Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Block Sampler


This is one of my favorite quilt tops. I found it in Manhattan, Kansas a few years ago. Fellow shopper the quilt historian noted all the fabrics seemed to be from about the same time period - 1920-1930. When I took the top to a guild retreat, an older guild member told me she remembered when sewing groups would make quilts like this one. She said everyone who had an extra block would give it to one person and that person would put together a top like this. That makes sense, look at how different all the blocks are. The quilt measures 65" x 65", the blocks are about 13" square. There's a detail shot of the quilt below.

My friend and fellow blogger Jenifer Dick is featuring this quilt on her Wednesday Quilt Show blog today, check it out.


11 comments:

  1. I love this quilt. Wouldn't it be great to make a quilt sampler like this strictly from scraps?

    I have been working with my basket of scraps and discovering the true meaning of creating a scrappy quilt. I am making the most out of the size and shape of the scraps from the bin. Rather than cutting and slicing to achieve a look, I am looking to see what they can create.

    Thanks for sharing the quilt! I will check out your friend Jenifer's blog right now!

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  2. My favourite kind, the scrappy quilt. I made a kinda mad one, which was brilliant fun. I am a real duffer when it comes to cutting, matching and keeping a neat seem, so cray is definately the way to go for me :-D
    Thanks for showing this one, Deb.

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  3. my sort of top...and thanks for the link

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  4. Fabulous quilt! Why does this look so much better than samplers from today?

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  5. Great coincidence! I asked members of Rebels to bring orphan blocks to meeting today. Our fabrics not so cohesive as the earlier ones. Less choice in those days. Don't know if that is plus or minus. Stand by.

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  6. How interesting - I'd never heard/read about quilting groups creating these funky samplers. Guess I always assumed it was from one maker.
    This one's a hoot!

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  7. I used to live in Manhattan and my son is in grad school at K-State now. I never found anything like this when I was there! Such an interesting and unique quilt! Don't you wish quilts could talk?!

    LaDonna

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  8. Wow, ab fab quilt. Thanks for sharing it.

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  9. I love this top. I have been collecting random blocks for years. Dreaming of putting together a quilt of this style. As a matter of fact I have an idea for a block exchange with like minded quilters. Any interest here?

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  10. I love this quilt:)! Quilters still make these:)! I made one from blocks other quilter friends shared and a needlework quilt from needlework I gathered over time:)! FUN FUN

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