Mastering the Art of Curves: Building Your Own Idaho Quilt Block

Step into the world of quilt block history as we embark on an exciting journey to recreate the Idaho State Quilt Block. In 1912, Hearth and Home magazine invited quilters to submit quilt blocks that they believed best represented their respective states. These submissions were then published, offering a glimpse into the unique artistic interpretations from quilters across the nation. Inspired by this historic initiative, we have set out to recreate these timeless quilt blocks, allowing us to pay homage to the past and infuse our quilting projects with a touch of heritage. Join us as we explore the Idaho State Quilt Block, capturing the essence of the state’s beauty through fabric and stitching.

The Idaho State Quilt Block serves as a visual celebration of the state and is inspired by the vibrant colors of the mountain bluebird. As we delve into recreating this stunning block, we honor the heritage of quilters who, more than a century ago, poured their creativity and love for their states into these quilt blocks. By resurrecting this piece of quilt block history, we connect with the quilters who came before us and continue to preserve their artistry for generations to come.

, Mastering the Art of Curves: Building Your Own Idaho Quilt Block

A fascinating aspect of this project is the opportunity to explore the diverse interpretations of quilt blocks that were submitted over a century ago. Each quilter brought their own artistic vision and creativity to the table, resulting in a rich tapestry of designs.. As we recreate the Idaho State Quilt Block, we have the privilege of engaging with this legacy and making it our own. Let your imagination run wild as you choose fabrics and color combinations that capture the spirit of Idaho and reflect your personal style.

Incorporating curved pieces and Y seams into our quilt block creation may seem like a challenge, but let us assure you that it is well worth the effort. As we overcome these hurdles, we not only pay homage to the ingenuity and skill of the quilters who came before us but also expand our own quilting repertoire. With each stitch and seam, we grow as quilters and gain confidence in tackling new techniques. The Idaho State Quilt Block becomes a testament to our dedication and willingness to embrace the artistic challenges that lie before us.

Join us on this extraordinary quilting adventure as we recreate the Idaho State Quilt Block, inspired by a historic initiative that sought to showcase the artistic talents of quilters across the nation. Let’s pay homage to the past, breathe new life into these timeless designs, and infuse our quilting projects with the spirit of Idaho. To help you get started, we have made the pattern for the Idaho State Quilt Block available in our free resource library. Simply sign up below to get the password to access the pattern and begin your quilting journey. As we navigate curved pieces and Y seams, we not only develop our quilting skills but also connect with a rich legacy of quilters who believed in the power of fabric, stitch, and creativity. Together, let’s embark on this journey of heritage and artistry, one quilt block at a time.

National Wyoming State Day is Wednesday May 17, 2023! I am going to try to release the State blocks on their National day throughout 2023!

Supplies

3 colors that are dark, medium and light.
Paper to make templates if not printing them.
6″ square ruler, small 1″ ruler are useful by optional
Marking pen
Pins
Scissors
Iron

Mountain Bluebird Colors!

Step 1 – Create the templates if not printing templates

If you are printing the templates, then skip to Step 2, otherwise we will help you create the templates below so that we can start cutting the pieces to build this block.

Next, draw a 4 1/4″ x 1 7/8″ rectangle. Cut this rectangle out and then fold along the long edge, and then along the log edge again. There will be four layers of paper.

With your folded paper in front of you orient it so that the folded corner is in the bottom left corner. Measure 1″ from the top and 3/4″ in from the left and make a point here. Draw a line from the top left corner, down through the point we made and then down to the right bottom corner. This will be the cutting line for the oval template. This includes the seam allowance. This will be piece (C).

Draw a 4 x 5 1/2″ rectangle on the paper, then draw a quarter inch sewing line on the inside of this rectangle. We need the sewing line to build the template later.

Measure 2 1/2″ down from the top left corner sewing line down the left side. (The sewing line on the inside of the rectangle) Now measure 1″ from the bottom right sewing line to the left.

These marks are for the sewing line of the curved part of this template. Fold the template at the bottom left corner, matching points that you just marked, crease and then draw a line along the crease.

Bring your oval template over and draw a line on the short fold of this template. Line the fold lines up on the oval and rectangle and push the oval up the fold line until the edges touch the marks we made. At this point draw a line along the oval to create the sewing line on the rectangle template.

Next, using a small ruler, draw a line 1/4″ away from the sewing line we just drew to create our seam allowance. This will be the line that we cut on to create our template! This will be piece (D).

Our two templates are now ready to be used to cut our fabric pieces.

Step 2 – Cut your Fabric pieces.

The dark fabric will have 4 of piece of (D) with (D) facing right side up against the right side of the fabric.

The medium fabric will have 4 of piece (D) with (D) facing wrong side up against the right side of the fabric.

The light fabric will have 4 of piece (C) and 4 of each (A) and (B) – dimensions of (A) and (B) are provided in the pattern.

Step 3 – Add Piece (C) to (D).

Fold to mark the center of a dark (D) along the arc and make small 1/8″ clips to help ease it into the curve of (C). Mark the center of (C) and make 1/4″ marks in from each corner of (C). These will be the starting and stopping marks for sewing so that we can do a Y seam later.

Pin the right side centers of (D) and (C) together. Pin a corner of (C) to (D) and ease in between the center and the corner. Repeat for the other side.

Sew only between the 1/4″ marks that you made earlier. Lock or backstitch at these points. Iron towards (D).

Repeat the above for the remaining dark (D) pieces.

The medium (D) pieces will be constructed the same way. Mark 1/4″ on the (C) pieces, mark the centers of (C) and (D), clip the arc of (D) and pin together.

Sew only between the 1/4″ marks and your seam should start and end at the previous seams for the other side. Iron towards (D).

Step 4 – Add the (A) and (B) pieces.

Starting with (A). Line up A along the top of the dark (D) pieces, if needed pull the corners of (C) and the other (D) out of the way to pin. Sew from the outside towards the the seam of (C) and stop at or right before the seam. Iron towards (A).

Repeat for the other side of (A), line up edges and sew only to the seam of (C). Iron towards (A) and clip the corners of (C) if there is too much bulk.

The (B) piece is added in the exact stops as above except the seam is shorter.

The 4 quarter blocks are now complete!

Step 4 – Assemble the Block

Arrange the sections as shown below. Sew the two rows together, matching seams iron in opposite directions. Sew the rows together, matching seams and iron in one directions. Resulting block will be 12 1/2″ unfinished.