I am looking for a pattern for a patriotic sampler that has blocks of varying sizes. Fons and Porter put one out, but it's not what I'm looking for. I know a couple of quilt shops offered them as BOM's two or three years ago, I've seen pics of some of those and actually contacted the shop to see if they have patterns for sale; no luck. If you have any suggestions, I'd love ot see them.

And can you tell me what is the difference between Americana and Patriotic?

Thank you!

I wonder if you tried looking under google or something, there might be some sites that have different sized block in red, white and blue that you could use........

According to the dictionary,

A·mer·i·ca·na 2 (-mr-kän, -kn, -kn)
n.
1. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Materials relating to American history, folklore, or geography or considered to be typical of American culture: Americana are featured in the exhibit.
2. (used with a sing. verb) The culture of America: "[Hip-hop is] as much of a fixture in Americana as hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet" (Ken Capobianco).

pa·tri·ot·ic (ptr-tk)
adj.
Feeling, expressing, or inspired by love for one's country.

So, I guess one's a noun and one's and adjective; a thing versus a feeling or expression.

imho, For me -

Patriotic is red, white and blue and yes, it does inspire emotion and love of the USA, but I am a US citizen. Patriotic isn't American, every nation on earth has its patriots and patriotic citizens.

Americana is more of a style, more kitch (but not in a bad way, more as sentimental) but maybe that isn't the right word. The stuff they sell in red, white and blue or at the old country store is Americana, rocking chairs, state fairs, drive-ins, etc. are all examples of Americana.

Here's a whole page of freebies, all patriotic themed that you might be able to get some ideas from:

http://bomquilts.com/Free-Patriotic-Quilt-Patterns.php

Not free, and not of varying sizes, although you could look at it and make one to fit your plans:

http://www.bomquilts.com/BOM06-CB.html

Some additional ideas:

http://www.quilttownusa.com/quilt_ga...cpatchwork.htm

Good luck. Have fun at whatever you do!

peaceandjoy, good question. i guess I never thought about the difference until I saw your question then yes i wondered.
Quiltgranny, good answer.
Now I know there is a difference and what is is.

Thanks, all, for your help. I'll check those sites today and see what I can find.

Also thank you for the definitions... I have to admit, and apologize, that I kept thinking of patriotic as kind of the same thing. :oops: Of course citizens in other countries are patriotic too. Thank you for pointing out that patriotic is a broader concept than Americana.

No need to feel embarrassed, anyone. I think this was a great exercise for all of us, including me. :) In fact, I learned something and got to see some great patterns! Thanks for bringing it up. :)

I hope you didn't think I meant anything negative. I was just clarifying the difference, to me, between the two words.

Oh, no, Maribeth - I just hadn't even thought about it! I just kind of thought of them as interchangeable, but that really isn't the case. The explanations given are perfect; from now on I'll say Americana as I am American, but patriotic is much more general.