This little quilt was inspired by a large Tumbling Blocks quilt made in the 19th century by President Calvin Coolidge when he was about ten. I saw a photo of that quilt in a magazine and knew I wanted to make a little one for myself. If you've been itching to make a tumbling blocks quilt yourself, this is a good one to try because it's small and easy. It's really a lot of fun and a good way to use up your scraps.
I've hand pieced and hand quilted THREE of these if you can believe it. Not because I was crazy but because I was sending trunk shows to various shops around the country at the time so they could display them and promote the book for me. Sure, it took a little time but they were fun to make and if you haven't hand pieced a quilt yet, try making a little tumbling blocks quilt by hand. It's not as hard as it looks. Remember, I've made three so it can't be that bad.
The instructions in the book are very clear cut and simple. If you prefer to do it on your own, without a pattern, cut diamond shapes from 2-inch scrap strips, lining them up with a 60-degree diamond ruler. There's a pattern for a template included in the book.
Because the blocks are small, it was easier for me to sew the "Y" seams, or set-in seams, by hand. but you can certainly do it on your machine.
If I were going to make another one someday I think I'd like try English paper piecing the blocks.
If you don't feel like making your own, here's a link to buy this antique quilt that's remarkably similar -
LLBean used to sell one.
I wonder if Adelia or her daughter ever made a tumbling blocks quilt?
This is a gorgeous quilt--I like all three of your hand pieced and hand quilted quilts...just lovely Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteSuperbe !
ReplyDeleteLe style que j'aime.
Fabulous quilt and fabric combo!!
ReplyDeleteHave a fun weekend.
It's really very nice. Thanks for the mini-tute! I think I just might like to try it.
ReplyDeleteKathy it is such a charming quilt. I have never made one...yet:) You have got me thinking now, maybe I will make one from the charms from the groups charm swap!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! This quilt is on my bucket list!! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI made a small tumbling blocks block as part of my first quilting class--hand pieced and hand quilted. I've always wanted to make this quilt. Maybe a challenge?? Or I like Jennifer M's idea to use charms from the swap!
ReplyDeleteI hand pieced (EPP) a tumbling blocks doll quilt out of pinks and whites and then hand quilted it, but it probably would look more interesting out of different colored fabrics. English paper piecing is fun and easy and a doll quilt wouldn't take too long. I might do it. I have your book and have made the cover quilt and housewife needle case.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a very inspirational post! Your photos show the charm of the scrappiness with wonderful value control.
ReplyDeletePreciosos!! tengo este libro, y unas ganas locas de hacer todos los edredones que publica,
ReplyDeletegracias
The antique one from An Moonen inspired me soo much ..
ReplyDeleteI must make one too !
And now I read your post thats easy to make ...and yes thats soo true!
Its soo lovely and the affect fun to see :0))
I make a little cats quiltje for her sleeping place ; 0)
I’m in the process of currently hand piecing this quilt. The Y seams are no problem for me. However I’m not able to find any suggestions on the construction of the quilt. Is it more efficient to attach each separate block at a time or is it more efficient to make an entire row and attach a new row to the first row after row. There is very little information anywhere regarding this quilts actual construction. The majority of piecers just teach the Y seam and stop without discussing construction of this timely treasure. Perhaps you would be able to. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnn - As I mention in the post, the pattern for my little tumbling blocks quilt is in my book Remembering Adelia. What I did was hand piece the blocks together into rows of tumbling blocks and then I hand sewed the rows together, again using a Y seam. After doing this I trimmed the quilt edges where the blocks hang over with a long ruler to "square up" my quilt.
ReplyDeleteI was googling like a crazy person trying to find a tumbling block quilt pattern that used the Y-seam. So thankful to find you and your blog with all the great information and beautiful pictures of your pieces. This was the first pattern that I had run through my sewing machine to make the first granddaughter a colorful baby quilt. Of course I didn’t keep the information that I had used in that first quilt. I just thought that pattern would always be available. Thank you for sharing so much information on this technique.
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