I'm using bright scrappy fabrics to take part in an informal Farmer's Wife Quilt Along - want to join me?

Block 18 - Century of Progress Block 17 – Cats & Mice I made this block three times using foundation paper-piecing and I wasn't pleased with any of the results. My notes convey my dislike of using this method for this block: "horrendous little block" ..... Block 17 Paper-pieced version 1 ....... and "retried - still horrid". Block 17 Paper-pieced version 2 Finally I revisited the block and patched it as the original block had been patched at the beginning of the 20th century. Sure enough this method worked perfectly. Block 17 - Cats & Mice patched using my free block pattern So, in hindsight, standing on the shoulders of our foremothers was the best way. You can do the same using the free block pattern I have created. FREE CATS AND MICE BLOCK PATTERN Block 18 – Century of Progress I changed the fabric placement to create a symmetrical Block 18 When this block was originally created great strides were being forged throughout the world. I am so grateful for those strides especially when it comes to my electric sewing machine. This block is one of my favourite to date especially after I made a change in fabric placement to create a more symmetrical block. My notes simply state "beautiful block". I am bang up-to-date it would seem - not that it matters - this is a marathon not a sprint!

Farmer's Wife block no. 16 - patched. You can find all my Farmer's Wife 1930s quilt blocks over at the Patchsmith's blog.

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 39, Friendship, today. I love how this block turned out...

I'm using bright scrappy fabrics to take part in an informal Farmer's Wife Quilt Along - want to join me?

Block 25 – Cups and Saucers Block 25 - Cups and Saucers I combined paper-piecing templates 2, 4 and 5 (from the Yahoo group templates) on Unit A and started with that piece. It just cut down on some of the seam matching. Block 26 – Cut Glass Dish Block 26 Cut Glass Dish I have a dislike of 6" blocks that contain so many half-square triangles as I get bored very easily. However, this is where paper-piecing comes into its own as notes state - "very glad I am that I paper-pieced it as it made seam matching easier". Leave the papers on until the block is complete. Block 27 – Darting Birds Block 27 - Darting Birds This block "took two days because I was busy with other things". It is not difficult but yet again, leave the papers on until the block is complete. I didn't follow the paper-piecing templates as I found them confusing. Instead I paper-pieced four quarter bear paw blocks - it was easier and quicker. Block 28 – Duck and Ducklings Block 28 - Duck and Ducklings Notes state simply "nice block to make - very pretty in pink". And so it was and is. I now have enough blocks to sash another row. So 'onwards and upwards' as we say here in England. You can see all my Farmers Wife 1920s blocks HERE. And you can find all my Farmers Wife 1930s blocks and links through to their hints-and-tips HERE..

If you've been around the quilting world or followed many quilting blogs for awhile, then you've certainly heard of the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt . The inspiration behind this quilt (designed by author Laurie Aaron Hird) are letters written in 1922 in response to this question posed by The Farm

blogged here Created with fd's Flickr Toys

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 13, Buckwheat, today. I’m not going to lie all the...

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 3, Basket, today. This one has given a few people pause because it involves appliqué. Appliqué’s not that big a deal. Seriously. I

Another week and another two blocks on the Farmer's Wife sew-along being hosted by Gnomeangel. Block 3 - Basket Block 3 - Basket My notes say it all "Horrid block to paper-piece". It should be simple - there is nothing much to it but it wasn't. Perhaps I was tired. I added a paper-pieced handle which was the easiest part of this block! Block 4 - Basket Weave Block 4 - Basket Weave I know this block as Brick Path. It is a very traditional block that I have patched many a time in many different sizes. My journal entry states "Quick and easy and very, very pretty. Lovely block." So there you have it - one good and one not-so-good block. Until next week when I'll be back with another two blocks.

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for joining the Farmer's Wife 1930's Sew Along with Fat Quarter Shop, Angie of GnomeAngel, and Marti Michell. We loved

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt and the books that go with it provide an exciting glimpse into farm life during the 1920s!

