Good topic. You have to learn to walk before you can run is so true. So many of us want to make all the beautiful complicated patterns that we forget to learn the basics and become frustrated when the parts don't fit together. I started teaching my 3 DGD to sew and they get bored with the simple things and want to make more complicated things like purses that they can use. They seem to think that after one pillowcase they are ready to tackle anything!!!
Sue

I made my first quilt in 1978 and many since then. I teach quilting and we use the single Irish chain for the class. It is easy enough to teach accurate cutting, sewing 14" seams, pressing, and matching seams. That quilt has a nine patch and a plain block. I'm actually starting a single Irish chain today with Seminole borders. It's a quick quilt to make when you need one right away.

LOL!!!!

I'm a beginner, and I want to make a GFG but am already seeing mistakes that I will make. So for now I'm working on a bunch of quilts because I get bored with one easily so I have something to switch to, but each of them are easy patterns, and I'm already finding that I'm having a hard time with my rail fence seams lining up! No way I'm trying a GFG or CW yet which I would like to make one day!

I've made a 9-patch.......then I whacked it up (before sewing the blocks to the sashing) and made a disappearing 9-patch quilt!!! Hey, maybe that's what's happened....they disappeared! LOL

How funny - I have been quilting for two years. Tried a bunch of harder stuff, and just this week made my first D9P for a baby quilt I need FAST. Sheez... I loved doing that simple pattern, and I think it came out really cute. Most of my quilt tops take me weeks and weeks. This one took a DAY. I am a convert to simple and easy when the need arises!

My first blocks were half square triangles using a grid.
Made alot of wonky ones that way.
It is the mose useful block of all, so many ways to combine them.
I love 9 patches for baby quilts.

I still do the 9P. I am trying to use up some of my stash. If I don't use it up my husband will probably have a big bonfire if I die first. LOL

I still like it. :)

I still love the very traditional patterns, but add newer [looking] fabrics to add interest.

The Irish Chain has a 9 patch. That was my second quilt

I've not done the 9 patch yet. My first quilt was Night & Day. I had been sewing for over 30 years but had never pieced quilts so 1/4" seams weren't a problem. After I complete the memory quilt I am currently working on - I'm going to do the 9 patch

Me too!

Did a 9 patch when I was 9 and still have it. Did it the old fashioned way, scissors, and needless to say, not the prettiest but I Did It?

I don't like regular piecing enough to do the basics, like 4 patch and 9 patch. I might like the rail fence, but haven't tried it yet. I hated not have the seams match up, etc. I made a quilt from QFK and 2of their kits. Hated every minute of it. So I tried paper piecing and fell in love. Plus I must have a short attention span because I can't see myself doing a block over and over. So, I'm working on paper
piecing and doing samplers. I belong to a few BOM that require me to do some pieced blocks, but they are a trial for all the reasons mentioned above.

By the way never, never try to type with an active toddler on your lap. It takes twice as long 'cause the little darling keeps trying to help me...lol.

I still us the 9 patch and 4 patch a lot in my designs.

It's alive and well in my house. I use them in repro quilts

Haha, I tried to quilt with my busy 17-month-old on my lap yesterday. That doesn't work, either! : )

My mother was a great seamstress for years (still is), so when she decided to make her first quilt it was not the 9 patch. It was the Lone Star, cut out with scissors and a cardboard pattern. She made 3 of them in different colors
out of poly cotton fabric. Her points came together perfect and I have one that looks as good as when she first made it, in the very early 70's. I asked her one time why she chose that pattern for her first quilts. Her answer--it is my favorite quilt pattern and no one told me that it was hard to do so just jumped in and did it. She has made many quilts since those early days and still makes the Lone Star, one piece at a time.
Brenda

I'm going to get my kids started on a quilt the next time we have some rainy days- it'll be a scrappy 4-patch.

The 9 patch was my first job!
But I have one who instructed me ... I go to where I see something I like ... and always choose the hardest! LOL!
Better not show them what I try soon! Hahaha!

