The Gift of An Antique Block from Lizzy

A month or so ago I thought once again of Lori's Antique Quilt Block Challenge and tried to think of whether I had an old quilt block I could use.  The only one I could think of was still a part of my Dresden Plate Quilt, the one my mom made when I was a child.  It's a little raggedy but it's still intact and I knew I didn't want to take it apart.  When Lizzy posted about her antique block I left a comment admiring hers and said I'd been thinking about participating but didn't have a block and at that point, even if I had one, I didn't think I could create even a small quilt in time to participate.  Generous Lizzy said she had some antique blocks and would be happy to give me one or several if I wanted them.  She took and sent photos even though she wasn't feeling great, bless her heart.  I hesitated to accept knowing I probably wouldn't finish a quilt by the end of May, but Lizzy encouraged me to choose from the photos she sent.  And so I did.  It's the brown block above.  Isn't it beautiful?  I love it!

A week or so later, an envelope arrived with the block safely inside in a plastic bag.  Also in the envelope were several gifts.  

There was a piece of fabric so similar to the one used in the quilt, it amazed me, yet it was made in recent years.  She also sent a postcard with a miniature quilt pattern, a booklet with more patterns for quiltlets, and an ocean-related note card with a lighthouse on the front and a note inside.  Thank you for your generosity, Lizzy.  You are very kind.

I think this was my first time seeing an antique block that wasn't in a quilt.  I was thrilled to be able to see the stitching on the back, with seams narrower than our modern-day quarter-inch.  They are closer to 1/8", and both seams and stitches are so even.  No rotary cutter or sewing machine for this block!

What is it I enjoy so much about examining someone else's work so closely?  Perhaps it's seeing how other quilters do things, maybe especially because I've learned to quilt with only the instruction of books.  Just seeing and admiring the workmanship?  Or seeing how they press their seams?  There doesn't seem to be a system on this block for the direction seams rest.  And the points of some of the flying geese go away from the block while other sections of the seam go toward the block.  (Pressing flying geese have always been a problem for me--up or down?--and neither way settles them just right.)  I love the fact that this quilter used a piece of fabric with pink stripes on three little blocks.  Positively charming.  The block measures about 11" and will finish at about 10½", but it's not exactly square.  Did I mention that I love it?

I wish I could say my mind has been swirling with ideas to use this in a quilt, but it hasn't.  I would love to make 11 more to make a larger quilt but I know I would struggle with matching the size.  And gosh, would the fabric hold up through a washer and dryer more than a few times?  I think using this block in a large quilt is out of the question.  I'll start playing with ideas and hope Lori does another Antique Quilt Block Challenge next year.  (Unless I get a bolt of inspiration and the time to sew and finish a small quilt by May 31.)

Many, many thanks, Lizzy, for your generous gift of this quilt block.  I love it!

--Nancy.