One Block, Three Projects: The Modern Disappearing Nine Patch

The disappearing nine patch technique is one of those satisfying quilting tricks that turns a traditional block into something fresh and unexpected. With just a few strategic cuts and rearrangements, a simple nine-square block can be transformed into modern, graphic projects you’d never guess started as a basic grid. In this post, we’ll walk through the entire process from making the foundational block to completing three finished projects: placemats, a quilted tote bag, and a table runner.

What You’ll Need

For all three projects combined, gather the following from your fabric stash or local quilt shop:

• ½ yd each of 6 different coordinating print fabrics (a mix of a featured print and blender/tonal fabrics work beautifully together)
• ½ yd of a contrasting fabric for the tote bag (a dark solid works well)
• ½ yd of a lining fabric for the tote bag
• lightweight batting
• thread that blends with your fabrics
• rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and self-healing mat
• template plastic (12″ × 18″) for shaping the placemats
• 1⅔ yds of 1″ webbing for tote bag straps
• fabric pencil or chalk marker

Step 1: Making the Nine Patch Block

This is the starting point for all three projects.

1. From each of your chosen fabrics, cut one strip 7½″ × width of fabric (WOF).
2. Sub-cut each strip into five 7½″ squares.
3. Arrange 9 squares in a 3×3 grid, mixing the fabrics for a pleasing balance of pattern and value.
4. Stitch the squares together into three rows of three, then join the rows, carefully matching seams.

The finished nine patch block will measure approximately 21½″ square (unfinished). Make as many blocks as you need one block yields one placemat, one block yields one tote bag panel, and two blocks yield one table runner.

Project 1: Modern Disappearing Nine Patch Placemats

Once your nine patch block is complete, the “disappearing” begins.

1. Make two cuts through the block to create three strips. For the most visual interest, cut each strip a different width, there’s no need to measure precisely.
2. Rearrange the strips, shifting each one slightly so the seams are staggered rather than aligned.
3. Stitch the strips back together to create a new, modern-looking block.
4. Place a 12″ × 18″ piece of template plastic over the pieced block and shift it around until you find the most appealing portion of the design. Trace around the template and cut out your placemat shape. You’ll have leftover fabric that can yield a second placemat from the same block, making 3 or 4 nine patch blocks gives you great variety.
5. Layer the placemat top with lightweight batting and a backing fabric.
6. Quilt as desired. Simple straight-line quilting complements the modern aesthetic beautifully.
7. For the binding, cut 3″-wide strips from leftover fabrics and piece them together for a scrappy, multi-fabric look. Press seams open, fold the strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides together), and press. Attach with a scant ½″ seam and hand-stitch to the back for a ½″ finished binding.

Project 2: Modern Disappearing Nine Patch Tote Bag

For the tote bag, you’ll add diagonal contrast strips for extra visual punch.

For the quilted exterior panel:

1. Make a nine patch block using nine 7½″ squares, then cut it into three unequal sections as described above. Rearrange and stitch back together, shifting the strips so the seams don’t align. The resulting block will be approximately 19″ × 19″.
2. Place a long cutting ruler on the block, aligning the 60° angle mark on the ruler along one of the seam lines. Make two 60° cuts to divide the block into three diagonal sections.
3. From a contrasting fabric, cut one strip 1¾″ × WOF and one strip 1¼″ × WOF.
4. Stitch these contrasting strips between the three diagonal sections. Work carefully as you’ll be handling bias edges, sew with the contrast strip on the bottom to keep seam allowances flat.
5. Square up the edges. The panel will be approximately 19½″ × 18½″, though improv piecing means yours may vary slightly.
6. From the contrasting fabric, cut one strip 9½″ × the length of the panel. This piece determines the width of your finished bag.
7. Cut two additional strips 1¼″ × the length of the panel from a coordinating fabric, fold each in half lengthwise, and press. These form a small decorative flap on either side of the bag.
8. Stitch the 1¼″ strips to the edges of the pieced panel (raw edges aligned), then join the 9½″ contrast strip to complete the exterior panel.
9. Layer the panel with batting and a backing fabric (the backing won’t show in the finished bag). Quilt as desired, diagonal and straight-line stitching work well here.

To assemble the tote bag:

1. Trim and square up the outside edges of the quilted panel.
2. Fold the panel so the two short ends meet, right sides together, and stitch to form a tube.
3. Stitch across the bottom with a ½″ seam.
4. Create flat bottom corners by pulling each corner point to align the bottom seam with the side seam, then stitching across the triangle. Trim the excess.
5. Mark a fold line 1½″ down from the top edge.
6. Cut two handles from 1″ webbing, approximately 30″ long (adjust to your preferred length). Pin the handles to the outside front and back of the bag, spacing them evenly, then stitch in place securely.

For the lining:

1. Measure around the outside of the bag and cut a lining fabric piece to match, adding ¼″ seam allowance.
2. Stitch the lining side seam, then place the lining inside the bag with right sides together.
3. Stitch across the top edges to join the lining to the bag exterior.
4. Turn the bag right side out. Fold the top quilted edge down along the 1½″ marked line and top-stitch through all layers to secure the lining, handles, and bag front.
5. Trim any excess lining at the bottom, then fold raw edges to the inside and top-stitch to close.
6. Create matching flat corners in the lining as you did for the bag exterior.

Project 3: Modern Disappearing Nine Patch Table Runner

For the table runner, you’ll need two nine patch blocks, arrange the fabrics in a different order for each block to maximize visual interest.

1. Make four 45° diagonal cuts through each block. An easy approach is to align the 45° mark on your ruler with one of the block’s seam lines and cut, varying the strip widths as you go.
2. Arrange all the strips from both blocks on a design wall, mixing them to create your own original composition. Some strips may be too short,  simply stitch a leftover piece to the end to extend them.
3. Cut 1¼″ × WOF strips from a contrasting solid fabric to use as sashing between rows. A solid dark color makes the busy prints pop beautifully.
4. Stitch the contrasting strips between each row, leaving a couple of extra inches at the beginning and end of each strip, you’ll trim these when squaring up.
5. Press all seams toward the contrasting strips.
6. Square up the runner edges. A finished size of approximately 17½″ × 36″ is typical, but your arrangement may differ.
7. Layer with batting and backing, quilt as desired, then bind with 3″-wide strips for a ½″ finished binding.

Tips & Takeaways

• The disappearing nine patch technique works with any fabric collection, the key is having a mix of values (light, medium, and dark) and at least some contrast between fabrics.
• Because this is improvised piecing, embrace slight variations in size. They add character.
• Cutting each strip a different width creates far more visual movement than equal cuts.
• A design wall (even a flannel-covered board leaned against a wall) is especially helpful for the table runner, where you’re arranging many strips from two blocks.
• All leftover fabric from cutting can be used for binding, making these projects wonderfully efficient.

Original series by Jean Boyd on QUILTsocial.com. Photos by Jean Boyd