The nine patch quilt block is common in traditional, contemporary and modern quilts. Set off the nine patches with sashing, or sew them together to form an overall patchwork. Plan the nine patch block with coordinating or complementary fabrics, or make a block with your scraps for a scrappy nine patch quilt. Once you know how to make a nice patch quilt block, you can try some patch quilt patterns using this technique below.

This is a classic quilt block and the layout is the foundation for many traditional quilt blocks. It is a square block. Perfect for beginning quilters! The simple design of a nine-patch quilt block is so versatile! It’s a basic building block of quilting.

How to Calculate Nine Patch Quilt Squares

Because you are sewing same size blocks together, you can make the nine patch block any size without complicated math! Just determine the finished size of your block, then divide by 3 and add 1/2 inch for seam allowances! The calculation is: (finished size of block divided by three) + 1/2″ = size of cut units for the nine patch quilt block.

3″ finished block, cut 1-1/2″ squares
4-1/2″ finished block, cut 2″ squares
6″ finished block, cut 2-1/2″ squares
7-1/2″ finished block, cut 3″ squares
9″ finished block, cut 3-1/2″ squares
12″ finished block, cut 4-1/2″ squares
And so on . . . .

Here is our block tutorial:

One (1) Quilt Block

How to Make a Nine Patch Quilt Block

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The nine patch quilt block is an easy block for beginners, and enjoyed by experienced quilters, too!

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You'll see this quilt block in simple and complex quilt designs - from traditioal quilts to contemporary and modern quilts.

Once you get the basics of the block down, there are variations that you can try, like the disappearing nine patch.

Materials

Fabric
Thread

Tools

Rotary cutter
Rotary mat
Quilters ruler
Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board

Instructions

If you are only making one block, you need nine (9) squares of the same size that are a third of the finished block size + 1/2 inch. See how to calculate your starting unit size above.

If you are making many blocks, it is easier (and faster) to cut strips (you can layer fabrics for faster cutting if you have a lot of squares to cut) from your fabric the width of the starting block (finished block size/3 + 1/2"). See how to calculate the strip width above. Example, a finished 9" block will begin with 3-1/2 inch squares that are sewn together. You will also need some squares cut from your fabrics. For the example, cut 3-1/2" squares.
Sew two blocks together with right sides together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. If you are using the strip method, sew two strips together.
Cut at the starting block size. Using the 9" finished size as an example again, cut at 3-1/2".
Lay out these pieces made from the strips, and add a square of the contrasting color to each end.
Sew these together and press. Then sew each of these rows together, carefully matching the seams.
And, you have completed your nine patch quilt block!

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Tips and ideas for making nine-patch blocks

If you are making a lot of the basic nine patch blocks for a baby quilt, throw or even king size quilt, start with making strip sets of your fabrics. This is referred to as strip piecing. Make sure one fabric is a dark fabric and one a light fabric. You’ll make three strip sets. One is dark/light/dark and two are light/dark/light. Cut the strip sets and sew them together. Example: For a 9-inch finished block size, you’ll cut 3-1/2 inch strips for your strip set. Then, cut each strip set into 3-1/2 inches. Sewn back together it will make a 9-inch quilt block. See the chart above for different sizes.

You can use precut strips like a jelly roll for easy nine patch block strip sets.
Love fussy cutting? Use a print for the center of the block to highlight a motif or design!
Make it easy by purchasing a charm pack and sewing the charm squares together. This will make scrappy 9-patch blocks since the charm pack has a variety of fabrics. Good news. You already know it will look good because the charm pack fabrics are coordinated.
Head to your scraps and cut squares all the same size to make really scrappy blocks! And, use up your stash at the same time!
Play around with the corner blocks. Make them a different color or print. They’ll form a diagonal line in a finished quilt.
Have fun with different fabric colors and make a beautiful quilt!

Nine patch quilt block patterns

There are variations of the nine patch quilt block, like the disappearing nine patch, where you make the basic block and then cut them in quarters and sew them back together again. See How to Make A Disappearing Nine Patch Baby Quilt.

Friendship Star Quilt block uses half square triangles as well as solid squares in a nine patch layout.

Churn Dash Quilt block uses half square triangles, one solid square and four squares that are made up from two rectangles, in a nine patch layout.

The Ohio Star Quilt block uses the quarter square triangle block and squares.

The Indiana Puzzle Quilt block uses half square triangles surrounding a square-in-a-square block in a nine patch layout.

The Variable Star Quilt block uses split quarter square triangles and squares.

The Calico Puzzle Quilt block uses squares, then places half square triangles in the corners.

The Air Castle Quilt block uses half square triangles, square-in-a-square as well as split quarter square triangles.

The Simplex Star Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares.

The Shoo Fly Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares.

Same pieces as above, The Eccentric Star Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares, but makes a very different quilt block.

The Virginia Worm Fence Quilt block uses units made from two fabrics.

The Spool Quilt block is another that uses half square triangles and squares.

Swamp Angel Quilt block uses quarter square triangles, half square triangles and a center square.

The basic nine patch layout has so many options! They work well together in quilts, and by just making different fabric choices can look so different. Here are four finished nine patch blocks in the same colors.

A layout option is to add sashing between the blocks. Still exploring different options, we do not have to sew them together (yet).

Here is another solid color option for the basic nine patch block layout.

Nine Patch Quilt Block finished orange & turquoise

I love vintage linens and quilts. I wish they could tell stories. Here is a strip of vintage nine patch blocks that were carefully cut from a quilt – see the bottom of the block? There is a very small strip of fabric. I will incorporate these into a quilt at some point in time – they are lovely!