Block 24-You

Well, here we are at the final block! Nancy did something a little unexpected with this final block. She skipped over X, and used the Y to stand for YOU, whoever the recipient was. Among the paper patterns that were in Mildred's unfinished blocks there was a paper pattern for the letters X,Y and Z so that is what she did. I'm not sure where this pattern was printed but I am including both for you below. Here is Mildred's block:

Here is the original columns pattern:

While I liked the idea of the YOU, I decided to go with the XYZ for mine also. Nancy also  put the initials of the maker and the name of the recipient on her quilt. Mildred had a custom label all ready for hers that is pinned to the block as you can see above. I really wish we new when she may have made these so we could add a date. 

Here is my block:

I am planning to ad  my initials and date also.

I have figured out a layout and yardage in EQ7 and will post that next!

Block 24-You

There were still three letters in the alphabet, X,Y,Z. Had Nancy used them all she would have had an uneven number of blocks in her quilt. The quilt had been planned to have six rows of blocks with four letter blocks in each row, making 24 blocks in all.

In talking it over with the other club members, they decided to use on the “Y”.

Of course, the three letters could have been put on the same block. But Nancy had another scheme.

“Why not let the “Y” stand for “you” the person who is going to get the quilt. In my case it would stand for Joan, since it is for her that I am making the quilt.

“Then I plan to write her name at the bottom left hand of the block. That will identify it as hers in years to come. I hope, you know, that she will like it well enough to keep it and pass it on to her children’s children.

“Then in the right hand corner I am going to put my initials and the year in which I finished the quilt. So often in looking at old quilts we have wished that we knew just when they were made. In this way I’d identify the owner, the make and the year.

“Grace Roberts, who is making the quilt for her daughter, Clarice, will write, “Clarice Roberts” in the left hand corner bottom. Then in the right she will put her own initials, GDR and 30 for the year 1930. The YOU in the block itself stands for the child whose name is at the bottom left. As her mother shows it to her she will say, “This block is for you, here’s your name, Clarice Roberts.”

The group liked the idea and saw just how it worked.

A square of white gingham 6 ½ inches in size was cut and laid over the paper pattern. By holding the tow against the window pane it was possible to trace the letters “YOU” When these were traced the work was nearly done.

Fine outline or chain stitch was used to work the letters. Then the child’s or recipients name was written by each person in the lower left hand of the block and the maker’s own initials were put in the lower right hand. The date was added.

These names and dates were worked in fine running stitch.

Now the blocks were ready to be put together. All blocks were given a final pressing.

They were put in place, following the diagram given by the instruction leaflet which may be had at no cost by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the paper and asking for the leaflet. Perhaps you sent for it earlier.  An interlining may be used. In that case it will be wise to tie the top and bottom at intervals, say at the four corners of each embroidered block.

Or a running scroll or simple vine may be quilted the full length of the colored strips which put the blocks together.

The quilt is a joy to behold when finished, worthy of being a real heirloom.

The club members were really sorry to see the work come to an end.

Click HERE for the YOU pattern.

Click HERE for the XYZ pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Deb