The Indiana Puzzle Quilt pattern is a nine-patch format that uses a square in a square center unit surrounded by half square triangles. This easy block is perfect quilt block for beginners to get experience on these two very common basic building blocks for traditional quilts and makes a great statement when several are put together to make a quilt.

This is sometimes referred to as the Indiana Star block. Use this quilt block alone for a quilt top, or combine with other nine patch blocks that are made to the same finished dimensions. When used alone, the half square triangles form diagonal lines across your quilt top creating a lot of movement.

Two fabrics are used for the the Indiana Puzzle Quilt block. It is important to make sure that the fabrics have value differentiation. Here I’ve used a dark and a light value fabric. This is a perfect quilt block to use fabrics with patterns – large or small!

Being a nine patch quilt block, the most common sizes are divisible by three. Here is a fabric calculator for the most common finished sizes:

Here are step-by-step directions on how to make the Indiana Puzzle Quilt pattern:

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One (1) Quilt Block

How to Make the Indiana Puzzle Quilt Block

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The Indiana Puzzle block is a simple nine patch block layout made from square in a square and half square triangles. Use with other blocks to form a sampler type quilt, or make a quilt from several Indiana Puzzle blocks.

It is a traditional block, being made for generations.

In this tutorial, I've used my favorite method for making a square in a square unit, that avoids working with bias cut edges (that can easily stretch out of shape). And I make the half square triangles with the two at a time method.

Materials

1/4 yard of two fabrics, or fat quarters
Thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Quilter's ruler
Removable marking pen or pencil; I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Start by cutting your fabric to be able to make the nine (9) units that form the Indiana Puzzle quilt block. Refer to the fabric calculator above for cut dimensions.
Let's start by making the center square in a square unit. For more details, see our post on How to Make a Square in a Square Quilt Block. Take the smaller squares from Fabric 2 and draw a diagonal line with your marking pen/pencil on the wrong side of your fabric. This will be your stitching line.
Lay two of the squares on opposite corners of the center square from Fabric 1. Make sure the diagonal marked lines are touching the sides of the center square.
Sew along the diagonal lines, using the line as the actual stitching line.
Now it's time to trim the excess fabric. Using your quilters ruler, line the 1/4" line on the stitching line to trim the outside triangle of fabric off, forming a 1/4" inch seam allowance.
Press the seams to your preference. Check out our article on pressing seams. Then lay the other two small marked squares on the other two corners of the center square with the right sides together and diagonal lines touching the sides.
Sew along the marked line, like before.
Using your quilters ruler, trim a 1/4" seam allowance, trimming off the excess fabric in the corner.
Press all seams to finish the center unit for the Indiana Puzzle quilt block.
Now, let's make the half square triangles. On the wrong side of the light fabrics, mark a diagonal line from corner to corner.
Layer the marked squares with Fabric 2 squares right sides together, with the diagonal line on top. This time use the marked line as the guide and sew 1/4" from the marked line.
Turn and sew 1/4" on the other side of the marked line. If you have a 1/4" quilters foot for your sewing machine it makes it super easy. On a Bernina that is foot #37 or #57. Since there are several to sew, I like to chain sew the seams to save time.
Cut each of the squares along the marked line to form the half square triangles.
Press seams and then lay out all of the units to make the Indiana Puzzle quilt block.
Sew each row together.
Then sew the rows together for the finished Indiana Puzzle quilt block.

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Tips and ideas for making the Indiana Puzzle Quilt Block

When choosing your fabrics for the Indiana Puzzle block, think about your color placement and the value of the colors. You’ll want the colors to be differentiated so you can easily see the design of the quilt block.
Try prints for this quilt block. A small colorful floral print fabric, combined with a solid or low volume print would be perfect for a spring or summer quilt.
If you are making a large quilt, consider different ways of making the HST units. Check out all of the different ways in our article about half square triangles. Yes, it’s easy to make them 32 at a time!

Learn more about the basics of nine patch and browse through all of our nine patch quilt blocks on Create Whimsy.

Browse through all of our free patterns on Create Whimsy.