From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Here's a quilt block pattern for a 12-inch (finished size) Dutchman's Puzzle. This design is sometimes called a Windmill quilt block.

The Dutchman's Puzzle quilt block is assembled with eight quick-pieced Flying Geese units that are sewn together in a pinwheel-like fashion.

Choosing Fabrics for Your Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt Blocks

Background: White-on-White (WOW)

Geese triangles: Two coordinating bright fabrics

Fabric selection tips from Sophie, the Block Lotto Hostess:

• Choose two bright fabrics that are distinct from one another, but work nicely together.

• Create contrast between the two fabrics in different ways: from color, scale or design, or a combination of those characteristics.

• Don't worry about color value.

• Example 1: If you choose one fabric that is a large scale multicolor print, try a second that's a tone-on-tone small scale print in one of the colors from your first fabric.

• Example 2: pull out a bright, busy novelty print from your stash and combine it with something less busy. Fabrics should compliment each other, not compete for attention.

• Example 3: Try combining a bright pink floral tone-on-tone with a geometric fabric in a similar color

• Example 4: Combine two fabrics with similar scale and design characteristics, but in contrasting colors -- like bright lime and bright aqua.

You'll find Dutchman's Puzzle assembly instructions on page 2.