Beach Bum Quilter

I'm new at quilt, and I'm using a bunch of 9-patch squares in my new quilt. Sometimes looking at all the different colors and patterns of the fabric, my eyes get a little wonky, then my brain loses its way! What do you use for 9-patch guides? Darks, Medium, Lights - what order to put them in? How do those of you who love the 9-patch get them to look "right"?

Thanks for any advice! Oh - btw - I LOVE THIS BOARD!

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

You could add sashing between the blocks to break things up. It gives your eyes a place to rest.

Prism99

It's probably easiest to separate the squares into dark, medium and light piles. I would pick just two of those to use -- darks and lights, or mediums and lights. Just makes it a little easier. Use the darks or mediums for the center and four corners; lights for the 4 other patches.

Are all of your squares different? If you have some that are alike, use 4 that are alike in the four corners. You can also add consistency by using the same fabric for each center, although that is not as helpful.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree, try laying some of your 9 patch on maybe a black or a color that might soften the screamers. Good Luck !!!

Pinkiris

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!

Many of us use what is called a design wall. It can be a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth, thumbtacked to the wall or laid on the bed in your sewing area. It can even be laid on the floor and rolled or folded up when you're not sewing. The idea is that you have a place to lay out squares, circles or strips of whatever you are sewing and then can stand back and see how things are looking to you.

Tartan

9 Patch blocks are very versatile however you decide to piece them. I usually do 5 dark squares and 4 light squares. I like combining them with Snow Ball blocks in a quilt top. I also like recutting them and turning them into Disappearing 9 Patch blocks.

quilttiger

Whether or not I use sashings with the scrappy blocks, I throw them up on the design wall and take a picture with my digital camera. The beauty is that you don't need to print the picture, just look through the viewer or look at the photo on back of the camera. Before you know it, you will be able to figure out how the blocks should be arranged according to the color values.

Beach Bum Quilter

Okay - thanks very much for the info! Gives me a place to start.