
Classic Designs Meet Modern Methods
There’s more to a 9-patch block than meets the eye! Many creative quilt or craft projects start with 9-patch blocks. I’ll show you how to change-up the strip sizes, fabrics, or block layout to expand your quilting options. Change-Up Patchwork is the name of my newest Sewing With Nancy three-part TV series. Watch online to see all the details.
The basic 9-patch quilt block can easily be made with two fabrics and two different fabric stratas—sew strips together, subcut into sections, then sew into a block. Watch the process online at your convenience and find all the instructions in my book, Change-Up Patchwork. After learning the basics, let your creativity flow!
Vintage 9-Patch
My first variation is a vintage-look table quilt. In the 1800s, quilters painstakingly cut small fabric squares from fabric scraps, then hand-pieced 9-patch designs. I’ll show you how to achieve this vintage look with ease, incorporating clever strip cutting techniques.
- Create the first strata unit: dark—light—dark fabric strips. Notice that partial lengths of crosswise strips are “kissed” together on each side of the middle strips. That’s the magic! Watch online or read the book to learn the math (for the strip lengths) that allows this process to work.
- Stitch a second strata unit: light—dark—light fabric strips. Again, use partial strip lengths.
- Subcut the stratas into sections. The specific strip size that I recommend makes for almost no waste of fabric while giving the vintage, scrappy effect.
- Stitch the sections together; presto! The finished quilt was created by alternating the 9-patch blocks with cream-colored fabric squares of the same size.
Camouflaged 9-Patch
At first glance, you might think this quilt design is a combination of several different blocks designs—perhaps a 4-patch paired with squares and rectangles. As you’ll soon learn, it’s a 9-patch—a camouflaged 9-patch block. The large 12″ finished block sizes are a speedy way to create a baby’s tummy-time quilt.
I’ll show you how to create two strata configurations. The strip sizes are the same in each strata with the fabric colors reversed.
I find it fascinating how two fabrics can be used to create asymmetrical 9-patch blocks.
7-Patch Weave
There aren’t too many hard-fast rules when it comes to patchwork, which is why I chose to break with tradition. Case in point: Must the 9-patch block always have nine pieces? That may seem like a ridiculous question, yet take away part of the block and substitute a strip of fabric—presto a 7-patch block. With a clever layout the blocks intertwine, which gives the illusion of them being woven together. I call it the 7-Patch Weave.
You’ll notice that these blocks have some of the components of a 9-patch. The middle section—a strip of fabric—creates an easy-to-piece block with unique design possibilities.With a layout that alternates blocks and directions of the blocks, a woven design appears. Watch me lay out the blocks online, during the third episode of Change -Up Patchwork.
Book Features Nine Great Quilts
Find these easy 4-patch quilts, and six additional quilts, in the new Change-Up Patchwork Book and DVD or in the Change-Up Patchwork Starter Set.
Watch the Three-part series of Change-Up Patchwork on Sewing With Nancy online.
- Episode one features the versatility of a 4-patch block.
- The star of episode two is the square-within-a-square quilt block.
- The third episode features the basics for stitching the traditional 9-patch block.
Nancy’s Notions is giving away one copy of the new book, Change-Up Patchwork. Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway, telling us which of these designs you’d like to make.
The randomly selected winner of a bundle of six patriotic fat quarters is Rosalind Gutierrez.
Her comment was, “I have done 3 Quilts of Valor and I love patriotic colors and designs.”
Bye for now,
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annie johnson
The 7 Patch Weave will be the one I’ll try.
Marsha Dimond
I love designs that look difficult but are very easy to put together. I would make the woven design.
Jean
I’ll be using the tip to make scrappy nine patches.
Helen Owen
Love these ideas!
Dawn
I really like the Camouflaged 9 Patch!
Shirley Bost
I want to make a seven patch weave!
Carol Garner
Love the basket weave idea. Would like the book to further explain how to construct the quilt.
Joy
9 patch is so versatile! Love the woven version.
Doris Pedersen
I would love to try the Vintage 9 Patch, but I also like the Camouflaged 9 Patch. And the 7 Patch Weave is also one that I would like to try.
