Objective of the Game

Welcome to the delightful world of **Patchwork**! In this engaging two-player game, you and your opponent are textile artists, competing to create the most beautiful and complete quilt. You'll be sewing together various pieces of fabric, known as **patches**, onto your personal **quilt board**. But it's not just about filling space; you need to manage your time and your precious **buttons** (the game's currency) wisely. The goal? To have the most buttons and the fewest empty spaces on your quilt board by the end of the game. Craft your masterpiece and outshine your rival!

Preparation (Setup)

Getting started with Patchwork is a breeze. Here’s how to set up your crafting station:

1. Each player takes a **quilt board**, a **time token** (one lime green, one yellow), and **5 buttons** as their starting currency. Keep the remaining buttons in a general supply on the table, easily accessible.
2. Place the **central time board** in the middle of the table.
3. Place your **time tokens** on the starting space of the **time board**.
4. The player who last used a needle gets to go first!
5. Locate the smallest patch, the 1x2 size, and place the **neutral token** between this patch and the next patch in a clockwise direction.
6. Place the **special tile** (the one worth 7 points) near the **time board**.
7. Place the **special patches** (the leather patches) on their marked spaces on the **time board**.
8. Arrange the regular **patches** in a circle or oval around the **time board**.

You're now ready to begin your quilting journey!

The Course of Play

Patchwork has a unique turn structure. Unlike many games where players strictly alternate, here, the player whose **time token** is furthest behind on the **time board** always takes their turn. This means you might get to take several turns in a row! If both **time tokens** are on the same space, the player whose token is on top goes first. On your turn, you must perform one of two actions:

A: Advance and Receive Buttons

If you choose this action, you will:

• Move your **time token** on the **time board** to the space directly in front of your opponent's **time token**.
• You receive **1 button** for each space you moved your **time token**.

B: Take and Place a Patch

This action involves five steps, performed in order:

1. Choose a Patch: You can only choose from the three patches immediately in front of the **neutral token** (moving clockwise).
2. Move the Neutral Token: After choosing, place the **neutral token** next to the patch you just took.
3. Pay for the Patch: Pay the number of **buttons** indicated on the patch to the general supply.
4. Place the Patch on Your Quilt Board: Carefully place the chosen patch onto your personal **quilt board**. Remember:
   • Patches cannot overlap.
   • You can flip or rotate the patch any way you like before placing it.
5. Move Your Time Token: Move your **time token** on the **time board** by the number of spaces indicated on the patch. If your token lands on the same space as your opponent's, place yours on top.

Time Board Events

Regardless of which action you take, you will always move your **time token** on the **time board**. Some spaces on the **time board** are marked, triggering special events:

• Special Patch: If you land on or pass a **special patch** space, immediately take one of the **special patches** from the **time board** and place it on your **quilt board**. These are the only patches that can fill single empty spaces.
• Button Income: If you land on or pass a **button income** space, you receive **buttons** from the general supply. The number of buttons you receive is equal to the total number of button symbols currently displayed on the patches already on your **quilt board**.

The Special Tile

There's one more exciting element: the **special tile**! The first player to completely fill a 7x7 square of spaces on their **quilt board** immediately receives this tile, which is worth a whopping **7 points** at the end of the game.

End of Game and Scoring

The game concludes when both **time tokens** reach the very last space on the **time board**. If a token would move past the last space, it simply stops there. To determine the winner, follow these scoring steps:

1. Count the number of **buttons** you have left.
2. If you acquired the **special tile**, add its value of **7 points** to your button count.
3. Subtract **2 points** for each empty space remaining on your **quilt board**.

The player with the highest final score wins! In case of a tie, the player whose **time token** reached the final space on the **time board** first is the victor.

Tips for Winning

To become a Patchwork master, keep these tactical insights in mind:

1. Button Management is Key: Don't just focus on filling your board. Your **buttons** are both currency and victory points. Sometimes, taking the "Advance and Receive Buttons" action is crucial to build up your income, especially if you have many button symbols on your quilt.
2. Prioritize the Special Tile: The **special tile** is a significant 7 points! Keep an eye on your **quilt board** and try to strategically place patches to create that 7x7 square before your opponent does.
3. Mind the Time Track: The **time board** dictates who takes the next turn. Sometimes it's beneficial to take a patch that moves you fewer spaces, allowing you to take multiple turns in a row and grab more patches before your opponent can react. Other times, moving far ahead might be worth it for the button income or to grab a crucial patch.