9 Patch Wonder Block Potholders Tutorial per your request
 

Per your request, here is my tutorial on the 9 Patch Wonder Block Potholders or Quilt Blocks. Since I haven't figured out how to label my pictures I will try to describe each picture in this section then all the pictures will follow. I really miss the old board's format. I actually knew how to post a picture and them write under it back then.

P.S. Okay, the first picture to show up is the back of the finished potholders. I don't know why that one appeared first when it was posted last, but that is not picture 1. Picture 1 is labeled 1.

Step 1 - Picture 1
Make a nine patch block out of 4" squares. You will need 4 patches of fabric A, 4 patches of fabric B, and 1 patch of your accent C fabric. Arrange blocks like in the picture with your accent C fabric patch in the center, fabric B in the corners and fabric A around the accent patch.

Three fat quarters should yield four potholders and you change the fabric from A to B, then C, and change the accent C fabric to A or B for each new potholder you make. Each of your four potholders with have the same fabrics but in different locations on the 9 patch block so they will all be a little different.

My red, black and white potholders look a bit more complex because I cut my 4" square out of 2 1/2"strips which had been joined, so that added more fabrics and made it look like I pieced together more blocks. But, really I was just using trimmings from a quilt I had made.

Step 2 - Picture 2
Fold this nine patch block in half with right sides together and sew the two short sides with 1/4" seams.

Step 3 - Picture 3
Now open it up and match the two side seams. Pin the long diagonal center seam leaving a 3" opening near one end. See Step 4/Picture 4 for details.

Step 4 - Picture 4
Be sure you don't leave the opening at the very end, but stitch about 3/4" in (which will later create a corner), then leave the 3" opening and then continue sewing across, all using a 1/4" seam. The 3" opening will be used to turn it right side out along with the Insul-Bright batting,when it is time in Step 7.) Flatten the block out. The side with this seam and the 3" opening is the back of the potholder/quilt block turned inside out.

Step 5 - Picture 5
Since you will end up with a potholder/quilt block 7 1/4" square, cut two pieces of Insul-Bright batting 7 1/4" square. I stitched these two pieces of Insul-Bright batting together all the way around the square with 1/2" seams. This will help keep them together. They seem to want to slide around so that is why I used the 1/2" seams.

Step 6 - Picture 6
Place the double layered Insul-Bright square on the table and the front side of the potholder down on top of the Insul-Bright. Remember the potholder is still wrong side out. (I tried spraying the Insul-Bright with 504 spray and then placing the potholder on it, but they do not stay stuck to each other through out all of the turning inside out, so I just skipped the spray on my last potholders.)

Step 7 - Picture 7
Now, turn the whole potholder inside out along with the Insul-Bright batting. It is a bit of a struggle turning inside out with the Insul-Bright batting through that 3" opening, but it does turn inside out and will flatten out nicely. Remember to use a tool of sort to point out the corners because once you stitch the 3" opening up it will be too late. Press and pin the 3" opening shut.

Step 8 - Picture 8
Hand stitch the 3" opening shut as I did in my first completed potholders and you are finished.

When making a quilt instead of potholders, you would use regular batting instead of Insul-Bright. Then after making several of these quilted blocks, butt them up to each other and join the blocks together with a zig-zag stitch or any other decorative stitch that would join the blocks. You can then quilt the blocks to keep the batting in place by running a diagonal line from corner to corner and block to block. This would also help join the blocks together too.

I'm a teacher by trade, but this is my first tutorial to post. I hope I covered everything and that the pictures help. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them and I will answer or help clear things up.

Thanks!!! I was pretty sure that is what you had done, but nice to have it confirmed. Thanks again!!!

Thanks so much for the tute! I love it and will give it a try.

interesting technique. i will give it a try. also, i wonder if you use a small safety pin to pin the insulbrite to the material to hold the layers together if that would help keep them together better when turning.. you remove the safety pin thru the 3" opening once the project is turned. just a thought.

posting text to go with each tute pic
 

to post text under/above each picture you would need to hit your return key to put space between your pics and include your text and hit the return key for the next pic and text. see example below. i hope this makes sense.

the first example is to include the text before the pic:

samson my sewing buddy
[ATTACH=CONFIG]303903[/ATTACH]


samson likes to bat my scissors or bobbins off the table and around the floor
[ATTACH=CONFIG]303903[/ATTACH]

if you want your text underneath your pics then post your pic first and hit the return key to be underneath pic and post your text:


[ATTACH=CONFIG]303903[/ATTACH]
he is such a great helper he finds anything i happen to drop on the floor to test its edibility


[ATTACH=CONFIG]303903[/ATTACH]
if i dont drop much for him to eat or play with he knocks it off my sewing table. i gotta love him.:)

Thank you for the tutorial! They look like fun to make. I'll definitely give them a try.

Thanks for the tutorial. Great way to use scraps.

Thank you - great instructions for us beginners - love this. Now, I know what my non-quilting friends are getting for Christmas next year.

Thanks for the tute!

Thank you for sharing your tutorial.......it was very easy to follow!

Thank you for the directions! :)

Very interesting and I really love them! Is the Magic 9 patch block pattern copyrighted? This is something that I could make and sell, but I don't want to do it if w/o permission.

Thank you.

Thanks for the posting tip......good info:)

Your tutorial is very good. I have done a sample block using this method but never thought to make it a potholder! Great idea and would make wonderful gifts.

Thank you for the excellent tutorial! I'll be making some of these soon :thumbup:

Oh! I've Got to try this! Thanks for the Tute!:thumbup:

Thank you for taking the time and effort to show us how it's done. I think these are great.

Great tutorial - I'll be saving it and putting it to good use - thanks!

I have no idea if it is copyrighted. It is called the 9 Patch Wonder Block. We just had a tutorial on them at our quilting guild this month.

Probably would work just so the pin doesn't open when you are turning. I didn't have much trouble turning them. The Insul-Bright is firm so that helps.

Thanks for the info. I will have to give it a try, I just can't picture how I can hit return under the picture, since we download the pictures in the box below. I'll just have to give it a try. The old site as so much easier.

I made a quick one just to show my friends. I used 1layer insulbrite and one Warm and Natural. It's similar to the crocheted magic potholder so once I saw the pictures, it made perfect sense. Thanks for the tutorial,it was nicely done.

Oh, I wondered how they made those crocheted potholders, now I know. That is cool. Do you put batting in the crocheted ones?

Samson is a naughty cat, but he sure is cute!!!! Run, Samson, Run.

dang...thoroughly confused...sigh...will have to try and write it down and print it off so I can play...

Thank you! We will be trying this!

Darren

Great tute! Thanks

Great idea.... thanks!

I didn't, but I don't see why a layer of insulbrite couldn't be added. I just learned how to make them so I've only made one so far. The first one had to be un- crocheted as itnwas only 4" square. Next one I added a dozen more chain stitches at the beginning. They are super easy.

FANTASTIC!!! Thanks so much for this - looks like lots of fun. Between these potholders and the neat casserole carrier we have some great little projects to do.
Pat

Thanks for the tutorial....

That is unbelievable. I just love it. Thank you.

Thanks for the tute!! Now I'll try making a few!

Thank you so much for the tute. love it

Great Tutorial and info re photos. Thank you both for sharing.

Thanks so much for sharing! I love these. Can't wait to try it!

Would it be smart to just tack down with machine so insul bright does not shift during wash time? Then you could stitch the other corner so is "quilted"?

Great tutorial.......... hope to see more from you.

I got some for a gift from a colleague at school and she wouldn't tell me how to make them, because she knew I would make my own and that was her standard Christmas gift. LOL