I came across this pattern as the “Enigma Square” in Nancy Cabot’s (real name, Loretta Leitner Rising) weekly quilting column in the Chicago Tribune, which ran from 1933 - 1948. According to the article’s tag line the Enigma Square pattern creates a “puzzling effect”, which looks much more complicated to put together than it really is!

The block is a variation on a four patch, and in Cabot’s version it was repeated again and again to create diagonal “domino”- like lines down the quilt. For the Working Cloth version, I’ve spun the blocks at 90 degrees to create a central square instead.

Have a play with the blocks (domino is a game after all) and see what works for you! For best results, read the instructions thoroughly before you begin, work slowly and methodically, and always, always press your seams.

Skill level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate. A great second project if you’ve done another quilting project before.

1 cm (3/8”) seam allowance is included in the pattern.

SUITABLE FABRICS

Many fabrics can be used for quilting, though some are easier to work with than others. If you are a beginner, try mid-weight cotton or linens of a plain weave. Fabrics should be woven, not knitted, and shouldn’t have any stretch. Mid-weight fabrics provide some stability — heavy ones will create bulky seams and light ones are more likely to shift while sewing. If you are re-purposing fabrics from your home, bed sheets, pillowcases, button-down shirts, and lightweight trousers all make good quilt material. As you become more confident, experiment with different textures and fibres.

YOU WILL NEED

- Sewing Thread - Basting Thread - Hand Quilting Thread (I recommend Sashiko Thread or Perl 8 Cotton) - Hand Quilting or Sashiko Needles - A Thimble - Tailor’s Chalk or Quilting Pencil - Quilting Ruler (or straight edge and measuring tape/ruler) - Scissors or Rotary cutter - Pins - Iron - Binding - Wadding - Painter’s tape (optional) -

56 cm zip (Cushion only)

Sizes: Cushion, Cot, Throw, Single, Double