Buy 2 or more patterns from my shop and use code BUY2SAVE5 for a 5% discount! Vintage digital PDF pattern reproductions from the Farmer's Wife publication. The 1930s patterns are a historical overview of quilting history. The download includes directions for a Dogwood coverlet (15" block), and a Basket Applique (12" block). Please refer to the photos for individual details regarding the blocks. Also, included in the download will be general instructions including quilting ideas. Please note that there is a word of caution regarding the accuracy of the templates. The PDF reproductions are printed in English, not for physical items, and have been digitally enhanced. You can check out other crochet, knitting, cross stitch, and craft patterns at my store https://drjosiesjoys.etsy.com. Since these patterns are vintage some of the materials listed in the pattern may no longer be available. However suitable substitutions can usually be located using the internet. Please follow the directions below to download your pattern. Guest Check Out Etsy will send an email with a link to the email address you used when purchasing the pattern. Sometimes it can end up in your Spam folder, so be sure to check there if you don’t find it in your Inbox folder. Desktop (With Log On and an Etsy Account) The download will be located in your Purchases and Reviews folder. This is in the upper right when you click on your profile picture. You will be able to download your pattern within minutes of your purchase. Mobile Device You must use your phone's browser app (Google, Safari, Firefox, etc.) to log into your Etsy account and follow the instructions above for the Desktop. The Etsy app does not support downloading files. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about your item before buying or if your purchase doesn't meet expectations. I generally respond within 24 hours.

I’m not done with FWQS yet! There were simple blocks and there were beautiful and simple blocks. My selection includes not only the easiest blocks -there are many more than those- but blocks…

Blogged: craftsewcreate.blogspot.com/2012/04/two-out-of-four-of-my...

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 17, Cats & Mice, today. This block is all about...

It is over a month since I posted any Farmer’s Wife 1920s blocks so, without further ado here are another three blocks. Block 48 – Homeward Bound Block 48 - Homeward Bound This was a really simple block so I patched it rather than paper-pieced it. It turned out just fine. Block 49 – Honeycomb Block 49 - Honeycomb If I was English paper-piecing this I would combine all the yellow pieces into two diamonds (centre two) and four half-diamonds (side units). I cannot, for the life of me see why you wouldn’t. As I was foundation paper-piecing I combined the middle triangles to create one triangle for each row (look closely and you will see what I mean). It made this block easier and less bulky. Block 50 – Honey’s Choice Block 50 - Honey's Choice For Block 50 'Honey’s Choice' I paper-pieced the four corner pinwheel units and then patched them together. All relatively easy. I have actually made more than these three but I have put off Blocks 51 and 52 due to my half-triangle boredom. I will get on with both this week and hope to post shortly so be sure to pop back soon. Until then.........

Block 15 - Buzzard's Roost Block 15 – Buzzard’s Roost I made this block before I decided on my sashing which clashes everso slightly but I really enjoyed making it. Notes highlight a mis-placing of the checked fabric: “Easy to paper-piece although directional print is wrong on one of the side triangles.” Thank goodness I am not a perfectionist – I would never finish anything!! Block 16 – Calico Puzzle I patched this block and it turned out so pretty. Notes say it all “prettiest little block”. Sometimes it is the simplest blocks that turn out the best. Block 16 - Calico Puzzle That’s another two blocks and I have made a couple more so I now have two strips of 10 blocks sashed. Things are going well.

Block 29 - Economy I am not sure which block we are up to in the Gnomeangel Farmer's Wife 1920 sew-along - it has all got a little confusing as Angie's last post was for block 26 back in November. I think we should be up to Block 34 or thereabouts. Block 29 – Economy (shown at the top of this blog) I love this block - I loved stitching it, the fabric combo and how it turned out. My notes scribbled in the book reflect this: "So simple - so elegant". Block 30 - End of Day Block 30 - End of Day This block was "easy to patch using block 13 from my Patchsmith Sampler book". All that was needed was a turn of the four quarters before stitching them together. Click on the photo below to see how easy it was to patch. Patchsmith Sampler Block 13 - Slice-and-Dice Next week I will be back with another two blocks. Until then .....

