Hi,

I am new at quilting, and I have a question.
How do some blocks get their names? I mean Drunkards Path? Monkey Wrench? Contrary wife?
Im just not seeing it. Is there a certain formula for naming blocks or is it simply just whatever the creator pleases?

Just curious. Thanks, Rachel

Most of the names were given to the blocks long ago.. and the origins vary. Some have Biblical Names like Jacob's Ladder, some get their name from an Occupation like Anvil or Carpenter's Wheel, some from nature like Flying Geese or Ocean Wave, some were even Political like Whig Rose... and there are a lot that just are what they are. Who knows where they got their names. And many have more than one name.

I have read stories about not using certain blocks for certain types of quilts. Like you wouldn't use Drunkard's Path for a baby quilt... if you do the child will wander away from home.

Quilt History is a lot of fun. A great deal of it is folklore, but still so very interesting.

Barb C.

Here are a couple of sites to help answer your question...
http://www.fabrics.net/LaurettePatterns.asp
http://www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/patterns.htm

Hope these help. :D