Roxanna Owen--QuiddityRox
I’d like to make the woven patchwork, using my florals.
Karen F. Suemnick
Hi Nancy, I absolutely love these ideas as vintage fabric is one of my favorites and what an easy way to cut and sew that you have shown….Karen
carolyn montgomery
i would like to make the Camouflaged 9-Patch using batiks.
Clovis
Because the colors you use, the 7 Patch Weave would be good to try. A lot of good color combinations to try. Thanks for the chance to win.
Glynn Martin
I’d love to try my hand at doing several of these quilts so I can use up some of my “stash” and buy some more new fabric!
Judy H Wubbena
WOW! the 7-Patch really intrigues me. “Ribbons” on a quilt look so difficult, but NOT.
Elaine Armstrong
I’d love to make several of these quilts beginning with the traditional nine patch. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Shaela
I’d like to make the Camouflaged 9 patch
Jean Beinemann
The 7 patch weave looks like a pattern that I must use to make an ever so small dent to my stash! Love it!
Carol Netzler
I love the change up. I recently made a quilt that has the weave effect. It looks difficult, but is done in strips.
CAROL L
The Camouflaged 9 Patch! I have the perfect batiks to try out. Thank you for these beautiful designs!
Jean Walters
I Love the Camouflage Nine Patch! I really enjoy learning something new and sense I started quilting I am striving to learn as much as I can. Challenging myself with new patterns increases my self confidence.
Dorothy Martin
It is wonderful to see the ‘new’ nine/seven patch quilt in all its glory. Thank you Nancy. They are delightful.
Chris
I want to make them all but would start with the 7 patch weave.
Jean Walters
I really Love the Camouflage Nine Patch. Sense I started quilting I’m always striving to learn new techniques and patterns. Doing so builds my self confidence. Thanks !
Antje
I really like the woven design! It looks so great.
Cindy Leland
I would like to try them all.
Margaret Morton
I’d like to make the camouflaged 9patch as a verteran’s quilt for our guild.
Michele
I want to make the 7-patch weave. I have been admiring woven patterns for awhile, and I really like the simplicity of this one.
Laura
Love the 7 patch weave. I love the simplicity of the design and can imagine it done in many fabrics, solids, prints or a mix.
Marie Paxson
I will definitely be doing the woven one! Thank you for the easy way to do it.
Margaret Scott
I can’t decide which I like better the camouflaged 9 patch or the 7 patch weave.
Lynn
The 7 patch weave looks very interesting.
Heidi
The 7 patch weave has great pop…and the sample squares don’t look they are the right size to form the design, so magic must be involved! I want to learn the magic.
Marie Kozma
I’m a scrap quilt lover and my favorite of the 9-patch and variations is the Vintage 9-Patch. I pre-cut my left-overs into 2 1/2″ squares, 2 1/2″ strips, and 2″ strips and store them in containers as “collections”, always having them at the ready for piecing. They make lively and colorful quilts. Cool!
Mary Beth
Very informative video. I would like to make the Camouflaged Nine Patch. I think the use of batik fabric really looks nice with this nine patch configuration.
Linda E in AZ
The 7-patch weave looks like great fun!
thanks!
Margaret C.
When baking pies I love to make a lattice crust. It should come as no surprise that I love the 7 Patch Weave. Thx.
Pat in WNY
I love the versatility of 9-patch construction, and I’d definitely try that 7-patch weave soon. Looking forward to seeing these episodes.
Anita Phelps
I think the 7-Patch Weave pattern would be fun to do in a baby quilt. I see future projects for future grandbabies!
Linda
Oh the weave is something I’ve never done! I’d love to try this one!
Pat Stolz
I love the vintage 9-patch and have been looking for a pattern to use for a quilt for a nephew who lost his home to a house fire in Feb. He likes bright colours and patterns so this will be perfect. Thank you, Nancy.
Pat
I would definitely make the 7 patch weave as my first project. The woven strip illusion looks so tricky but the technique used make the process sound and look simple. Always a great plus for those of us with more projects we want to make than time. Thanks for the great ideas!
