Z is for two blocks from the Quilter's Cache

There are not many traditional quilt blocks whose name begins with Z. In my research I went to a favorite website of mine, the Quilter's Cache, run by Marcia Hohn. She has a wealth of traditional and original quilt patterns there, all with accurate templates and well written instructions.

 I respect her copyright, and so I am posting here links to her web pages, and not the images of the quilt blocks themselves.

Z Cross
Zig zag

I can't believe I'm done! Another successful year.  I have no clue what theme I will choose for next year though!!

Viridian
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Y is for Yo Yo quilting

Yo yo quilting is more of a technique than a pattern.  You cut circles (about 2 inches in diameter or larger? I've never done this) and press a small hem around the rim of the circle.  Then with thread run a running stitch around the rim (circumference) and draw up, and tie off.  Flatten into a circle with gathers in the middle.  Make lots more and whip stitch together.

My first picture below shows a close up of some yo yo's.

Next, a mat made of yo yo's.

This style of quilt creates a great visual and actual texture, without adding much warmth.  These kinds of quilts started showing up in the 1930's I believe, made with the bright pastel cottons of that era.

My mom remembers starting one of these as a child.  Her aunt started herself and a cousin on yo yo's mainly to keep them out of trouble.  I think the girls tired of it after about 6 yo yo's. 

Not for me either - too much work!

Viridian

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Tuesday Quilt Block April 28

Well April is just flying by!
Here is my Tuesday Quilt block, another in the series of Stars in a Time warp, led by Barbara Brackman.  Last week's fabric type was woven plaids.

A "homespun" feel to this fabric, chosen because it looks so old-fashioned.

More of a shirting feel to this fabric.

I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Quilt Story as I do most weeks I have blocks to share. Both blog hops have pictures of pretty quilt blocks and other projects. I am also joining Work in Progress Wednesday - some colorful and interesting projects there!

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

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X is for various blocks from the Quilter's Cache

There are not many traditional quilt blocks whose name begins with X.  perhaps one or two.  In my research I went to a favorite website of mine, the Quilter's Cache, run by Marcia Hohn.  She has a wealth of traditional and original quilt patterns there, all with accurate templates and well written instructions.

I respect her copyright, and so I am posting here links to her web pages, and not the images of the quilt blocks themselves.

X and Square
X's and O's
X - squared

And there are many more!  I will be back to this site for Z.

Viridian
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W is for the Whirling Star block

An appropriate name, whirling star, for a block with a lot of motion:

This block finishes at 12 inches.  I have a vintage quilt in this pattern with 8 inch blocks.  In my quilt blocks, the solid colors are new fabric, and the prints are vintage yardage and feedsack fabrics.  

Yet another unfinished project in my sewing room.  Yes, there is definitely a pattern here.

Viridian

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V is for the Variable Star block

Hurrah, I am nearing the end, and I am able to find quilt blocks for the difficult letters at the end of the alphabet!
This block has a number of names, but is often known as Variable Star.

This particular block is part of my Stars in a Time Warp series, hosted by Barbara Brackman, at her blog, Civil War Quilts.  This blue fabric is known as Prussian Blue, and the style is a rainbow or fondu print.

Viridian

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U is for the Union Square quilt block

There are not many quilt blocks with names beginning with U!  Here is the Union Square block.

I do not know how old this quilt block is - if it is from the Civil War era or later.

Some quilt blocks, like our last one, the tree block, are representational, and some like the one above, are geometrical.  Both are appealing to me.

Viridian

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T is for the Tree quilt block

This block is also known as the Tree of Life block. I have a full quilt image to share with you today:

This image is from http://www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mnh/patchwork_lives/believing.htm

A website which has images of other quilts that reflected the maker's faith.  From the website:

"The pattern is composed nearly entirely of triangles. The "leaves" of the tree are triangles sewn together to create two-color squares. The squares were carefully stitched "on point," in diagonal strips that made up the tree's bower. It took great attention to detail to place the squares accurately to create the rows of colors."

Viridian

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S is for the Shoo fly block

Shoo fly has several different meanings, whether you are baking sweet molasses pies (shoo fly pies) or working for the railroad (short stretch of track to go around an obstacle).

If you are a quilter, the Shoo fly block looks like this:

(Sorry for the poor scan!)  This block is also known at Hole in the Barn Door.

Viridian

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R is for the Rolling Stone quilt block

And it was named this long before the rock n roll group of the same name!  I have not tried this pattern myself.

Usually not done in these colors.  I got this .gif from a Pinterest page, and I do not know the original source - sorry I cannot give them credit.

Viridian

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Tuesday Quilt block

Still keeping up with Barbara Brackman and her Stars in a Time Warp series.
This past week: rainbow or ombre prints.  I see that one of my Prussian blue stars falls into this category.    But I had fun making two more, using fabric that has been in my stash for a long time.

A south seas import fabric, never used before this!

A fabric that is a printed plaid type, and an ombre!

I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Quilt Story as I do most weeks I have blocks to share. Both blog hops have pictures of pretty quilt blocks and other projects. I am also joining Work in Progress Wednesday - some colorful and interesting projects there!

