Nine-Patch Courthouse Steps Block

Fabrics: 

Whites:   1 each:  6 1/2’ x 1 1/2” rectangle

2 each:  3 1/2” x 2” rectangles  }   These can be the same white or 3 different white fabrics.

2 each:  6 1/2” x 2” rectangles.  }                

2 each:  9 1/2” x 2” rectangles.  }   

 

Red or 1 each 1 1/2” x 8” strip. (This 9-patch block can be  strip pieced using a white strip and a red or 

blue strip each 4 3/4” x 1 1/2.” (Instructions below.)

 

Reds or 2 each:   9 1/2” x 2” rectangles.  }   Use either all red or blues 2 each:   6 1/2” x 2” rectangles.  }    all blue. These should 2 each :  12 1/2” x 2” rectangles }   3 different fabrics.

 

Instructions:

1. Individual Squares: To piece the 9-patch, you may cut individual blocks 1 1/2” x 1 1/2”.  You will need 5 of  the red or blue and 4 of the white.  Make 2 strips each of a dark-light-dark  and one strip  of a light-dark-light combination.
   
   Strip Piece: To strip piece this block, cut the red or blue rectangle into 1each 4  3/4”  x 1 1/2”  and 3 1/4” x 1 1/2” pieces.  Cut the white 6 1/2” x 1 1/2“ rectangle into one 4 3/4” x 1 1/2” and one 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” piece.  Piece a strip set using the 4 3/4” red or blue and the 4 3/4’ white strip. Press to the darker fabric. Stitch the red or blue 3 1/4’  strip to the  white strip, matching the top edges. . Press to the darker fabric. Cut two 1 1/2” strips of  dark-light-dark from the strip set. Stitch the 1 3/4” white strip to the remaining strip of  dark and light on the dark fabric, placing it so that you  can cut a 1 1/2” light-dark-light  strip after it is sewn. Press to the darker fabric. Cut your last 1 1/2’ strip. 
   
   Sew the 3 1/2’ strip sets together into a 9-patch block with the light-dark-light strip in between the 2 dark-light-dark strips.  (I like to press the seams open because it is  easier  to quilt over the seams.)
   Printer formatted 9-patch directions with pictures
    

2. Stitch the 3 1/2” X 2” white strips to opposite sides of the 9-patch. Press the seams  toward the white strips.
   
   Sew the red or blue 6 1/2” x 2” strips to the other 2 sides of the 9-patch.Working your  way around the block, next sew the white 6 1/2” x 2” strips to the side of  the block  with the white fabric. Follow this by sewing the 9 1/2” x 2” red or blue to the  colored strip, then the 9 1/2” x 2” white strip to the white side of the block. Finish the  block by stitching the 12 1/2” x 2” colored strip to the dark 9 1/2”. Press each seam  toward the strip just stitched to the block.