Block of the Month
Georgia's Blog
Block 4
The block this month is a Friendship Star. In the days of the pioneers, Friendship Star quilts were made for women about to embark on their journeys across the country on their pioneer trips. Her friends would each sew these simple stars and embroider their names in the center of the star. The quilt would be presented to their friend to take along with her on her journey west.
Although we may no longer carry on this beautiful tradition, the Friendship star is an easy block to construct and is a beautiful block to add to any quilt. You will be making 4 of these stars, 2 with the blades going clockwise, and 2 with the blades going anti clockwise. Thus, you must pay particular attention to the direction as you piece them together. 4 half square triangles, 4 corner stones, and a center square, that’s all you need to complete the block.
Have fun with your Friendship star and remember we are always here to help you if you have any questions or troubles. Happy Stitching.
Block 5
Welcome to Lakeside month 5. We are getting close to the actual putting together of all the blocks you have been working on the last few months. I hope that you have been able to figure out how they all work and have been paying particular attention to that ever important ¼ inch seam and the direction of all the pieces. Remember, we are always here to help if you have a question or need guidance.
This month, the blocks are a combination of 9 patch and HST’s or half square triangles. The first known 9 patch quilts were made at the beginning of the 19th century. Many girls learned to sew this block because of it’s ease of piecing. 9 patch blocks were a popular block and quilt pattern of the Civil War era because of the need to be thrifty with fabric and quilters could collect these tiny pieces from left over materials and clothing. The Little House on the Prairie books mention Laura making a 9 patch block as it was a simple design that could be taught to children as soon as they could hold a needle, sometimes as early as 4 years of age.
The HST is one of the most versatile quilt blocks to make. Not only are they commonly found as smaller units within a block, but you can make an entire quilt out of nothing but HST’s in several different layouts.
Have fun with month 5 and we will talk again soon.
Georgia
Block 6 will be available for pick up September 15, 2022
Cool Facts
The world’s largest quilt is the AIDS Memorial quilt. It weighs 54 tons. However, the world’s largest historical quilt is in Antler, North Dakota. The quilt depicts the state in a colorful map spread out over 11,390 square feet. Many homes aren’t even that large.
The United States has approximately 21 million quilters with an average age of 62. Quilting in America creates a $3.7 billion industry every year. Just think how many patches of fabric that money can buy. Paducah, Kentucky, bills itself as the quilting capital of the world. If the museum is any indication, no other town will come close to claiming Paducah’s title any time soon. No matter what fun fact is your favorite, one thing is certain: every quilt tells a story.
|
