May 19

SWING IN THE CENTRE, 6″, Light

Put your dancing shoes on for Swing in the Centre!

Ruth Finley identified the name of this block in Old Patchwork Quilts and the Women Who Made Them, in 1929, where she also cited the name Eight Hands Around. I went with Swing in the Centre, since I know another, different block by the name Eight Hands Around. And besides, Swing in the Centre is such a joyful name; which fits well with the other name it is sometimes given, Joy Bells.

The block I associate with Eight Hands Around is:

Download May 19 instructions (as .pdf).

May 20

WEATHERVANE, 6″, Light

Weathervane seems to have been published first in the Kansas City Star in 1929 (Brackman). Jinny Beyer references it in a Woman’s World publication called The Patchwork Book from 1932 (possibly 1931?), and to Nancy Cabot in the Chicago Tribune in 1937.

Barbara Brackman also finds this block in Ruby McKim’s booklets and Carrie Hall’s in The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America.

Fabric Key for Cutting

Download May 20 instructions (as .pdf).

May 21

ARROW CROWN, 6″, Light

I don’t know very much about this block as I discovered it in Maggie Malone’s book. Enjoy Arrow Crown.

Download May 21 instructions (as .pdf).

May 22

CORN AND BEANS, 6″, Light

Corn and Beans is one of Ruby McKim’s patterns, this one published in the Kansas City Star in 1930.

Download May 22 instructions (as .pdf).

May 23

UNION STAR, 6″, Light

Union Star was first published by Clara Stone in her booklet, Practical Needlework: Quilt Patterns, from 1906. According to Barbara Brackman, this was one in a series of needlework booklets, and as Clara Stone has been widely published in Hearth and Home, many of her patterns were collected together in this booklet.

Download May 23 instructions (as .pdf).

May 24

DOVE OF PEACE, 6″, Light

This is a block drafted by Ruby McKim for her mail order customers and newspaper readers some time in the 1920s – 1930s. Hall also used this name in 1935 when she included it in her book.

I was preparing this pattern form something else, when I heard the terrible news about the attack in Manchester yesterday. It seemed apt to use it here. Praying for peace.

Download Dove of Peace McKim instructions (as .pdf).

http://www.365challenge.com.au/the-blocks/