Photos of the Clendenen Block

I know several of you have finished the Royal Palm block already because I've seen your photos.  You can share your photo blogs here, we all love to get a peek at someone else's work.

Block 8 is ready to roll on March 1st.  It's not one of the easy blocks, but it does look great finished.  If you live in Australia you should receive your block in the evening, if you are in the US it should make an appearance in the morning. 



1. Write your blog post. Publish it on your blog.
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3. Click the blue link up button above and paste your link into the box.

Godey's Autograph Bedquilt - April 1864

AUTOGRAPH BEDQUILT

The autograph bedquilt is made by obtaining the signatures of friends or relatives written upon pieces of white material.  These pieces may be square, octagon, round, diamond, or heart shaped, or indeed cut into any form to suit the taste of the maker.  After they are cut they should be strained tightly over a card, to make a smooth, even surface for the writing, which should be done in indelible ink.  Muslin, linen, or silk can be used, the silk being the handsomest, while the linen makes the best surface for the signature.  The cards may be sent by mail to friends at a distance.

After the names are written, the white pieces can be either sewed down upon, or set into, squares of colored material, and these squares, sewed together, form the quilt.

In quilting, select such a pattern as will leave the name free from the quilting stitches.

Smaller pieces of white silk (with the autographs written in miniature), alternated with colored silk, and made into a pincushion or sofa cushion make a very pretty album of affection.

Sarah Flickwir Quilt

Sarah Flickwir Quilt

I stumbled on this quilt at the website of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  It's a friendship album quilt signed by the family and friends of Sarah Flickwir.  It comes from Philadelphia and was made about 1840 - 1846.

Please take the time to visit the website and read about 19th century friendship quilts - it's quite a good summary of  signature album quilts.

What's Your Favorite Block?

I had a week's holiday at lovely Mallacoota in Far East Gippsland.  I finished two blocks, one of which I can't show you yet.  The other is a second Elizabeth Cowan block.

The first one I made had the colours reversed, this one matches the original block.

It's great to see all your photos and blogs about your work in progress.  It takes time to photograph the blocks and write blog posts so thank you for your effort.  Here are a few show and tell pictures which deserve a second look.

Wendy of Legend and Lace sent me this photo of Nancy Smith's Block 4. Wendy's needleturn is perfect, if you want to find out more about back basting applique her blog is a good place to start.

Carole from Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus has a lovely blue Block 4 which she finished on a delayed homeward commute.  I like the way the curves on the fabric echo the curves of the applique.

Michelle of  Buttontree Lane has only had the patterns a short while, but her choice of fabric is amazing! The mix of traditional patterns and contempory prints is a remarkable fusion.  I'm looking forward to what she chooses next.

Do you have a favourite block so far?  They feel a bit like children to me so I don't have a favourite, but Nancy Smith's block is particularly nice.

A Block for William and Harry

The Royal Palm Block

There are two blocks of this design in the Chester Criswell Quilt, one for six year old William and one for three year old Harry Clendenen.



William Clendenen



Harry Clendenen

The blocks were made by their mother Elizabeth Clendenen.  Elizabeth was one of Mary Criswell's many cousins. Elizabeth and her husband Robert didn't live in Chester County; they moved around quite a bit and settled in the Baltimore area.

The names William and Harry suggested the block's name - The Royal Palm.  The pattern is available on the website now.  The feedback on the blocks and the stories is very positive, thank you so much, I hope you all enjoy this one too.

Remember, you don't have to use traditional reproduction fabrics for these blocks.  If you want to see some Very Different Blocks take a look at Michelle's blocks on her blog http://buttontreelane.blogspot.com.au . Now that's a horse of a different colour!

P.S.  Harry's full name was Isaac Henry;  in the pattern I've called him 'Harry' five times and 'Isaac' once.

www.twobitspatches.com



Royal Palms - Wikipedia photo