Penny Halgren, at How to Quilt has posted the pattern and directions for the Double Irish Chain.  She says that even though it looks complicated, it’s really fairly straight forward since the quilt is made by using only two basic blocks.

(Amazon image)

If you give it a try, let us know how you make out?

Post from: Blisstree

Create a Double Irish Chain

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

How About an Irish Chain Quilt for St. Patrick’s Day?

Recently i was given a rather strange unfinished quilt. It was made of scraps of fabric, I think mostly of old clothing. The fabric is a real mixture of texture and colors and probably from th depression era. Going through it is a white 2 inch wide curving strip. It continues through each square. I don’t know that it is a pretty quilt, I find it sad but fascinating. Apparently it was from a grandmother that has either died or is in a rest home. It was given away along with others by the family because it isn’t finished or pretty. I have fallen in love with it. I can’t send a picture of it as I don’t know how to put photos on the computer, Does anyone out there have any idea of the name of this sad little quilt? Thank you.

Can you help Ruthie with identifying this quilt?  I’m searching through some of my books but haven’t found it yet.

For more information about identifying quilts, patterns and fabric, check out my page, Resources for Identifying & Dating Quilts & Fabrics

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters’ Questions – Can You Identify This Quilt?

However, there were some quilting blocks named for a few First Ladies and their official residence.

• White House Rose
• White House Steps
• Dolly Madison’s Star
• Martha Washington’s Wreath
• Mrs. Cleveland’s Choice
• Aunt Martha’s Wild Rose (Would this, by some stretch of the imagination, be named for Martha Washington?
• Ladies’ Delight (I suppose this could be for all the First Ladies.)

There must be more patterns for the White House and the First Ladies.  I’ve only begun my research.

Post from: Blisstree

White House & First Lady Quilting Blocks

Quilting in the White House

Did any of the presidents’ wives do needlework and quilting as a pastime?  Do we have any evidence of their work? I was wondering if any of my readers have come across quilts and needlework by the ladies and daughters of the White House.

 Incidentally, while researching for my book The Magic of Patchwork, I did discover that Dwight Eisenhower and his brother Milton helped their mother with quiltmaking when they were young boys.

 Those were the days when quilts were necessary bedding in many homes, so youngsters of all ages and sex had to pitch in and help, especially when there were a number of children in the household.

(Collectible eXchange White House Rose image at Amazon)

Post from: Blisstree

Were Any First Ladies Quilters or Needleworkers in the White House?

Miriam’s quilt isn’t finished, but she shows us some “in progress” photos.  Perhaps you’ll be inspired as I was when viewing the birches quilt. 

I also subscribe to Miriam’s blog so get to see many of the crafts she does.

Post from: Blisstree

Enjoy a Unique Birches Quilt

Among these are:

• Clay’s Choice
• Courthouse Steps 
• Lincoln’s Platform
• Whig Rose
• White House Steps
• Little Giant
• Alexander Hamilton’s Quilt
• Democrat Rose
• Whig’s Defeat
• Washington’s Quilt
• Mrs. Cleveland’s Choice
• Old Tippecanoe
• Potomac Pride
• Martha Washington’s Wreath
• Democrat Donkey

Do you know names of any modern day politicians, presidents, or patriotic events to add to this list?

Post from: Blisstree

Obama Quilts & Others Presidential or Patriotic

1. Bird of Paradise  (See design above)
2. Turkey Tracks
3. Dove of Peace
4. Duck Paddle
5. Goose Tracks
6. Hen and Chickens
7. Goose-in-the-Pond
8. Wild Goose Chase
9. Swallows-in-the-Window
10. Flying Geese
11. Flying Swallows
12. Fox and Geese
13. Duck and Ducklings

Have you made any of these?

(Rainbow Hawaiian Products image)

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Bird Quilting Patterns

Here are 13 that seem to have come from the weather or were weather related:

1. Blazing Sun
2. Star of the Four Winds
3. Weather Vane
4. Sun Burst
5. Sunshine and Shadow
6. Wind-Mill
7. Setting Sun
8. Rainbow
9. Flying Clouds
10. Rising Sun
11. Rainbow Star
12. Sunbeam
13. North Wind

Are you familiar with any other weather related quilt patterns?

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Quilts About the Weather

Have you made any of these?  I made the Missouri Star pattern in a quilt for a customer.  It was a lot of work, but was a lovely quilt in the colors the customer wanted.

My daughter created the Ohio Star in a wall hanging for her grandmother’s room in assisted living.  Her grandmother grew up in Ohio. 

1. Ohio Star
2. Missouri Star
3. Lone Star (Texas)
4. Iowa Star
5. Tennessee Star
6. Virginia’s Star
7. North Carolina Star
8. Kansas Sunflower
9. California Rose
10. Indiana Puzzle
11. Kentucky Rose
12. Rocky Road to Kansas
13. Florida Star

Of course, there are more states with patterns named after them, but for today’s post, I’ll stop at thirteen.  Have you made any of these…or ones named for other states?

(C0llectibleXchange image)

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 States Named in Quilt Patterns