Creative Disappearing 9-Patch Ideas
Scrappy Charm Squares Made Easy
Discover the joy of repurposing your scraps and giving them new life in these simple and incredibly versatile quilt blocks. Here are my favorite tips for simple color techniques, and inspiring ideas to help you design creative and easy disappearing 9-patch (D9P) quilt blocks for a striking quilt design.
These D9P blocks go together easily and are quick to make. The step-by-step directions are simple to follow and result in fabulous quilt blocks. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, you’ll discover some effective techniques to enhance your skills and stimulate your artistic style.
Use Those Leftover Fabric Scraps
If you’re tired of wasting fabric and want to make the most out of every piece, then you’re sure to find the perfect solution in this collection of easy disappearing 9-patch quilt blocks. You’ll enjoy trying these creative ideas for using up lots of your leftover fabric scraps. From mixing and matching those orphan squares, to switching around block layouts, and blending multiple combinations, you’ll love the results!
Each of these D9P blocks is made up of nine 5-inch squares. There are multiple ways to combine your fabric squares for specific results. So, the more variety of fabrics the better. Whether you use precut charm squares or cut your own squares from the scrap pile, the idea is to use what you have on hand. Think of this as making a free quilt! Besides once you clear out those scraps there may be a need for a trip to the quilt store.
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Don’t Waste Any More Fabric!
Let’s Talk About Ugly Fabric
Most quilters have a pile of leftover fabrics. It may include excess from previously made quilts or recently purchased fabric. Sometimes we buy a precut bundle that we love but there are a few pieces that we set aside for one reason or another. Then there’s the ugly fabric! What were we thinking when we bought it? What can we ever make with it? If you could step back to when you bought that fabric, it was probably being displayed with other fabrics it looked wonderful with. But when we get home, it just looks lost.
What do we do with fabric we don’t know what to do with? The best idea is to cut it smaller and mix it with fabrics you really like. You can use pieces with similar colors or patterns and chances are they’ll look great together. Even better, use it in a scrappy quilt block like these shown below, where all the pieces are 5-inches and your problem is solved!
Here are my must-have hacks for making the most out of your leftover charm squares. You’ll be amazed at the endless possibilities these fabric scraps offer. Don’t waste any more fabric, grab your charms and let’s get started making some creative disappearing 9-patch blocks!
Scrappy Charm Squares Tutorial
This quilting tutorial is all about using those fabrics! Don’t let any more fabric go to waste. Every piece has a story and will look great in the right quilt. Scrappy quilts are a perfect way to combine all those tucked-away fabrics you thought were unusable. I’m here to tell you there is beauty to be discovered in those fabrics!
Gather all your 5-inch fabric squares plus any scraps big enough to cut more squares. These blocks will become a fabulous scrappy quilt made with my D9P block techniques using various color placements. There are multiple different ideas that you can choose from or combine all together for a gorgeous quilt. You’ll no longer be wasting fabric by leaving it unused, but instead you’re saving money by using the fabric you have! This is a HUGE WIN!
What is a Disappearing 9-Patch Block
First, we start with a 9-patch quilt block. When nine squares are sewn into three rows by three rows, that resulting block is a 9-Patch Block. It’s commonly used in quilt layouts plus it’s also used as part of other block designs as well. All those squares in a 9-patch block are perfect for mixing lots of different fabrics together. While this tutorial focuses on 5-inch squares, you can use any size square that will fit your design.
Once the 9-patch block is completed, that’s when the fun starts. We make a few cuts through the block and rearrange how the block goes back together. That finished block is now a D9P. The new block layout completely changes the block design, and it no longer looks like a 9-patch. Plus, you can also turn your blocks in different directions within your quilt top for even more design opportunities.
The best part is the block’s simple construction. It’s quick to sew and then after cutting and sewing it into a different arrangement, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind quilt. Especially if you focus on color placement. That’s what I’ll be sharing with you as we design each of these block layouts. These scrappy blocks will be pieced to enhance your selected fabrics into a fantastic finish.
Learning how to create a scrap busting D9P charm square quilt will give you confidence to work with lots of different fabrics together. But sometimes too many fabrics can create a chaotic looking design. That’s where my tips will show you how to combine and blend a variety of fabric squares into one block. Then mix all those blocks into a single, stunning quilt.
How to Design a Disappearing 9-Patch Block
How to Sew A 9-Patch Block
Making an easy 9-patch block simply involves chainstitching three rows of three squares together. Pressing those pieces and sewing the last two seams create your finished block. That’s it!
Begin by continuously chainstitching three pairs of squares together. Return to the top and add one more fabric square to each row for a total of three. Stop here and press. Press the top and bottom rows in the same direction and press the middle row the opposite way. This will allow your seams to nest nicely.
Next sew the remaining two rows together keeping the matching seams nested as you sew. Attach the last row in the same manner. These seams will be pressed outwards. Now you have a finished 9-patch block!
