If a D9P starts with 5" squares, the finished block size is 6 1/2" - I'm pretty sure of that. But if using 3 fabrics, don't you need an even number of blocks wide/long? AND what is the finished size of the block if starting with 4" squares? I'm bambuzzeled by this.

If a D9P starts with 5" squares, the finished block size is NOT 6.5". The beginning 9 patch would equal 13.5" finished and by cutting that into quarters you lose an inch so 12.5" finished.

If you start with 4" squares, your 9 patch would be 10.5" inches and again, you lose an inch when cutting it into quarters for the D9P so it would finish at 9.5"

If you use 3 fabrics, most people put the 3rd one in the center--a dark or high contrast that will get cut very small and then your D9P will appear to have chains or steps all over.

Thanks BKrenning - I'm cutting 5" squares now and with your explanation I now know how many I should cut. Great explanation. :-D :-D

I agree with you - the finished block size is 6.5 inches when you start with 5 inch squares. 5 inch blocks when first stitched 3x3 give you a "finished" block size of 13.5 inches, i.e. you still have the 1/4 inch turning all round the edge in addition to the 13.5 inches. Cutting that block in 4 pieces to use again means you then use a quarter inch on each of the cut sides for seam allowance, hence the finished measurement of 6.5 inches.

Using 4 inch pieces you finally have a finished block size of 5 inches.

There is a way to work it out - the finished block size will one and a half times the original squares size, less one inch.

Someone posted this last week. Take the cut size of each block times 3 minus 2". Ex: 3 1/2 X 3= 10.5- 2"=8.5 unfinished block size. Now that makes it easy to figure out any block size you would ever want.

UGG I started one yesterday using 3 inch squares thats alot of small pieces when a block is finished, I wont do that again...

I am just finshing one that I used 3 in squares. I did 90 blocks, it took me forever. Never again will I make them that small. Daughter changed the size after I starting cutting. So I inserted sashing with corner stones to make it fit a double bed for the grandson. Hope to have the boarder done today.

My quilt is now going to become a bed runner, I would be forever doing a larger one.

i agree, great explanation

There is a very good example on here in the tutorials...it shows each step of the way...
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-40144-1.htm