Will you brainstorm with me? Quilt Block names
 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

I do have quite a few resources from the scout side as I was his Den Leader for 5 years and am about to become the Troop Committee Chair.

I will probably also make an Eagle Quilt for him - with applique and reproductions - and some of the giant patches they sell for the ranks - so that is a parallel project.

Cheers, K

Maybe there are images in paper piecing block books which could apply. Sounds like a sweet project. Good luck!

Well we can add the themes "freezing" and "fire" to our Scout experience... Camped with the troop on Friday night. Last time I checked the weather forecast it was for mid-40's overnight. My guess is low 30s and there was a layer of frost out in the field. He was toasty warm in the two man tent with one of his buddies - it has a window at one end and a door at the other. Me, not so much, turns out his one-man tent that I borrowed is definitely a summer tent... thankfully I upgraded my sleeping bag, so at least I was toasty warm in the bag, but it took a good 30 minutes to crawl back out...

Gus had a great time - and finally managed to get a fire lit. Of the 10 boys there, not one had matches with them. Well, turns out Gus did, but he didn't look in the correct pocket of his backpack...

Cheers, K

You might be better off picking a series of blocks first ... then fitting a meaningful story to them. QuiltersCache and the Bachman book are both great resources.

Write down any block that could have any remote possibilty of fitting into a story - for example I went through QuiltersCache A-F blocks and came up with the following .... Butter & Eggs, Captain of His Ship, Cathy's Campfire, Constellation, Coxey's Camp, Duck Tracks, Darting Minnows, Ebb Tide, Eight Hands Round, End of the Day, Everybody's Favorite, Fair Play, Four Leaf Clover.

I can convert these to a story as follows: On Sunday the Captain of His Ship took us camping to Coxey's Camp. With all Eight Hands Round we were able to get the tents erected. Later, follwing the Duck Tracks, we made our way to the river and at Ebb Tide were able to see the Darting Minnows. At the End of the Day we sat around Cathy's Campfire and sang Everyody's Favorite songs.

I used most of them.

Of course you want to make your's personal ... but if you make a long enough list of various blocks you should be able to come up with some personal references.

Starry Path, Gentlenan's fancy, North Star, Crocket Cabin maybe?

Handy Andy, A Salute to the Colors, Corn and Beans, Red Cross, Woodland Path