Nine Patch Guru's advise needed

[Chrissy1]

I fell in love with a quilt pattern tonight that I actually got to see the quilt. I have done 9 patch before (not well but have done them) with El's method. This pattern calls for cutting 3 x 42 inch strips and then cutting them into 180 squares 3x3. Seeing as the blocks all come out with 5 darks and 4 lights, can't I use El's method instead of cutting all those tiny squares? Now that I think about it, maybe that wouldn't work as all the squares need to be 5 darks 4 lights. Hum, now I have totally confused myself. HELP please

[SharonG/FL]

Unless you're doing scrappy....don't cut those strips into squares! Sew dark, light, dark strip together....sew light, dark, light strip together....now you can cut and you have the 9-patch almost done. What size block are you supposed to end up with?

edited to add no way am I a guru!

[knitnoid]

You've tripped across why I tend to read through my pattern first. I have my favorite method of making various units and it may require more or less fabric than what the pattern suggests. And there's nothing more frustrating than realizing you could have done a project another way if you had just known before you started cutting.

[SharonG/FL]

I'm with you, knitnoid. One reason why I don't like doing mystery quilts.

[DeniAZ]

(I'm loving the math!)

If I'm reading your post correctly = 180 3-inch squares, arranged into 9 patches = 20 9-patches

Since I make mistakes, and fabric isn't always 42" wide... (If you have the extra fabric):
Cut 10 dark strips width of fabric,
Cut 8 light strips width of fabric

Sew dk-lt-dk (4 times); Sew lt-dk-lt (2 times)
Cut crosswise 3"squares, sew into 9-patch

If your fabric really is 42", Your sewing and cutting are precise, and all the stars align, you will make 26 9-patches (just a few extra) If your fabric is a little narrower, or if mistakes are made, you will get your 20 9-patches with maybe just a little left over.

[knitnoid]

Sharon -- surprisingly mystery quilts generally don't bother me. I've done several quilts which used new to me techniques that I've used latter when my tried and true technique wouldn't work.