Three by Three Quilt Block Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.Have you ever wanted to make a simple 9 patch quilt block using the three by three block? Many times this is called the Rail Fence block and it is super easy to make!
Lately, there have been a lot of quilters signing up for my newsletter who consider themselves beginner quilters so I thought I would share another easy to make quilt block called the Three by Three.
It is a variation of the 9 patch block and goes by many, many names including Rail Fence. This is what it is called in Electric Quilt 8 which is a program I have used for years to help me design quilt patterns.
Are you trying to practice your ¼” seam allowance?
Try making these blocks. This design can also be made by cutting strips of fabric the width of the fabric but stitching small pieces will make it easier for you to control your ¼” seam allowance.
Three by Three Quilt Block Tutorial
This is a perfect quilt block to make using quilt fabrics you already have in your stash or make it scrappy! I am using some of my Island Batik fabrics that I have received over the years as an Island Batik Ambassador. In just a couple days the list of 2019 Island Batik Ambassadors will be shared (I did make the list)!
I try and save hoard every little scrap. Most of the pieces are smaller than a fat quarter but they always come in handy for quilt projects.
I sure hope I’ll have room in my “temporary quilt room” for these!
Every time I show how I store my batiks, someone wants to know where I bought them. These are from IKEA – theAlgot storage system, right now I don’t see them anymore on their website.
IKEA seems to change their links all the time but I just looked it up and got the link for you. I am not an affiliate for them….. I just love their products! I sure wish we had one closer to us.
I have seen this same type of system with baskets that aren’t as big on Pinterest but have no idea where to buy them. If you find out please let me know.
Okay, back to the Three by Three 9 patch block!
18½” x 18½” block
Use Three coordinating colors of fabrics
I am using scraps, fat quarters will work or you can cut two 2½” strips the width of your fabric.
Cut the fabric for your block
Cut the following pieces of fabrics.
- Dark Pink – cut nine – 2½” x 6½” rectangles
- Medium Pink – cut nine – 2½” x 6½” rectangles
- Pink – cut nine – 2½” x 6½” rectangles
Using a bundle of coordinating fabrics makes it easy to make your quilt.
Sew the rectangles together
Use a ¼” seam allowance and press your seams toward the darker fabric.
- There are nine sections to the block and you will use one of each color.
- Sew the strips together following the diagrams.
Make nine sections – each section will measure 6½” x 6½” square.
Layout the blocks
Arrange the sections as shown below.
Sew the rows together.
Congratulations! You now have a Three by Three quilt block that measures 18½ inches.
What do you think I’ll make with it? Hopefully, I’ll share that soon! You can find some great deals on fabric that would work for this block here.
I thought I’d share a little peek at the way I took the photos of the block. This is the ladder I used in my quilt photography post. I have a piece of car siding that Builder Bob cut down to a manageable size for me.
Update: I also have two quilt projects that I made with this block:
- Teal Applique Flower String block tutorial
- Rainbow Teal Block
- Crossroads quilt block
- Hidden Well quilt block tutorial
Great deals for you!
Looking for great buys on fabric and things? Check out these links
- Missouri Star Quilt Co.
- AccuQuilt Deals
- Fat Quarter Shop Daily Deals
- Connecting Threads
- Green Fairy Quilts – Daily Deals
- The Quilt Keeper
- SewingMachinesPlus
- My Amazon Store for all the quilting things I use and more
About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
Be sure and subscribe to my newsletter for more free tutorials and printables.
Very sweet and pretty. As always, the colors are delicious. You have a wonderfully talented eye for colors!!! Thanks for sharing.
Hello Connie, I love the 3 dark, medium, light pink batik combination of the blocks and like the 3 x 4 table topper the best. That is a great table topper for Valentines Day. I have a couple of questions. In your sewing room, I love your Ikea Algot fabric storage system with the baskets that also form work surfaces. So Ikea doesn’t carry them anymore? I didn’t see the link you mentioned. Also I couldn’t help wondering what the green/white items and also the boxes that you have stored in the shelving units on the wall are. And I love your color wheel. Is that a poster? Where did you buy it?
Hi Jane, I don’t believe the Ikea shelves are available anymore sorry. The green/white boxes are my AccuQuilt dies. Do a search on Google for the color wheel poster, I bought mine from C & T publishing and it was made by Joan Wolfrom but I don’t see it online anywhere.
Such a lovely design and simple to make. I’m working on the split rail fence quilt – full size, so this will be another project to add to my long list.
I’m choosing projects to make using a lucky dip 6 at a time. Name on card – cards in container, pick one and make it … and so on.
So great to hear Rusty had some time in your studio. I never stop enjoying reading about the adventures of Mr Mickey and Rusty.
Thanks, Connie, for bringing joy to so many patchworkers with the antics of these two previous pups.
Hi, could this be made with a layer cake cut into 2 1/2 by 10 strips and then sew together to make a bigger block?
Thank you for any info.
This is such a fun pattern! Thanks! From some ways it looks like stairs and I made one with a couple of kitten appliques playing – looks like they are chasing each other on the stairs! Thanks for the update on Rusty! These 2 are real charmers!
I tried this block times for in red white and blue for a baby quilt. OMG I have no idea what I did. It came out with a giant swastika in the center. I picked it apart and tried again and there it was again only different color order. So I put it in the scrap bag took three blues and a white with silver dots(probably Christmas fabric) and started over this time I used the hidden wells block. I put a wide boarder on it and quilted it…thinking I am finished with that gift. Well my son saw the finished quilt and held it up and then folded it neatly and found a giant plastic storage bag and sealed it away…mom, that’s not leaving the house they won’t use it well any way. So I started over with different red, white and blue and finished the baby quilt. I made nine very different blocks with no swastikas and no two alike. It was very pretty and I gave it away before anyone saw it and I have no pictures. Thank you for sharing such easy to follow instructions for some very beautiful blocks. When left to my own, I design blocks which are too complicated and I rarely finish the project. Thanks to you I have two finished baby quilts and one all ready to finish when I can get ride of the unwanted motif…perhaps cut the blocks and reassemble them with a completely new pattern.
Best regards Susan
I love the colors! Do you have a picture of the finished quilt? I am looking for a design for my sisters quilt and this may be the one!
Thank you for the quick and easy but pretty tutorial. Also thank you for the regular cut tutorial.
Stay warm and safe
3 by 3 Block is a good addition to my To Do List………………………!
Hi Connie!
If you are working from srips, is there a reason not to sew the full strips and subcut them to size? The colour placement does not change….
Thank you
I have made this quilt several times under the name “Split rail fence” and yes, the three long stops were sewn together and then cut to length. Seems a much easier and more efficient method.
easy, quick quilt but so pretty. made me think of spring, which was nice because its’s snowing. thank you
Hello Connie, These are the prettiest fabrics you have chosen for this project! I have been looking at so many blocks similar to this and have considered creating a baby quilt using this pattern. Yet, I have far to many UFO’s to complete first. LOL. I am excited to see what you do with this block and see the finished project, you always have so many great ideas! Thank you for sharing and have a fantastic day!
My favorite fabric color!! and what a simple pattern! 🙂 Love your storage and space. I don’t have a large space nor as much “scraps” so i am using large Ziploc bags for scraps-sorted by color, and fat quarters i keep in plastic shoe boxes by color and yardage is folded. I have only been to an Ikea store once-when I was deployed in Kuwait!. But know a lot of people shop there! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.