Sunday, May 11, 2014

Block 2 from Value Proposition as a quilt

I told you I thought that the Block 2 in my Value Proposition Quilt Along would be great made in multiples and then stitched together into a quilt; you can find the pattern for this block here. Much to my surprise I came across just such a quilt!

Value Proposition Block 2

The quilt is at the National Museum of American History. It is dated 1840-1860 and measures 65" x 74". The individual hexagons measure 1 3/8" and are made of silk. You can read about the quilt here.  Isn't the pieced path interesting?


You will notice that the block in the center is heavily embroidered. Wouldn't it be fabulous to make the center block by making the black round of hexagons and then stitch them to a piece of fabric with a large floral print? I certainly think so!

For all of you moms out there I wish you a very happy Mother's Day! I hope you are spoiled rotten and that you find time to do a little sewing!


Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

14 comments:

  1. What an interesting find. Thanks for posting it. That path design has never occurred to me. I've added it to my list of try soon projects!

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  2. It's delightful to see the results of someone "playing" from long ago. Thanks.

    Hope you have a happy day with your mother. Thank you for sharing her wonderful quilts with us.

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  3. this is my time period too-thanks for sharing-now that I see this block in this quilt-I don't like the look of those "spokes looking right back at me-perhaps this a good example of what the values in each block will do--I need to think on my quilt some more-thanks much

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    1. that really is a neat pathway-do you know she got those stars in there

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    2. Hi Kathy - I'm glad the quilt helped you get a feel for what you like and don't like. It is so interesting how different our tastes can be! This quilt really appeals to me however I would prefer different colours.
      The very dramatic path is actually quite simple although it would involve lots of sewing. It is English paper pieced with diamonds. A hexagon can be divided into three diamonds (think of tumbling blocks). Six diamonds will make a star. I wrote about deconstruction and reconstructing hexagons. You will find it at http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/2013/06/constructing-deconstructing-and.html
      Hope this helps!

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  4. I had done some playing with the hexie with spokes. I did them in bright moderns, but stopped at one round. . For a long time i couldn't decide what to do with them, i ended up just appliquing them to Black and white square and used them in a border of a medallion quilt. I love what happened to them (see my Flickr page) but it would have been interesting to continue with them as in you illustration. If the centre is embroidered is the border as well? That is stunning

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  5. I agree with Kathy, that the "spokes" arrangement of value will probably be my least favorite, but since this is a study in value with each block varying from the next I think the look in the quilt overall will be just fine. Maybe there will be other 2 value blocks to balance the look? If not. spokes will have to fall dead center. time will tell. thanks for sharing your find. I recently went to the Lowell Quilt Museum in MA and they featured a Charmed display of antique quilts many of which were hexies and I noticed as you mentioned in a previous blog that those with no path were traveling downhill!

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    1. Hi Susan - you are a no reply blogger so I couldn't send you an email. There will be some blocks in Value Proposition that you like more than others but I promise that they will all come together nicely in the end!

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  6. Happy Mothers day, to you and your Mum!
    I found that quilt very attractive, I was fascinated by the star path. Another thing for me to try!
    The swallows are delightful, they are a very special motif for our family.

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  7. Great find!
    Happy Moteurs Day to you and your Mum

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  8. We can learn so much from looking at older quilts. They inspire us to try old techniques in new ways.

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  9. What a stunning quilt! It looks a bit modern doesn't it! The women of yesteryear were so smart and creative. We have so much to thank them for! Thanks for sharing!

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