I have just finished embroidering the state flowers for all fifty states on 8" quilt blocks. My problem is how to arrange them in the quilt. The quilt will either be close to a regular size or a queen size depending on the size of the sashing I use. 6 across and 8 down would do but then I have 2 extra blocks. 7 across and 7 down won't work because it would be square and I would still have 1 left. I plan on putting sashing between the blocks so they blocks and the sashing could be altered in size.

This is how my MIL did hers.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-147878-1.htm

Oops, she did this quilt back before Alaska and Hawaii became states, there are only 48.

if you make a block for washington dc and use corner blocks in each corner it could be 7X8

look at this one http://www.etsy.com/listing/66340148...-quilt-in-sage

staggered rows:

5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5

Do a flag block? Emborider outline of continental US?

i love this arrangement!

I did a king size 50 state siggy quilt but had to add some blocks. i think i did 7x8=56

I would do 4 rows of 5, then one row with 2 and have them centered 1/3 of the way into the fabric from the left and right sides, and then finish it with the next 4 rows of 5.

Just a different kind of a layout to get ALL of the 50 blocks into the design.

HTH,
Marcia

I would do 6 x 9 and add something different in each corner

I am leaning toward doing this. I just don't know if the corner blocks should be something embroidered or if they should just be some sort of coordinating fabric but different from the sashing or maybe the same as the sashing. Just thinking out loud.

How about an American flag, D.C, and/or Portia Rica,... blocks?

Or possibly branches of our military blacks.

Arrange them the way the stars are on the flag.

What about using your home state block on the back centered, along with your label?

I thought about that but I have searched Google for embroidery blocks of patriotic scenes but can't find anything that seems appropriate.

:thumbup:

That sounds like an awesome quilt, and I hope you'll put pictures up when you're done!

I think in the center, you could do one block the size of four (or whatever you need) and embroider or applique a flag or a picture of the whole country or something, then arrange the blocks around that.

Or put four symbols in each of the corners; a flag, an eagle, etc.

I think I like this idea best..... with emb blocks in the corner... maybe a flag/statue of liberty/ America/eagle..... something that makes u think of the USA .....
I've wanted to do this quilt for along time, but it is on the back burner..... it is SO big, I can't really handle big quilts right now....
can't wait to see ur finished quilt!

Scenes for embroidery - Emblibrary

When I made my state flower and bird quilt in my last row with the 2 blocks I appliqued flags and stars from patroitic fabric I had in my stash to fill in that row.

Hi
you could also try this arrangement on point with setting triangles along the 4 sides. You could also put sashing between the blocks for more delineation

6 5 6 5 6 5 6 5 6

Work it out on graph paper and see what the final shape is.

[quote=gramajo]What about using your home state block on the back centered, along with your label
. You could put your own state block, add a photo transfer block of your own state and a bio with your sig onto the Back of the quilt.

You could simply add a couple of blocks with appliqued or embroidered stars.

You could have 4 corner stones in the corner of the borders (vs mitered corners. Put one on top corner on right and other at bottom lower left. Other two corner stones could be complementary fabric. You could also extend those two and "center" them in the left and right border.

Maybe for the extra blocks needed to make it rectangle you could embroidery "God bless the USA", "Freedom", "Liberty", or something of that nature. Good luck.

Here is a picture of how I am laying mine out. 6 X 8 state blocks with alternating solid blocks. The two extra blocks put in place of solid blocks making them appear like x's in the center of the quilt.

Add 4 blocks, solid color and arrange State blocks. The four could be each corner.

If you do the 6 and 8 with 2 left over, you could have 2 pillow shams! I've done that.

:thumbup: :-D i like what you did so far. with the solid blocks.

Why not arrange them like the stars on the US Flag turned sideways. Gives you all 50. Ann

Lay it out like the stars on the flag! There are 50 there and I bet you can duplicate it with your quilt.

Lay it out like the stars on the flag! There are 50 there and I bet you can duplicate it with your quilt.

I'd probably add blocks near your home state or perhaps states you've lived in. These could be as simple as embroidering additional information about these blocks (capital, perhaps home town or towns with meaning to you, maybe favorite place to visit in the state(s). Something meaningful to you. Could also make blocks containing fabrics with points of interest or representing attractive aspects to you-- lighthouse, falls, wild animals, etc.

I added alt block of appliqued butterflies to give a workable number of blocks to lay out. these pic are before adding borders

I added alt block of appliqued butterflies to give a workable number of blocks to lay out. these pic are before adding borders

Don't forget to look at coloring pages for the blocks. I use them all the time!

I'd make it the size you get with sashing etc, 6x8 rows and use the other two for a bed runner - or another idea is make 3 extra plain blocks and use wider sashing between in order to center the two state blocks on each pillow to fill in for across the head end if you use it up and over your pillows - OR make two pillow shams with the extra 2 blocks left over.

Can you create may a "US" block and put it in the middle. It could take up the space of any number of blocks (2, 4,).

I'm not going to be much help But my 2 fav replies are from Julie in NM and from Quiltmouse both would work

For pretty USA blocks of all kinds go to Embroidery Library. I have been buying from them for years and what they have just gets better and better.