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Double Windmill Quilt–Free Pattern!

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Have I told you about the scrapbook I found on eBay a few years ago? It’s a collection of 1930s quilting columns by Nancy Page, Florence LaGanke, Alice Brooks and others. The columns are pasted in a book called SCHOOL LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA 1913. When I started writing Friendship Album, 1933, I knew I wanted to make a series of 1930s-style quilts to go along with the story, so of course the first place I looked was in the pages of my scrapbook. I knew I’d found my quilt when I found this:

With the help of co-conspirator Patty Dudek of Elm Street Quilts, I put together my own Double Windmill quilt and now I want to share our pattern with you!

Double Windmill Scrap Quilt: A Milton Falls Quilting Co. Pattern

by Frances O’Roark Dowell and Patty Dudek

Materials

  • Outer pinwheel (yellow, orange, green, and blue) – ½ yard of each color
  • Center pinwheel (purple) – ¾ yard
  • Neutral (white) – 2 yards
  • Binding (purple) – ½ yard (assumes 2 ½ ‘’ cut on straight of grain)
  • Backing – 3 ¾ yards
  • Batting – 52 x 60’’ (throw or twin sized)

Block size: 8 ½’’ square

Quilt size: 48 x 56 ‘’

Preparation and cutting

Assumes pieces are cut from yardage with a 40’’ usable width of fabric (WOF). (Not all fabric cut into squares will be needed for the quilt. Put the excess aside in case a block needs to be remade or perhaps to add interest to backing.)

From the center pinwheel fabric (purple), cut the following:

  • Cut seven (7) strips, 3’’ x WOF and sub-cut each strip to thirteen (13) 3’’ squares for a total of eight-four (84) 3’’ squares.

From each of the four colors (yellow, orange, green, and blue) for the outer windmill, cut the following:

  • Cut two (2) strips, 3’’ x WOF and sub-cut each strip into thirteen (13) 3’’ square for a total of twenty-one (21) 3’’ squares
  • Cut three (3) strips, 2 ½ x WOF and sub-cut each strip into sixteen (16) 2 ½ ‘’ squares for a total of (42) 2 ½’’ squares

From the neutral (white) fabric, cut the following:

  • Cut thirteen (13) strips, 3’’ x WOF and sub-cut into thirteen (13) 3’’ square for a total of one hundred sixty-eight (168) 3’’ squares
  • Cut eleven strips, 2 ½ x WOF and sub-cut each into sixteen (16) 2 ½ ‘’ squares for a total of one hundred sixty-eight (168) 2 ½ ‘’ squares

From the binding fabric (purple), cut six (6) strips of 2 ½ ‘’ x WOF.

Piecing

The Half-square triangle (HST) blocks are created two at a time following this tutorial.

1. Pair a 3″ neutral (white) square with a center pinwheel (purple) square.  Using the two-at-a-time method (tutorial), create two (2) HST blocks. Trim each HST to 2 ½‘’ square.  Repeat to make a total of one hundred sixty-eight (168) neutral (white) / center pinwheel (purple) units

2. Pair a 3” neutral (white) square with each of the 3” squares from each of the four colors from the outer windmill (yellow, orange, green, and blue).  Using the two-at-a-time method, create two (2) HST blocks from each pair.  Trim each HST to 2 ½ ‘’ square.  Make a total of forty-two (42) HST from each of the outer windmill (yellow, orange, green, and blue) fabric.

3. Each block unit will use (1) 2 ½ ‘’ square and (1) HST from each of the outer pinwheel fabrics (yellow, orange, green and blue) plus (4) HST from inner pinwheel (purple) plus (4) neutral (white) 2 ½ ‘’ squares. Following diagram, assemble block unit. Block will measure 8 ½ ‘’ square (unfinished).

 

 

4. Assemble a total of (42) blocks. Press.

Quilt top assembly

1. Lay quilt blocks on design wall (or floor) following quilt layout. You can orient your blocks anyway you want, just make sure they are consistent. There will be seven (7) rows each comprised of six (6) blocks.   Sew blocks together into rows and then sew together rows.

