Block of the Month

August 1997 - 12" Block

 Balkan Puzzle

 Make this Block in other sizes - 4", 6", 8", 10", 14", & 18"

Fabric

The Balkan Puzzle Block uses 3 different fabrics.

 Fabric A

 Fabric B

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This Block requires:

 sixteen 3-1/2" squares of background fabric.
 four 3-1/2" X 6-1/2" rectangles of fabric A.
 four 3-1/2" X 6-1/2" rectangles of fabric B.


 Piecing the Block

 1) Lightly mark a line on the diagonal of the wrong side of the sixteen 3-1/2" squares of the background fabric.
 2) Place one of the 3-1/2" background fabric squares on top of one of the 3-1/2" X 6-1/2" fabric A rectangles, right sides together, with the marked diagonal line as shown. Sew on the diagonal line. Repeat with the three remaining fabric A rectangles.

3) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press the seam toward the background fabric.
 4) Taking the units created in Step 3, place one of the 3-1/2" background fabric squares, right sides together, and marked diagonal line positioned as shown on top of the unit. Sew on the marked line. Repeat with the three remaining units from Step 3.

5) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press seam toward the background fabric. The completed rectangle should measure 3-1/2" X 6-1/2".
 6) Place on of the 3-1/2" background fabric squares on top of one of the 3-1/2" X 6-1/2" fabric B rectangles, right sides together, with the marked diagonal line as shown. Sew on the diagonal line. Repeat with the three remaining fabric B rectangles.

7) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press the seam toward the background fabric.
 8) Taking the units created in Step 7, place one of the remaining 3-1/2" background fabric squares, right sides together, and marked diagonal line positioned as shown on top of the unit. Sew on the marked line. Repeat with the three remaining units from Step 7.

9) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press seam toward the background fabric. The completed rectangle should measure 3-1/2" X 6-1/2".
 10) Take one of the units completed in Step 6 and one of the units completed in Step 9 and piece together as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the rectangle which contains fabric B. Repeat with the remaining units. The completed squares should measure 6 1/2".
 11) Piece two of the squares completed in Step 10 together as shown being sure to have the pattern "spin" correctly. Repeat with the remaining two squares. Press the seam allowance to either side, just remaining consistant. The completed units should measure 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" inches.
 12) Piece together the two units completed in Step 11 as shown to completed the Balkan Puzzle Block. Press seam allowance to either side. The completed Block should measure 12 1/2" which includes a 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.

WWQP Quilt Coloring Book page for the Balkan Puzzle Block

© Susan E Traudt 1997


 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month 1997