BOM...What a name! Block #7

Love the block, the name, well not so much ~ Old Maid's Puzzle.

Wouldn't it be fun to know how this nice block got it's name?  Was it only made by Old Maid's?  Or if you got it right were you sure to never become one?  I don't know.  But what I do know is it makes a pretty nice addition to our BOM!

 

 

More triangles and squares in this block. Nice and scrappy too!

Finished size of the block is 12"

Cutting

  A) Cut 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" square (do not cut on the diagonal)

Cut 5 squares gold print (background).  Two of these squares WILL be cut in half on the diagonal before sewing.  The other three will be made into half square triangles - see below.

 

Cut 3 squares of tan print  (scraps)

 

Pair one of each of three tan squares (A) with the gold squares, right sides together.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of the diagonal line to yield 6 half square triangles once they are cut apart.  Please refer to earlier posts for instructions if you are not sure how to do this.  Cut the remaining background squares in half on the diagonal.

 

B) Cut 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square

Cut 2 squares of brown print (scraps)

Cut 2 squares of gold print (background)

 

C) Cut 6 7/8" x 6 7/8" square (cut on the diagonal)

Cut 1 square of red print (scraps).  Cut on the diagonal and follow above diagram for piecing.

 

 

 Make the half square triangle units.

 Press to the dark.

 

 

 

Lay out all the units and pieces for the block and pay attentional to any directional fabric you are using.  My red fabric had an obvious diagonal stripe and I wanted both pieces to be going the same direction.

 Sew a background triangle to the half square unit you made. Press to the dark/background. Pay close attention to the layout as it is easy to sew to the wrong side. 

Next lay another background triangle on top of the pieced unit and sew a 1/4" seam.  Take care to orient the triangle the correct way.

Press all seams to the dark (background) as this will ensure that you can see the intersection of the seam which will be important in the next step.  No points get cut off if you can see this and sew it correctly.

Check the layout with the supervisor and make sure you have the approval to proceed.  Once you do, you can start sewing the block together. 

 

Be aware if you don't have the full buy in of the supervisor there may be consequences.

Pair the unit you just completed with one of the large triangles and sew along the seam making sure that the pieced unit is on top so you can see that intersection.

I like to pin.  I am all about accuracy!

Take care when you come to that intersection that you don't cross over that line and cut the points off.  This is why it is important to make sure the pieced unit is facing up.

Press to the triangle - this may not be the dark.  There are exceptions to the rule. 

Next up sew two more of the half square triangle units to the squares.  It's basically a four patch.

 

Press after each step and then once you have the 4 units made you can lay out the block.

Chain sew the units together on one of the seams.  

 

Press so you will be able to see the intersection I talk about so much.  You will have two seams that are alternating which will make is super easy to nest them together and sew the final seam.

 

Pin, taking care to match the center seams so the block is aligned properly.  Sew and press again!

Ta Dah!!!  Block #7 Old Maid's Puzzle is complete!

 

All that sewing wore Winston (aka Winnie) right out!!!

Hope you enjoy this block - see you next month!!!

Hugs ~ Linda T.