Slice and Spin 9 Patch Blocks Using EQ8

The Problem:  A bag of half square triangle units in red plus a background.

I have been in the process of doing a major declutter in my house. 

In going through my closet in my quilting room, I ran into a bag filled with half square triangle units.  They appeared to be sewn  from the backs of folded corners in a project. 

I have no idea what the original project was.  But I was heading off to a retreat and decided to play with the triangle units.

I started by trimming them to 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" (a finished size of 3").  Some of the triangles were comprised of more than one fabric - which I decided to be ok with.

Trimmed 3-1/2" Half Square Triangle Unit

I then placed them in a 3 x 3 layout -- rotating units until I found something I liked.  I then sewed the units together into five different 9 patch blocks.

9 Patch #1

9 Patch #2

9 Patch #3

9 Patch #4

9 Patch #5

I then decided I would try using the disappearing 9-patch technique - slicing each block into quarters, rotating the blocks and sewing them back together -- for new blocks.  You can see the slices on my image of the last 9 patch block above (I forgot to take a picture before the slicing)..

I rotated the units (either 90 clockwise or counter-clockwise or 180 degrees) 

​The slicing reduced the block size to 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" (finished size) or 9" x 9" (unfinished size).

Here are the slice and spin blocks.  (The last is before sewing -- can you see where we will loose part of the block in seam allowances?

Slice and Spin #1

Slice and Spin #2

Slice and Spin #3

Slice and Spin #4

Slice and Spin #5

Just for fun match each of the slice and spin blocks to the original 9 patch blocks. 

In this weeks video, I will take you through the EQ process to create the blocks.  The process will  replicate my construction process.  It will start with a 9 patch block and end with the slice and spin block.

​The plans are to create a layout featuring my new blocks.  But I will save that for another week.

​Here are the high level steps from the video:

Step 1:  Draft, color and save  the 9 patch block with half square triangles.
Step 2:  Add lines for the "slicing"
Step 3:  Rotate the lines in each quadrant (90, 180, or 270 degrees)
Step 4: Color the block, staying true to the patches before rotation in the original block. (This was the hardest part of the process.)
Step 5:  Draw 1/4 inch lines for the interior cuts that will become seam allowances.
Step 6:  Delete the lines in the seam allowances.
Step 7:  Resize the existing image to fill the worktable (or quadrant) and convert to guides.  (This is necessary as EQ rounds resize calculations to the nearest percent.)
Step 8:  Change the block size to reduce for the lost seam allowances.  (This involves reducing the size by 1/2". 
Step 9:  Trace the guidelines and color the block. 
​Step 10:  Save your slice and spin block.

If you would like to challenge yourself create your own 9 patch block with half square triangles and take it through the slice and spin process.  I would love to see your designs.

Learning EQ FB Post for Slice and Spin Blocks

Block Comparisons

I went through the slice and spin process for all five of my 9 patch blocks. 

You can see the difference between the first 9 patch, the slice and spin and the slice and spin with seam allowances removed in the quilt on the left..

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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