This quick, easy technique results in a quilt that looks like it took you hours and hours to fit together and construct, but it is in fact perhaps the easiest quilt to make with the most stunning results.
The Disappearing Nine-patch is perfect for charity quilt projects because of the ease and fast results, plus this project does not require expert quilt making skills. Anyone who can sew a quarter-inch seam, can weild a rotary cutter to cut a straight line, and can press fabrics have the skills to master this technique.
Tools/Materials
- Charm packs or 5-inch squares of fabric or squares of desired size
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Steam Iron
Construct a Nine-Patch Square
The Disappearing Nine-Patch design begins with a nine-patch quilt square constructed using basic five-inch squares or any size you desire. Stitch your nine-patch square placing the 5-inch fabric squares in a grid of three across and three down to create the 'nine' patch design. Stitch together using the traditional quarter-inch seam. Carefully press and make sure the finished piece is square.
To make this first step of constructing a nine-patch even easier, elminate cutting fabrics into squares. Charm packs, those 5-inch precut squares available in sets of 30-50 piece packs from fabric stores everywhere, work perfectly for this project. They also introduce you to designer's fabric collections that are already color coordinated with cohesive designs that work well together in a quilt.
A Hint When Choosing Fabrics
Anything goes, but for a clearer more coordinated design for your Disappearing 9-Patch, limit your fabric choices to three. Use one dominant center color or pattern; one light color abutted against the center and a dark or contrasting pattern or color for the four corners.
Magic Cuts Make the Nine-Patch Disappear
After squaring up your nine-patch take your rotary cutter and straight-edge and make two cuts. First cut horizontally through the center of the nine-patch square and then vertically through the center creating four equal squares. Your cuts look like a cross or plus sign '+'.
Again lightly press and make sure the pieces are all the same size. This is an important time to be as accurate as possible.
Reposition the Squares
Now look at the pieces that resulted from your cuts. Each of the four pieces appears to be constructed of a small square on one corner, a large square on the opposite corner and two rectangles. Position these quilt pieces so that two of the smaller squares touch corner to corner on the diagonal. Add the other two pieces with the large squares touching in the middle, also diagonally across from each other. Sew the four squares together in this configuration. Where did the nine-patch pattern go?
Now you know why it is called the Disappearing Nine-Patch pattern. Couldn't be easier and the results are stunning! Repeat the process until you have enough squares to make the size quilt you desire. If using charm packs, know that it will take several packs, at least 4-5 for a twin size quilt, more if you are fussy about color and print choice.
Repeat the process until you have enough squares to make the size quilt top that you desire.
Warning!
Everyone who makes a Disappearng Nine Patch quilt labels it a potato chip quilt. You can't make just one.
If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy Paper Piecing Tips from Award Winning Quilter, Inchie Quilts, and Make a Celtic Quilt.
Dawn Goldsmith - Dawn Goldsmith is a freelance writer and former news reporter with Freedom Communications and Gannett. Her work has been published in a ...
Join the Conversation