Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Grandma's Stars

(This post is linked to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.)

Actually these quilt blocks are called Aunt Eliza's Stars. 

Recently, I came into possession of 32 star quilt blocks that my grandmother made. At first I thought they were a pretty standard star.   But when I started looking closer, I realized that since that center square is set on point, making this block is more complicated than I first thought.


Each block is made from three rows going diagonally. I was able to find the name of the block in one of my quilt books and then an Internet search yielded the instructions and the very interesting story of "Aunt Eliza" HERE  The instructions are for an 8 inch block, but my grandmother's version is 16 inches.

There is also some information on THIS SITE that states that this pattern was first published in 1895 in The Ladies Art Company catalog. So, its an antique quilt block pattern.  But, then aren't they all?

I hope to put these blocks together to make a quilt in the coming months.


It will be scrappy, of course.  I must take after my grandmother!


5 comments:

Impera Magna said...

What a treasure you have there! I know your grandmother will be pleased that you will finish up her quilt and use it!

I like the Aunt Eliza star block and have made a couple before.

Looking forward to watching this one come together.

Jenny Squawk said...

Orphan blocks. What a joy to finish something that has been waiting on a little quilty loving.

Auntie M said...

Where in the world have these blocks been? Did your mother have them stored away? They are surely a treasure, and, yes, you must have inherited the quilting gene!

Good luck as you put them together in something very special.

Nancy said...

I love those stars! How fun that they are so big, too. I wonder if she intended to stitch them on point. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. (I love scrappy!)

Little Penpen said...

I don't know how I missed this! Treasures...beautiful blocks!