The Nine Patch Quilt Block - Humble beginnings

The nine patch block, while one of the most simple quilt block designs, has a long history. Recorded as far back as the days of pioneering and braving the Oregon Trail, the nine patch was a versatile design that could be sewn up from random, precious bits of fabric and combined to make handmade quilts to keep warm during long winter nights. It was also often the very first block that a mother taught her daughter by the fireside, a process called fireside training which started the young girl’s sewing career which would serve her throughout her life of tending to house and family.

Because of the simplicity of its design the nine patch block could be utilised in many different ways and so its use was wide spread. While it is clear that the homesteaders of pioneering times used it often, there are also records of the Amish learning the block from Germans. One of the most common quilt designs using this block is called the Irish Chain, and Ireland could lay claims to the block as well. Its popularity definitely stemmed from the need for warm quilts that could be sewn in a hurry by women who had scant time to spare in between keeping a household and child care. It is also an easy design to make larger or smaller, whether a queen size bed quilt or a smaller baby quilt. the options for this quilt are endless and easy to adjust.

The quilt block features nine small squares sewn together to make a bigger square and because of this the nine patch design has been varied in many ways across the years. There are also many different vibes you can achieve with this block, from a scrappy, traditional quilt that features fabrics of all colours and patterns to a more monochrome and modern finish in different shades of the same colour. The blocks featured on this blog post were a colour scheme chosen by the client, to supplement the beautiful Australian flora background that we found at The Fabric Trove. A simple cream background was chosen to compliment this beautiful design.