Nine Patch
So what is a block? A simple way to look at this is to take a plain piece of square paper. This is your block. Fold that paper in half vertically and in half again horizontally. You have created a grid of four squares within the square of paper or block. Each grid or square is called a 'patch'. Each patch can then be subdivided into squares, rectangles, triangles or other shapes.
The shapes will be sewn together to form a patch. The patches will be sewn back into their block. This block can be repeated again and again. The individual blocks are then sewn together to form the patchwork quilt.
Geometric Patchwork Grids
The most common blocks are the four and nine patch. Blocks with patterns which cannot easily be fitted into the four or nine patch grid are known as 'irregular blocks'. The pattern of patches within these blocks can still be fitted into a grid system and will be seen, for example, to form grids of five patches by five, the five patch block or seven patches by seven, the seven patch block and so on.
This type of patchwork can be pieced together by hand or machine. It differs from English patchwork in that the patches forming the blocks are not first of all basted over papers. Instead the pieces are put right sides together and attached with a running stitch.
Four Patch Block Patterns
Patterns to be found in the four patch block include the 'Pinwheel', the 'Big Dipper' and 'Crosses and Losses' and in the nine patch, ‘Friendship Star’, ‘Shoofly’ and ‘Ohio Star’. There are also more complicated patterns such as the ‘Card Trick’ which by careful use of colours can create a three dimensional effect.