Here are the From Marti Michell template conversions for the Peony block: The Double Aster Block Double Aster is a classic design credited to Nancy Cabot. In Jinny Beyer's book The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Blocks, Nancy Cabot is said to have presented this block, which she called Double Windmill, in her Chicago Tribune column of October 26, 1936, and attributed it to an old Pennsylvania Dutch pattern pieced in Philadelphia as early as 1800. Nancy Cabot was on a roll -- 2 weeks later, she added 2 triangles to each quarter-block and the new block became Double Aster. She "fertilized" Double Aster with 8 more triangles and a dozen squares and created a new block called Peony and Forget Me Nots, very close to block #76 Peony. I fell in love with Double Aster in the late 1990s, when I used it in this sampler quilt. (Sorry this is only one section of the quilt. The blocks are 16 inches, it is a big quilt!) Wherever the quilt was displayed, Double Aster was always the block that attracted people. At that time, we developed a Double Aster class plan that we made available to stores. It was great for learning about the triangles in Sets A and B because the block has 4 different sized triangles. I had made 8-1/2, 12 and 16 inch Double Aster blocks, but not a 6 inch block. When I first saw Peony in the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book, I thought it wa Double Aster and assumed it looked different because it was so small. Then I realized Peony had more stuff going on at the edges, which seemed to clutter the design. That settled my decision to make Double Aster for my quilt and share it with you. By the way, it was only after I decided that I compared the number of pieces. Double Aster has only 37 pieces, compared to 57 for Peony -- wouldn't you rather cut, sew and press 37 pieces than 57? A Double Aster for our Mystery Quilt Made with Set A, this is also a perfect block for our 8-1/2 inch mystery quilt. (Click the images for a larger view.) Bonus Sizes Double Aster is also a perfect block to demonstrate the versatility of the templates. You're using From Marti Michell templates to make 6-inch blocks, but our basic sets (A through D) can make up to 4 sizes each of hundreds of block designs. If you own Set A, you can make Double Aster in 3 sizes (6, 8-1/2 and 12 inches, finished). And you get 3 more sizes with Set B (8, 11-1/4, and 16 inches). What's the 2+2 triangles in the 12-inch block? It's triangle template A-2 doing a template trick! You can cut any triangle twice as big using this trick! (It's great for Flying Geese units, too -- cut the 2 small triangles with the triangle template, then use this template trick to cut the center triangle!) See 31 sizes of Flying Geese in More Bang for the Buck! My Double Aster Block Click on the image for a larger view. Click the link below to download the Chart for cutting and making Peony: From Marti Michell Chart #74 Visit these other Farmer's Wife Sew Along blogs, too, for sewing tutorials and other info about the Peony block: http://gnomeangel.com http://www.talesofcloth.com/ The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird for Fons & Porter/F+W.

I have to admit this is turning out to be even more awesome than I thought it would be! The Farmer's Wife 1930's Quilt-along started on the last day of September and we're now two weeks and 5 blocks in. Its been so much fun! Week One had the sweetest little blocks. All three were

The Farmer's Wife Homestead Medallion Quilt is available for purchase from Amazon.com

Sometimes plans definitely do not go according to plan! I had hoped to be waaaayyyy further down the track with my Farmers’ Wife 1930’s blocks by the time I posted this tutorial but I haven’t manage

Quilting tips, tutorials, and downloads – plus loads of photographs – all to help you sew beautiful modern quilts, even if you're a beginner!

The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilts are iconic bucket list quilts in the quilting community. They’re a great introduction to traditional...

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for joining the Farmer's Wife 1930's Sew Along with Fat Quarter Shop, Angie of GnomeAngel, and Marti Michell. We loved

Introducing the last 12 blocks in my Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival Classes! Class 12 offers 2 options...paper piecing or rotary cutting/modern piecing methods. There really is no easy way to complete the remaining 12 blocks other than paper piecing or using the templates provided on the CD in the back of your Farmer's Wife book. For those who already know how to paper piece, this may be your option choice...keeping 'true' to the entire Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. Option 2 uses modern rotary cutting/piecing methods. I have come up with 12 blocks that are NOT found in the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt, however stay true to the 'feel and look' of the original quilt. Plank Floor Tulip Bud Plow Windy Rabbit Hole Blueberry Basket Torch Light Shoo Fly Lemoyne Star Woman's Suffrage Egg Basket Hay Hook This is a secondary block made from Class 9, block 30. (Not included in Class 12 Instructions) For those who have been plowing their way month after month and familiar with my classes...these last rotary cut Farmer's Wife blocks will be very easy. I do have to admit, i threw in one block that uses 16th" cuts. Oh come on, it's good for you. LOL If you are not familiar with my Farmer's Wife lessons you'll find additional information HERE Instant download options are available through my Etsy Shop. Emailed options found under my Paypal 'Add to Cart' found my blog sidebar. Make Every Day a Happy Farming Day!!

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt and the books that go with it provide an exciting glimpse into farm life during the 1920s!

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 15, Buzzard’s Roost, today. I really like the simplicity of...

