Welcome to another Fat Quarter Shop “Classic and Vintage” quilt along! Today I’m going to share my experience with the Double Nine Patch Quilt pattern.

Testing the Pattern

I decided to make a test block with Zen Chic fabrics left over from my Jolly Braid Tote Bag. The instructions were clear, and I easily sewed the little nine-patch units (3.75″ square, finished). Once I assembled the entire block, I added a border and finished it as a mini quilt (18″ square).

After finishing the test block, I concluded the following:

• One double-nine-patch block plus a border works perfectly as an 18″ pillow cover.
• The simple quilting on this piece was fine since the fabrics have a lot of visual texture. However, this pattern is perfect to showcase more elaborate quilting.

Sewing a Crib-Size Quilt

The pattern includes instructions for several quilt sizes: crib, lap, twin, and queen. I chose to make the crib-sized quilt (40″ square) because I could use a single width of Christmas fabric from my stash to back it. (Note that the pattern instructions include enough yardage to piece a larger backing, which would be necessary for long-arm quilting.)

As I mentioned, I wanted to make a Christmas quilt because I had a great novelty print that I’d been saving for years. I adore the visions of Christmases past! Our home has a lot of vintage accessories, so this fits right in.

I pieced my quilt top from two fabrics rather than an assortment: ivory for the background and a green batik that mimics evergreen boughs. The quilt top will look great year-round in my northern lodge-look home.

I quilted the top almost entirely with the “orange peel” design following Lori Kennedy’s instructions in her book, Free-Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3. (She has a sequel coming soon!) Actually, I used my walking foot to quilt all the gentle curves. Let me know if you give it a try.

Considering the Possibilities

Because this quilt came together so easily, I’m already planning to use this pattern again to make quilts for my guest bedrooms. Wouldn’t this look great with plaid flannel sheets and a pile of pillows?

I also think the pattern would be fun to make in a student’s school colors with a backing fabric that reflects a special interest: sports, pets, music, favorite movies—there are so many novelty prints available. Clearly the possibilities are endless! Be sure to check out the lovely red and white kit at the Fat Quarter Shop. (Red and white is classic, and it works well for many different holidays if you like to change out your decor.)

Quilting Along

Be sure to visit the other bloggers who are “quilting along” with Kimberly Jolly at the Fat Quarter Shop. You will see how each sewist reflects her unique style.

If you’re interested in more Fat Quarter Shop quilts, check out my earlier blog posts:

• Classic and Vintage: Lady of the Lake Quilt
• Jolly Braid Tote Bag
• Jelly Roll Twist Quilt

Joyfully,

Tracie

Today I’m linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.