Quiltmaker's 1,000 Blocks: Week 4

Last block of mine that appears in this fantastic book. This is the Gretchen Block using NO templates. This is NOT a digital rendition but real fabric.

The Gretchen Block (12") as seen in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9

Here's the cover of Volume 9.

Let me show you the fabrics I used. The Gazebo Collection by Windham Fabrics was perfect for this. (This collection is no longer current.)

The Gazebo Collection by Windham Fabrics

I selected four fabrics and used a traditional pattern that I made into a quick technique without the "funky" templates typically needed for those odd shaped patches. The size designated was 12". This Gretchen pattern can be made into any size because it uses two different triangles and some quick rotary cutting tricks.

Did I name this block after someone? NO! That is the historic name of this vintage pattern. It appeared in the Kansas City Star on July 16, 1932. But you can be sure that odd shaped templates were used. I updated it to sewing with only squares and triangles and some magical trimming!

Let me show you the page from the Kansas City Star (so you believe me, ok?) Eveline Foland was the designer. And she thought it was "an interesting pattern."

Page from the Kansas City Star newspaper, dated 1932.

I've made a few quilts using this pattern:

Published in 2006; gifted in 2007 to a neighbor undergoing cancer treatment

The quilt  below was gifted to my son in law Dani's sister and new husband - Spaniards who live in Mexico. They hung it on their bedroom wall the first day they got back home! Made me feel so good!

You can find the pattern for the quilt below at my Craftsy pattern site: The Gretchen Quilt. The block size for this quilt is 9" x 9". And the quilt size is 58" x 58". And it's so easy to get these perfect odd shaped patches with only squares and triangles. The magic is in the cutting!

The Gretchen Quilt: 58" x 58". Block Size: 9"

That's it for my posts about this gigantic book filled with beautiful blocks with all sorts of techniques. I love it (can you tell?) and consider it a treasure. Take a visit to their web site to read about Quiltmaker's 1,000 Blocks.

Last week I sent not one, not two, but THREE more blocks to be considered for future issues of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine. I'll keep you posted as to which make the cut. Keep your fingers crossed!