19-Century Patchwork

I am totally smitten by this book I just received from Martingale for review! As I was looking through 19th-Century Patchwork Divas’ Treasure of Quilts by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle, one word kept coming back to my mind – fantastic! Although I have only made one quilt to date using 1800s reproduction fabrics, what I loved the most about this book was that the authors presented three different setting options (actual quilts) for each of the 10 patterns.

Betsy and Carol were able to do this because they are members of the 19th-Century Patchwork Block Exchange group. For the past 20 years they have been getting together and participating in up to four block exchanges per year, inspired by beautiful antique quilt blocks and the reproduction fabrics which began to be available at the time they formed their group. As each member chose her own final quilt setting in which to use all the blocks made, we get to see three setting examples for each pattern in the book. Yes!

Photograph by Brent Kane for Martingale. Used by permision.

What a stunning and creative setting for “Night and Day” above using the Pine Tree block! It would look equally beautiful with modern fabrics…

Photograph by Brent Kane for Martingale. Used by permision.

“42-Cents Forever Stamp” is the name of this quilt using postage stamp blocks. The alternate blocks showcase the same strips used in the main blocks – but you must see the other three settings they showed in the book.

Photograph by Brent Kane for Martingale. Used by permision.

“Daybreak” uses the sunburst block. These are my favorite patterns but you get to see 30 options in all. Even the blocks one might consider challenging seem very easy to construct because of the abundance of diagrams and clear instructions. I am sold!

Another cool feature of this book: the tips on how to form our own successful block exchange group. Next I will text my girlfriends so we can start our own. 19th-Century Patchwork Divas’ Treasure of Quilts makes me wish the day had more than 24 hours…

This year I have definitely focused on scrappy quilts. The patterns in this book are perfect for our scraps, whether they come from 1800s reproduction fabrics or not. Time to dig into those scrap drawers or bins!

Hope you are enjoying your holiday break!