Hello Everyone!

I received these blocks from my sister-in-law who doesn't quilt. I am looking for the original pattern. Some of the ladies here have already drafted the pattern on their EQ programs, but I am still looking for the source.

The blocks have been signed by many of their makers. I believe this was a block-of-the month swap or a special group block project for a quilt guild or church group, because one of the blocks is signed and dated with the following inscription: "Made for Margaret Griffiths and her grandchildren in 1994 by Julie Nodine".
One of the blocks had an old address label stuck to the back - so I'm writing a letter and sending it out today asking for more details on these blocks and how I could contact Margaret Griffiths or any surviving grandchildren.

I have about 40 blocks - enough for 2 queen sized quilts in my setting idea I drafted OR two twin quilts to give back to the intended recipients and one queen size or 2 twin size for me to keep.

Some came to the dance with "Dates" and some came "Stag". I had fun matching them up.

If ANYONE has any ideas on the source for the original block please let me know.

I will post some more pictures and pictures of my ideas for setting next. I have a title for the quilt - "Square Dance" - and I have some ideas on how to set the blocks. I plan on grouping them together in square dance sets around a center medallion. I plan on using blue chambray work shirt material, light blue "white Collar" work shirt material, and red-and-cream country homespun for borders. I want to use a plainer background material to set off the different colors and details of the blocks.

For those of you who are drafting this block on your own, I will only add as an addendum that many of the boy blocks have 3-D folded triangles as "collars".

Enn the flowergirl

these blocks are just adorable.

Those are very cute!

Hello again,

Here are the ideas I drew up for setting these blocks. I at first thought I would have a pinwheel block in the middle to indicate a "whirling" movement of the dance, but I think I like the idea of the center medallion squared off by triangles. I am drawing a blank on what to put in the center medallion, but my last quilt class of the semester is this Tuesday, so I will solicit ideas from the ladies in my class.

If I don't reply or get back to anyone right away, don't panic. I never received any notification of replies from my last posting so I didn't think anyone replied last time. I will check in a lot sooner this time. And please give me time to work on this! I won't cut any fabric until I have the design all worked out first.


Enn the Flowergirl

I had to go get a napkin to wipe the drool off my chin! :shock:

You have truly fallen into wonderful blocks! I love them all and so glad you posted more!

Love the idea of having a fiddler in the middle! :D :D

More, More I sfay. I want to see them all! :lol: :lol:


Ninnie

Lovely!!!

Kyia

Oh how lovely! I like the idea of a fiddle in the middle, but wouldn't want to distract from the kids!

Wow... they're even more amazing than the last lot!

It's becoming quite a mystery, I can't wait to find out more about these blocks, where they came from, why they were made, why they never quite made it into a quilt. Good luck with the search!

You're right about the setting, the pinwheel is too big. The idea of a fiddler also sounds nice, but may detract from the blocks and become a focal point. What about keeping it simple and using a nice musical print in the centre diamond? That way you bring in the music, without creating too much of an interest point.

I am wondering if those blocks need some thin sashing to keep the clothing separate.

Thank you for posting more pictures!! They are eye candy.

The ones I have made have no matching points.... no matter which way they go the points that hit the side are not against the point from the other block, so I wouldn't put any sashing between them.

oh thank you for showing us more love it just love it :D :D ,i think the person that made a back setting for you from board will make it look more country for your blocks of course that my opinion just draw it with your block like you made before and see how it looks put together ,by the way still looking for pattern for you, :( know luck yet

What cute blocks. Some quilters put a lot of work into those and you are bringing them to life in a quilt. What fun. I envy you. :mrgreen:

As a little girl, I loved to play with paper dolls. I love these blocks!!!
I hope you can find the family they were intended for, and that somebody treasures them. They are adorable! where did your sister in law get them?

How cool are these!!! I think it's awesome that you're trying to get information for the original intended recipient, that is sooo neat!! Please keep us updated as the story unfolds ok!!

I did about the same thing. Those are incredible. You are one lucky lady!

