Rocky Mountain Puzzle
The third block in the 2007 Anniversary Sampler Quilt is a variation of the traditional Rocky Mountain Puzzle quilt block. Like the other sampler quilt blocks, it finishes at 12" square.The block has a pieced center square surrounded by ten half-square triangles and plain squares in two corners.
Quilt Block Cutting Chart
The colors in the illustration help me explain which units go where; choose fabrics and colors that work with your quilt's theme.
- Two 3-1/2" squares cut from neutral background fabric
- One brown 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" square
- Two 1" x 5-1/2" red bars
- Two 1" x 6-1/2" red bars
- Five 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" dark blue squares*
- Five 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" squares of background fabric*
*Use larger squares if you like to make oversize half-square triangle units and trim them back to the exact size after assembly.
Assemble Quilt Block Center
- Sew a 1" x 5-1/2" bar to opposite sides of the 5-1/2" center square. Press seam allowances towards the center square.
- Sew a 1" x 6-1/2" bar to remaining opposite sides of the center square unit. Press seam allowances towards the center square.
Make Half-Square Triangle Units
Use my easy sandwich method to make 10 half-square triangle units from the 3-7/8" blue squares and the background squares of the same size. Each completed unit should measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2".
Assemble the Quilt Block
Press seam allowances towards dark fabrics.
- Sew together one 3-1/2" background square and three half-square triangle units to make the left vertical row. Repeat to make the right vertical row.
- Sew two half-square triangle units together side by side as shown above the center square. Sew two more together to create the unit below the center square. Sew all together to create wide middle row.
- Sew vertical rows together to complete the block. Press. The block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2".
