- Background (muslin)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 75 · nine-patch
Old Maid's Puzzle Quilt Block
Part of: Nine Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For BeginnersTwo Color Quilt Blocks
Old Maid's Puzzle uses six half-square triangles and three background squares on a nine-patch grid. The two triangle groups mirror each other across the background diagonal, producing stepped peaks that interlock when blocks are joined.
Version note: Grid corrected from 4 to 3 to match the reference drawing's smallest patches. Drawn from the three-grid Generations Quilt Patterns diagram. Some references give a different four-grid layout under this name.
- Level
- Confident Beginner
- Grid
- 3 × 3
- Pieces
- 15
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
3 × 3 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Square | 3 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 3 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 3 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 6 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 3 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 6 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut the HST parent squares once diagonally. Sew each contrasting pair along the long edge, press toward the darker fabric and square the unit to 4 1/2", keeping the diagonal running corner to corner.
Step 2: Lay out three rows following the diagram: three HSTs with dark in the lower-right fill the upper-left corner, and three with dark in the upper-left fill the lower-right corner.
Step 3: Place the background squares on the diagonal from the upper-right to the lower-left corner.
Step 4: Sew the rows, pressing toward the background squares.
Step 5: Join the rows with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, matching each seam intersection. Press and check the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.