All of these blocks were completed some time ago — I just needed to sew them together and add additional applique pieces where the blocks meet. This is a large quilt (84″ x 98″) which is going to work well on my ridiculously thick mattress. It will look much better when it’s quilted and I’ve cut the scalloped edge.
The blocks were constructed with vintage 1930s Double Wedding Ring pieces. If you look closely in the third photo, you can see a little red print with a swastika. I was surprised to see this, even though I realized these prints were manufactured way before the war when the swastika was still a symbol for good luck. In Ruby Short McKim’s 1931 publication 101 Patchwork Patterns, she included the swastika pattern.
“Our frontier mothers ingeniously converted this ancient symbol of good luck into a quilt pattern which is simply from two triangles. Somestimes they call it “Fly-Foot.”
Thanks to her youngest granddaughter, the original book (with templates) is available here. Of course, probably nobody makes this pattern anymore because of the negative connotations. I just left the little quilt piece in because I thought it was historically interesting.
The pattern for the Ferris Wheel block is available on my earlier post.
It is absolutely gorgeous! I love everything about it. You should be very proud. What a huge accomplishment!
This is so beautiful. It makes me feel all wanty inside. gimme gimme gimme! LOL
Wow, that is a very impressive quilt! I can’t wait to see how the scallops will look! The fabric colors and prints, give an overall ‘tutti-frutti’ effect! I just love those small vintage prints!
What a fabulous quilt! You’ve done a fantastic job on the piecing and applique. Such pretty prints!
I have an old butter crock with a swastica on it…and I have a quilt top too. It’s a shame that a symbol that was lucky and good is now associated with the Nazis..and it’s original meaning is lost to most.
Beautiful quilt top. Interesting note on the swatiska. I believe the original swastika is a native American symbol. The Nazi swastika is reversed (Haven’t check this out myself, though). Nice to see the original symbol properly represented in a work of love and friendship. 😉
The quilt is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, Martha! To me, it looks like a flower garden!
What an interesting way to date the fabrics in your quilt! I have never associated the swastika with anything other than the Nazis. It’s interesting to me to find out its prior history.
I really love your Ferris wheel top, Martha! It is lovely to look at with all of those cheery fabrics!
It is just stunning! You accomplish so much and your work is synonymous with perfection. Love this beautiful quilt!