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The Tilted Nine Patch Quilt takes one of the simplest traditional quilt blocks and gives it a playful modern twist with angled Flying Geese units and rotating block placement.
Designed for strip-friendly construction, this 71-inch square quilt is demonstrated by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company. It begins with classic Nine Patch blocks made from 2½-inch strips, then surrounds them with background and Flying Geese units to create the distinctive tilted effect.
The project is especially appealing if you enjoy Jelly Roll quilts, traditional blocks with a modern layout, or scrap-friendly designs that look more complicated than their individual sewing steps.
Below you'll find an organized project overview, construction tips, layout guidance, troubleshooting advice, and direct links to the official Missouri Star tutorial and free layout PDF.
Tilted Nine Patch Quilt at a Glance
| Project | Tilted Nine Patch Quilt |
| Instructor | Jenny Doan |
| Official Source | Missouri Star Quilt Company |
| Finished Size | Approximately 71" × 71" |
| Block Layout | 6 × 6 layout — 36 blocks |
| Main Precuts | 2½" print strips + 2½" background strips |
| Main Techniques | Nine Patch, strip piecing, Flying Geese, block rotation |
| Skill Level | Beginner-friendly |
| Free Resource | Video tutorial + layout PDF |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
What Makes the Tilted Nine Patch Different?
At the center of each block is a familiar Nine Patch.
What changes the look completely is the addition of Flying Geese and background sections around that center.
Once finished blocks are rotated in different directions across the quilt, the Nine Patches appear to tilt and move rather than sit in a rigid grid.
This makes the quilt an excellent example of how a simple traditional block can become visually dynamic through setting and orientation alone.
Supplies for the 71-Inch Quilt
Missouri Star lists the following supplies for the featured quilt:
- 1 roll of 2½-inch print strips
- 1 roll of 2½-inch background strips
- 1¼ yards of border fabric
- ¾ yard of binding fabric
- 4½ yards of backing fabric
The original sample uses Blueberry Patch batik strips, but the design can work with many other Jelly Roll-style fabric collections.
Missouri Star provides the complete video tutorial and a downloadable layout PDF free on its official tutorial page. A separate full Tilted Nine-Patch pattern is also sold by Missouri Star, so this page describes the free resource accurately as a tutorial rather than a free full pattern.
Step 1: Prepare the Print Strips
Begin with the 2½-inch print strips.
Jenny demonstrates trimming away the selvage and cutting some of the strips into 2½" × 4½" rectangles.
Other print strips are joined lengthwise to create strip sets that will later be cross-cut into units for the Nine Patch centers.
Step 2: Sew the Strip Sets
Join three 2½-inch strips lengthwise using a consistent ¼-inch seam allowance.
Press the seams carefully so the strip set remains straight rather than curving or bowing.
Once the strip set is flat, cross-cut it into 2½-inch-wide segments.
Step 3: Make the Nine Patch
Choose three strip-set segments with a pleasing mix of colors and prints.
Arrange them into three rows to form a traditional Nine Patch block, then sew the rows together.
Match the seam intersections carefully and press the finished center flat.
Tips for Better Nine Patch Intersections
- Keep the same ¼-inch seam allowance through every strip set.
- Press neighboring seams in opposite directions when possible.
- Nest the intersections before sewing the rows together.
- Pin important intersections if your pieces tend to shift.
- Check the finished Nine Patch before adding the outside units.
Step 4: Prepare the Background Pieces
The background strip roll is used for both squares and rectangles.
The key sizes demonstrated in the tutorial are:
- 2½" squares
- 2½" × 4½" rectangles
These pieces create the Flying Geese and the surrounding background sections that transform the basic Nine Patch.
Step 5: Make the Flying Geese Units
Place a 2½-inch background square on one end of a 2½" × 4½" print rectangle.
Mark or finger-crease a diagonal guideline across the square and sew directly on that line.
Trim the excess fabric approximately ¼ inch beyond the seam, then press the corner open.
Repeat on the opposite end of the rectangle to form a Flying Geese unit.
Check the Flying Geese Before Trimming
Before cutting away the excess fabric, fold the corner open temporarily.
Make sure it reaches the outside edges of the rectangle.
If the corner is too short or distorted, resew it before trimming.
Step 6: Add Background Sections
Additional 2½-inch squares and 2½" × 4½" rectangles are joined to selected Flying Geese units.
These pieces create the asymmetry that eventually causes the Nine Patch center to appear tilted.
Orientation matters, so keep Jenny's layout or the official layout PDF nearby while assembling these units.
Step 7: Arrange the Tilted Block
Position the finished Nine Patch in the center and arrange the Flying Geese and background sections around it according to the official layout.
Do not sew immediately.
First check the direction of every Flying Geese point and the position of the background rectangles.
Directional units are easy to rotate accidentally. Once the block looks correct on your table or design board, take a quick photo before moving the pieces to the sewing machine.
Step 8: Sew the Block Sections Together
Join the smaller surrounding units first, then assemble them around the Nine Patch center.
Match seam intersections where possible and press each new seam before adding the next section.
Avoid pulling on the Flying Geese diagonal edges while pressing.
Step 9: Make 36 Blocks
The featured 71-inch quilt uses 36 Tilted Nine Patch blocks.
