Half-square triangles
Old Maid's Puzzle
A classic puzzle block: each quarter has two feature half-square triangles stepping toward a feature square, rotated a quarter turn so the triangles chase each other around the block.
Cut list
What to cut for one 12 inch finished block. A quarter inch seam allowance is already in every size.
Feature
- 4 squares
- 3⅞"Cut once on the diagonal, layered with the background fabric. Each square makes 2 triangles.
- 4 squares
- 3½"
Background
- 4 squares
- 3⅞"Cut once on the diagonal, layered with the feature fabric. Each square makes 2 triangles.
- 4 squares
- 3½"
By region
| Region | Fabric | Units | Cut from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature 1 | Feature | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 2 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 1 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Feature 3 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 2 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 3 | Background | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 4 | Feature | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 5 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 4 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Feature 6 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 5 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 6 | Background | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 7 | Feature | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 8 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 7 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Feature 9 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 8 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 9 | Background | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 10 | Feature | 1 | 3½" |
| Feature 11 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 10 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Feature 12 | Feature | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 11 | Background | 1 | 3⅞" square, cut once on the diagonal |
| Background 12 | Background | 1 | 3½" |
How it goes together
- Step 1
Cut your pieces
Cut the pieces in the cut list. The sizes are for a 12 inch finished Old Maid's Puzzle block and already include a quarter inch seam allowance.
- Step 2
Make the half-square triangle units
Sew each pair of triangles along its long edge and press toward the darker fabric. Trim every unit to size before you join it.
- Step 3
Assemble the block
Join the units into rows, then join the rows. Press as you go and square the finished block to size.
Read more
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Most quilt blocks belong to one of six families — Patchwork, Half-square triangles, Flying geese, Stars, Curves, and Hexagons. Each family is a way of piecing fabric together.
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The quilter’s seam allowance, explained
A seam allowance is the strip of fabric between the seam and the raw edge. Quilters work in a standard 1/4 inch — and getting it right is the difference between a top that finishes flat and one that fights you.
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Try the Old Maid's Puzzle on a real layout.
Open it on the Design Wall. Try a few colors, see the math, change your mind.