Quilting Patterns. Methods Of Stamping. Part 2

Both pieced and applique blocks are almost always marked for quilting in lines which parallel their seams. For instance a nine patch block with its finished squares two inches across would be quilted on all nine squares one fourth inch in from all seams. This would mean 9 squares, each 1 1/2 inches across, 1/2 inches apart at all places. Each alternate plain square might be gorgeous with a small feather circle, a series of crossed lines, a star or pine-apple. A pieced "Skyrocket," "Weathervane," or any star block will make a lovely pattern on the reverse side when quilted to follow the seams. So for strength as well as design we retrace the pieced block when quilting it. Some quilters do not draw lines for this but sew along at an even distance, usually 1/2 or 3/8 inch from the seams. For exquisite quilts of fine white muslin or sateen, the very careful quilters marked out with a roweled dress-making wheel or by scratching the line with a needle.

In fact, the Kentucky quilters make a marking tool by sticking a strong needle into a large cork, leaving the eye end out to mark with. But only a small space may be marked at a time this way as the line disappears soon. Marking around cardboard or crinoline patterns with a hard lead pencil is an approved method, but the lead must be hard or a soiled, smudgy surrounding will result. Crinoline's advantage for quilting units is that they may be pinned through this stiff, buckram-like cloth to hold even an elaborate design in place while marking. The stencil type pattern is also used, or cut out parts with an ornate outside. Many, many hours are spent in marking out a quilt-it is indeed a specialized craft by the time honored methods. That is why many of the loveliest old quilting designs have been adapted into wanted sizes and produced in perforated form.

With the busy modern woman in mind, patterns simple or elaborate have been made that will stamp an entire top artistically, which means suitably, in an hour or two of time. Almost every cutting pattern has a harmonious quilting design suggested to use with it. When using perforated patterns it is well to stamp the quilt top on a table before stretching it in the frames, or even to stamp blocks singly before the top is set together. When the women who are to quilt it do the marking out, they usually stamp a "reach" at a time, which is about 12 inches. The design of your patchwork will largely determine the designs used in quilting. Angles with angles, and curves with curves, does not always hold true as most piecing is angular and much quilting is curves. Large plain blocks make the major demand for ornate quilting, while the converse is comfortingly true. That is if your piecing be elaborate the quilting may, yes, must be simple!