- Background (muslin)
- Medium (goldenrod)
Block No. 73 · nine-patch
Massachusetts Quilt Block
Part of: Nine Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksState Quilt BlocksTwo Color Quilt Blocks
Massachusetts mixes hourglass units and half-square triangles on a simple nine-patch grid, mirrored along the diagonal from the background corner to the medium corner. The result is a woven, slightly restless two-fabric block.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 3 × 3
- Pieces
- 24
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
3 × 3 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Square | 1 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 2 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 31 spare |
| Background | Quarter-square triangle | 2 | 5 1/4" square | Cut twice diagonally (4 triangles each) | 8 |
| Medium | Square | 1 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
| Medium | Half-square triangle | 2 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 31 spare |
| Medium | Quarter-square triangle | 2 | 5 1/4" square | Cut twice diagonally (4 triangles each) | 8 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Make the HSTs and square each to 4 1/2".
Step 2: Make four hourglass units from the QST triangles, pairing medium and background triangles; square each to 4 1/2".
Step 3: Lay out three rows. Turn each hourglass so it matches the diagram: medium side triangles in the top row and right column, medium top and bottom triangles in the left column and bottom row.
Step 4: Sew the rows, pressing alternate rows in opposite directions.
Step 5: Join the rows with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, matching each seam intersection. Press and check the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.