AQS Block by Block Basics: Dutchman's Puzzle sponsored by AccuQuilt

By American Quilter's Society
Sep 2, 2025

Welcome to the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! Each month we'll spend three weeks playing with one block.

Week one, we'll kick things off with hand piecing from templates like the quilters of yesterday.

For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting System and machine-piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.

Finally, in week three, we'll focus on making the block fabulous with a variety of embellishment techniques.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

If you missed the first blocks in the series, check them out by clicking the name:

Dutchman’s Puzzle Block

12" x 12" finished block size

Week One: Template cutting and hand piecing

Week Two: AccuQuilt cutting and precision machine piecing

Week Three: Embellishment fun

Each month, we'll complete two blocks, one hand pieced and one machine pieced. You can finish one or both of the blocks to make mini quilts or use them in projects. We'll have lots of creative ideas along the way for using your 12" blocks. We'll also offer finishing instructions if you prefer to save all the blocks for a quilt.

This month’s block, Dutchman’s Puzzle, features eight Flying Geese units. Anytime there are so many of a single unit, it’s a great opportunity to practice comfort with the process. We’ll explore different processes to make Flying Geese, take this as your invitation to break outside your usual ways.

“This block was first published under the name ‘Wheel’ in 1894. And looking at it in September of 2025, I think of the winds now knocking black walnuts from branches which grew so heavy throughout August that many dragged the ground. I enjoyed sitting outside to stitch this week’s block over a beautiful weekend. I hope you have fun ushering in a new season, too.” -Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Week One

Template Options

Follow the steps from our first month (click here to visit the first tutorial) to make the templates needed for this month's block.

You need the following templates, and note you may have made some of these previously for other blocks in the series:

(1) 6" x 3" rectangle, subcut diagonally from the center to the corner on both ends to get two 3" x 3" Half Square Triangles, and one larger 6" x 3" Flying Geese triangle (as shown below)

As noted, you may have equivalent templates from previous months. For example, I was able to use the large triangle from the Split QST unit in Turnstile, and the HST unit from Clay’s Choice for this block.

If you use recycled cardboard like me, a fresh set may increase accuracy in a helpful way. When a soft material is used for templates, each trace around it warps features like sharp points, and even eventually the size of the template itself.

Then, following the color layout you like*, mark patches out as listed below:

A Fabric - Background HST

(16) 2" x 2" HST

B Fabric - Inner Flying Geese

(4) 6" x 3" FG Triangles

C Fabric - Outer Flying Geese

(4) 6" x 3" FG Triangles

*Note: More fabrics are used in the example block than listed in the pattern. Try your own variations!

Remember, these are finished sizes and don't include the seam allowances. Be sure to label your templates so it's easy to find the right size when you need it!

Select your fabric, and start tracing. If last month was your first time hand piecing, you'll have a pretty good idea of how much seam allowance you want. We cut our pieces this week using the AccuQuilt Go! Cutter, so we’re working with a scant quarter inch this time. The tighter weave of the batik makes this easy as it’s a low-fraying fabric.

If this is your first try, here's some important info you shouldn't miss:

Seam allowances are different for hand piecing. They don't serve as a guide for accuracy, rather, they exist so the fabric doesn't fray too much while you sew. If you're new to hand piecing, give yourself some extra room. You can always trim them down later. DO NOT CUT ON THE DRAWN LINE - it's tempting, but don't do it.

Step one: Select the fabrics for the block. Each “card” can be different colors, some can match or coordinate like two colors and a background. You can do anything you want anytime with your block, that’s the best part!

Step two: Trace the template on the backside of the fabric, leaving enough room between the patches for the seam allowances (a 1/4" or so for each patch is preferred for the seam allowance, but it's not a rule for hand piecing - you'll learn what you like best).

Step three: Cut out the patches, leaving enough fabric outside the drawn line for a seam allowance.

Hand Piecing

Previously, we covered the Quilter's Knot, the Tailor's Lock Stitch, and the End Knot. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Hand piecing Dutchman’s Puzzle uses all the same techniques as you used for the previous blocks to create Flying Geese units.

Flying Geese Units

Layer one HST from Fabric A right sides together to one Flying Geese triangle from Fabric B, and sew along the diagonal edge with a ¼" seam.

Finger press and prepare to attach the next HST to the other side.

Place the other HST from Fabric A right sides together with the Flying Geese triangle and sew along the diagonal edge with a ¼" seam. Make sure to pass through the seam at intersections.*

Finger press the completed unit flat.