Jeanette withrow
I like the 7 patch weave and the nine patch. I like them. There’s a lot of negative space to show off your quilting
Susan Spiers
The 7-Patch Weave to start! Love the idea & variations that could be achieved! Thank you, Susan
Susan Nicol
I have always been intrigued by the weave patterns, so definitely the 7 patch weave pattern.
Mari-ann Miller
I love 9 patch quilts….so many possibilities! The 7-patch weave is stunning, especially in the pink/green color combo! Will have to try this one soon!
Patricia
I just saw this episode recently (I think it was middle of June) on a TV station our local cable carries. I started using scraps and strips in my stash right away to make the strata. This is fun and so fast! Thank you for a great way to make strata strips quickly for the vintage 9 patch. I am doing one strata mixing lots of colors with a real scrappy look and coordinating scraps and colors for another strata with a less scrappy look. I am having so much fun with this. These all look fantastic.
Donna
Oh how I like them all, vintage first, then the blue one and I have also been planning to make a woven quilt. Yeah your book has them all. Thanks for wonderful giveaway.
Kathy R Hartwell
I like them all, but would try the weave first. Thank you.
Cindy Kasten
I would like to try the 7 Patch Weave.
Florence Dupuis
I like the 7 patch weave. Looks like a easy and fast quilt.
Nancy
I love the Vintage 9 Patch. Reminds me of olden times.
Jan N.
I’d love to make the 7-Patch Weave quilt. I saw this pattern on a quilt before, but never could figure out how to do it. Thank you for the tutorial and for a chance to win Changeup Patchwork.
BETTY JOHNSON
Love them all- – – the 9 patch is my favorite block & now to see so many ways to use it, i can hardly wait to get started….
Linda
I like some modern patterns. I love 1930’s. I will be making the Vintage 9-patch.
Anne Z.
I love the 7 patch weave. It looks like a challenging pattern, but you have designed it in a very doable manner. Thanks for all the inspiration.
beth d.
I would do the camouflaged two patch quilt design. I can use my stash of fabrics for it.
Louise knox
I would like to do the 7 patch weave as a quilt of valor for my retired army husband as a surprise! He finally saw a pattern he Liked! Thank you Nancy for all the inspiration!
Louise knox
I would live to do the 7 patch weave as a quilt of Valor! My retired army husband finally saw a pattern he really liked!
Julie
The 7 Patch Weave inspires me to try embellishing it to resemble a giant Needlework Project! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Linda
Love the 9-patch. Thank you for a chance to win!
Rhonda Maxfield
Want to try the camaflaged one first. Would love to win this. Thxs Nancy.
Terry Simmons
I want to make a traditional 9 patch. Still new to quilting but I’m very excited about creating a quilt!
Linda
I want to make all of them but would probably start with the first one to use up some stash
Ann Scott
Your Change Up Patchwork ideas really have sparked some creative juices in me! Great series, I’d enjoy the book too!
Gail Beam
The Camouflaged 9 Patch looks like the easiest for a beginner quilter like myself.
Thanks for the chance to win this special quilt book.
Barbara Perea
The Vintage Nine-Patch keeps calling to me…
Nancy Taylor
I just ordered your Cabin Fever and would love to add to my stash.
Thanks,
Nancy Taylor
Linda Rupe
The Seven Patch Weave! I love those clean lines.
Ilana
I’d make the 7 patch weave. It’s fabulous!
Linda Mattson
I would like to try the camouflaged 9 patch. It looks like it would be fun to make.
Thank you.
Linda
judy
I’d love to try the woven 7-patch pattern.
Forty-five years ago, i made a stack of the tradional 9-patch blocks for quilts for my two daughters. Back then we never bought new fabric for quilts. My patches were cut by hand from the left overs from the clothes I had made for the family. They were in bunk beds at the time, now they have king size beds and grandchildren (6). Think I should dig them out and finish as lap quilts. Thanks for your inspiration.
Dorothy V
I love all of them!! I would first make the Camouflaged 9-Patch. SOOOO FUUUNNNN!!! THanks Nancy!!!
Edna Marks
The vintage 9 patch, I love scrappy quilts.
Starla
I love the woven seven-piece “nine-patch”!
Mary Green
I will definitely be making the Vintage Nine-Patch because I have a humongous stash from 50-plus years of sewing and crafting.
