Are You Ready For Some

Easy Machine Piecing?

So you want to make a quilt?

Let’s start with some easy machine piecing instructions to get us started. Get out your sewing machine and a few tools and you are well on your way.

Now for the fun part!

The very first step in the quilt making process is choosing a pattern. This can be a fun and exciting time. The nine patch pattern gives us a quick and easy machine piecing project. So let’s start there.

The nine patch block pattern is one of the basic building blocks of quilt making. It is one of the oldest and simplest methods for machine piecing.

The quilt top is what we spend so much time choosing fabric, colors and patterns on. We spend time cutting the pieces and piecing them together. When you are choosing a pattern, be sure to read through all of the basic piecing instructions and choose a pattern or project that is suited to your quilt making abilities.

For our project, the nine patch block pattern, I have chosen a basic red and a basic blue for the nine patch pattern with a neutral background for the companion block. You are free to be as creative as you want to with the choices of fabrics that are available to us.

Let’s get started with our two-color nine patch block. I like to make sure I have enough fabric to finish my projects so I have allowed for extra fabric.

Quilt Size: 58” x 89” finished size
Block Size: 6 inches
Materials: 1 yard blue fabric
1 yard red fabric
1 yard solid navy blue fabric
2 yards tan fabric
4 ½ yard backing fabric
batting

Preparation: Pre-wash and iron the fabrics. Be sure to press all the seams as you go.

Step 1 - We will use rotary cutting techniques to save time.

Cut 12 strips 2 ½” wide from the blue fabric.
Cut 6 strips 2 ½” side from the red fabric.
Cut 5 strips 6 ½” wide from the solid navy blue fabric.
Cut 7 strips 6 ½” wide from the tan fabric.
Cut 3 strips 6 7/8” wide from the tan fabric.

Step 2 - Sub-cut the 6 ½” strips into 6 ½” squares for the setting squares for a total of 40 squares. Sub-cut the 6 7/8” strips into 6 7/8” squares. Cut again on the diagonal to make the setting triangles. Use the left over triangles to cut into corner triangles.

Step 3 - Sew the 2 ½” strips together in rows. Make 12 units with blue-red-blue strips, and 6 units with red-blue-red strips. Sub-cut the easy machine piecing stitched strips into 2 ½” wide pieces.

Make sure you are stitching a 1/4" quilting seam allowance.

Step 4- Sew the cut and stitched units into blocks to make the Nine Patch blocks. Make 28 blocks.

Congratulations! You have completed the basic easy machine piecing instructions for the nine patch quilt pattern.

Step 5 - Lay your quilt blocks on the floor or anywhere that you have enough room in the order that you want your completed quilt to be. I put the nine patch blocks in the center of the quilt on point with an outer row of navy blue offset blocks. Piece the quilt together in diagonal rows one row at a time.

You are now well on your way to mastering easy machine piecing, rotary cutting and more with these basic quilting instructions.

Step 6 - Cut border strips 2 ½” wide from the red fabric. Sew the ends together to make one strip the length of one side of the quilt top. Repeat for the opposite side. Attach the border to the side of the quilt top. Sew another strip for the top and bottom of the quilt top. Attach the strips to the top and bottom.

Repeat with the blue fabric for a second border. But this is only half of the quilt making process. The top half. Once you have finished your quilt top, you are ready to make it into a quilt.

Step 7 - layer the quilt.

Step 8 - Easy machine quilting.

Step 9 - Bind the quilt by cutting 2” wide strips. Fold in half lengthwise and press the fold line. Pin the raw edges of the binding to the outside edges of the quilt. Stitch in place using the ¼” quilting seam allowance. Turn the folded edge to the back of the quilt and hem stitch in place.

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