Nine Patch Variation:

Mary Bellew

Four 6" Nine Patch Variation Blocks

Cutting Instructions: Note: do not use scraps here, need 45" width fabrics.

From dark fabric, cut 2, 1 ½" strips,

From lighter fabric, cut 2, 1 ½" strips and 1, 2 ½" strip.

Cut the 2 ½" strip into 16, 2 ½" squares.

Cut the 1 ½" strips into 22" lengths.

Sewing Instructions:

Sew 2 lighter strips to 2 dark strips, facing each other.

To one of these new sets, sew a dark strip to the lighter fabric, making a strip set. These strip sets should measure 2 ½" wide. Cut 40, 1 ½" pieces from this set.

To the other new set, sew a lighter to the dark fabric, making a strip set. Cut 20, 1 ½" pieces from this set.

Sew these together as mini 9 patches. They should measure 2 ½" square. Press toward the dark.

Sew these units together with the 2 ½" squares to make a 9 patch block, as shown.

Press these toward the solid 2 ½" squares, to create overall piecing unity.

These blocks should measure 6 ½" square.

*I recommend using a scant ¼" seam allowance on the smallest nine patch units. Sew just a hair shy of the ¼" seam allowance to allow for all the seams.