The top left square should be cut diagonally from the left bottom corner to the right top corner as pictured below. The bottom right square should be cut diagonally from the left bottom corner up to the right top corner as pictured below.

The bottom left square should be cut from the right lower corner up to the left top corner as pictured below. Each square should be cut diagonally as follows to achieve the same result I got: Time to sub-cut those squares one more time. To find your centers line up your ruler with the 2 1/4 inch mark running along the left seam vertically, make your cut, then without moving the block, switch your ruler to horizontal with the 2 1/4 inch mark running along the horizontal seam (as pictured above) and make that cut. I then cut this block in half vertically down the center, then horizontally across the center.

To end up with the green and red partial “frames” around the block, it’s important that you lay your colors out as pictured here. I started with a Charm Pack (pre-cut 5 1/2 inch squares) and made a nine patch block. So I took that concept and went a little farther resulting in this block OR this block (depending on how you sew sub-cut triangles together): I loved how you could take one block, sub-cut it, and sew it back up to make a different block. This block can be done starting with a 9-patch but using a 4-patch allows one more freedom to get the look desired by varying the width of the measurement from the center seam.I realized I did not sew and show the block the way I originally intended when I wrote this tutorial! So I updated it with some new pictures and text.Ī couple of years ago I became fascinated with the Disappearing Nine Patch quilt block and decided to experiment with it. This block makes a great charity quilt because it is fast to sew and looks complicated. You can vary the look by the width of the cut. Sew the sections together as shown in the next two photos to complete the block.

Next, rotate only the center outside sections 180 degrees as shown in the photo below. Rotate and repeat, measuring 1 inch from the center seam for each cut. Using the center seams as the reference point, measure out 1 inch and make a cut then make a cut on the other side of the seam. Use a small mat so you can turn the block without disturbing it. Next, make 4 cuts without moving the block or the cut pieces. The one below was made with 5 inch squares and it will finish to a 8.5 inch block from raw edge to raw edge if accurate scant 1/4 inch seams are used.

The Disappearing 4-Patch or 4 to 9-Patch starts with a 4-patch block with good contrast in colors or shades and tones.

Free disappearing quilt blocks