Maggie's Mystery Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew Maggie's Mystery Quilt Block

Maggie's Mystery quilt block is a fun and unique design that combines squares, rectangles, and triangle units in a variety of fabrics to create a beautiful and intriguing block. Experiment with different fabrics and color combinations to make it truly your own!

Materials Needed

• A variety of fabrics in different colors and prints
• Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler
• Sewing machine and thread

Cutting Guide

• 2½" × 2½" squares — (4)
• 2⅞" × 2⅞" squares — (2)
• 2½" × 4½" rectangles — (2)
• 2½" × 6½" rectangles — (2)
• 4½" × 6½" rectangle — (1)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the triangle units. Sew the two 2⅞" squares diagonally in half to create two triangles from each square. Sew these triangles onto opposite corners of two of the 2½" × 4½" rectangles to create two triangle units.
2. Build the center section. Sew the remaining two 2½" × 4½" rectangles to opposite sides of the 2½" × 6½" rectangles.
3. Assemble the block. Sew the two triangle units to the top and bottom of the 4½" × 6½" rectangle, then sew the 2½" × 6½" rectangle units to the sides.
4. Finish the block. Press the seams open and trim any excess threads or fabric.

Repeat to create as many blocks as needed for your quilt. Have fun experimenting with different fabrics and color combinations!

Nine Patch Technique

The secret to the nine patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined. Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares in the required size.

Using chain piecing, join a B square to only 3 of the A squares, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

Next, join the remaining A and B squares to these units using chain piecing with a ¼" seam allowance.

For a faster method, cut A and B strips, join them into A/B/A and B/A/B strip sets, press seams toward the dark fabric, then cut across the strip sets to create the units needed.

Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Join the B/A/B units to the A/B/A units with butted seams, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

You can apply this technique to all kinds of nine patch blocks. As long as the block has an underlying 3×3 grid, the basic principle applies.

When it's not obvious which direction is the dark in complicated blocks, remember the basic ironing plan:

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.

Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks

Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks

Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.