Old quilt....very "different"
 

I would appreciate help in identifying this quilt pattern. This was at my in-laws' house, and my DH remembers when he was young he always called it the "Nazi" quilt--for obvious reasons!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329196[/ATTACH]
It looks like swastikas! I must say, it was a VERY unfortunate color choice, IMHO.
Here's a close up--it is made up of four squares comprised of three strips (white, red, white).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329197[/ATTACH]

I'd like to know the name of the pattern, mostly so we can stop calling it the Nazi Quilt!
I believe it was made by my mother-in-law's aunt-by-marriage.

It really looks like a simple rail fence block set with sashing strips and cornerstones. http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RailFenceBlock.html

It is made with 3 strips of the same width sewn together then set alternated in a 4 patch. Normally Rail fence is done in a 3 color arrangement rather than two and usually not put together with sashing. You are right a rather unfortunate selection of colors and settings. I wonder if it was made pre WWII? I would have to think it was.

Edited to add: even though the design now has such negative connotations the swasticka is a very old symbol that many old cultures used, native american, hindu and even Judaism. The quilt itself is very nice, despite the "nazi" thing.

my bunnie said when I commented to him about the nazi quilt that its an old indian design perhaps asia or india he said they were very samilar but he could not recall where it was from

It's not rail fence. The block fell into disuse for obvious reasons. It's an old quilt pattern - the name of which I can't remember. It'll pop into my aged brain sometime later today and I'll re-post if no one else has identified it.

I will be anxiously awaiting your 'remembering'!

I was wrong, here is a very interesting blog article on the block

http://anotherpatch.blogspot.com/201...ilt-block.html

According to the graphics in this blog, our quilt is, indeed, a rail fence.

It could have a name of "Spinning" something. I doubt it was meant to be "Nazi" in anyway just geometric. The quilting is so gorgeous and so are the colors. So is the pattern when seen as a geometric eye illusion.

very interesting and thanks for the link

It's obviously a Rail Fence, but I seem to remember that it has its own name as a Quilt Block. I'll have to look it up in my block reference books, cause I'm not finding it in my aged brain data base.

prior to wwII this design was popular in many cultures, including some native american cultures. I believe it is a type of cross. My grandmother had a front porch baring this design in a medallion. My dad explaned that the emblem was there for many years before the Nazi's claimed it.

Actually you were correct, FelineF ... when you look at the block construction, it is Rail Fence blocks, not the similar one on your link. An interesting read though!

FelineF has given a good breakdown of the construction. Lots of blocks have "names" but when we break them down, they are the bringing together of other blocks.

A prime example ... a basic Irish Chain, is merely a 9P alternated with a square of fabric.

Thanks for the link feline fanatic. Very interesting. Wonderful hand quilting on this unfortunate quilt.

Here's another detail of note. The OP's quilt (which I believe is a Rail Fence variation) doesn't truly represent the Nazi swastika. Look at the example in the article and notice the center. It is a sleek cross. The quilt we are discussing has the correct "arms," but the center is "nested," which is completely different from the Nazi swastika. Feline Fanatic has pointed out the 5 x 5 vs. 6 x 6 layout difference, which creates the sleek vs. nested center.

I have also heard (but never researched) that the symbol we know as the swastika has ancient origins, most of them peaceful.

I hope your family can enjoy this treasure. I also agree that making a label for it would probably be wise.

Darren

Think I read somewhere that the original swastikas was a religious symbol?? Will look it up to see.[/URL]

Wish I could remember where, but I read that this design prior to WWII was used as a Peace and Love sign.

Very different.

To me, what is rather frustrating is that my MIL has quite a few beautiful quilts, which her mother made...she's got a Dresden Plate--lovely, with white background/pink sashing; a "stamp basket" quilt which is gorgeous--the colors are wonderful!; a couple of amazing crazy quilts; a double wedding ring....and who knows what else. And the only one she let us take was this 'nazi' quilt. :(

They are all just stored in a closet, except for the Dresden plate and the stamp basket.

Found it: http://books.google.com/books?id=p1q...Z6QHp1I2ZBA&sq

I love old quilts! They are so awesome and have so much quilting in them. This definitely is not a Nazi quilt. Hope you find the real name.

Thanks, Bella Boo!

Years ago when I first started sewing I made a backpack with this pattern, I think it came from a book at the local library and my husband pointed out that it looked like a Nazi backpack.

I have no idea! Maybe a variation of rail fence.

Very nice old quilt. I agree, it's a shame that the negative connotation associated with that symbol will probably prevent it from being displayed and enjoyed.

BeliaBoo thank you so much for the information. In my opinion this quilt is beautifully done. It had not meaning at the time it was made I am positive, other than that was probably someone's favorite colors. Treasure it, do not let the negative affect the Nazi party did toward this symbol. The quilt and the design are both pieces of living history. You might consider allowing a museum to purchase the quilt. I saw a post earlier in which someone was very negative about wanting it as opposed to others their mother had. This is a treasure, someone look a lot of time to make this and it deserves to be cherished.

I have an antique quilt block with this pattern from the 1800s. Native Americans of the southwest called the pattern " four winds". It predates the German misiuse by many years. Your quilt has historic significance and will be more valuable in the future.

Just terrific, great job and thank you for sharing, don't know the pattern but it sure is a treasure.
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

Too bad this design has such a bad connotation now. An old Catholic church in my town had this symbol on the exterior until last year, when they removed them.

I have an older quilting book and this design is in there can;t recall the name right off the top of my head but I remember reading this symbol meant peace.When things slow down here I will try to get the book and scan it in for all to see

I ran across a fancy glass paned door at an antique shop with this design on it in frosted glass. They told me it was once used as a sign of good luck, much like the pineapple has been.

Actually, this is a very ancient cross design.

I would say also very interesting....I love the colors tho

This is a very nicely done rendition of an old pattern and then it was called Wind Power of the Osage It has had a lot of names but this very old reference book had it listed by the name I felt was very appropiate, that was around the 1930s. Okie Quilter

you know the first time I made a fail fence quilt, I throw the blocks on a table as I finished them and my hubby saw them laying there and said the same thing, "it looks like a swastika" and was not very happy with what I was making. Even though it was red, white & blue strips, it still looked like one. So I rearranged the blocks a little and the swastikas disappeared. Glad they did.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting article. It is a shame that the block has such an unsavory connotation. I'm sure it was a very popular block pre-WWII.

Yes, it is an old native American design. If you ever get to Rapid City, SD, find the Alex Johnson Hotel, downtown and you see this inlaid design in this old hotel, but very lovely.

At first glance your eyes tend to pop for obvious reasons, but as you look at it more, it looks more like a rail fence design actually.

Yes, this ancient design is also one of many symbols in the tile Cathedral floor in Wheeling, WV, and, as many others have posted, a Nazi icon only less than a hundred years.. I have some blocks in blue and white from my DM's collection in swastika, weathervane and pinwheel that predate the Nazis, if not rising German nationalism. Please don't let the evil connotations overwhelm your pleasure. One of the names for the pattern is "Sign of the Four Winds." It is also found with the blades reversed.

Archaeologists have found the symbol in medieval England, ancient India, China, Egypt and Troy from 3000 years ago and before. I think there was an American Division using this good luck symbol during WW I.