Disappearing 9 Patch with a Slant | Easy Quilting Tutorial
In this tutorial, Bob demonstrates a creative twist on the classic disappearing nine patch that he calls the Disappearing Nine Patch with a Slant. He begins with a traditional nine patch made from 5 inch squares, cuts it into four equal sections, and then adds a new step by trimming each section on an angle before rearranging. The slanted cuts create more layout possibilities, and Bob explains how he experiments with rotating pieces to form two concentric squares and a clean diagonal path of smaller squares across the block. He notes that strong contrast, especially vibrant prints against white, is key to making the design pop, and shares that substituting the white with a print muted the effect. After settling on the best arrangement, he walks through sewing the pieces back together into a finished 12 1/2 inch block that feels fresh, modern, and easy to recreate.
These two little beauties are a variation on the disappearing nine patch, and I absolutely love how they turned out. I’m calling this one the Disappearing Nine Patch with a Slant, and the name really says it all. A classic disappearing nine patch starts as a simple nine patch block. For this project, that nine patch is made from 5 inch fabric squares. Once the block is sewn together, you cut it down the center vertically and horizontally, which gives you four equal pieces. Normally, you would take opposing corners, rotate them, and sew the block back together to create that familiar disappearing nine patch look. We have done that style in other videos, so this time we are adding a twist.
Before rearranging anything, I want to cut each of the four pieces on an angle. That slanted cut is what opens up new design possibilities and gives the block its unique movement. I considered using my rotating Fiskars mat for the cut, but since this block finishes at about 12 1/2 inches and the mat is only 13 inches, I didn’t want to risk nicking the corners. So I cut it the old-fashioned way and lined everything up carefully before slicing each piece at a matching angle. Once those slants are in place, the fun really begins.
With the angled pieces, you can start playing with layout options right away. Looking at the sample block, I knew I wanted two concentric squares in the design, a smaller square inside a larger one. I arranged the pieces to create those shapes, then paid attention to the smaller squares that run diagonally through the block. Rotating the pieces so those little squares flow in a continuous diagonal makes a big difference. The first time I tried it, I arranged the small squares differently and ended up with too much white running through the center. It didn’t feel balanced to me. Once I shifted the layout so the smaller squares traveled across the entire block, the whole design came alive.
Contrast is really important in this block. The version I love most uses crisp white against vibrant prints, and that strong difference is what makes the shapes pop. I even tested a second idea by replacing the white with a printed fabric, thinking it might add interest. For me, it didn’t work. The design lost its clarity and the pattern felt muddy. The white background is what gives the slanted pieces definition and makes the whole block sparkle.
To assemble it, stitch the slanted pieces back into four small squares first. Then join those squares into two rows, and finally sew the rows together, just like you would with any quilt block. The finished result is a 12 1/2 inch square Disappearing Nine Patch with a Slant. It’s easy to make, fun to experiment with, and gives you a fresh take on a classic technique. I hope you try this one and have as much fun with it as I did. Follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and as always, happy sewing.
