Originally Posted by
ManiacQuilter2
As others have mentioned, it is very difficult to make any block that is made up of three section. Hence most 9 patch pattern will be 3", 4.5", 6", 7.5", 9" or 12" in size. It is one of the short comings of charm squares. You might go look thru charm square patterns if you don't want to waste too much of the fabric:
https://www.google.com/search?q=char...w=1024&bih=622
You can always cut a sliver off the charm squares. For example if you used 2 1/2" squares to make 4-patch blocks they will measure 4 1/2" so just cut the 5" charm down to 4 1/2 inches to match the block- rather than trying to make the block match the charm. For a 9-patch use 2" squares and if you use scant quarter inch seams it should finish to 5 inches when pressed. I always use scant quarter seams to allow for the little bit the seams take up and they should come out perfect to match the precut charms. You can use jelly roll strips for the 4-patches and trim the charms to match. Another option is that you can always cut a 9-patch down without hurting it. It then becomes known as an uneven 9-patch. It just means the center square is then a tad larger than the other 8 squares around it. However in this case you won't need to. But if you ever wanted to use layer cake squares for larger blocks, you could use 3.75" squares for the 9-patch which would come out to 10.25" then you just cut 1/8" off each side to match the 10" layer cake squares.
Another way to use up lots of charm squares is to make them into 4-patches which will measure 9 1/2" to finish to a 9" block which is a great size to use for most patterns. Mix them with hour glass blocks, etc.