The Nine Patch Frame Quilt Block

The nine patch frame quilt block is one of the creative twists of the traditional nine patch grid system.

Don’t let the nine patch frame quilt block be intimidating. This really is a simple quilt block that even the beginner can complete with success.

Remember that you are completing each of the nine patch units before you put them all together to finish the nine patch block.

Think of the block as nine mini patches.

1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in three colors
(dark blue, light blue and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 1 strip 2”x 22” from the dark blue fabric. From the strip sub cut 4 patches 3½” and 4 patches 2“.
Cut 2 patches 3” square from the dark blue fabric.
Cut 1 patch 3½” square from the dark blue fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3” square from the dark blue fabric.
Cut 10 patches 3” square from the light blue fabric.
Cut 8 patches 3” square from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3” square of dark blue fabric and one 3” square of light blue fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch Ό” on each side of the drawn line.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2". Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

You will need to complete 4 dark blue/light blue half square triangle units.

Step 3 - Repeat the above procedure to complete 16 light blue/white half square triangle units. The completed units will need to be 2” square.

Step 4 - Sew one 2” dark blue square to a light blue/dark blue half square triangle with the dark blue triangle pointing towards the dark blue square.

Complete 4 of these dark blue/light blue units.

Step 5 - To sew mini block #1 - sew row one (3½” dark blue strip) to row two (dark blue square/ dark blue/light blue half square triangle unit).

Complete 4 of these units for mini blocks #1, #3, #7 and #9.

Step 6 - Sew two light blue/white half square triangle units together with the light blue toward the lower center corners. Complete 4 of these units.

Step 7 - Sew two light blue/white half square triangle units together with the light blue towards the outer upper corners.

Complete 4 of these units.

Step 8 - To sew mini block #2 - sew one of the light blue/white half square triangle units from step 6 to one of the light blue/white half square triangle units from step 7 to form the chevron.

Complete 4 of these chevron units.

Don’t forget to press all of the mini block seams as you go.

Step 9 - To complete the quilt block, sew row one - mini block #1, mini block #2, mini block #1.

Step 10 - Sew row two - mini block #2, dark blue square, mini block #2.

Step 11 - Sew row three - mini block #1, mini block #2, mini block #1.

Step 12 - Sew the rows together to complete the nine patch frame quilt block. The nine patch frame quilt block really is another simple quilt block that the beginner as well as the experienced quilter can complete with confidence.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from Nine Patch Frame Quilt Block