Scrappy Disappearing Nine Patch: Tutorial

There was a request that I share how I made my scrappy quilt, so I gathered up some pictures and here it is! This is my first tutorial, so bear with me please.

Step 1: Cut out many squares. I used 2.5" squares of assorted fabrics. You could definitely use whatever size you want as long as they are consistent. I used approximately 2,016 squares.



Step 2: Assemble into nine patches. I made 224 nine patch units. I wanted there to be some consistency so I used a black background patch for the center of all the units. I started off making nine patches like in the picture above and then I just started piecing them together however they fell in order to save time.


Once you have your nine patch blocks ready it is time to square them up. When you use 2.5" blocks, the finished nine patch should be 6.5" square.


Step 3: Cut the block in half vertically and horizontally. Cut 3 1/4 inches from the top and from the side.

You will end up with small blocks like the ones above which should be 3 1/4" square. I just kept cutting these up until I had piles of them.

Step 4: They are then assembled into a new disappearing nine patch unit. I used this arrangement, but you can play with it to make it how you would like. Just remember to be consistent throughout or you will spend time ripping out seams. I know this from experience!

I enventually had 224 units like the ones above.
Step 5: Piece these together to form strips.

Be very careful that you are piecing these together in the same manner. This picture shows the correct way for my quilt and the bottom strip is incorrect. I made this mistake several times. I found that I had to make sure I had a black square in the top right and bottom left corner of each block before I sewed them together. Do you see where I went wrong in the bottom strip?

You make many of these-112 strips to be exact.

Step 6:
Assemble these into larger units by sewing the two strips together. Here you need to make sure you are consistent. Little black square in the top right and bottom left of each of the strips so that the little black squares in the middle meet up together.

Step 7:
Sew these into rows and then the rows together. Make sure you are keeping those corner squares positioned correctly. I made eight long strips with seven of the patches above. Then sew the strips together!

Here is the finished quilt top. If you make one, I would love to see it!