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

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Q is for Quilts and Quilting

Of course Q is for quilting. I have an easier time with this letter than most bloggers!

I have been active in this hobby for more than 30 years, and I have the fabric stash to prove it.
Here is the block I shared last year at this time:

A block in the style of Jane Stickle, done in 1930's reproduction fabrics.

Viridian

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P is for the Perkiomen block

This block you won't see in any usual quilting book. It is a style of quilt that was made in the Perkiomen valley near the end of the 19th century.  I saw on a blog an antique quilt made in this pattern and was inspired.

It is made with small blocks and triangles, to make a 4 by 4 square of light and dark values.

On the left, experimenting with a nine patch, and on the right, the Perkiomen square.  I decided the classic 4 by 4 square was best.  Once you make a number of squares, then you can put them together in interesting ways.

This was my first try at it.  All in modern fabrics. but it does give the same impression of light and dark pathways as the antique quilt.

This quilt is also unfinished, and in my sewing room somewhere.  Hmm I am detecting a theme here.

Viridian

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O is for the Old Maid Block

Another classic block I made for my quilt in the style of Jane Stickle (still unfinished).

This block is called the Old Maid's Puzzle or sometimes Crosses and Losses.

More than half way done with this month's challenge - hurrah!  Time to keep plugging along.

Viridian

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N is for the Nosegay block

This is a Nosegay or Bride's bouquet block I have made myself, and it was a bit of a struggle.

Inset or Y-seams galore!  In looking over some of the blocks, it appears as if I cut some of the white background pieces too  short, as I had to add bits more.  This block doesn't show it thankfully.

The patterned fabric is all old feedsack or cotton sewing fabric, obtained on ebay or various sources.  Solids are new fabrics.  This quilt is now assembled and I started quilting it, till I stalled (as is typical for me).

Viridian

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M is for the Maple Leaf block

This quilt block, the Maple leaf block, is just an arrangement of squares and triangles, but it is realistic.  The image below is from Delaware Quilts, from their selection of quilt blocks.

I have actually never made this block before.  I have seen these done up in Fall colors  - very bold and beautiful.

Tomorrow: a quilt block I have actually made myself!!!

Viridian

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L is for the Log cabin block

The Log Cabin block is classic, that showed up about the time of the Civil War or just after.

Top block: classic block, half light fabrics, half dark fabrics, done in (ugly) Christmas fabrics.

Next:  A different arrangement of half light, half dark fabrics, called Courthouse Steps.  This is an assembled quilt top, no borders.

This top was never finished, and is in my sewing area somewhere.  Hmm, I wonder where!

Viridian

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Tuesday Quilt Block April 14

Can you believe it? This is post # 500 on this little blog!

Time for another variable star block as part of the Stars in a Time Warp series.
This past week, the fabric discussed was printed plaids.

Both fabrics have been in my stash for more than 10 years (OK maybe 20) - I've hoarded some of the reproduction fabrics for some time, knowing that they are not manufactured often, and are hard to get.  I like the green fabric especially.  Both fabrics have been used in my quilt top in the style of Jane Stickle.  I really must get that out and finish sewing the blocks together, and add the borders.

I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Quilt Story as I do most weeks I have blocks to share. Both blog hops have pictures of pretty quilt blocks and other projects. I am also joining Work in Progress Wednesday - some colorful and interesting projects there!

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

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K is for the King's Crown block

Sometimes called King David's Crown.
This image of the block is from the Delaware Quilts block of the month.

The blog post in the link above will give you directions on how to piece it.

Not too many quilt blocks with names starting with K!

Viridian

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J is for the Jacob's Ladder quilt block

Don't start flagging now, Viridian! Keep on going with the A to Z challenge!

For the letter J I have a very classic quilt block, named after a famous story in the Old Testament,
the Jacob's Ladder block:

This is one I did a while ago, and it is a nine inch block, and did not completely fit on my scanner!  So it is a bit cut off on the left.

A classic that has been used for years, it makes a graphic quilt top with a strong diagonal movement.

Viridian

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I is for the Irish Chain block pattern

Here we have a traditional quilt pattern that I believe shows up after the Civil War in the USA.  My image is from wikimedia, and shows a classic blue and white quilt from about 1900 (so they say):

To obtain this overall pattern in a quilt, you need two blocks:

1. alternating blue and white squares

2. a large plain white block with small blue squares pieced into each corner.

This website explains it clearly and gives instructions:

http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/irish-chain-quilt-pattern.html

Viridian

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H is for the House quilt block

I am sharing a block from an antique quilt from the blog http://reproquiltlover.blogspot.com/ because I cannot find the one House block that I made last year or the year before:

This block must be assembled in order, and carefully.  It was too fussy for me.  And this is a simple house block. Others have doors, crossbars on the windows, etc.  Still, a classic pictorial block.

Viridian

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G is for the Goose in the Pond block

A more complex block, but done in contrasting colors, it can be quite graphic:

I do not know the origin of this block, nor how it got its name.  

Still plugging along for the A to Z challenge.  It's at G - K that I get a little weary and wonder if I'll make it through!

Viridian

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