While working as a documenter for
the Kansas Quilt Project in 1986-1989, I became aware of a particular
style of appliqued quilts that appeared over and over in our documentation
process. The four block quilt featuring four, 36" squares,
appliqued with floral designs, roses, tulips, leaves, feathers,
carnations, eagles, Christmas cactus, watermelons, and potted
flowers.
As a quilt shop owner and a quilt dealer for years, I loved applique
of this style, and I realized how easy these quilts were to make.
The pattern pieces are large and easy to handle, the curves are
long and gentle, and there are very few pattern pieces to cover
the large 36" square. Pattern pieces can be layed four at
a time and cut all at once, and accuracy is not as great a priority
as in piecing - Oh what freedom! And the greatest of all - you
only have to make four blocks, add a border with a simple airy
vine with flowers and you have a beautiful, dramatic appliqued
quilt. Colors may be traditional red, green on ecur or white,
or select colors and textures(flannel) to your own taste.
Each of my patterns indicate the level of skill. The answer to
a busy womens desire to make appliqued quilts - These quilts are
"do-able". I know you will enjoy making your four block
quilt and I wish you happiness and joy in quiltmaking.
 Good Luck Pennsylvania German quilt makers appliquéd this good luck symbol onto their 36" squares. The pattern swirls around half opened buds sprouting out of the dogtooth style center rosette. A four patch checkerboard adds to this cheerful pattern.   |
 Rose Tree Truly a classic pattern reflecting the popularity of the cultivation of flowers in American gardens. This "sculptured" rose tree reflects a design source in Pennsylvania German culture such as painted motifs on trunks, cabinets, and tin ware and woven coverlets. This block is made from Barbara Brackman and Terry Clothier Thompson's fabric line with Moda, "Floral Trails". Terry used a pillar print for the border, and let the fabric do the work. |
 Democrat Rose Made of exuberant Pennsylvania German colors, this design adds the pieced “Harvest Sun” pattern and a pieced sawtooth border for sewers who want to combine piecework and appliqué. |
 Flowering Almond So easy to applique, this classic pattern features gentle curves and straight edge diamonds. Flowering vines grow out of sweet woven baskets. |
 Laurel Leaves Laurel leaves represent "Victory" in classical design and are found in many album style quilts of 1850-1860. The repeat of green & red leaves is very orderly, however the border vines can be wild and freehand. |
 Oak Leaf and Reel A very old pattern dating back to c. 1830 when the reel shape became the center of many applique patterns. The Oak Leaf design has many names such as Charter Oak & Hickory Leaf. Surround your quilt with triple swags and rosettes. |
 Pot o' Flowers This pattern dates from 1840-1940. Well known quilt maker Rose Kretsinger made her version of this pattern in 1937. The pattern contains leaves sewn in the dog tooth style, lotus flowers, large "currants", birds, and a lovely urn. A coxcomb border completes this happy quilt made from 1930's fabric. |
 Christmas Cactus Christmas Cactus plants started appearing in botanical catalogues in the 1850's, and quickly rose to the popular status it still enjoys today. Naturally it appears in appliqued quilts, sometimes with a dogtooth border. |
 Twelve Tulips Terry bought a tired, old quilt at an auction only because it had an unusual applique pattern. She had never seen a design like this one, so she called the pattern "Twelve Tulips". Using traditional colors of red, green, and gold, Terry added a bit of indigo blue to the color palette of the lovely tulip. It gives a nice division between the red and gold, and remains true to the original quilt. The "Rail Fence" border and tulip buds surround this tulip bed. |
 Princess Feather So many Prince's or Princess Feather quilts were made c. 1840- 1940. Many have an 8 point star as the center motif with four, six or eight plumes sprouting from the center. Did this pattern honor English Queen Victoria and her loving husband Albert? |
 Rose of Sharon A simple variation of the Democrat Rose", this traditional pattern is perfect for beginner appliquers. |
 Carnations One of the few distinctly recognizable floral patterns, the carnation offers appliquers a true challenge with a glorious result. The simple "Prairie Star" border adds simplicity to a challenging pattern. |
 Coxcomb & Currant Named for the ever popular Coxcomb flowers enjoyed in Victorian women's gardens, this happy pattern cheers any room. |
 Star and Tulip The original quilt was found in a small Kansas museum. It reflects a strong German folk art influence with the tulips and center star. The easy vine border was done with the "Vine Line" tool. |
The great thing about 19th century four block applique border designs is that there are no rules about which border "shuld" go with which design. Our great grandmothers used any border she fancied, not caring if the content of the border "matched" the content of the four blocks. Our border patterns include these 6 designs: Rail fence, Prairie Star, Star & Bar, Coxcomb & Currants, Star & Tulip, and Swags & Rosettes. Mix and try not to match! |
 Star and Roses This cheerful pattern comes
from a traditional Pennsylvania German appliqué design
c. 1860. The roses, buds, double stars and leaves seem to thrive
on sturdy stems made in the traditional colors of the mid 19th
century appliqué quilts. The patterns are easy to assemble
and the roses feature reverse appliqué. |
This lovely old quilt dates c. 1845-1860, and is in perfect condition. Turkey red and “spring green” solids or printed fabrics dominated appliqué design in the mid 19th century and continues today for an historical look that quilt makers appreciate. Wild Prairie Rose is a variation of the Whig Rose and Rose of Sharon patterns. We thank Staci Seeger for lending this exquisite vintage quilt to Peace Creek Patterns for our pattern collection of appliqué four block quilts.
ABY017 - $8.00 |