How to Make A 9-Patch Block with Contrast
Gather your fabrics and we’ll start laying out your first block. You can arrange your squares randomly for a scrappy look, place colors from light to dark across the block, or any other arrangement you want to try. Another fun idea is to keep a dominant color in each block. That way you can create rows of color or even make a rainbow quilt.
Whatever layout you choose, here are some techniques that will improve your finished block. First, begin with contrast! If all your squares look the same your block will not be very interesting. Contrast can be introduced into your block in several different ways. A good first way to create contrast is with color. Place contrasting colors next to each other for a vibrant look.
Second is print selection. If all your squares have the same size print, there’s no definition and they all look the same. Instead use a mix of small, medium, and large prints for some balanced variety.
Third is pattern style. Is everything floral, stripes, or tiny prints? Think about also including some geometrics, graphics, text, heavy lines, and solids. Then look for some low volume fabrics and solids. Mixing these different prints within your blocks will add much more interest. Plus you’ll create a bit of balance throughout your quilt so not every square is demanding attention. All these elements together will enhance your block immensely.
Using Color as a Design Element
These first three D9P blocks are all sewn and recut the same way. The difference is using color as a design element and also the way they are rearranged. You’ll notice in these blocks that I use a repeating fabric for each center square. This is my method for creating continuity throughout the finished quilt. It brings in a focal color and adds a nice balance.
While I used the same fabric, you could also use multiple fabrics in the same color family for a similar effect. Alternatively, you could choose solids in different colors which would contrast nicely with the multiple prints in each block. Don’t be afraid to try some different ideas. Let your fabric do the design work for you.
Look at the color layout between these two 9-patch blocks. Both blocks have the same center fabric but the light and dark fabrics are placed in opposite positions. This is a great way to change up the look of your finished block as you’ll see in the #5 Kaleidoscope Disappearing 9-Patch below.
Disappearing 9-Patch #1: The Traditionalist
With your blocks sewn and pressed, it’s time for some cutting. First let’s take a look at the conventional D9P. It’s simply two cuts across the center from side-to-side, then rotate two corners for a new look. This layout creates a nice diagonal pattern of large and small squares.
But don’t stop there. Try some other options, too. When you begin turning your cut blocks you’ll find that different layouts and patterns emerge.
Disappearing 9-Patch #2: The Blender
Combining multiple D9P blocks together is a wonderful way to distribute prints throughout your quilt top. The block is assembled and cut the same way as the previous block. The difference here is that the four squares cut from multiple 9-patch blocks are mixed up into different combinations. This method scatters the fabrics around your quilt top so there isn’t too much repetition of a single fabric in one area of your quilt.
If you use this method with four different 9-patch blocks, there won’t be any repeating fabrics in each new block. This is my favorite way to create large square centers as each corner is a different fabric.
Disappearing 9-Patch #3: The Tilt-a-Whirl
Next, we’ll play with design using color placement. Remember my constant color center squares? If you are making a scrappy quilt and want a dominant color or family of colors, you’ll appreciate this block. Watch and see what happens here.
Place three blocks from the same color family diagonally in your 9-patch. Then watch what happens when you turn those two corner square to the center. A diagonal line appears with those blocks. Now do this for all your blocks and watch how beautiful your quilt looks!
Disappearing 9-Patch #4: The Spinner
The first difference with this 9-patch is the color layout. The four middle squares in the outer rows are all very light low volume fabrics. This creates a strong contrast next to the darker squares in the corners. Plus, changing the cutting methods creates an entirely new look.
Instead of cutting the center, we’ll cut 2.5-inch strips off each side of two different blocks. These strips are switched between blocks to add lots more color to each. When these blocks are sewn together, no two fabrics will be side-by-side. This is a creative way to mix up lots of fabrics, prints, and colors for a very eclectic look in a single block.
For an even scrappier look, use four different 9-patch blocks and mix up all the strips around the center squares. The corners become a patchwork square that alternates diagonally with the center uncut square.
Disappearing 9-Patch #5: The Kaleidoscope
This D9P also combines multiple 9-patch blocks but do you see how they are different? The block on the left has the lighter fabrics in the outer corners whereas the other is opposite. Cutting these the same way as #4 The Spinner will result in a different look in the finished block.
Notice how the strips create an alternating light and dark pattern when the strips are rearranged. This really creates a fun design with lots of contrast. At the same time, the corner blocks are now a mix of fabrics to keep the block very interesting to look at.
Now It’s Your Turn
Get a pile of 5-inch charm squares and make plenty of 9-patch blocks. Give a couple of these layouts a try and see which you like best. This is a fun way to quilt while using fabric you already have!
Happy Quilting!
See More Lea Louise Quilts:
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- Walking Foot Secrets for Quilting
- Make the Easiest Rag Quilt
- Make the Easiest Baby Quilt
- Best Secrets for Creative Quilt Bindings
