Make a Nine Patch disappear and reappear as a Quarter Square Triangle Precut Quilt. Whether you are just learning how to quilt or looking for a quick and easy project, this quilt offers simple construction with the prep cutting done for you using 5″ precut squares. Grab a few of your favorite 5″ squares pack (144 squares total) and start sewing right away!
Vanishing Time
50″ x 50″
Skill Level: Â Beginner Friendly
Fabric Requirements
(4) Peaceful Shadow Play 5″ x 5″ Fabric Squares Packs (42 squares)
Or (144) 5″ squares
72 light value
72 dark value
Backing – 3.5 yards cut into (2) 1 3/4 yard sections and sewn together
Binding – 1/2 yards cut into (6) 2 1/2″ x Width of Fabric strips
Fabric Preparation
Sort fabrics into light and dark values, 72 squares each. In a pack of 42 squares, 6 squares are leftover per pack, so identify six medium value fabric squares to remove from the mix. Keeping higher contrast in the quilt helps the design shine.
Dark Nine Patches
Lay out three rows of three dark value 5″ squares.
Lay the first two squares from the top row right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam. Sew the third square from the top row to the center square in the same manner. Press away from the center. Repeat for the bottom and center row, but press the center row seams towards the center.
Lay the top row on top of the center row right sides together. Match seams and pin. Sew a 1/4″ seam. Press towards the center. Repeat with the bottom row. Nine Patch measures 14″ unfinished. Make 8 Dark Nine Patches.
Light Nine Patches
Lay out three rows of three light value 5″ squares. Lay the first two squares from the top row right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam. Sew the third square from the top row to the center square in the same manner. Press towards the center square. Repeat with the bottom and center row, but press the center row away from the center.
Lay the top row on top of the center row right sides together. Match seams and pin. Sew a 1/4″ seam. Press away from the center. Repeat with the bottom row. Nine Patch measures 14″ unfinished. Make 8 Light Nine Patches.
Quarter Square Triangle
Mark the wrong side of a Light Nine Patch in half diagonally once. Mark a 1/4″ from both sides of the marked center line. It can be awkward to mark over seams, so take your time. Repeat on all the Light Nine Patches.
Layer a marked Light Nine Patch with a Dark Nine Patch, right sides together, and pin. Sew on the marked 1/4″ lines. Cut apart on the marked center line to make two Half Square Triangles. Press seam towards the dark. Repeat with remaining Light and Dark Nine Patches to make 16 Half Square Triangles.
Mark the wrong side of the Half Square Triangle from corner to corner crossing the seam. Mark 1/4″ from both sides of the marked center line. Repeat so half of the Half Square Triangles are marked.
Layer a marked and unmarked Half Square Triangle right sides together, and pin. Sew on the marked 1/4″ lines. Cut apart on the marked center line to make two Quarter Square Triangles. Press seam in one direction. Repeat with remaining Half Square Triangles to make 16 Quarter Square Triangles.
Watch this video to see this method in action, just remember we’re using Nine Patches as our beginning squares.VIDEO
Once you’ve made the Quarter Square Triangles, trim them to 13″ square using the technique in the video below.VIDEO
Quilt Assembly
Lay out the quilt in four rows of four blocks, and alternate the whether the dark side of the Quarter Square Triangle is vertical or horizontal.
Sew the rows together, pressing in alternate directions. Sew the rows together.
Layer the top with batting and backing. Quilt as desired. A grid is a fast and fun quilt design suited for this quilt. Bind using preferred method.
Learning to quilt?
Be sure to join our How To Quilt: A Beginner’s Guide Quilt Along.
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