Quilt Pattern: Mill Wheel

The quilts of the general Mill Wheel variety were exceedingly popular among old timers. In the "Base Ball" or "Boston Puzzle" only two corners were cut and filled in when the backgrounds were all dark and the four arc corners all light it was "Snow Ball." Watch your snip - only a few slight changes may produce the "Drunkard's Path" or a "Queen's Crown"!

Mill Wheel must have all pieced blocks to make a quilt top. As each block as sketched is 12 inches square, one can compute the number needed by the size she wants her finished spread. Allow seams extra and make all corners exact as any discrepancy will be noticeable when the wheels are fitted together.

Material Estimate: By using six of the 12-inch blocks across and seven down you will make a quilt about 72 by 84 inches. This will require 9 yards of material: 4 1/2 yards dark and 4 1/2 yards of the light.

More distinction for less work may be achieved by a smaller center, plain border of the light six inches wide, then a pieced border, then a plain border of the dark six inches wide, finishing the quilt any chosen dimensions.

Quilting suggestions: The Maple Leaf would be lovely on each large unit, or the Feather Rosette.