| > Home > Back To Newsletters Page | |||||
|
| |||||
ALL THE NINES...Sometimes the most apparently simple blocks can be the most interesting and satisfying to play with - this time we are looking at the classic 9-patch These can be set so simply, just alternating with big plain squares, or sashed, or setting them on-point, and then there are the put-it-with-others. the image above is my "Jill's Chain" (HH writes), made for a Modern Group Challenge a few years ago... The 9-patches in my version are a bit erratic, but no less entertaining for that, made by machine, then the whole thing put together as English Paper Piecing, by hand... Great fun!There is a pattern page for this linked to our free patterns page, and I hope you will consider adding 9-patches to other blocks - they look fantastic in the middle of stars, make fabulous borders, and are, of course, the best users-up of odd squares... And then there's an old favourite, in combination with Snowball blocks, I sleep under one of these regularly, made by our good friend Heather, and quilted by Mandy... Helen Howes and AitchBee Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: JILL'S CHAIN by Helen Howes. CLICK HERE for a link to the FREE PATTERN. |
|||||||
 A new range of CURVED PURSE KITS featuring TREES by HH - patterns and kits available on her website |
 LEXICON BOOK CUSHION by AitchBee - NEW pattern and kits available on her website |
||||||
Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!  |
|||||||
|
In its most basic form, a 9-patch block is simply nine squares of fabric of equal size sewn together in three rows of three to create a larger square. It is probably the easiest patchwork block for sewing by machine (or by hand) and is an excellent way to check your quarter inch seams.
This tutorial by Sara, on the FARM & FOLK blog, shows you step-by-step how to make this block, create a layout plus layering and finishing a small quilt. I would question Sara's process of pressing seams open (not something I would personally do unless I have to) but she is working in linen here whcih is slightly heavier than quilters' cotton and opening the seams will reduce the bulk. |
||||||
|
AMERICAN PATCHWORK & QUILTING have published an on-line article which shows a round up of over thirty quilt designs based on 9-patch blocks including the lovely example left combining 9-patch and Shoo-fly.
As you scroll through these designs you will see the 9-patch blocks paired with various other blocks to create interesting patterns, as well as further developments of the 9-patch made by using a combination of squares and rectangles instead of just square pieces. These last are stitched together in the same way as the basic 9-patch blocks; in three rows of three to create a square block. |
||||||
|
This design is called SUNDANCER by Helen Howes, originally made in lovely OAKSHOTT shot cottons. Although it looks very intricate, it is a series of 9-patch blocks set on point with plain fabric squares (cut to the same size as the 9-patch blocks) in between. We do like simple quilts that look complicated to the untrained eye - a great way of impressing friends!
This is a FREE PATTERN available on HH's website |
||||||
|
Usually any mention of the words "disappearing 9-patch" makes my heart sink, so when HH mentioned the phrase while she was researching for this issue I groaned. However when she showed me this picture I had to admit to being pleasantly surprised.
This is a version I have not seen before, found on Felicity's blog, NEW QUILTERS. The success of failure of this block all hinges on where you make those secondary cuts, and this is great. Personally I would ditch the florals and make it a bit brighter, but the red, white, black combination has a lot going for it (HB writes). |
||||||
|
Our friend, Sarah Hibbert of QUILTS CORNERSTONE, does a lovely line in Modern 9-patch blocks. Often made in beautiful linens (like these charming little crosses) or as giant blocks, Sarah's take on this versatile block is worth a look. | ||||||
|
Both HH and HB love the simplicity of squares and each have several patterns/kits based on these useful building blocks of the quilting world.
Left is HB's SQUARED AWAY fabric bowl, and the photo takes you to her kits page where you can also see other "square" makes such as the QUIP Conical Peg Bag CLICK HERE to visit HH's website for more square-based kits |
||||||
|
ALL THE NINES indeed!
Claudia shares nine FREE PATTERNS for 9-patch blocks on the blog, QUILTING.CRAFT GOSSIP, including information from RED PEPPER QUILTS on a speedy way to make multiple 9-patch blocks and a tutorial from from HYACINTH DESIGNS on making a lovely, Modern, 9-patch & snowball quilt using a charm pack. There are also a couple of examples of disappearing 9-patch if you really feel the need... |
||||||
|
This month's SWITCH project is for turning a small square quilt into giant Kismet Pyramid Pouch (great as a plimsoll bag!)
The original quilt, made by HH some time ago for the Tutor Box programme, was a 20 x 20 inch sample for the "Three in One" design, an erratic 9-patch. CLICK HERE to link to the Tutor Box page and find full instruction for this block. |
||||||
|
So, in conclusion I hope you feel that we have shown you that the humble 9-patch block is anything but boring! How you use it, how you colour it how you distort it, change it, make it your own, makes all the difference.
Left you can see my take on the 9-patch block (HB writes) this 3-D version of a 9-patch is one of a whole series of traditional blocks that I tinkered with to make my Block of the Month quilt NEW PERSPECTIVES. click on the image to learn more. |
||||||
|
It's time to get your ducks in a row again and get your entries in for this year's FESTIVAL OF QUILTS at the NEC in Birmingham. There are lots of categories (read the descriptions carefully) and we would encourage everyone to enter, whatever your level of experience. Entries need to be in by 11th June - give it a go!
The image left shows a detail of TWELVE TREES by HH which went to Festival last year (in the Contemporary Quilt Category). The pattern is available on her website CLICK HERE for details |
||||||
|
Of course no newsletter would be complete without a cheeky miniature! The image left shows HB's THOROUGHLY MODERN MINI made from the blocks in her MINIATURE MODERN pattern. This quilt is only 11 inches square! Patterns and fabric packs are available on her website, click on the image to learn more.
If you would like to try your hand at miniatures, HB has put a FREE PATTERN up on the MAQ website for the 9-patch block shown here (finishing to 1-1/2 inches square!) CLICK HERE to visit MAQ and download the Foundation Paper Piecing pattern. |
||||||
| We are happy to publicise your exhibition or quilting event anywhere in the country, please let us know at least a month before it is due to start and provide details of venue, dates, times, a brief description, and image and a website link if you have a relevant one.
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
HH's choice this month and she writes:
Not my usual colours, but I love the subtlety and the slightly erratic look of this big quilt |
||||||
|
|||||||
|
Oh, the patience of some quilters never ceases to astound me!
Find this beautiful JACK'S CHAIN quilt along with lots of other 9-patch wonders on this month's PINTEREST Board; ALL THE NINES. |
||||||
| Our mailing address is:- 4, The Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road, Raveningham, Norfolk, NR14 6NU. United Kingdom | |||||||