The unit measures 6½" x 3½" rectangle, unfinished. Repeat to make 4 units using Fabrics A/B, and repeat to make 4 units using Fabric A/C.

*Below is a refresher on how to pass through the seam when hand piecing.

Passing Through the Seam

Step one: When you come to a seam, take a back stitch on the marked line, right up to the seam.

Step two: Pass the needle through the seam on the same side you are stitching from, above the seam's stitches. If you pass the needle below the seam's stitches, your stitch will show on the front of your block.

Step three: Once on the other side of the seam, take a stitch forward and then backstitch over this stitch to continue.

Special note about Flying Geese: It helps keep points sharp to pass the thread between the seams of the HST patches, just above the point of the Flying Geese triangle. Avoid stitching into the point of the Flying Geese triangle.

Piecing Dutchman’s Puzzle Block

Arrange the Flying Geese units into pairs as shown above and sew together.

Repeat to make 4 identical pairs. Make sure to pass through the seam at intersections.

Arrange two pairs so that the set on the left point up and the pair on the right point right.

Sew the pairs together to make a row. Repeat to make two identical rows. Flip the bottom row over to arrange the Dutchman’s Puzzle block as shown above.

Sew the rows together into the block and press as desired.

Dutchman’s Puzzle block measures 12½” square, unfinished.

Week Two

Welcome to week two of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting GO! to die cut the fabric, and then we’ll machine piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

Download the free 12" Dutchman’s Puzzle block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

“I’ve spent my time outdoors lately among oaks and hickory trees, which are hanging onto their green leaves even as the temperatures begin to dip. The verdant shades and textures of different parts of the forest canopy inspired me to grab scraps for the background this week.” - Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Supplies for Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

Download the free 12" Dutchman’s Puzzle block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Small scissors to cut threads, if needed

Dies Used:

GO! Flying Geese-3 1⁄2” x 6 1⁄2” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456 or 55009) - Small Flying Geese Triangles

GO! Flying Geese-3 1⁄2” x 6 1⁄2” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456 or 55002) - Large Flying Geese Triangles

Fabric:

Fabric A or Background —1⁄8 yard
Fabric B—1⁄8 yard
Fabric C—1⁄8 yard

If you need a refresher on the cutting process using the AccuQuilt Cutting System, visit our tutorial here.

To make a block, cut out:

Fabric A - (16) Small Flying Geese Triangles

Fabric B - (4) Large Flying Geese Triangles

Fabric C - (4) Large Flying Geese Triangles

Machine Piecing

Machine piecing is rich with a variety of techniques and tricks for assembly. If you have any trouble figuring it out or have questions, visit the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook. We'll be happy to show you how.

Machine Piecing Supplies

Download the free 12" Dutchman’s Puzzle block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Fabric

Flying Geese Units

One tip for help with points when machine piecing this block is to mark the sewing line on the Small Flying Geese Triangles before sewing. Even when using a quarter inch foot, having these lines marked can increase accuracy near the points by making it easier to line up the needle with the sewing line.

Layer one Small Flying Geese Triangle from Fabric A right sides together with one Large Flying Geese Triangle from Fabric B, and sew along the diagonal edge with a ¼" seam.

Press after sewing on the first small triangle. To do this without stretching the shape of the triangles, open the block.

Then apply the iron using a downward motion to press, rather than pushing the iron across the patches.

If you tend to press seams open, try pressing towards the small triangles for this block. Even if you are someone who skips heat pressing, make sure to get a crisp fold using your preferred pressure pressing method.

Place the other Small Flying Geese Triangle from Fabric A right sides together with the Large Flying Geese Triangle and sew along the diagonal edge with a ¼" seam.

The unit measures 6½" x 3½" rectangle, unfinished. Repeat to make 4 units with Fabric A/B and then make 4 more using Fabric A/C.

Stacked Flying Geese Units

From the back, notice how pressing towards the smaller triangles makes it easy to see the point of the Large Flying Geese Triangle. When sewing these units together in the next steps, placing this view on top for sewing makes it easier to see where to sew just to the inside of the point’s seam allowance.

Arrange two Flying Geese units as shown above. Layer right sides together and sew with a ¼" seam.

Press towards the upper Flying Geese unit. The unit measures 6½" x 6½" square, unfinished. Repeat to make 4 units.

Block Assembly

Lay out the block using the Stacked Flying Geese units arranged as shown above. Sew the units together into two rows. Press.

Arrange the rows together as shown above. Sew the rows together into the block. Press the final seam. The block should measure 12 ½" square, unfinished (12" finished size).