Martie in CA
These techniques are a mind blower for me. I never imagined that they could have so many variations!!!
Karen LaMuro
As usual, Nancy, you put together great fabrics, interesting color combinations and traditional quilt patterns with streamlined techniques and create magic! I am going to try the nine patch using the batiks! Loved how the violet fabric made the mixed pink fabric vibrate!
Peggy
My favorite’s are the camouflage asymmetrical 9-patch and the 7-patch weave. I am new to quilting and would love the book to help me learn more. Thank you, Nancy, for all the wonderful information.
Michelle Hall
I like the scrappy look of the Vintage 9 patch
Linnie Middleton
I must say the 9-Patch Camouflaged intrigues me very much.
Mary Wippold
I like the 7-Patch Weave. It’s different than a traditional 9 patch and simple yet beautiful.
Judy G
I like the Camouflaged 9-Patch Quilt. Very pretty and looks like it would be quick to make.
Susan Guderjohn
Yes! YES!! YEEEEESSSSS!!! 3 x 3 is a favorite combo, so that nine-patch vintage-look pattern would be my jump-to-it project to make use of some orphaned scraps. Thanks for the awesome posts! Fondly, SueG
Treva Campbell
I love to quilt. I always have a quilt in mind to do next and can’t wait to finish the one I’m making. I would love to make all of these.
Linda
They are all beautiful – I especially like the 7-patch Weave. These are a great way to use up stash for donated quilts.
Julie Kill
I would love to win this book! I’m at a stage where I need some new refreshing ideas that are easy to make. I would start with the 7 patch weave. It’s looks new and exciting.
Cecilia Huether
I love traditional quilts, so the nine patch is my favorite, but like how to change the nine patch too. And using our scraps, is a favorite thing for me to do. Love your show and have watched more than 20 some year’s. Always an inspiration to me. Thank you, Cecilia.
Marsha
The vintage 9 patch reminds me of a quilt my grandma made back in the 50’s. She used old shirts for the material and all hand quilted. I was lucky enough to inherit it. I would like to try my hand at making one.
L Watson
The 7-patch weave is fantastic. I love the colors featured also, it looks like a lot of fun to create. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
Jennifer Reinke
What a great take on such a simple design! I love the Camouflaged 9 patch! Again thank you for these great ideas and giving us the means to “spring-board” from one pattern. The possibilities are boundless!
Linda Buzz
The nine-patch was my intro to quilting, so a fave. I like them all, but may try the 7-patch weave first.
Marsha Chibitty
I would like to try the classic 9 patch.
Marty
I’d like to try 7-Patch Weave in “masculine” hues.
Melody Hill
The Contemporary 9 Patch block quilt is exactly what I need to assemble my nieces Batick fabric blocks signed by all her wedding guests.
Joan Palmer
Just finished the “ribbon” part of a ribbon quilt. Wish I had known about your 7-patch weave before I started. Can’t wait to make another one the easy way!
Doreen Linehan
I think the 7 patch weave quilt looks very interesting.
Donna Fecteau
Wow! It’s a toss up for my favorite. I like the 7 patch weave and the 9 patch asymmetrical too. My bucket list of quilts to try is growing.
ella ruth
I like the 7 patch weave. It really looks like it’s woven. It seems like the colors make it pop. Thank you Nancy for sharing your work with us and making things so simple to do : )
Pole Ulanes
Amazing!
Rhonda hellner
I have not gotten nto quilting but love watching how it is done and how easy Nancy makes it look. Recently I started my granddaughters (age 12 and 10) sewing a small doll blanket quilt and have used some of the technigues to keep them excited about straight line sewing
Rhonda hellner
I have not gotten into quilting but love watching how it is done and how easy Nancy makes it look. Recently I started my granddaughters (age 12 and 10) sewing a small doll blanket quilt and have used some of the technigues to keep them excited about straight line sewing
leder-furniture
I’ll show you the basics, plus methods for speeding up the process while making perfect nine-patch blocks that you can turn into beautiful quilt.
Shirley
I want to try the seven patch weave first! All of these would lend itself to using up some of my scraps and stash! Would make some cool charity quilts!