These really are cute. I have a book, 101 Full-Size Quilt Blocks and Borders by Better Homes and Gardens (ISBN No. 0-696-20739-7) and it has a similar pattern on pg. 148, but it's just the dress not the pants. It is called Housedress. How lucky to be the recipient of such beautiful blocks that have inspired you! Thanks for sharing.

Hello ladies,

I am adding more pictures of more blocks. Drool all you want - you have NO idea how intimidating these blocks are! The workmanship on these blocks are waaaaaaayyy beyond my sewing capabilities! "Blue Chicken" already talked about her points not matching up on her sample blocks - I will tell you I would in no way attempt collars on the boys shirts. My collars would be all askew. I gave a couple of unfinished and torn blocks to my quilt teacher and she is already drafting up a block for our class "block-of-the-month" project next September, and my contribution will be two raggedy poor kids from the wrong side of the tracks. Because let me tell you, even my daughter's pajama dress I made for her had armholes out of sync and hanging threads because I am terrible at sewing clothes.
But thank you, ladies, for your comments and support. Please give me time to work on this - don't expect a miracle tomorrow , at least give me a few weeks to send a letter to an address I found on a block and time for that person to write back with more info. And even if I finish the tops next week, they still won't be quilted until August when I have some money to have them quilted at the shop!

Enn the flowergirl
(My lilies and my sunflower bloomed. My tomatoes are sulking.)

What a find! I'm anxious to see what you end up doing with these adorable blocks and hope someone can find those patterns...

I was thinking embrodery for the middle block with something like swing your partner, or musical sheet music on one of those print sheets for the center block.

These are just adorable. Thanks for sharing, as you can see, you caused quite a stir on the board. LoL!

These are absolutely darling. I love them. I would be interested in the original pattern if you ever figure it out. What a treasure. Quilter1234

OK.. here's one for you.. what about putting a barn block in the center.. you could call it "Barn Dance"...

Adorable blocks!!
Someone on this board posted a few blocks like yours not too long ago. I downloaded a couple and will try to post them here.

Hey gramadona -

Do you happen to have that pattern? The pictures you posted seem to be the pattern. I need the pattern of the boys, though, because my contribution to the blocks will be the boy in blue pants and gingham shirt holding the fiddle - "The Fiddler" - in the middle of the center medallion.
If you don't have that pattern, who does? My teacher may have drafted that pattern already - if so I will do a few practice blocks and applique a fiddle on each block. I will set them on point, square them off with setting triangles, with larger triangles around the for diamond-in-a-diamond for the center medallion, and then I can get those tops put together with the blocks. I need that pattern now...
Since you are in Suisun City, are you in a quilt guild there? I ask because one of the ladies had attached a sticker address label on the back of her block, and the address was in Palo Alto, CA. So I was wondering if this was a pattern that did the rounds back in the 1990's in the Bay Area of California. I am writing that person anyway to see if she has contact info for the intended recipients. I hesitate to post their names here, I'm asking that person direct first, but if you are currently in a quilt guild, could you ask the ladies there in Suisun City if they had that pattern back in 1994? (date as written on some of the signed blocks)

Enn the flowergirl

Page 3 of this thread....

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/30/20144.page

has the pdf files you can download for the pattern. Pittsburgpam drafted it and made the first couple, and has kindly shared it with the rest of us.

I'm sorry, I don't have the pattern. I just downloaded the pictures from Pittsburgpam's post.
Perhaps if you PM'd her she might send the measurements to you and you could make a pattern.
It's such an adorable design and can be so adaptable.
I love your blocks and can imagine them in so MANY different layouts. I'm sure you're having a ball rearranging them.

:shock:
Dude... check the post above yours, the link to the patterns is there. :-)

Cute blocks.

I love these blks would make a great quilt for child
BEAUTIFUL Work :wink: :wink: :wink:

I love these blks would make a great quilt for child
BEAUTIFUL Work :wink: :wink: :wink:

Wow... too bad the link is now an error page.

I'll agree, sure would love to have that pattern.

Very unique I love it

i love all the detail, very original