Elizabeth's Block Revisited

Today I was playing with my set of block photos.  I have one set of photos of each of the original Chester Criswell quilt blocks which are in an album with a written description of the block maker and other interesting statistics.  I have a second set of photos which are loose, and I can spread them out according to pattern, family connections or whatever.  This morning I was using the photos to plan which patterns would be in The First Year and which ones would wait until the follow year/s.

This photo caught my eye.


Lydia Baker, Philadelphia

It's not in good condition, the red fabric has deteriorated badly.  I don't think Lydia Baker was a family member.  Lydia was most likely a school friend of Mary Criswell - there are no Bakers in the genealogy and the block is in the outside row of the quilt, not close to the centre with family.
However, what struck me today was the shape of the applique.  It was both familiar and not familiar.  Scanning through the other photos I found its match.

Elizabeth Cowan, Sadsburyville

It's the same patten as Block 2, Elizabeth Cowan's block.  The two outside arms of the leaf have been cut as part of the main block, and the inside of the leaf is a single piece.  The inside of the leaf shape branches differently but the outline is the same.  The finished effect is quite different.  I wonder if Lydia and Elizabeth were using the same source for a pattern.  Perhaps they had a one colour design and chose to make it with two colours.

Today was the first time I realised the two blocks are the same.  That's one of the reasons why I like this quilt so much.  Each time I look at it I find something new.

Photos of Elizabeth Cowan's Block

How are you travelling with the second block? We'd all love to see your work, there are two ways you can share your progress.

You can add your photos with Flickr.  You first need your upload the photos to your own Flickr account, then you can add them to the group The Chester County Criswell Quilt.  Anyone can look at the photos.  If you need some help you can send the photo to me and I will put it into the Flickr group pool.


If you have your photos on your own blog you can use the InLinkz below to link your post here with a photo.


1. Write your blog post. Publish it on your blog.

2. Copy the link of the specific blog post. This is not just the link to your blog itself (www.chestercriswellquilt.blogspot.com), but the link to the specific post:
(http://chestercriswellquilt.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/hows-it-going.html)

3. Click the blue link up button above and paste your link into the box.


Carole from Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus did a great photo tutorial about her first block. 

If you're just learning needleturn applique her instructions and photos are very clear.  Carole's blog is worth a visit, she does lovely hand work.

Block 2 Elizabeth Cowan

I am so pleased to present Elizabeth Cowan's block from the Chester Criswell Quilt.  Elizabeth used green for the centre and red for the four elements; I reversed the colours. 
The pattern is now on the Two Bits Patches website.  You can choose just Block 2 or you can choose to purchase The First Year set and automatically receive a new pattern at the start of each month.

The quilt and I were invited to Wonga Park to give a bit of a show.  We had an excellent day, you can read all about it at Linda's Quilts in the Barn.