By: Brenda Burwell


So here it is.  It is called "Old Maid's Puzzle"  We will make it a 12"
block requiring only three pieces.  NOTE:  These instructions INCLUDE
the 1/4" seam allowance---without them the block will not be the correct
size. (Make them a scant 1/4 and trim down if necessary)

    ________________________________
   |       |\  B1  |\  B1  |\  B1  |
   |  A1   |  \    |  \    |  \    |   4   3 1/2 squares (A)
   |       | B2 \  |    \  | B2 \  |   16  3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 5 half
   |_______|______\|      \|______\|       square triangles (B)
   |\  B2  |       |        \  B1  |       (see below for colors)
   |  \    |  A1   |    C3    \    |   2   6 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 9 1/4
   | B1 \  |       |            \  |       half square triangles (C)
   |______\|_______|______________\|
   |\              |       |\   B1 |
   |  \            |  A1   |  \    |
   | B1 \    C3    |       |  B2\  |
   |______\        |_______|______\|
   |\  B2  |\      |\  B2  |       |
   |  \    |  \    |  \    |   A1  |
   | B1 \  |  B1\  | B1 \  |       |
   |______\|______\|______\|_______|


The magazine from which this pattern is taken suggests only two
colors-BORING-so lets do it in THREE OR MORE!!!  For continuity, lets
make piece "A" light in color, piece "C" dark in color and for piece
(B)--GO FOR IT YOUR WAY!!  Maybe you might want to do all one family
color, or true contrasts or, or, or whatever.  Maybe you have a marvey
scrap you don't have enough to do a lot with, but can't bear to part
with it (Who could??) just remember that there are 4 "B" pieces in each
quarter of the block. If you so choose, you can also just use three
color choices as shown above.