Hello Everyone!

My sister-in-law who doesn't quilt passed on to me these blocks because I do quilt. They are the most adorable blocks I have ever seen - the ladies in my quilt class went nuts over them! There are about 50 blocks total. They measure 8-1/2" square and are clearly on point. Each one was made by a different lady in 1994, we know this because almost all of them were signed by their maker and some were dated. Myself and a few other ladies in my class are trying to figure out a setting for them. I really want to do the workmanship justice with a good setting - some of the details on these blocks are unbelievable.
What I need help with is finding the original pattern! If there is a pattern out there with pictures of how they were set and ideas for colors used for borders, that would be extremely helpful! We came up with a theme for the quilt, "Country Square Dance", and we came up with a couple ideas for the border scheme - chambray blue, and red and black country plaid, but the original pattern with pictures of a completed quilt would be so very much appreciated in helping me put these blocks together in such a way that really honors the workmanship and details by each block's maker.

I appreciate any input or ideas. I'm new only to this forum - not to sewing or quilting. It's just these blocks floored me when I first saw them, and they floored the ladies in my quilt class, too, so I put this out for all of you for help. Note the details such as stcithcing on pants to show pockets and zippers - and the two blue outfits have pockets with real pennies in them. These blocks are so beautiful they make me cry. They are very much beyond my own capabilities - I never would have thought up half the details on any of these outfits. We are in the process of finding one or any of the makers so we can make one quilt for the original intended recipients, but really, I need to do these blocks the justice they deserve. Please help me find the original pattern so I can put this together right!

Sincerely,

Enn the flower grower

I am floored! Those are just too cute!! I have never seen anything like them!! What talent those ladies have!!! I can't wait to see your completed project.

I love them! That would be such a fun swap!

I am totally amazed!!! Those are so cute!!! Can't help you though, but hopefully someone on board can.

OH MY GOSH!!! I am totally blown away. I have never seen anything like these. Where did your sister get them? If/when you do find the original quilt pattern - PLEASE share with us. I think I may just have to put that on my list of quilts to do. Good luck and post pictures when you get it done.

Piedmont Quilter
Rebecca

PS: Got lost in the quilt squares - forgot to welcome you to the board. :oops:
So - - - Welcome from North Carolina. Where are you from?

Blown away by how cute those are! I wish I could help you, but never seen them before.
Ninnie

Those are darling, but there may have been no pattern. I can imagine them coming from a quilt guild's challenge, each lady trying to outdo the others. It is strange that no one followed through, because they will make a very special quilt.

I found these similar quilts on the internet. The settings are nothing special, and not on point, but I'm sure a simple setting (sashing and a border) would look great with your blocks, and not draw attention away from the artistry of the blocks. Paper doll quilts (complete with tabs) have also become very popular.

http://www.liberty-star.com/products/playing-dress-up
http://fredashive.blogspot.com/2008/...ess-quilt.html

those blocks are so beautiful.

i was thinking they would look nice in groups of 4 and do a play on a square dance.

you could do flying geese in a curve that circle around each group of 4 blocks to imply movement in a round like people do when square dancing.

you might be able to find a panel of a couple square dancing in a larger scale and set that in the center or you can make your own panel.

Those blocks are the cutest. Don't know about a setting, though kluedesigns square dance sounds fun.

Those are so precious!

Those blocks are so sweet!

AMAZING WORK! I'm glad these blocks found a good home. I've never seen anything like them. After all that work it would be a shame if they weren't put to good use. I think I'd go simple on the setting to make the blocks stand out. Maybe HST to turn the on points into squares, then a simple sashing. Seems like they're mostly red white & blue so I'd use that color scheme for the other fabrics. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

PLEASE PLEASE post more pics!!!

Oh this is just toooo fun. Lets do something with it!!!!

WOW....adorable!

If I had children, I would so use their old clothes as the fabric to make these cute little blocks. Turning fabric from clothes into....clothes!!!

Very cute blocks.

They are incredible! I love them. Can we see more- I saw some jeans with a hole in the knee. How so totally cool!

"gifted blocks" is a good name for them. I know, you meant gifted as in given. but they are "gifted". goodness, paper piecing patterns maybe. they are absoutely lovely. hope you find them.

i agree, it looks like paper pieced.

I'm posting just to keep this thread near the top!! I can't wait to see more blocks, and what the board comes up with as to pattern, lay-out, etc.

OMG>>>gifted....REALLY GIFTED!!! Those are like nothing I've ever seen! Since I can't sew...those just astound me! It would have to be PP for me to have a prayer of doing one even close to those, then in no way could I do all the embellishment that they have.

Now...how to set them? I'd think something very plain and simple to allow the blocks to speak for themselves. I think bandana type fabs...to keep your colors and themes going. I like the curving FG thought mentioned earlier too....

Please let us know what you do and keep posting here! Welcome to the board!

The pictures you showed had a blue and red theme. Are the others also in that color line? I could see them on point with an alternating square that picks up the colors (red/white/blue for example).

Ok, I just picked my jaw up off the floor from the amazement of these blocks.
They are just awesome and lucky you for getting them!

I want to see more, pleeeeeeeese!

I wish I could help you but, I have never seen these blocks either. If we do have a swap, I want in on it.
The first thing I thought of was the annie and andy fabric placed in between. but, I saw in one of the corners a brown outfit, so, maybe not.

I'm thinking that it needs to be kept simple as the blocks should be the stars. I was also thinking as has been suggested that it seems to have a red, white and blue theme already so follow that. I am a person that loves blocks on point so I would leave them in that orientation. No, never have I seen that pattern before but they are simply a treasure. Keep us in the loop with your progress.

Those blocks are incredible!! They are just so cute! :)

Those are wonderful. Think of all the work that went into them. I don't know of a pattern to use, but whatever it is make it special. Someone put a lot of work in those blocks.

I am so impressed with these blocks! Show us more PLEASE!

The idea about using baby clothing is such a great idea!!

I have seen somefabric recently that was in red and again in blue and they had white stars in a random design. That would look cool.

I think each block needs sashing to define the design and I'd use the opposite colour to sash the blocks. Red dress-blue sashing.

Astounding!!!

What treasures they are!!!

I don't know about "original" but I think I would strip them with a chambray colored cotton and put red squares in the corners. those are fantastic!! What a gift.

Very nice.

They are beautiful!!!! I do not know what to do with them. Maybe sashing around each block??

Kyia

I love blue and red checked fabric. Those might look good for sashings or borders.

Those are just adorable!! I hope you are able to find more about them.
I chuckled at collettakays's response "those would make a good swap!"

How cute! The patterns don't look too awful to figure out. I bet someone could come up with the measurements!

Those are beautiful. What a lot of work went into them!! Curious minds want to know--how did your sister-in-law come by them?

I'm with Tippy--chambray colored cotton sashings and red corners.
ranger

How FUN! Please keep us updated about any info about these blocks! I have never seen anything like this!

I LOVE those blocks!!
The details are amazing!

I would - IMHO - set them on point with muslin (if that's what the background fabric is) sashing in between them. That way, none of the "outfits" are right next to a color.

Borders of red and blue would set the whole thing off nicely...

They are beautiful blocks. Can't wait to see the finished project.