Originally Posted by JCquilts

Like most quilt blocks, this one has many names. I have seen it most commonly called Oak Leaf and Reel and was made with many variations in the leaves and later even in the reel. This one has a small variation from the current Oak Leaf and Reel, that being the two little leaves on each reel.

The first "published" version that I have found was Ladies Art Company who called it California Oak Leaf without the extra leaves. This version was published in 1922. Ladies Art Company published their first catalog of quilt patterns in the late 1800s, we think around 1892 or 4.

Yours, as were many others, were made earlier than even the first published patterns, one dating back to 1818. In the 1840s and 50s it was a popular design for album quilts and other applique quilts. This is one of those old standards that were popular and shared often.

It would be so interesting to know where your grandmother learned her craft.