Sunday, April 01, 2012

Hot-Crossed 9-Patch Block Tutorial

Susan #1This is the block I dreamed up for the April Block Lotto.

I couldn't find a reference for this 9-patch variation, so I am calling it, Hot-Crossed 9 Patch. It looks great in a straight set, set on point and set with sashing strips or not. Susan made this great example.

FABRICS 

For each block, you'll need three fabrics:

Background: White solid or white-on-white (WOW) print.

Plaid: Woven or printed plaid. In recognition of Earth day (April 22), I used re-claimed 100% plaid cottons from garments. All the plaid garments I bought were labeled 100% cotton  and are tightly woven and of an appropriate weight for quilting. I found suitable plaids in men’s shirts, swim trunks and some (new from the GAP) PJ pants. I passed on some cute but too-heavy cotton plaids in shorts and too-light ones in lady’s blouses and men’s boxers.

Contrast: a solid of tone-on-tone (TOT) print fabric that compliments and contrasts with your plaid.

MAKING THE BLOCK 

DSCN8419CUT FABRIC:

3-inch squares: 4 from background, 5 from plaid

1 1/2 by 8-inch rectangle: 1 from background

1 1/2 inch by 10-inch rectangle: 2 from background

1-inch by 10 inch rectangles: 2 from contrast

SEW THE BLOCK:

  1. Create a 9-patch from the 9 squares.

    Measurement check: you should have an 8-inch square.
  2. Add the shorter background strip to opposites sides of the 9-patch
  3. Add longer background strips to the other 2 sides

    Measurement check: you should have a 10-inch square.


SLICE THE BLOCK

Slice the block, vertically through the center. If your block perfectly measures 10 inches, you can measure 5  from one side.  If not, be sure to halve the center of the squares in the center column of your 9-patch–they should measure 2.5 inches, so you can measure 1.25 inches from the edges of the center squares.

SEW

 Insert one of the contrast strips into the block.

 DSCN8426 DSCN8427 DSCN8428

REPEAT

Turn the block 90 degrees and repeat, slicing through the center of the block and inserting the other contrast strip.


SQUARE UP


Trim the block to 9.5 inches, making sure that the 9 patch is centered in the block.  

Measurement check: If all your cutting and seams are perfect, after trimming, the 9-patch will measure 7.5 inches and the white border around them will measure 1 inch from the seam to the edge.

SOME INSPIRATION

Here are 35 of the blocks made by Béa, Christa, Cyndi, Ginny, Kathy, Kristin, Michelle, Rho, Shelley, Susan, Vivi and me for the block lotto.

Shelley #3Shelley #1Susan #2Susan #1Cyndi #5
 Cyndi #2VIvi #1Ginny #1Cyndi #6Cyndi #4
Kathy S #3Cyndi #1Kathy S #1Bea #2Bea #1
Christa #1Kristin #3Kristin #1Kristin #2Rho #1 
 Michelle #2Michelle #1Sophie #3Sophie #1Sophie #2 
 Sophie #4Sophie #5Sophie #6Sophie #7Sophie #8 
 Sophie #9Sophie #10Sophie #11Sophie #12Sophie #13


 

10 comments:

Rian said...

That's a terrific block! I love the way it looks when put together with its mates.

Wilma Lee said...

This is a fun block to make!! I have a bunch of plaids that I never use, so it works out great. I think I am going to make a bunch for myself too.

Bonnie said...

I really like this block. It is great. Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us...

anieb said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Linda Big D said...

Sophie, I think there is a slight oversight in the directions. They call for 1 strip of background that is 1.5 x 8 and one that is 1.5 x 10. I think instead you need two each of the 2 lengths of background strips. That shows clearly in the photo, but a literal reader might be confused.

Acidblackcat said...

I feel like such a noob quilter asking this, but well I am! So here goes...Im not sure which way to press my seams, so can someone please take a pic of the back of their block so I can see the seams and know which direction to press mine. Thanks!

Also can I get a better description of a woven pattern, as Im not certain what qualifies as a woven?

bingo~bonnie said...

I am so glad that I happened up on someone's blog that she had posted about recently winning the HST block lotto blocks!!! I discovered this site back in February, just before I gave up using the computer for Lent.... but now that I'm back, I can't wait to jump in and participate!

Love the blocks that have been made so far for this month!! I have quite the collection of men's shirts and have 2 quilt tops made from them.... so this will be a great way to use up some scraps! :)

After I get my blocks made I might be emailing for help on the next step..... thanks!

Love from Indiana! ~bonnie

Beeshebags said...

Hi, I found your blog via Block Lotto and love your Plaid block. I'm one of the AHQ members (anchor text
and after speaking with Jan-Maree, am writing to ask if you have any objections to your block being used for Aussie Hero Quilts as a block of the month for people to use? Hugs Naomi

Nancy said...

I love the look of this block. Thanks for sharing it.

Jean said...

What a great block for a block lotto! Love all the blocks that were made.

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