This lot of blocks completes all the blocks in the book. More information about how I am making this quilt. View all the blocks I have done so far. Windmill Windows Wood Lily Wrench

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 43 - Hope VeryKerry Berry is chasing through the Farmer’s Wife 1930s sampler quilt with another four blocks: Block 41 – Granny. I cheated with this block and paper-pieced it in such a way that I eradicated those silly half-triangle squares. Find out more HERE. Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 41 - Granny Block 42 – Heather. Another block that I’ve covered already HERE. I loved this block – so much that I made two. . Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 42 - Heather Then we came to a block I was looking forward to and which I like the look of.... Block 43 – Hope. This block has a partial seam and my notes read “not sure I got the partial seam perfect but it is pretty and to size”. It is also sashed and joined to another already! Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 43 - Hope Block 44 – Iris. I struggled with this block. Notes tell all ..... “Seams didn’t match up when joining two halves. I don’t quite know why because the middle and ends match and it is to size. Unpicked and restitched. Better match but still unsure. Maybe I am being too fussy.” Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 44 - Iris GnomeAngel managed another two blocks before scheduling a break until 1st March. Both blocks are covered briefly here as they have been blogged about before: Block 11 – Bea. This has been blogged about HERE. I like how the handle looks like ribbon – it isn’t, it is the small stripe on the fabric that makes it appear so. Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 11 - Bea Block 23 – Charlotte. This was an easy block to paper-piece and I made it in two halves. Nothing challenging – quite straightforward. Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 23 - Charlotte I actually only have another 7 or 8 blocks to make and you can see all the blocks I've made so far over on my Farmer’s Wife PinterestBoard or on my Farmer’s Wife tab above. Sew until tomorrow when I shall be sharing my Splendid Sampler blocks .......

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 6, Big Dipper, today. This pinwheel block may give some...

This was an easy block, squares and half square triangles are a safe harbour. Railroad But I like it very much. It’s so inspiring to see what you can make out of two “simple” forms. Next up will be…

Block 11 - Broken Dishes Are you sewing along with Gnomeangel to create a Farmer's Wife 1920s quilt? The nice modern fabrics add an u...

I'm using bright scrappy fabrics to take part in an informal Farmer's Wife Quilt Along - want to join me?

Learn how to make a Churn Dash quilt block or choose another our Free Quilt Block Patterns library. Perfect for the beginner or guild/bee exchanges!

Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt Blogged

We're a couple of months into the Farmer's Wife 1930s QAL now- you can still join, all the previous posts can be found here. Erica of Crafty Blossom/CB Handmade is guest posting for/ block 15, Blossom (p. 174, letter p.32) and I can't wait to see her fabric choices, she has such a great eye for delicate prints and colours. Here's mine: Fabric credits: Kona Citrus Brown 1930s repro- maybe Darlene Zimmermann? It was from Sew and Quilt but now sold out. If you know leave a comment! Purple 1930s repro- from Pretty Fabrics & Trims but now sold out. Block 18 is Bonnie (p.175, letter p.136) or you might also know it as Scot's Plaid. I remember including this block in 500 Quilt Blocks. There is something rather satisfying about such a simple but effective block and it definitely suits being on point. I followed the rotary cutting measurements for this block and pieced it in the standard way. Like Becky, it is another opportunity for an exercise in colour and pattern composition. Fabric credits: Pink and Green florals- gift from Chase, neither of us know the manufacturer, such pretty 1930s colours though! Kokka Lighthearted Plaid in Mustard by Ayumi Mills The accompanying letter is rather stirring stuff. I am not religious but I do heed the advice to "...look for the good side...". My default setting can be 'glass half-empty' rather than 'half-full' and I talk myself out of negative thought patterns on a daily basis. As I walk to work, I ignore the rubbish falling out of the bins or the grey weather and instead I deliberately listen out for something pleasant- often there are a lot of birds amongst the grumble of buses driving past.- or try to find colours to admire along the way. It sounds so corny but positive thinking, even if you are forcing yourself to do so, is good for you . I avoid negativity too- films, books, excessive news coverage- I shut them all out. Sometimes that's hard, I love politics and I can be a news junkie, but some days it's better not to know everything that's going on in the world or be following the rather skewed agenda of news' organisations. UK people might be familiar with Russell Howard's Good News, he ends his irreverent programme with a feel-good story, 'It's not all Doom and Gloom', stories designed to make you cry and smile, like these, more of that please. Use the hashtags Don't forget to use #fw1930sqal on Instagram and the Flickr group if you like to share there. For individual blocks, you can use #blossomblock and #bonnieblock on Instagram. You can also use the Fat Quarter shop hash tags, #fw15blossom, #fw16bonnie. I'm using both hashtag systems. You can copy and paste links to any blog posts you do on these blocks in the comments and I love to visit and take a look. See you on Periscope broadcast at 2.30pm today UK time. Lots of people joined last week and made it all great fun. Find me at periscope.tv/@verykb and it'll be available for 24 hours to replay before it disappears! Link will be in my twitter feed @verykb and I'll post on Instagram and twitter about 15 minutes before it does out. I think I'll talk about fabrics and colour, I feel like my quilt colours are starting to define themselves now. Please note: I have linked to my sponsors on items bought through them and elsewhere for anything that has come from other shops. You can join the quilt-along at any time, all the posts are here for you to catch up with. Back next Monday with Tiffany from East Dakota Quilter and blocks 17 and 18.

