Missouri Puzzle Quilt Block Easy EQ8 Tutorial + 3 Quilt Ideas

​A Creative Celebration for International Quilting Day

Happy International Quilting Day! I hope you’re able to carve out a little time today to enjoy some quilting fun.

To celebrate, I’m sharing three quilt designs featuring the classic Missouri Puzzle block. This timeless design is perfect for exploring both construction and color—and it’s a great opportunity to build your skills in Electric Quilt 8.

We’ll begin by drafting the block from scratch, giving you hands-on practice with the Grid tool in EQ8. Then we’ll explore a few different coloring options using a limited fabric palette.

For my samples, I used fabrics from Colorblock Party by Maywood Studio—the March 2026 Fabric of the Month collection from Do You EQ. The best part? It’s completely free to download and use in your EQ8 projects. 
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This collection was inspired by tiny quilt blocks printed on a miniature press. The result is a vibrant range of rainbow-hued prints that invite you to play with color, contrast, and light—perfect for a block like Missouri Puzzle.

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Drafting the Missouri Puzzle Block

In Electric Quilt 8, open the Block Worktable and select:
New Block → Pieced → EasyDraw

• Set the block width and height to 9"
• Set snaps (horizontal and vertical) to 18 (this allows snapping at every ½")
• Turn Snap to Grid ON

EasyDraw Precision Toolbar

Step 1: Create the Base Grid

• Select the Grid Tool
• Set columns and rows to 3 and draw a full grid across the block
• Change to 2 x 2 and draw a grid in the upper-left square (this creates a four-patch)
• Switch back to 3 x 3 and draw a grid inside the lower-right square of that four-patch

EasyDraw Grid Tool

Step 2: Add Lines

• Draw two diagonal lines in the first 3" square to complete the design
• In the second square, draw a horizontal line from the midpoint of the left edge to the midpoint of the right edge
• Use the Grid tool again (set to 1 column x 3 rows) and place it in the lower rectangle

Top two squares for Missouri Puzzle Block

Step 3: Build the Full Block

• Select all the lines you’ve drawn
• Clone, rotate 90°, and position in the next corner
• Repeat until all four corners are filled

Drafted Missouri Puzzle Block

Step 4: Color the Block

• Switch to the Color tab
• Alternate fabrics across patches for a balanced look

Missouri Puzzle Block Coloring 1

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Creating the Cornerstone Block

To complement the main block, we’ll create a simple nine-patch:

• Block size: 3" x 3"
• Snaps: 4 x 4
• Draw a 3 x 3 grid
• Color as desired

3" Nine Patch for Cornerstones

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Missouri Puzzle Quilt Variations

Quilt 1:  Classic Layout

•  Quilt Worktable → New Quilt → Horizontal
• Layout: 4 x 4 blocks
• Block size: 18" x 18"
• Sashing: 3", include sashed border
• Border: 0.5" mitered

Place your blocks on the Design tab.

Missouri Puzzle Classic Layout

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Quilt 2: Reverse Coloring

Use the Alt (Option) key with the Spraycan tool to create a reversed color version of your block.

Missouri Puzzle Block Coloring 2

Missouri Puzzle Reverse Coloring Variation

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Quilt 3: Bold  Variation

On the Layout tab:

• Change to 3 blocks across
• Set sashing to 0" (no sashing)

Then:

• Use Control (Command) with Fabric Tools
• Recolor eight corner patches with a third fabric

Missouri Puzzle Block Coloring 3

Missouri Puzzle Block Coloring 4

Missouri Puzzle Bold Variation

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Video Tutorial

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Piecing Suggestions

Blocks created with the Grid tool are often perfect candidates for strip piecing, even though EQ8 doesn’t generate instructions for it directly. A few simple adjustments can make your piecing much more efficient.​

Example 1: Nine Patch Units

• Sew three alternating 1½" strips
• Subcut every 1½"

Sub-Cut the 3-1/2" Strip Every 1-1/2"

Example 2: Larger Units

• Combine three 1½" strips with one 3-1/2" strip
• Subcut every 6½"

Sub-Cut the 6-1/2" Strip every 6-1/2"

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Let’s See Your Version!

Which quilt layout is your favorite? Or do you have your own twist on the Missouri Puzzle block?
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I’d love to see what you create—share your projects in the Learning EQ Facebook Group!

Missouri Puzzle Post in the Learning EQ Facebook Group

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​​​Happy quilting.

​Kari

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