Block 2019
March – Dutchman’s Puzzle Block
Welcome to Block 2019! We’re exploring classic quilt blocks all year, and the third block is Dutchman’s Puzzle. Here’s how to make it.
Fabric Requirements:
Gray — 3/8 yard
Aqua — Fat Eighth
Dark Blue — 1/8 yard
Coral — 1/8 yard
Batting — 12″ x 12″ (For quilt-as-you-go method only)
Cutting Instructions:
From the gray fabric, cut:
(1) 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ (For quilt-as-you-go method only, do not cut otherwise)
(4) 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4
(4) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
From the aqua fabric, cut:
(1) 8″ x 8″
From the dark blue fabric, cut:
(4) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″
From the coral fabric, cut:
(4) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Cutting Guide:
Assembly:
Inner Flying Geese (Corner Flip Method)
Mark the wrong side of the coral 3 1/2″ square in half diagonally once. Lay a coral square right sides together with a dark blue 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle, oriented as shown below. Sew on the marked line.
Trim excess a quarter inch from the sewn line and press. Make 4.
Repeat on the other side with the gray 3 1/2″ square. Make 4.
Inner Flying Geese unit measures 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ unfinished.
See this method in action below!
Outer Flying Geese (No-Waste Method)
Mark the wrong side of the gray 4 1/4″ squares in half diagonally. Lay two of the marked gray squares right sides together with the 8″ aqua square on diagonally opposite corners as shown below. Sew a quarter inch from each side of the marked line.
Cut apart on the marked line and press. Lay another marked gray square on one of the cut apart units as shown below. Sew a quarter inch from each side of the marked line. Repeat with the remaining cut apart unit and gray square.
See this method in action!
Make four Flying Geese and trim to 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ unfinished.
Learn more about how to trim Flying Geese below!
Block Assembly
Sew an Outer Flying Geese unit to the top of an Inner Flying Geese unit as shown below.
Unit measures 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ unfinished. Make 4.
Sew together in pairs and sew pairs together to make the Dutchman’s Puzzle block. Block measures 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ unfinished.
To prepare the block for quilt-as-you-go, sandwich the 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ backing square, 12″ x 12″ batting centered on the backing square, and your block. Baste using preferred method. Quilt as desired inside the 12″ finished size of the block. We’ll be sharing ideas for quilting the block later in the month.
A quick tip…
When pressing the Flying Geese units, consider how you want to quilt the block. I want to stitch in the ditch, so pressing my seams the same direction for every unit was important to me. I also wanted the points on my Flying Geese to pop, so I pressed my seams in towards the Flying Geese.
If I prioritized a flat block, or to stitch in the ditch inside the Flying Geese, pressing away from the Flying Geese would help. Another benefit to pressing away from the Flying Geese is that the place where the seams cross is visible while sewing, which makes it easier to sew right to or just inside that intersection for sharp points.
And you’re all set!
Check back next week for some fun variations on the Dutchman Puzzle block. You can always find links to all the Block 2019 posts and see when the next installment is coming out in the main Block 2019 article, just click here.
As you finish your blocks, share them in the AQS Project Parade Facebook group, or use the hashtag #Block2019 and tag us @aqsonline because we can’t wait to see what you do!
I just found this. How do i get past blocks ? And how do i make sure to keep getting them for up coming months?
Hello, Dorothea! Be sure to visit the main Block 2019 post where we post links to the blocks and all the extra goodies every week. http://old.aqsblog.com/block-2019-quilt-block-challenge
If you’d like a weekly email full of everything that’s new at AQSblog, including Block 2019, you can sign up for our newsletter. There’s a field to sign up for the newsletter on the right hand side of the main page (or at the bottom if you’re on your phone). http://old.aqsblog.com/
Thanks for your question!
Emily