I started with a book and made a bow tie quilt. It was easy and I was hooked! After 9 years I am still learning more every day. I suspect that is why I love it so much..it is never boring!

My beginning quilting classes do 9 patch and snowball in first class. Putting together in different ways gives them room to be creative, and they learn the importance of 1/4 seams and good cutting practices. Second class is sandwich, quilt and bind the small project (9 blocks). A finished project in 2 classes - seems to satisfy the 'I want it now' people!

The 9P has evolved along with everything else. It is, however, the DNA of all quilting......It was here BC (before computers) and I hope will always remain in the back waiting to shine again

Funny you should ask ...!

I have just spent over a week, several hours each day, cutting BOXES of scraps into strips for 9-patch quilts (in addition cutting squares and strips for other scrap quilts).

I have also just started HANNAH'S RAINBOW, a Lehmann Quilting pattern available online. I'll be making it larger, closer to a square shape, to fit our queen sized bed, and use the leftover 9P's for shams. I've attached a photo of the pattern.

I started teaching quilt classes last fall. The first class I have my girls do is the 9 block. So far the girls have done very well. I wanted to have them move on to the log cabin after the 9 block. But some of my girls are not ready for the log cabin. So I have taken the 9 block and made it a little different. I think my girls will love this quilt. So the 9 block is alive and well.

I have found the scrappy nine patch set on point a beautiful quilt to make when trying to "sew up the stash". I made one recently for a full size bed with various beige and neutral sashings and a deep red border and it is great. I have been piecing for 25 years so am not new to the art. I do not hand quilt but send them out.

I cut my left overs of pretty fabrics in 2 and a half inch strips and use the Quilt in a Day method to make bright blocks until there are plenty for a quilt. I make the strips with the end of all fabrics and make lots of these for my great grandchildren's bed. It is peaceful non waste of my time and enjoyed by others.

My first quilt was a nine patch about 30 yrs ago, it's still a favorite to this day. It is very versatile, and always nice looking.

The 9 patch is still one of my favorites and I've been quilting 15 years. :thumbup:

Both of my sons learned to sew with a simple 9 patch. On the other, I started with a mariners compass center peices with paper pieced light houses and 3 inch sqaure multi-masted sailing ships. Nothing like jumping in feet first.

Maybe it's instant gratification that is wanted.

I will be doing a signature quilt with a nine patch and a snow ball block. I like the nine patch, I just dont do many of them.

Funny you should bring that up now. I'm planning a 9patch with double 9 patch blocks, turned on point. I'm thinking of making it in 1930's prints for my queen size guest bed.

Started with fence rail and nine patch

Just finished a 9patch I called Musical Squares!! It's still an old favorite here!

LOL

I love 9-Patches. My first quilt was an Advanced 9-Patch since my Grandmother gave me some blocks. To make a full size quilt, I had to make additional blocks and then figure out the orange peel piece to set them together. I have made a 9-piece shuffle and have finished the blocks for a second one and am currently working on a Disappearing 9-Patch. A Churn Dash is in the planning stage. So the 9-Patch is alive and well at my house.

I started with quilted placemats in Calif with MaryEllen Hopkins.

I just recently sewed a whole bunch of them and it was so relaxing.

I just found the 'first quilts' post with a NYB quilt in there, that I am assuming is what sparked this post.

I started with a moderately easy, but not 9-patch-simple block, it's a variation on a woven ribbons, I suppose. I still don't do things like NYB's, but I want to someday!

I think the big thing to remember is that just because a person is a new quilter, doesn't necessarily mean they are not an accomplished seamstress/tailor. Yes, garment making is very different from quilt making, but if a person is already able to make complicated multi-piece garments, there's no reason why they couldn't start with a more complicated quilt pattern, if they feel up to it.

I've been sewing since I was 7, almost 30 years now, but only quilting for 11. I started because I worked at a fabric store & would help quilters with their purchases: cutting, helping them with their color palettes, things like that. I thought that I might enjoy creating one of these beauties myself, so bought a book & some fabric, and haven't looked back since. :-)