MRS. PERKINS'S QUILT.
(
Patchwork Puzzles)
It will be seen that in this case the square patchwork quilt is built up
of 169 pieces. The puzzle is to find the smallest possible number of
square portions of which the quilt could be composed and show how they
might be joined together. Or, to put it the reverse way, divide the
quilt into as few square portions as possible by merely cutting the
stitches.
Answer:
The following diagram shows how the quilt should be constructed.
There is, I believe, practically only one solution to this puzzle. The
fewest separate squares must be eleven. The portions must be of the
sizes given, the three largest pieces must be arranged as shown, and the
remaining group of eight squares may be "reflected," but cannot be
differently arranged.
