There is also a dwr pattern which uses nine patches laid out in rings with triangles inbetween them. The pattern is called Jack's Chain. I am in the process of making nine patches for one. The construction is all done without sewing into the seam allowances, though. I tried doing the nine patches that way on the sewing machine, and had a hard time getting my points lined up exactly, so I gave that up and am now handpiecing for the first time. I had long admired this pattern, and am putting my small scraps to good use by cutting them into 2 inch squares.