2. Final quilt top will measure 48 ½ ‘’ x 56 ½ ‘’ unfinished.

Piece together backing fabric to form a piece 56 x 64 ‘’. Baste. Quilt as desired. Join binding strips and press in half. Attach to quilt using your favorite method.

 

Finished Quilt:

 

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Welcome to the Quiltfiction Podcast!

First Time Here?

If you haven't listened to the earlier episodes of Friendship Album, 1933, you should start from the beginning of the story!

If you like quilting stories, then I’ve got some good news: The Quiltfiction Podcast is up and running! We’re going to begin with Friendship Album, 1933, a work of historical fiction by me, Frances O’Roark Dowell. Friendship Album, 1933 is not available in bookstores, in case you’re wondering, although it might be one day. Right now the only way to experience the story is via this podcast–and I really hope you’ll tune in!

Let me give a you a brief introduction. The idea for Friendship Album, 1933 came to me after reading Patchwork Souvenirs of the 1933 World Fair: The Sears National Quilt Contest and Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition by quilt historians Merikay Waldvogel and Barbara Brackman. I’ll write more about the Sears National Quilt Contest in a later post, but suffice to say that with its $1,000 grand prize (nearly $20,000 in today’s dollars), a lot of women were inspired to enter the competition.

Five such women make up Friendship Album’s circle of quilters:

Eula, whose family has been forced by hard times to leave the farm and move into town, where she doesn’t know a soul and is pretty sure she’ll never fit in…

Bess, a widow of one year, who shows up at the first meeting as a way of avoiding duty on her church’s altar guild and her neighbors’ constant condolences…

Dorothy, a woman trying hard to keep peace in her home and her sewing scissors away from the lively young grandchildren who’ve just moved in…

Then there’s the bee’s youngest member, Florence, living the life of a bored socialite after being jilted by her fiancé. Can starting her own quilt business turn her life around?

And, finally, Florence’s sister-in-law, Emmeline, who’s fresh out of material for her weekly quilting column and hopes to find inspiration in this odd collection of quilters.

When the group members hear about the Sears Quilt Competition, they all make plans to enter, although for different reasons, not all of them to do with the prize-money. In Friendship Album, 1933, we follow the characters in their own lives as well as when they gather together to sew.

Here’s a fun fact: I’m still working on the novel as the first episode drops on iTunes! This is a bit scary for me, since I’m essentially reading from a first draft and have to stay way ahead so that we don’t run out of episodes (so far so good–I’ve written close to 200 pages). But it also provides some opportunities. Maybe I’ll ask listeners for help with a street name or ideas for patterns. If a listener has feedback, she can leave it in the comments and I might end up incorporating her suggestions into a later draft.

I’m going to use this space not only to introduce new episodes and collect comments, but also to give you background on the story, share patterns and recipes, and talk a little bit about the writing process. I’d also be happy to answer questions, so feel free to ask!

Doing research has been one of the most enjoyable parts of writing Friendship Album, 1933. Not only is the 1930s a fascinating time in quilting, it’s also a wonderful period to kick around in if you’re interested in old cookbooks, graphic design, fashion, home decor, and the domestic arts. I’ve created a Friendship Album, 1933 Pinterest board, which I hope you’ll come visit (and send suggestions for!). You’ll find it on the Quiltfiction Pinterest page:

If you enjoy the first episode of Friendship Album, 1933, I hope you’ll not only subscribe via iTunes, but tell your friends about it and share the link on your social media platforms. I’ll be back next week with a new episode, so stay tuned!

Subscribe on iTunes

Quilt Along: Rosetta Star

It’s time for our fifth block – the Rosetta Star!  (Miss our earlier posts? You can find more information about the Florence Star, Milton Falls StarOhio Star, and Wedding Ring block.)

You will need two Rosetta Star blocks for the throw-sized quilt and one block for the baby-sized quilt.

The beautiful Rosetta Star block is mentioned by Emmeline as she muses what her life might be like if it was more like the actual readers of her column. Emmaline decides to make a green and rose Rosetta Star quilt to display on her chaise lounge, waiting to comfort her children when they returned home from school.

