OK, time for an update on the quilt top I am making for American Hero Quilts. The quilt needs to measure 63″ by 87″ and currently I am at 27″ height and 65″ width. So, I still have a ways to go.
Colors are red, white and blue with stars, stripes and dots. And some solids. The quilt block I am using is called D9P. Disappearing 9 Patch.
You start off with nine squares.
Mine are 4″ squares. You sew them together three to each row. And then cut down the center, rotate and cut down the center again. Producing four blocks.
That’s the basic way to create these D9P blocks. And then you rearrange them however it pleases you.
My design, as you can see in this next photo, has one striped fabric at top left and a different striped fabric at the bottom right.
I had a rough start. I kept sewing the stripes in the wrong direction. My seam ripper got a good workout.
To prevent more of the same, I created an aid out of cardboard. The Stripes Ruler.
Before sewing the blocks together, lay the Stripes Ruler down on top of the striped fabric confirming directionality. This one step saved me hours of redo work. And thread. It works great!! You can see how it works in these next photos.
This one would have needed the seam ripper. Had I not caught it before sewing.
After solving the “redo” problem, I moved faster getting the blocks sewn and sashing added.
I figured I need at least six strips of blocks to reach 87″ height. Crosswise, with six blocks and sashing, measures 64″. So, I am about a third finished. The balance of the sewing should go faster… Now that my mistakes are behind me.
Stay tuned. More photos coming up. Thanks for stopping by. 
You can read more about my project here….
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/sewing-one-for-the-men-and-women-our-soldiers/
Linking to…
http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/07/linky-party-tuesday-21.html
http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2012/07/09/manic-monday-linky-party-42/
Wow, great pics! Seems so easy to do. And great idea with the ruler.
Have to love that Disappearing Nine Patch—-my favorite go-to pattern. Your looks great, I like how you have broken it up into separate blocks. I have made two quilts for Quilts of Valor but had not heard of American Hero Quilts. Who do you give your pillowcases to? I used to make them for Pillows of Love..
Hi Betty Lou, thank you. Here is the link to blog post about my pillowcase project and where I am donating them.
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/making-progress-on-my-pillowcases/
I hope to have 200 of them made by end of this year. And next year, one a day, for 365. They are quick and easy to make if you don’t have to piece the fabric. Thanks for asking.
I love the disappearing 9s. I will definitely make one and have a tut from the pattern when I first saw it. Yours is so pretty. I love the fabric choices.
xx, Carol
Wow! So simple to get the blocks! It looks pretty darned cool.
Hi everyone. One more strip of six blocks finished. At least two to go. I really like how it is turning out. It is such an easy block. Thanks much for stopping by.
Betty Lou, I will leave a separate comment to answer your question.
It’s looking great! I love patriotic quilts, and I’ve been meaning to make some. And, Disappearing Nine Patch is a favorite of mine!
I love the DNP pattern, too. Your patriotic DNP is wonderful! Nice work.
Thank you, Susie. Thanks much, Jeanne.
I am working on the 5th row. I hope to have the quilt top finished later tonight or tomorrow morning.
Handy little tool you made there! Love how your quilt is turning out
Looking good girlfriend!
D9P’s are always fun to make, your quilt looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday