D9P with pictures - direction on 9-patch block?
 

OK, let's see if I can explain this clearly. My spatial skills are poor and I'm in a muddle. I'm planning a disappearing 9 patch baby quilt on which I'd like alternate squares to feature pictures - I've got some great fabric with pictures of cars, trains, planes etc. I've just made 2 test 9-patch blocks, one using the pictures, one with the fabric I plan to use in the alternate squares. Then I realised that when I cut the blocks into 4 and arranged them into the D9P pattern, not all the pictures can be the right way up. I can't for the life of me work out how to correct this. I THINK I have to put two of the pictures sideways facing to the right in the 9-patch block in order to get them in the right direction on the quilt. Is this correct? Or do I do the 9-patch blocks with 2 picture squares and 2 with the other fabric? And if so, how do I place the two fabrics? (The pattern on the non-picture one dosn't run in one direction).
I've stared at this for so long that I can't see it straight any more, so would appreciate some help!

When I want to sort something like this out ... I use pen and paper.
Draw it out on your paper, use arrows for directions and crayons/highliters to know where the colours will land.

If you know which way you want to have them end up, start with that placement, then move them back into the position of the original 9P

Create your 9 patch with the picture fabric in the corners all facing the same direction.
After cutting the 9 patch into 4 parts, DON'T spin the opposite corners around to make the d9p design.
Instead, switch the upper right corner part with the lower left corner part. You will have the d9p design, and all the pictures will be in the same direction. Good luck. Ann

Krafty14 is correct. Just swap opposite corners without spinning them around. I'll try to attach a pic of one that I did.

Check out this link...it shows how to lay out a D9p using directional fabrics.
http://obsessivelystitching.blogspot...ring-nine.html

Or what you can do is have the top right and bottom left pictures upside down when you make the 9 patch (and the other 2 right side up). Then when you flip the block around, they'll all be rightside up. But I think the suggestion by krafty and katier is much simpler :)

Here's the tutorial I was looking for: http://blocksnswaps.blogspot.com/200...g-9-patch.html

I have one I want to make that is directional how I can when done will post...thanks:thumbup:

Great helps - just made notes. Thanks for all the suggestions. Teresa

Thankyou both - just what I needed to know. Katier825 - your quilt was my inspiration when I saw it in the gallery section, so really good to hear from you! It's absolutely beautiful -I love the colours and the animal print fabrics.

Great link - thankyou very much. I'll keep this.

Right, with all your help I think I've figured this out now. The best way to make the 9-patch is to use the picture fabrics top left and bottom right and the other non-directional fabric top right and bottom left. Then doing the swap described above gives me the D9P block with the pictures the right way up. I was trying to do a 9-patch using 4 pictures, then another one using 4 squares of the second fabric, which won't work unless I change the direction of some of the pictures.
Thankyou - I knew I'd get my answers on here!

Make your 9 patch with all the pictures/fussy cuts facing the same way. When you cut your 9patch into four sections, DON'T rotate the top left and bottom right sections - SWITCH THEM. You get the exact same block as you'd have if you rotate the top left and bottom right sections, but all block sections remain (as they say in the airline industry) in the fixed and upright position.

Tried to upload graph in original post but wouldn't allow it. So, here it is. Switch versus Rotate

[ATTACH=CONFIG]325633[/ATTACH]

Check the tutorials on here, someone had a tutorial on here about how to make a D9P using directional fabrics.

The first time I did pictures I went through the same thing and then did exactly what you explained-just a switch.

I agree, great helps...I have a lot of kids fabrics this will work with.

Good luck with your quilt it will be beautiful

This had great information on D9P blocks. Thanks for the help; it will come in handy.

This is great... love the idea of the pics and your quilt is awesome

Katier825

What size are your orig squares for the 9 patch? I was thinking of buying a 12 1/2" square die from AccuQuilt and a reviewer of the die said it was great for a D9P with large scale fabrics. Wouldn't that make a larger big block or what am I missing?

Great tutorials. Thanks for the information. I've added them to my ever-growing files.

Krafty14, thank you so much for the "shortcut"!! I'd been pondering the same thing, wanting to make a "I Spy" D9P for my grandson. Thought I was going to have to create each section of the block individually, instead of starting with the 9 patch! This board is fantastic!!!!

The squares for mine are a very unhelpful 3.25in, because that's the size of the pictures! 12.5in squares would make a huge 9-patch block, wouldn't they?
Mine's going well - have made all the blocks, and am just about to cut them up. That's when the 3.25in becomes a real pain!

Thank you!!!

Directional fabric is more difficult to deal with and thus you have to be precise where those blocks are going. Since there are four position that are in this pattern, you just have to find where each of the 4 parts of the block can be placed with being in the correct direction. Takes a bit more time. HOPE you have a design wall, you are going to need one.

Thanks to all the ladies, I have really got a handle on this D9P now :)