Dutchman’s Puzzle Quilt Block

I have a Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block tutorial for you today!

This post is part of December’s link-up for Quilt Block Mania. At the end of this post you’ll find links to another 18 awesome block tutorials, more than enough to make yourself a sampler quilt!

If you’d like a PDF copy of this tutorial, put your details in the boxes below and I’ll send it to you, as well as my newsletter.

PDF please!

So – back to the Dutchman’s Puzzle block. There are plenty of versions of pinwheels that are more simple. But the Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block is a little more fancy and gives you many opportunities to play with colour.

The Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block perhaps got its name from its resemblance to a windmill, long associated with the Netherlands. And while it does look like a bit of a puzzle, I assure you it’s an easy one. All you need to do is sew some flying geese blocks and you’re set.

Now, the basic Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block is sewn with 2 colours and looks like this.

My version today is going one step further and adding a third colour. By changing out one of the ‘wing’ fabrics in some of the geese a secondary windmill pattern forms. Fun, right?

Okay, let’s get on with the tutorial.

Fabric Requirements for the Dutchman’s Puzzle Quilt Block

My 3 fabrics are all from the Speckled range by Ruby Star Society. This whole range has so many gorgeously saturated colours that go together really well. You can find these colours and more:

• at the Fat Quarter Shop* (US)
• at The Next Stitch (Australia)
• and of course, on Etsy* (worldwide)

To make one Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block you’ll need:

• A background fabric
• 3 fabrics for the windmill vanes

The 3 fabric colours are C1, C2 and C3 and correspond to the centre, middle and outermost vanes respectively. You can see the labelling in the diagram below:

Fabric Cutting

Here’s what you need to cut from each of your 4 fabrics (3 main fabrics and a background fabric).

• C1: cut (4) 3¾” squares
• C2: cut (4) 3¾” x 6¾” rectangles
• C3: cut (4) 3¾” x 6¾” rectangles
• Background: cut (12) 3¾” squares

Sew All Flying Geese Units

Once you’ve cut your fabrics you’re ready to start sewing some flying geese. Let’s get to it!

Sew 2-colour flying geese units

Take two 3¾” background squares and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each one. Align a background square on one corner of a 3¾” x 6¾” C3 rectangle as shown below, then sew on the diagonal line. Sew another seam ½” past the diagonal line and then cut apart between the seams. Press the corner of the background square away from the unit (save the HST for another project).

Repeat with the second background square on the opposite corner of the C3 rectangle. Trim the flying geese unit to 3½” x 6½”, making sure to keep the point centred.

Repeat the process above to make a total of 4 C3/background flying geese units.

I love to trim my flying geese blocks with Bloc_Loc rulers – they give me really accurate blocks and are quick and easy to use.

Sew 3-colour flying geese units

Take one 3¾” background square and one 3¾” C1 square and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each one. Align a background square on the lefthand corner of a 3¾” x 6¾” C2 rectangle as shown below, then sew on the diagonal line. Sew another seam ½” past the diagonal line and then cut apart between the seams. Press the corner of the background square away from the unit (save the HST for another project).

Repeat with the C1 square on the righthand corner of the C2 rectangle. Trim the flying geese unit to 3½” x 6½”, making sure to keep the point centred.

Repeat the process above to make a total of 4 C2/background/C1 flying geese units. Make sure all the units are made in this same way or your central windmill won’t appear.

Sew Block Quadrants

Take one of each type of the flying geese patchwork units and sew them together as shown below. (2-colour on top, 3-colour underneath.) Press the seam toward the top flying geese unit. Make 4 of these units.

Sew Quadrants Together

Take the four quadrants sewn in the last step and lay them out as shown below. Take care with the orientation so that the windmill is formed correctly.

Sew the top two units together and press the seam to the right. Sew the bottom two units together and press the seam to the left. Finally, sew the two halves together to give a completed Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block, measuring 12½” (unfinished).

You may also prefer to swirl the centre seam. It’s a bit of work but can help relieve the bulk in the centre of the block where all those diagonal seams come together. You can see a step-by-step on how to swirl a seam over here.

There you have it, a lovely Dutchman’s Puzzle quilt block, ready for your sampler quilts! Or you choose to use it in any manner of other projects, from table toppers to cushion covers.

Speaking of cushion covers, you can add some borders and have yourself a merry little cushion cover panel ready to sew a cover for a 20″ cushion insert (details in the PDF below).

If you’d like a PDF of these quilt block instructions, you can put your email address in the box below and I’ll send it to you.

PDF please!

You’ll also receive my newsletter – full of news, discounts and interesting crafty links to read. The PDF has all the block instructions, cushion border measurements as well as a colour-in sheet for you to test your colour palette ideas.

Quilt Block Mania for December

As mentioned at the start of my post, this block tutorial is part of a collection of fantastic ‘barn quilt’ style blocks. You can find all the other tutorials at the links below. Enjoy and happy sewing!

Cheers, Kirsty

Barn Star Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Barn by QuiltFabrication
Independence Block
Sunflower Barn Block by Sugar Sand Quilts
Prairie Winds Block by Martha Jane Creations
Amish Star Block at Fab Fabric Girl
Squash Blossom Block by Paleofish Designs
Celtic Knot at Patti’s Patchwork
Maple Leaves by Inquiring Quilter
Goose in the Pond by Tamarinis
Dutchman’s Puzzle Quilt Block at Bonjour Quilts
Corner Star Block
Star of Hope Barn Block by Quiltblox
Meadow Flower by Inflorescence
Bright Star by Blue Bear Quilts
Bear Paw Block by BoBerry Design Co.
June’s Pinwheel Block and Quilt by Sew Worthy Mama
Tudor Rose block by Flowerdog Designs
Lucky Clover Block by Patchwork Breeze

*affiliate links. Thank you so much for your support of Bonjour Quilts.

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