The construction of the Rosetta Star involves the partial quarter-square triangle unit to create the inside of the star as well as the star points. Testing the placement of your fabrics (left, photo below) when placed on the half-square triangles is key to success of this unit. The pattern (see page 9) has the instructions to trim the partial quarter-square triangle units. Using washi tape to mark off the trim size on your ruler hour-glass unit will help you get an accurate trim (right, photo below.)

Ready to sew? Share photos of your Rosetta Star on Instagram and in the Quilt Fiction Facebook group and use tags #lovesmelovesmenotqal, #quiltfictionqal, and #storyguildqal. Add your blocks to our Loves Me, Loves Me Not gallery by emailing them to qal@quiltfiction.com.

Next Monday, March 27, we start the final block of the quilt along – the Crown and Star!

Don’t yet have the pattern? You can buy the pattern at the Quilt Fiction Shop.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email qal@quiltfiction.com.

Quilt Along: Catchup Week No. 2 and a Giveaway

I’m very excited to kick off the third giveaway of our quilt along, this giveaway sponsored by Quiltfolk and Oliso!

Everyone seems to be enjoying the idea of catch-up weeks and I’m happy our quilt along schedule gives you extra time to sew the Milton Falls Star and Florence Star blocks.

We’ve been sharing photos of in our Loves Me, Loves Me Not gallery for our first four blocks. It is fun to see how the blocks look with different fabric choices. (Photos of other blocks will be added to the gallery as we introduce them in the quilt along.)

To be eligible for our third giveaway, we need to see a photo of YOUR blocks in the gallery! Just email qal@quiltfiction.com a photo or photos of (at least) two blocks – two Milton Falls blocks, two Florence Star blocks, or one of each – prior to 8 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023.

Two winners will be randomly chosen from those meeting the eligibility guidelines below.  One winner will receive a Felt Pressing Mat from Oliso.  One winner will receive a year subscription to Quiltfolk magazine. (These prizes can only be shipped to US addresses.)

Thank you Oliso and Quiltfolk – we have the best sponsors!

Eligibility Guidelines

  • The participant must email a photo or photos of two blocks – two Milton Falls blocks, two Florence Star blocks, or one of each prior to 8 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023
  • The participant must be a member of Story Guild (at any membership level, including free) and have downloaded a copy of the Loves Me, Loves Me Not pattern
  • Each winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize by responding to our email – if we don’t hear back, we may draw another name. Once all prizes for a specific giveaway have been claimed, the first names of the winners will be announced.

Next Monday, we will start sewing the Rosetta Star, block 5 of 6.

Don’t yet have the pattern? You can buy the pattern at the Quilt Fiction Shop.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email qal@quiltfiction.com.

Quilt Along: Florence Star

It’s time for our fourth block – the Florence Star!  (Miss our earlier posts? You can find more information about the Milton Falls Star, Ohio Star, and Wedding Ring block.)

You will need two Florence Star blocks for the throw-sized quilt and one block for the baby-sized quilt.

If you’ve been following along in the Friendship Album: Forget-Me-Not story, you’ll know that Florence’s wedding didn’t go as planned. She has moved forward and is busy expanding her business offerings. (I really want to say more but I promised no spoilers!) Given the importance of Florence to our story, we needed a Florence block in our quilt. As it turns out I’d already named a block after Florence –  a few years ago, a friend and I hosted a hand piecing quilt-along and named five of the blocks after the characters in Friendship Album 1933.

This construction of this block uses basic units – flying geese for the outer star and half-square triangles for the center. If you are pressing seams to the side, pay attention to the pressing diagrams (look for the small arrows) so units nest during construction.

Ready to sew? Share photos of your Florence Star on Instagram and in the Quilt Fiction Facebook group and use tags #lovesmelovesmenotqal, #quiltfictionqal, and #storyguildqal. Add your blocks to our Loves Me, Loves Me Not gallery by emailing them to qal@quiltfiction.com.

Next Monday, March 13, we will start a catch-up week and open up our third sponsor giveaway. To be eligible, share a photo (or photos) of our two newest blocks – two Milton Falls Star blocks, two Florence Star blocks, or one of each – by March 20.

Colleen and Anne-Marie were the winners of our second giveaway – congratulations!

Don’t yet have the pattern? You can buy the pattern at the Quilt Fiction Shop.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email qal@quiltfiction.com.