QAF Block of the Month

December 2006

Split Nine Patch

9 1/2" (unfinished), 9" (finished)

Here is a quick and easy block for December so you can make one in a few minutes, in between all your holiday preparations! It's the ever popular Split Nine Patch. This block is exceptionally versatile, and can be set in the same ways we set log cabin blocks. I have included several different settings to give you the idea.

We are calling for reproduction fabrics, those from the Civil War period and the 1800's. These are the small, usually dark small prints that are found in many antique quilts. If you are unsure what these fabrics are, please ask on the forum. We will list some sources there. You can also look at them at many online shops, and of course, also at your local quilt shop.

For this block you will need one med. dk. to dark repro fabric in blue, green, dark red, or wine, etc., one red TOTfor the center square and one muslin, plain or TOT or tan repro.*

*TOT means tone on tone

Cut for each block:

To Assemble Block:

First, make your half-sq. triangles (HST). Draw a diagonal line on the back of your tan 4" square, corner to corner. Place this square RST with the 4" repro square. Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line. Cut apart on the drawn line. Press to the repro fabric.

Now, lay out all your pieces as shown in the picture above. Sew together in rows of 3. Press your seams so that they will be opposing*, and then sew the 3 rows together. *For this block, pressing to the dark is not as helpful as perhaps pressing the seams of the top and bottom rows to the right and the middle row's seams to the left. Or vice versa, if you like <g>)

Anyway you do it, once you are here, you are done!! Square up your block, trim those threads, and enter lots of these. I told you it would be easy!!!

Here are some ideas for setting your blocks:

72" x 81" quilt

This one is about 60" square

© Mary Evans 2006