Nine Patch Blocks

 The most common type of block - based on a 3 x 3 grid.

The classic nine patch is simply squares as per the normal grid above but the squares within the grid can be replaced with another pieced square; it could be a half square triangle, a four patch, a square split into two rectangles, a square within a square, a smaller version of a nine patch - the list goes on. But if it can be divided into nine equal squares it is a nine patch.

Another variation is having a 3 x 3 grid but with grid having an uneven shape so you may have a larger square in the middle and smaller rectangles/squares around the sides - these are uneven nine patch blocks. 
Finally don't get too hung up on block names, sometimes people saw a quilt and did not get a chance to ask the name of a block before copying it to make their own, sometimes people came up with the same idea, sometimes people didn't like the original name and changed it, often they are known as one name in one geographical region and another somewhere else; a name is useful to share information but that is all - where I know of more than one name I'll put it in the title of the page.

 Here are just some of the ideas that quilters have come up with over the centuries, with their common names as I know them...

Even Nine Patch

Air Castle/Castle In The Air
Antique Tile
Card Trick
Churn Dash
Cups and Saucers
Friendship Star
Grecian Square/Greek Cross
54-40 or fight
Jacob's Ladder
New Album
1941 Nine Patch
Ohio Star
Ohio Trail
Prairie Queen/True Blue
Shoo Fly
Shoo Fly - Accuquilt version
Steps to the Altar
Thrifty
Weathervane

Uneven Nine Patch

Garden of Eden/Economy
Puss-in-the-corner/Sheepfold

No comments:

Post a Comment

Free Pattern: Star Flower by Moda

 Originally posted for Sew A Jelly Roll Day 2021 this quilt uses squares and half square triangles to make Stars of Flowers depending on you...