Traditional Patchwork Blocks

• Quilt makers begin with the top layer of what ultimately becomes a "fabric sandwich." The top layer consists of fabric pieces sewn together to form squares or blocks that are sewn together to form the quilt top. Just a few of the literally hundreds of traditional patterns include the Log Cabin, Nine Patch, Irish Chain, Bear's Paw, Double Wedding Ring, Windmill, Tree of Life, and Job's Tears.
  
  

Quilting for Blocks

• Once the quilt top is pieced together into one continuous piece of fabric, it is layered over quilt batting and the quilt lining, which is typically a piece of muslin cut the same size as the quilt top. These three layers are pinned and basted together so the actual quilting process can begin. Quilting is the fine stitching that goes through all three layers of material to hold them all in place. Often the quilting is stitched beside each of the seams of the pieced patchwork, accentuating the patchwork design. Other quilting stitches form intricate designs of their own, highlighting the quilting itself instead of the patchwork design. Traditional quilting patterns, which are also numerous, include the Clamshell, Pineapple and Feather patterns, or can be as simple as a tiny triangles, squares or diamonds pattern.
  
  

Variations

• As pioneers moved westward, a quilt pattern that originated on the Eastern seaboard evolved as quilters used different colors, tweaked the design a little, and even changed the name of patterns to suit the new environment of the quiltmaker. For example, in the East, a pieced star pattern was named the Variable Star; in the Midwest, the same pattern was named the Ohio Star. About the time Texas was annexed into the United States, the very same pattern became known as the Texas Star.
  
  

Borders

• Quilt borders are added to the quilt to frame the patchwork design and add a finished look. Narrow borders are typically not quilted, but wide borders are often quilted with fine running stitches. Fabrics, colors and designs of borders are chosen to enhance the design of the patchwork and quilting.