Is anyone else obsessed with Sampler Quilts, or am I the only one? I purchased a Prairie Sampler quilt kit at a local quilt show in January and am currently working on it.
In the mean time, I stumbled across "The Farmer's Wife" sampler book which I purchased and am planning on making 100 of the 111 blocks (there are 11 that I just don't care for).
Then, last week I stumbled across "The General's Wives" BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop that I have fallen in love with. I have decided to do my own version of that quilt.
So, how many traditional sampler quilts does one person actually need??!! I have discovered that I have loads of yardage (as well as fat quarters and scraps) of this "era" fabric. Seems as tho I am drawn to these fabrics, so I might as well just go with it - until the middle of summer comes along and holiday quilts start calling me! (that's my other obsession - Christmas fabric!).
Argh - too many quilt ideas and too little time!! :lol:

The sampler quilts started as a way for the experienced quilters years ago to show off their blocks they have perfected as a way to pass down to the next generation. I love these quilts they are so fun to look at and make!

I agree! I'm using my "obsession" to really concentrate on point and seam matching. It's really kind of fun as each block is different so I don't get "bored" with making several copies of the same block!

i also LOVE sampler quilts- mostly i think because i hate making more than one of any block at a time- to sit and make the same block over and over drives me CRAZY,,, so samplers are the perfect solution for me- a different block each time i sit down to sew...OH YEA!
plus it gives you a great opportunity to learn and improve new skills...one block at a time...

You need to make what you especially like. Right now I'm liking simple geometric patterns so that's what I am making. Sampler quilts have so much variety and so many possibilities that you'll never run out of new quilt ideas.

I am making a log cabin sampler right now, got all the logs done and 4 of the sampler so far, 8 more to go

My second quilt was a sampler quilt, and I have made several samplers since..... have another set of blocks to put together, and then have a few other patterns for samplers that I would like to make. I love making the different blocks, instead of the same block over and over, and love scrappy quilts, so samplers are more fun to make.

Interesting. Especially as most shops now use them as an initiation for beginners. ;-)

count me in...

i enjoy making different blocks...keeps my attention more...altho if there is one i need to improve on i will make it several times over...

i make them out of different colors/patterns too...so when i have enuf to make a complete quilt it is definitely a scrapy-like one lol

My first quilt was a sampler and the class was awesome. I learned so much!!! Got me instantly addicted :D:D

I love all quilts, but I also have a soft spot for sampler quilts. I like making all those different blocks. It keeps it interesting and fresh throughout the quilt making process. :D :D

I always enjoy creating the different blocks. But then I have major craft add, LOL! Currently doing the Patchwork Squared modern quilt-along, and it has been fun making all the differnt blocks.

I'm working on my first sampler and I was just thinking about this! I'm doing the Civil War Block of the Week on Barbara Brackman's blog and I find myself spending a lot of time on each block - fussy cutting or orientation of the fabrics.

It's quite a switch from my usual methods - chain piecing and racing to get it all done so that I can get to the quilting. :)

I bought the Dear Jane software and I'm thinking about starting that, but the Farmer's Wife looks pretty interesting, too. Anyone have both of these and prefer one over the other?


Edited to add Barbara Brackman's blog address:
http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

OMG I just saw that !!!
I love BB's books on quilt history but didn't know about this block of the month.
I think I need to get going since it's already May!!!
(or is it block of the week)???

Thanks, polyparrot!!!

I LOVE the history part of the weekly postings on her blog, too. :)

I started it just to see if I could hang in there with a Block-of-the-Whatever - my attention span is usually about the size of a gnat's. :? But, the way it's turning out, I actually prefer the constant change of blocks to the usual repetition of the same block over and over.

The first needleturn applique I ever did was the block that had SEVEN little five-pointed stars on it. It hooked me for good on needle-turn applique and I now have three appliqued quilts in the works, so be careful! :mrgreen:

You won't be sorry for sewing along with this blog. :)

I love sampler quilts and make them frequently. Always interested in different ones.

Someday, I will make a sampler quilt again. I don't have fond memories of my last one since when I had the top 90% completed, my future ex-DH ripped my work to shreds and told me I was just wasting HIS money. When I do make one, it will not be in blues and yellows. What was meant to be a happy project turned into a nightmare of ripped and torn blocks laying there mocking me. Sorry about that downer story. I hadn't thought of it in years. The divorce will be final in October. That is indeed good news! (BTW, his new pick-up just got repossessed; may I grin here?) :mrgreen:

I have longed to do one as I tend to stick to basics/simple and thought this would be a great way to force me out of my comfort zone.

Sorry you had to experience that...but i love the ending...Karma will get ya! lol