From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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Missouri Puzzle is a star-like quilt block with a large nine-patch quilt block at its center. The blocks finish at 11-1/4" x 11-1/4", and the quilt finishes at about 66" x 66".

I wanted definition between the two nine-patch fabrics, but not enough contrast to create a bold pattern that would divert from the dark star tips. Block Close-up

The block's background is a vintage looking print that's repeated in the border. The sashing illustrated is a border print. Black cornerstones are used between sashing bars and black is repeated in the binding.

Materials

Nine-Patch Centers

• Muted green print: 1/2 yard
• Cream and rose print: 3/4 yard

Star Tips & Sashing Cornerstones

• Black print: 3/4 yard

Block Background & Border

• Brown-rose print: 2-1/2 yards

Sashing

Most border prints have striped motifs of different widths running along their lengthwise grain. The pattern assumes you will use a 2-1/4" wide (finished) stripe, but your actual stripe width could differ. You must be able to cut forty 11-3/4" long bars from the stripe you've chosen. Do not cut the fabric yet.

If you're not using a border print: 1-1/8 yards

Binding

• Black: About 1/2 yard to cut 2" strips for doublefold binding

Backing

• 4-1/2 yards

Batting

• About 76" x 76"

Cutting

Rosy-brown for background:

• Cut nine 2-3/4" x 42" strips; cut (128) 2-3/4" squares from the strips

• Cut five 3-1/8" x 42" strips; cut (64) 3-1/8" squares from the strips

Rose and cream for nine-patch units:

• Cut (18) 1-1/4" x 42" strips

Muted green for nine-patch units

• Cut (9) 1-1/4" x 42" strips

• Cut one 2-3/4" x 42" strip; cut (15) 2-3/4" squares from it. Cut (1) 2-3/4" square from remaining yardage.

Black print for star tips:

• Cut (5) 3-1/8" x 42" strips; cut (64) 3-1/8" squares from the strips