Originally Posted by
GrannieAnnie
What I saw was a variation of the disappearing nine patch. A nine patch is an ideal block to begin with and an ideal block to do with chain piecing. Each row of the 9 patch can be stitched from a strip then cut into the 3 squares across. Then each 9 patch can be cut to make what you'll be using.
GrannieAnnie is right about this quilt. I am somewhat amazed that the instructions ask you to cut and piece this pattern as they do. It would be much simpler to do it the way it's usually done. In this case, each 9 patch block will have 4 white squares, one in the middle of each side. Then it will have three fabrics from the diagonal row it's on and one each from from the diagonal row before and after. For example, the orange row blocks will have one red corner and one turquoise corner. Here is a link demonstrating how to make a disappearing nine patch, which is an excellent pattern for a newbie, as well as us old-bies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clL_nz8J_vg Instead of arranging the piece the way she does in the video, you just flip two of the corners so that there are only 2 small squares in the middle. There are other instructions out there that you can google, but this one is pretty straightforward and has the light squares where you'll want to place your whites. All the squares start out the same size.
Safety is task number 1! I'm tired of seeing people type on this board about cutting themselves. Most of us had at least a close call as beginners. Never put any part of you or another person (or pet) in front of where you're pushing the cutter. It's a good idea to coat the under side of your rulers with rubber cement before you begin. They will be much more stable, and this doesn't hurt the rulers.
I'm editing this to add that the quilt has about a half a block more on the left side, so those are going to have to be pieced as the instructions show. That's extra practice cutting and piecing different sizes, I guess, but if it was my quilt, I'd probably just go ahead and make another complete row, unless there's not enough fabric to do so, or you have to have a quilt exactly the size given.
Welcome to the QB, and best wishes for your project!