May 31, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #22 – Firecracker Star Block
Firecracker Star Block
Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all of our servicemen and women and to all of our veterans. My husband and I are vacationing in Spokane Washington, visiting my sister and her husband. Our daughter is along with us and she was my creative assistant with today’s block.
This week’s Freedom Star Block is a variation of a block named Liberty Star. We rearranged the stripes into chevrons to make a new block that we named Firecracker Star.
It is an easy block to make with paper-piecing techniques.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
May 24, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #21 – New Galaxy Star Block
New Galaxy Star Block
This week the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus, recently identified by DNA testing, were reburied at the Polish church in which he served. He now rests beneath a black granite tombstone bearing a representation of his model of the solar system—a golden sun encircled by six of the planets. Copernicus’s book “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres” was based on observations he made without the benefit of a telescope (as it had yet to be invented). It is believed that the book was not published until near his death as his theories could have condemned him as a heretic. According to the Catholic dogma of the day it was believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
For more information on the life of Copernicus CLICK HERE.
In honor of Copernicus, this week’s block is named the New Galaxy Star Block. For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
May 17, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #20 – Dolley Madison’s Star Block
May 20th is the birthday of Dolley Payne Madison, the fourth First Lady of the United States. She is most remembered for protecting many White House valuables, including a portrait of George Washington, as the British Army was approaching Washington DC during the War of 1812. For more information on her life visit the Dolley Madison Project .
This week’s block is a traditional block the Dolley Madison Star published by the Chicago Tribune in 1975 and attributed to the Nancy Cabot column from the 1930’s written by Loretta Leitner Rising.
Click here for complete directions or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week “Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
Dolley Madison's Star Block
May 10, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #19 – Mother’s Fancy Star Block
Mother's Fancy Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
I hope everyone had a great day yesterday, honoring their mother and their Grandmother!!
Today’s block is an older block, possibly published as early as 1895. This block was first published under the name of Mother’s Fancy Star in 1935, by Carrie A. Hall and Rose G. Ketsinger in “The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America” Please see Barbara Brackman’s Block Base for EQ6 for more information.
This block is easily made up from a center star unit using Easy Flying Geese and 9-patch checkerboard units in the corners. Click here for complete directions or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week “Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
Mother's Fancy Star Block
May 3, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #18 – Mexican Star Block
Mexican Star Block
Today’s block is the Mexican Star Block, to honor our neighbors to the south, as they celebrate the holiday of Cinco De Mayo, the 5th of May. This Mexican holiday commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. It is usually celebrated in US cities which have a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day which is actually September 16.
The Mexican Star Block is another traditional block, originally published as early as 1930.This block is made using the paper-piecing method…Click here for complete directions or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week “Freedom Stars”
Happy Quilting,
Betty Dietz
This is also a very pretty star when done up in the Freedom Star Colors.
Mexican Star Block - Freedom Star Colors