How to Make the Yankee Puzzle Quilt Block

Again this year, for the quilt guild I am apart of I am providing instructions for how to make a different quilt block each month. For the month of January, we learned about the classic Yankee Puzzle Quilt Block. 

 Yankee Puzzle Quilt Block

This is a fun block that I put together using quarter square triangles.

For a 12 inch finished block (12.5 inch unfinished), you will need to cut the following:

For the dark triangles - Cut two squares 7 1/4 inches by 7 1/4 inches

For the light triangles - Cut two squares 7 1/4 inches by 7 1/4 inches

Sew:

 Start by making the quarter square triangles.

On the back of the light squares, draw a diagonal line, corner to corner.  Pin the dark square to the light square, right sides together.  Stitch on both sides of the drawn line, a scant 1/4 inch away. Cut on the drawn line, and press to the dark side.

Half Square Triangle

On one of the newly created squares, draw another line perpendicular to the seam on the back side. (It might be hard to se the line in this picture.)

Half Square Triangles

Place both squares together, matching the seams together and making sure the dark and light fabrics touch. 

Lining up blocks with lights touching the darks

Stitch on both sides of the drawn line, a scant 1/4 inch away. Cut on the drawn line. Press to the dark side. Twirl the center seams. 

To twirl seams, cut the seam of the block right in the center where all four fabrics meet. Snip it right up to the line of sewing  but do not cut the threads. This way you can make the seams lay open so the block will lay flat.

Snap the seam to twirl the seams.

Repeat for the other 7 1/4 inch squares. Trim them to be 6 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches.

After using all squares you should have four quarter square triangles.

Finally, sew the squares together to create the final block.

Yankee Puzzle Quilt Block

 See! That wasn't too hard!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below! 

Check back each month for a new How-To of quilt blocks! To see the other blocks, just search my blog for Quilt Guild Block of the Month.

If you would like a PDF version of these instructions, please check out Group #3 of the How-To Block of the Month Downloads.

(This is classic block that has been designed and created by many people but these instructions are written by me.) 

Have fun quilting!


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