They are arranged in a 6-block × 6-block layout.
One advantage of the precut strip method is that prints can vary from block to block while the repeated construction keeps the overall quilt cohesive.
Step 10: Rotate the Blocks for Movement
This is where the design becomes especially interesting.
Instead of placing every block in the same direction, rotate groups of blocks so the angled sections interact with one another.
Jenny demonstrates several possible arrangements before showing the layout used in the sample quilt.
You can follow the official layout PDF exactly or experiment with your own block rotation before joining the rows.
Try the Layout on a Design Wall First
With 36 directional blocks, a design wall or large floor area can be very helpful.
Arrange all blocks first and look at the quilt from several feet away.
Check for:
- an accidentally reversed block,
- too many similar prints grouped together,
- uneven color distribution,
- or a rotation that interrupts the larger pattern.
Step 11: Join the Quilt Top
Sew the six blocks in each row together.
Then join the six completed rows.
Match intersections where the blocks meet and press the row seams in a way that helps reduce bulk.
Step 12: Add the Border
The featured quilt uses approximately 1¼ yards of border fabric.
The tutorial sample uses a single outside border rather than adding an additional inner border.
Measure the finished quilt center before cutting your final border strips so you can compensate for small differences introduced during piecing.
Finish the Quilt
Once the border is attached, layer the quilt top with batting and backing.
Quilt as desired, trim the edges, and finish with approximately ¾ yard of binding fabric.
Missouri Star lists approximately 4½ yards of backing for the featured 71-inch square quilt.
Fabric Ideas for a Tilted Nine Patch Quilt
Batik Strips
Batiks work especially well because their strong colors and small-scale prints keep the individual Nine Patch squares visually distinct.
Bright Scrappy Quilt
Combine strips left over from several projects and use one consistent background fabric.
Low-Volume Background
Replace a plain background with coordinated low-volume prints for a softer, more textured appearance.
Two-Color Version
Use several shades of one main color against white, cream, gray, or another contrasting background.
Rainbow Version
Sort print strips into color families and gradually move through the spectrum across the quilt.
Why This Quilt Works Well with Scraps
Although the original project is designed around precut strip rolls, many of the required pieces are only 2½ inches wide.
That makes the construction adaptable to leftover strips from other quilting projects.
Cut your scraps to a consistent 2½-inch width first, then group them by value or color before creating the strip sets.
Common Tilted Nine Patch Mistakes to Avoid
Rotating a Flying Geese Unit
Check every surrounding unit against the layout before sewing.
Using an Inconsistent Quarter-Inch Seam
Repeated small errors across the Nine Patch and surrounding units can affect the final block size.
Stretching Diagonal Edges
Handle and press Flying Geese units gently because some edges are cut on the bias.
Joining All 36 Blocks Without Checking Rotation
Lay out the entire quilt before joining the rows.
Cutting Borders Before Measuring the Quilt Center
Use the actual sewn dimensions of your quilt top rather than relying only on theoretical measurements.
Try Another Nine Patch Technique
If you enjoy transforming classic Nine Patch blocks, see our Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt Tutorial .
The Disappearing Nine Patch changes the design by cutting and rearranging a completed Nine Patch, while the Tilted Nine Patch keeps the center intact and creates movement with Flying Geese and block rotation.
Tilted Nine Patch Quilt FAQ
Who designed the Tilted Nine Patch Quilt tutorial?
The official tutorial is presented by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company.
What size is the finished quilt?
The Missouri Star sample finishes at approximately 71" × 71".
How many blocks are used?
The featured layout uses 36 blocks arranged 6 × 6.
What size precut strips are used?
The quilt is designed around 2½-inch strips.
Does the quilt use Flying Geese?
Yes. Flying Geese units are combined with background pieces around the traditional Nine Patch center to create the tilted appearance.
Is this quilt beginner-friendly?
Missouri Star classifies the tutorial as Beginner.
The individual techniques are straightforward, although careful block orientation becomes important when assembling the final layout.
Is there a free PDF pattern?
Missouri Star provides a free layout PDF with the tutorial.
The complete Tilted Nine-Patch pattern is a separate paid product, so the free resource should not be described as a full free pattern.
Can I make the quilt from scraps instead of Jelly Rolls?
Yes. Cut suitable scraps into consistent 2½-inch strips and use them in place of precut rolls.
Watch the Official Tilted Nine Patch Tutorial
Jenny Doan demonstrates the complete construction of the Nine Patch centers, Flying Geese units, tilted blocks, and final quilt layout in the official Missouri Star video.
Watch the Official Tilted Nine Patch Video Tutorial →
Official Tutorial and Layout PDF
Missouri Star's official tutorial page includes the complete video, supply list, project information, and a free downloadable Layout PDF.
View the Official Tilted Nine Patch Tutorial & Layout PDF →
Tutorial Source
Tilted Nine Patch is an official Missouri Star Quilt Company project taught by Jenny Doan.
Missouri Star provides the free video tutorial, layout PDF, supply list, and project information on its official website.
The Quilting Time adds project organization, strip-piecing tips, Flying Geese advice, fabric ideas, troubleshooting, and related internal resources while directing readers to Missouri Star for the original tutorial.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
