Sew On The Go by Michelle Renee Hiatt

Block 38, Victory Gardens, by Nancy Page, was published in Birmingham News, on May 25, 1943.  Block 38 ~ Victory Gardens ~ Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 This block is made up of Diamond Rectangles. Square-in-a-Square-in-a-Square (Square³ or Stacked Squares) and Half Square Triangles.  Nancy Page was quoted on the same page as stating, “ Nancy… isn’t this going to be quite a good deal of work?  I think it is.  Perhaps that is why I called it a Victory Garden.  Those gardens are going to be work too.  If we don’t waste the seeds which we sow we are going to have to put in many hours of work.  But the results will justify the hard work we hope.  And that’s the way I feel about this pattern. The results when the quilt top is all pieced and set together ought to justify the time used in putting it together ”. 

Crazy Ann, in an unknown clipping, is credited to Finley, dated in 1929.   In researching, I found this same block with its double Split Rectangles and Shaded Four-Patches, which create that hexagon, known by several other names.  Two of blocks are also credited to Finley, in 1929; Follow the Leader, and Twist and Turn.  Additionally, it was also known as Crazy Anne, with an “e”, in the Kansas City Star, on October 15, 1932.  B37 ~ Crazy Ann ~ Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 Crazy Ann is very similar to Crazy House, which only has single Split Rects, but the same Shaded Four-Patches in the corners.  It seems Crazy Ann, carried the crazy into Crazy Ann.  :)  I think we all know a crazy Ann that keeps us laughing!  Whatever you want to call it, I think it is a fabulous block.  This week I was consumed with getting ready for Fall Quilt Camp and rebuilding my website ( www.sewonthego.net ).  I've been planning on rebuilding my webs...

Can you believe we are 75% through the blocks!    Crazy!  Crazy winds here in CT today too! Block 36 is California Sunset!  Such a find!  Love it!  This one is going to test all the skills you've learned over the last few months, but it will be worth it! California Sunset was published in the Chicago Tribune, on December 5, 1933 and credit to Nancy Cabot. This is a spectacular block and unique, as this clipping is the first time I’ve seen this block, and I love it.  I searched extensively, and I could not find this block known as anything else.  The block’s corners units, with the Split Rects , are similar to Dutch Tulip.  However, the Corner Beam units replace the one-patch units in Dutch Tulip.  The Peaky and Spike ( V block ) units really make this block exploded.   I think California Sunset is very appropriate name for this wonderful block.  I have big plans for this block in the Timeless with a Twist Book ser...

Block 35 ~ Autumn Stars was in Progressive Farmer, 1935.   Nancy Cabot was credited with the same block, but referenced as Golden Chains, in the Chicago Tribune, November 20, 1937.  Block 35 ~ Autumn Stars This block has terrific movement given the Split Rects and Dual-Colored Square-in-Square unit.  Add the Corner Beam unit to the corners and wow!  With its great lines, this block would be great as an alternate block in a quilt or makes for a wonderful one block quilt due to the secondary design within the block.  Hmm.. maybe this is another block used in a setting in the Book Series.... :)

Block 34 is Emerald Square, credited to Nancy Cabot in Chicago Tribune, April 22, 1936.  Block 34 ~ Emerald Square ~ Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 Nancy Cabot is quoted as saying “Emerald Block is pieced pattern designed to illustrate in a quilt form the beauty of that precious stone for which it was named.  Varying the shade of green are used for the several hues of the spectrum found when the light strikes the stone.”  So, even though this was printed in a black and white paper, she was certain to let her followers know that the block should be green.  A simple but elegant block.

Block 33 is Dutch Tulips credited to Laura Wheeler in Cincinnati Enquirer , September 17, 1933.     B33 ~ Dutch Tulips ~ Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 Laura Wheeler is quoted as saying “ The tulip was one of the favorite flowers of the early settlers and it was they who first introduced them to the country. It is no wonder then that we find it used in such a variety of ways in quilt patterns.  Dutch Tulips though has more than just a beauty of form to recommend it for it is composed to a great part of scraps of material.  This gives the thrifty quiltmaker an opportunity to make a charming quilt more economically. ”  You heard her, try making this block with scraps!

This week's block is Pink Magnolias credited to Nancy Cabot in Chicago Tribune, July 26, 1936.   Nancy Cabot is quoted as saying “Pink Magnolias is a pieced block of southern origin, made for the first time in New Orleans.  The completed block is really four magnolias with the leaves set together and with the blossoms radiating from the center.”  She described it perfectly!  However, I could not find it referenced prior to 1936, so I’ve only listed her version. B32 ~ Pink Magnolias ~ Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 Pink Magnolias is made up of two sets of two types of Split Rects and Four-Patch units, so you will only need your Split Rects and the optional Four-Patch Square Up   (I would use it, especially for these little guys!) I love this block, it is so happy!  My color selections are pretty close this week.  It is hard not to use Pink on a block that is called Pink Magnolias.  :)  For both fabric selections I went with ...

Block 31 is Sparkling Jewel, credited to Nancy Cabot in Chicago Tribune, March 11, 1937.   This block is very striking with its Popped Corner Beams surrounded by Split Rects, creating an octagon.  Block 31~ Sparkling Jewel ~ Fabric Selection 1 The center of the block, was published independently as the Dragonfly Block in 1936. Adding the dark corner units and split rectangles, creating the octagon, really makes this block sparkle and its jewel like feel!  A perfect name! For my first fabric selection, I went with a Triadic color plan.  When I reviewed my blocks, I felt I was lacking some lighter orange, so I started there, with the Orange Yellow (23), then finding a Purple (15) and Light Aqua-Green (7).  Michelle's Fabric Selection 1 Now, for my second fabric selection, I also went with a Triadic color plan.  I'm getting really tight with fabric, so I'm supplementing a few solids scraps.   I'm trying to get 18 blocks from this fab...

Can you believe we are on Block 30!  Block 30 is Grandmother's Favorite.  Grandmother’s Favorite, by Eveline Foland, was published in Kansas City Star, on November 5, 1930.   This block is made up of a Birds of Paradise, Square-in-a-Square (Square²) and Half Square Triangles. Block 30 ~ Grandmother's Favorite In my research, I found this same block to be referred to as Scotch Squares in 1913 in the Farmer’s Wife .  Additionally, I found this same block in a May 1938 unknown newspaper clipping, missing the credit, referring to it as Scotch Plaid. This is another one of those blocks that can be changed dramatically by changing the value placement. On a personal note, I specifically selected Grandmother's Favorite to be block number thirty.  I lost my Grandmother just before my thirtieth Birthday.  We had a serious conversation the day before she passed.  Her passing was unexpected, so I was happy to have had the conversation.  I had just...

Block 29 is Eureka, by Nancy Cabot, appeared in the Chicago Tribune, November 12, 1937.  Eureka is made up of Dual-colored Flying Geese, Flying Geese and Four-Patch units.  Fabulous! Michelle's Block 29 ~ Eureka ~Fabric Selection 1 This week, I’m sharing some personal history, as this block holds a special place in my heart.  There is a handwritten note on this clipping, from my grandmother, and it states, “Uncle Sam”.  Remembering the Quilt that was made with this block, I know my Grandmom was speaking of my Great Uncle Sam, who was actually my Grandmother’s older brother by fourteen years.  At 16, when my Grandmother was just two, Sam joined the Army to fight in WW1.  The story goes, he returned home after the war but was never quite the same.  While he went to work at PNC Bank, he kept to himself, and never married.  He chose to live with my Grandmother for the rest of his life, including moving into my childhood home.  I can r...