The block’s nine-patch center requires a bit different assembly method than we’ve used in our other Bento Box patterns, and it has more levels of strips (in different widths) surrounding the center. Not sure how to print the patterns? Learn the best method. Finished block size: 15" x 15" Finished quilt size: 60" x 75" (without borders) The quilt blocks are strip pieced.
Fabrics for the Nine Patch Bento Box Quilt
The quilt can be scrappy but do try to choose fabrics of similar color value (contrast) within each fabric designation. Label your fabrics. Photos of the block begin on page 2 and you can see the entire block on the last page of the pattern. Fabric descriptions match the block, not the quilt pictured above. Fabric 1
A dark fabric—pictured is a black print1-3/4 yards
Fabric 2
A fabric that’s lighter than Fabric 1—pictured is a yellowish paisley (or a warm fabric, as long as there’s good contrast between it and Fabric 1)1 yard
Fabric 3
A fabric that’s darker than Fabric 2, but lighter than Fabric 1—pictured is a grayish print1-1/8 yard
Fabric 4
A warm color (such as magenta, red, orange, yellow, gold) that ‘pops’ a bit, but contrasts with Fabric 1—pictured is a reddish batik1-1/4 yard
Fabric 5
A light neutral that contrasts with all other fabrics—pictured is an ivory paisley print2-1/4 yards
Tutorials
Color Wheel Simplified How to Choose Quilting Fabrics
Make Nine Patch Centers for the Bento Box Quilt Blocks
Cut the following fabrics to make 20 nine patch centers for the quilt blocks. Fabric 1:
(5) 2-1/2" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage(1) 2-1/2" x 17" strips(2) 2-1/2" x 26" strips
Fabric 4:
(4) 2-1/2" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage(2) 2-1/2" x 17" strips(1) 2-1/2" x 26" strip
Tutorials for Beginning Quilters
How to Rotary Cut Long Strips of fabric Press to set seams before pressing allowances to one side Pressing for accuracy Square up every strip set before cutting segments
Sew the A Strip Sets
Sew the B Strip Sets
If your strip sets did not produce enough segments, sew shorter strip sets from remaining yardage and cut more segments as needed. Do the same if necessary for any of the remaining steps.
Make the Nine Patch Quilt Blocks
Make C Strip Sets and Add Segments to the Nine Patch
Cutting
Fabric 3:
(2) 3-1/2" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage(1) 3-1/2" x 29" strip
Fabric 5:
(2) 3-1/2" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage(1) 3-1/2" x 29" strip
Sewing
Scrap Quilters: You might prefer to arrange all segments for blocks on a large design wall to create more layout flexibility before sewing anything together.
Make D Strip Sets and Finish the First Bento Box Round
Cutting
Fabric 3:
(2) 5-1/2" strips cut from selvage to selvage(1) 5-1/2" x 29" strip
Fabric 5:
(2) 5-1/2" strips cut from selvage to selvage(1) 5-1/2" x 29" strip
Sewing
Make E Strip Sets and Sew More Segments to the Quilt Block
Cutting
Fabric 2
(1) 5-1/2" wide strip cut from selvage to selvage(1) 5-1/2" x 25" strip
Fabric 4
(1) 5-1/2" wide strip cut from selvage to selvage(1) 5-1/2" x 25" strip
Sewing
Make F Segments for the Nine Patch Bento Box Quilt Block
Cutting
Fabric 2:
(1) 6-1/2" strip cut from selvage to selvage(1) 6-1/2" x 25" strip
Fabric 4:
(1) 6-1/2" strip cut from selvage to selvage(1) 6-1/2" x 25" strip
Sewing
Finish Sewing the Nine Patch Bento Box Quilt Blocks
G and H strip sets for the quilt blocks look very much alike, but the strips used to make H units are wider. Only one strip set is illustrated.
Cutting for G Strip Sets
Fabric 1:
(2) 6-1/2" strips cut from selvage to selvage
Fabric 5:
(2) 6-1/2" strips cut from selvage to selvage
Sew G Strip Sets
Cutting for H Strip Sets
Fabric 1:
(2) 8" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage
Fabric 5:
(2) 8" wide strips cut from selvage to selvage
One More Set of Segments
That’s it! The blocks can be sewn side-by-side after arranging them into five rows of four blocks each, but your quilt can differ. You might want to add borders, place the blocks on-point, or split the blocks and make two smaller quilts.
Finishing up Tutorials
How to Make Quilt Backing Make Doublefold Binding for Quilts Sew Easy Mitered Binding to a Quilt
