October 21, 1932

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Harriet Clarke

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A pattern leaflet for the outer pieces of each quilt block. This is the second in a series of pattern leaflets for The Horoscope Quilt.

For Almanac Quilt

During the past week you have, no doubt, finished appliqueing and embroidering the center square of the Aries block in the Horoscope quilt. Now you are ready to cut out the rest of the block and to cut, if you have time, sufficient pieces for the other 11 blocks. You will require 11 more - or 12 in all - central square blocks cut six and one-half inches by six and one-half inches. The half inch is allowed for seams, making the finished square six inches.

Each of these blocks has four corner blocks, which should be white, but cut three and one-half inches square. For the 12 completed blocks you will require 48 of the smaller corner blocks.

Strips of White.
On each side of the blue center block and connecting the corner blocks is a strip of white cut six and one-half inches by three and one-half inches; and, of course, you will require four of these for each block or 48 for the 12 zodiac blocks.

The small arrangement of squares on this leaflet shows how to center block, corner blocks and strips connect.

Now for the stars! The pattern is given today. No allowance has been made for turning under edges, so cut the star one-quarter inch larger on all sides. Slit the corners slight to allow a clean-cut turning under and back. Baste the raw edges in place and press.

Pin the four blue stars in place and applique. Later you will applique many colored stars in the nine-patches we spoke of; but these four stars should match the Aries square background.

Nine-Patch Corners
Then in each corner of a finished block is a nine-patch made up of five white blocks and four blue ones. All told, the quilt will require 150 white and 120 blue. This is exclusive of a three and one-half inch band used for quilting pattern and then the border, which is six inches deep. But we will tell you more about that later.

Now we are ready to put a block together. Take the blue square with the appliqued Aries and the embroidered words and figures. Piece the white sides and corner blcoks as shown in the diagram.

Press Seams Flat.
Press the seams flat. If you will start the seam one-quarter inch in from raw edge you will not have bunchy corners which will not lay flat.

Next week we will have a leaflet with the four characteristics to be transferred and embroidered with blue floss in the strips connecting the corner blocks.

In the nine patches that we spoke of being a part of the connecting blocks we will applique stars in various colors and patterns of prints, so hunt through your scrap bag for some of these pieces. Applique them in the white blocks that will form the nine patches later on the corner blocks.

Surrounding this arrangement of blocks that should measure 12 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches is a three and one-half inch band of white, and then another three and one-half inch band of blue.

Since the same set of bands join two blocks, you will need for the entire quilt 98 bands of blue cut 12 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, and 54 bands of white cut 12 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.

Never use the selvage edge in blocks. Take it off before you start measuring.

The woman who entertains, whether on a small or large scale will find a wealth of interesting suggestions about novelties to serve, games to play, etc. in the "Hostess" column. This, too, is a regular daily feature in The News, and one that is gaining favor rapidly.

1035-10-21-32

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.

6119.81.8