leave it like this....or we could add a decorative embroidery on the white square in a navy blue thread.