Delaware Quilts

Calico Puzzle
Calico Puzzle was first published in the KC Star in 1930

Another block with triangle squares. (Triangle squares, diagonal half squares, or half square triangles. They are all the same thing, just different names.) You may use which ever method you like to make these, below is my favorite.

For a 6 inch finished Calico Puzzle block you will need:
        Four blue 2 1/2 inch squares
        Two red 2 7/8 inch squares and onered 2 1/2 inch squares
        Two background (white) 2 7/8 inch squares
Other sizes are listed below.

Carefully draw a line corner to corner, (diagonally) through the white 2 7/8 inch squares. This will be a cutting line when you are finished. Place red and white 2 7/8 inch square right sides together. If you have a true 1/4 inch foot on your machine, you can sew on either side of the drawn line.

If not, you will have to draw a second line on either side, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. They will be your sewing lines. After you have sewn on your sewing line, 1/4 inch on either side of your corner to corner to line, you will cut this square in half on the drawn cutting line. Clip off the corners as shown.

You will now have two triangle squares, which should measure exactly 2 1/2 inches. You need four to make a Calico Puzzle block.


Now you can assemble your block. Make two sets like this.        

        Make one set like this.

Finish your block following the diagram below. It should measure 6 1/2 inches.
       


Here are the cuts needed to make Calico Puzzle blocks in many different sizes (smaller & larger):
      Cutting your squares 1 1/2 inches (1 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 3 inches.
      Cutting your squares 2 inches (2 3/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 4 1/2 inches.
      Cutting your squares 2 1/2 inches (2 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 6 inches.
      Cutting your squares 3 inches (3 3/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 7 1/2 inches.
      Cutting your squares 3 1/2 inches (3 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 9 inches.
      Cutting your squares 4 inches (4 3/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 10 1/2 inches.
      Cutting your squares 4 1/2 inches (4 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 12 inches.
      Cutting your squares 5 1/2 inches (5 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 15 inches.
      Cutting your squares 6 1/2 inches (6 7/8 for triangles) will give you a finished block of 18 inches.
Finished means after the block is sewn into a quilt.

Calico Puzzle © Delaware Quilts June 2003
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Updated November 21, 2022

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