The basic disappearing 9 patch is made up of a 9 patch square (above) that is cut in half vertically and horizontally. The resulting 4 squares are turned and sewn back together.

The color A squares never get cut, color B squares become rectangle shaped,  and the color C square becomes 4 squares of approximately 2 inches.

Resulting examples of finished blankets can be seen in the photos of the 2008-12 business meeting, pictures 18, 19, and 20.

For the January workshop you will need 3 fabrics for squares, border, and binding, and a 4th fabric for the first border. The fabric for the squares can be solids or patterns but bear in mind they will be getting turned so choose something that has a pattern that won't matter.  Since the color A squares are not cut, they are the predominant squares.

If you want to make a lap blanket measuring approximately  34 1/2" X 46",  before adding borders, you will use 3 finished squares across and 4 down.

If you want a larger blanket measuring approximately 46"  X  57 1/2",   before adding borders, you will use 4 finished squares across and 5 down.

Adding borders can bring the blanket to whatever size you want, which can depend on what you want for backing. I use fleece which runs approximately 60" wide, so the width or length has to be a few inches less that 60".

The inner border should be of a contrasting material, with the outer border/borders and the binding of fabric in the squares.

Making 3 across by 4 down, you will need:    

         color A     48   4 1/2" squares  

         color B     48   4 1/2" squares

         color C     12   4 1/2" squares

Making 4 across by 5 down, you will need: 

         color A     80   4 1/2" squares  

         color B     80   4 1/2" squares

         color C     20   4 1/2" squares

One fat quarter (18" by 22")  provides  (supposedly, if it's cut right)  16   4 1/2" squares (4 rows of 4 across). With 1/2 a yard you can get 9 across, if the fabric is about 44" wide, so 1/2 yard would give you 4 rows of 9 across, or 36 squares.  I would always get a few inches more because it's rarely cut right, or pre-washing it causes shrinking or fraying on the ends causing some loss.  But then, you already know this.

During the workshop we will be cutting and assembling using 4 1/2" strips to make it go faster, so there's no need to precut squares.

You can also make blocks smaller or bigger then 12 1/2".   It doesn't matter, and smaller actually looks cuter if you want a baby blanket.

You can also use a variety of colors for colors A and B and keep color C constant - An example of this can be found on

       http://quiltsatcs.blogspot.com/2007/04/disappearing-9-patch-tutorial.html

You can see more by searching the web for "disappearing nine patch free patterns".