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How to Sew an Uneven Nine Patch Quilt Block
The Uneven Nine Patch is a dynamic twist on the classic nine patch, using two different strip widths to create a bold, asymmetric design with three larger squares and six smaller rectangles. It's a great way to add visual interest to any quilt!
Materials Needed
- Fabric in at least three different colors or prints
- Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler
- Sewing machine and thread
- Iron
Cutting Guide
- Wide strips: three strips, each 3½" wide
- Narrow strips: three strips, each 2½" wide
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose your fabrics and decide on a color scheme. You'll need at least three different fabrics.
- Cut one set of three strips at 3½" wide and one set of three strips at 2½" wide using your rotary cutter, mat, and ruler.
- Sew the three strips in each set together. Press seams to one side.
- Cut each strip set into sections: three 3½" sections and two 2½" sections from each set.
- Arrange the sections into the uneven nine patch pattern — three larger squares and six smaller rectangles.
- Sew the sections together to form the block. Start by sewing the three larger squares together, then add the rectangles to complete the block. Press seams to one side.
- Trim the block to 10½" square.
Repeat these steps to make as many Uneven Nine Patch blocks as needed. Arrange them in any pattern to create a unique and personalized quilt!
Nine Patch Technique
The secret to a perfect nine patch is pressing seams so they butt together neatly when joined.
- Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares. Using chain piecing, join a B square to 3 of the A squares, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.
- Join the remaining A and B squares to these units using chain piecing, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.
For the faster strip method, cut A and B strips, join into A/B/A and B/A/B units, and cut across the pre-joined strips to create the units needed:
Press all seams toward the dark fabric. Join the B/A/B units to your A/B/A units with butted seams, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance. As long as a block has an underlying 3×3 grid, this principle applies.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks
Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.
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