Kansas Troubles

 

The patchwork block Kansas Troubles was first printed in the Weekly Kansas City Star on March 7, 1934.   Nancy Page shared the block in her newspaper column in February 1936.

"By rights, I suppose this quilt should be made in colors of dust.  Of course, Kansas has the marvelous sunsets and sunrisings, too, so perhaps we can change the color schemes.  But sunsets are not troubles.  They are glorious, especially in Kansas.  If you use gay colors I suggest you change the name of this block to ‘Kansas Glories.’  But whatever you call it, you will be making a traditional and fine old pattern when you make this one.”

“I like it because I think I can use up all sorts of odd, small pieces. I can get plain colors and print for the large triangles, but use all sorts of pieces for the points.”

“Yes, so you can, but you won’t be making the design quite as it was planned.  You see the prints of the large triangle are repeated in the small points and the plain is found again in the neighboring block.”

The members of the Nancy Page quilt club studied the possibilities of this fine old block.  They decided that it could be used as an allover pattern or as a square block to be set into the quilt corner-wise with plain square blocks adjoining.  Some members decided to put the pieced blocks together with sashing.  You can take your choice. 

 

 

Nancy Page didn't just write about quilts, she was an expert in almost anything.  Here is her advice on Welcoming House Guests.

Don't forget the breakfast in bed, the lamb's wool shoe shiner and telegraph blanks.