CorgiNole

A few months ago, Cathy Miller, the Singing Quilter, came to our guild. One of the songs - about the journey of Sunbonnet Sue - told a story in 46 quilt blocks (http://www.singingquilter.com/ - scroll down to the Star & Plume Quilt).

The idea of a Sampler Quilt that tells a story is really appealing to me, and I'd like to make one for my son as he progresses on his journey through Boy Scouts and growing up. This would be a multi-year project most likely - but one I could pick up and work on various blocks along the way.

The problem I'm having is that the obvious terms like Scout, Hike, Camp don't translate well to block names that I can find. And I'm not doing a great job of thinking outside the box to figure out related terms that might work - as well as other descriptions of his journey. He crossed over to Boy Scouts this past February, so I've got plenty of time. His goal is to earn his Eagle - so that is my finish line - in the distant future.

Would love to hear blocks that you might include in a boy's story of growing up (he is also a hockey player - another area that does not easily lend itself to quilt block names).

I promise to share along the way - and also promise not to sing the story.

Cheers, K

quiltingcandy

It sounds like you will need to applique the blocks to make them meaningful. I am not good at drawing, but maybe your son could draw some basic pictures of the badges he works on along his journey, then you can turn them into quilt blocks. We were Girls Scouts in our family, so not sure all the things that went with Boy Scouts.

Pinkiris

Why not go over to www.quilterscache.com and look at the block names and see if anything inspires you? Good luck!

kuseta

I'm doing something similar for both of my kids. I've used applique for some blocks, mostly my own designs, and then fabrics with the right theme in other blocks. Here's my son's quilt so far.

I did add 2 boy scout themed blocks. One used paper-pieced animals to represent his differnt years in cub scouts - a bear, a wolf and a tiger. I also included the corner of his cub scout scarf to complete that block. The other one is an appliqued version of the Arrow of Light symbol when he "graduated" cub scouts and moved to boy scouts. His goal is Eagle Scout too, but the quilt is not strictly scouting, so each year's block is something significant that happened that year. This year will be a block of his truck since he'll be getting his driver's license soon.

Other blocks are Toy Story, Star Wars, Legos, motorcycles, Grand Canyon.

CorgiNole

Looks like a very neat project Tammy!

I've got Brackman's Encyclopaedia of Quilt Blocks - so I've been pouring over that and also trying to find lists online.

My overall goal would be to tell a story with patchwork blocks - something like...

Your first summer at Camp Durant there was lots of boy's nonsense (see block 21: http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-w...sort=blockname) and during the relay race a few crossed canoes (http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-w...fm?blockid=173)...

would probably include blocks with constellation names, cooking references, etc. - like I said, it is a long-term project.

Cheers, K

kristakz

You need to think more broadly, maybe. Where did he camp? Name a block by that name. For hiking - "twisted trail", "Mountain climb", that kind of thing. For Scout "Be Prepared", "Helpful scout" - pick badge names and twist them a bit to turn it into a block name. Or did I misunderstand - are you looking for existing block designs to use? That is certainly going to be more of a challenge.

kuseta

Oh I see your story idea now. That's a great idea and I agree that will be a challege. Good Luck!

DOTTYMO

Borrow a scout book. From the library or the scout leader to see all the different badges there are, also the additional badges for special occasions Etc or go onto scout site and look at all the items for sale. Donot forget the area badge , group badges and country badges.jubillee badges. All usually including dates. I'm English so our badges are differen t that is why it is vague. My bro is a s out leader a quilt for him would include, rock climbing, abseiling rowing, cooking maps sewing, trifol, staffs knot, as far as blocks go would match up or applique.

QuiltnNan

this is a wonderful project! i wish i had some input

CorgiNole

I'd like to use existing blocks - which is definitely more challenging - rather than invent my own. Any little trigger is helpful! I like the "twisted" and may be able to find something with that...

Cheers, K