Are you getting tired of these Farmer's Wife posts yet? I hope not, but if so, feel free to just skip over them. I won't be offended. I'm enjoying making these so much, I just have to show you. These next set of 10 remind me of the TV show Parenthood. Probably because we began watching from the very first season while I was cutting out these blocks. My 8-year-old boy Jack says he and I are alike: "You love sewing and I love building legos because they are both like putting together a puzzle." He says it's because we have the same "jeans". =) Man I don't want these sweet, innocent days of parenting to end. Some days it feels like it's gonna be forever. Like the hours in the day drag by. Like they will never be able to open the car door, or do their own hair, or clean up the mess they made. But when I stop to look and truly appreciate the wonderful things about young children (12 mos - 8 yrs) there is so much to love. Mostly, that they laugh so easily and love so unconditionally. They think I'm beautiful when I've just woken up, my hair looks like snakes, and I have absolutely no help from makeup. They say I smell good even when I haven't showered for 2 days. They give the best hugs and show so much enthusiasm about little things. The baby's skin smells so sweet. Being a Mom and sewing - definitely two of my Top 5 Favorite things in life. But where was I? Oh yes - back to these next 10 blocks... Block 47 - Homemaker Block 54 - Kitchen Woodbox Block 48 - Homeward Bound Block 38 - Four Winds Block 41 - Friendship Star Block 106 - Wild Rose & Square Block 39 - Friendship Block 32 - Farmer's Daughter Block 104 - Wild Geese Block 102 - Whirlpool So that's about it. A little sewing, a little mothering - it's my life. And I am humbled by God's blessings. 

The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along is celebrating block 44, Gentleman’s Fancy, today. I’m pretty sure in another life...

On this page you will find every block I have made from Laurie Hird’s Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt book. If you click on a photo it will take you through to the blog post for that block where you will find my journal notes and any tips for making the block. Block 1 - Addie Block 2 - Aimee Block 3 - Alice Block 4 - Ann Block 5 - Anne Block 6 - April Block 7 - Augusta Block 8 - Aunt Block 9 - Autumn Block 10 - Ava Block 11 - Bea Block 12 - Becky Block 13 - Belle Block 14 - Betty Block 15 - Blossom Block 16 - Bonnie Block 17 - Bride Block 18 - Carol Block 19 - Carolina Block 20 - Caroline Block 21 - Carrie Block 22 - Cat Block 23 - Charlotte Block 24 - Coral Block 25 - Crystal Block 26 - Daffodil Block 27 - Dinah Block 28 - Dolly Block 29 - Doris Block 30 - Em Block 31 - Eva Block 32 - Fanny Block 33 - Farmer's Wife Block 34 - Fern Block 35 - Flora Block 36 - Geneva Block 37 - Georgia Block 38 - Golda Block 39 - Grandma Block 40 - Grandmother Block 41 - Granny Block 42 - Heather Block 43 - Hope Block 44 - Iris Block 45 - Jenny Block 46 - Jewel Block 47 - Joy Block 48 - Judy Block 49 - Katherine Block 50 - Lady Block 51 - Lily Block 52 - Lola Block 53 - Lucy Block 54 - Magnolia Block 55 - Malvina Block 56 - Marcella Block 57 - Margaret Block 58 - Martha Block 59 - Mary Block 60 - Mary Gray Block 61 - May Block 62 - Milly Block 63 - Mollie Block 64 - Monette Block 65 - Mother Block 66 - Mrs. Anderson Block 67 - Mrs. Brown Block 68 - Mrs. Fay Block 69 - Mrs. Keller 70 - Mrs Lloyd. Block 71 - Mrs. Morgan Block 72 - Mrs. Smith Block 73 - Mrs. Taft Block 74 - Mrs. Thomas Block 75 - Nan Block 76 - Nancy Block 77 - Nellie Block 78 - Old Maid Block 79 - Patience Block 80 - Patricia Block 81 - Peony Block 82 - Pharlemia Block 83 - Poppy Block 84 - Posy Block 85 - Primrose Block 86 - Priscilla Block 87 - Prudence Block 88 - Rosemary Block 89 - Ruby Block 90 - Sara Block 91 - Sarah Block 92 - Sonnie Block 93 - Starlight Block 94 - Susannah Block 95 - Sylvia Block 96 - Tirzah Block 97 - Tracy Block 98 - Viola Block 99 - Widow