PATRIOTIC MINIATURE QUILT
An 1890s reproduction quilt, and a free pattern for you
by Patricia Cummings
Added note: Patriotic quilts are shown in my 2006 book, Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America, now featured on this website.
Directions
Level: Easy
Quilt can be used as a doll bed quilt, wall quilt, or small table runner.
Finished block size: 4 ½” square
Finished quilt size: 13 ¾” x 22 ¾”
SUPPLIES
Eight 5” squares of bleached or unbleached muslin
Twenty eight 2” squares of solid red fabric
2” strips of assorted reproduction print fabrics
16” x 25” piece of backing fabric
15” square of coordinating fabric for binding
Soft Touch cotton batting or your favorite batting
Thread to match fabrics
White or cream color hand quilting thread
Thangles 1.5” paper templates* optional
Sewing machine (The Little Footâ attachment is helpful).
* Thangles are available at quilt shops, or by contacting: Thangles, P.O. Box 1010, Poolesville, MD 20837; phone (301) 349-5000.
Compass and template plastic for drawing a 2 3/8” and a 2 5/8” circle to use as a guide for marking interlocking circles in muslin block areas.
Directions
Note: Use a ¼” seam allowance throughout.
1. Using the Thangles 1.5” paper templates, cut and piece 35 half-square triangle units from the assorted reproduction print fabrics, following manufacturer’s directions.
(Note: If not using the Thangles templates, cut eighteen 2 3/8” squares from the assorted fabrics. Cut each square diagonally in half. Piece 35 half square triangle units together).
2. Referring to the photograph, assemble one nine-patch block, alternating half-square triangle units and red 2” squares. Repeat to make six more blocks.
3. Again referring to the photograph, lay out three rows with five blocks in each row, alternating the 5” muslin squares and the pieced nine-patch blocks. Sew the blocks together into rows, then sew the rows together along one long edge.
4. Layer the quilt top an top of the batting and backing fabric and baste together. Referring to the Quilting Diagram and the hand quilting pattern, hand quilt an interlocking ring pattern in the center of each muslin square using your color choice of hand quilting thread. Hand quilt a diagonal line in each pieced block.
(Masking tape placed temporarily on the fabric as an edge guide works well. However, please remember to remove the tap when you are not actively working on the project because if it is left on, it will leave gummy residue that is difficult to remove.)
5. Prepare 80” of 2 ¼” wide continuous bias binding from the 15” square of coordinating fabric to bind the quilt with a double fold method. If you prefer, use your favorite method of finishing.
Enjoy your finished quilt!
©Copyright 2002. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. pat@quiltersmuse.com