Circa 1934 Stepping Stones

Some time ago, I checked a Pam and Nicki Lintott book out of the library. One of the patterns intrigued me.

Moda Circa 1934
Moda Circa 1934

The other day, I stopped at the Granary in Sunnyvale and saw the Circa 1934 fabrics from Moda. I bought a few of them and a layer cake. Once I got the fabric home, I decided to try the Stepping Stones pattern using the fabric during the Thanksgiving weekend.  I can’t even remember the last time I bought fabric, washed it and immediately started using it. I want to get to the point where I do that more often. Sometimes the excitement of the fabric is fresh in my mind when I buy and I would like to capitalize on that excitement in my work.

Fabric selection for quilt
Fabric selection for quilt

I didn’t buy large pieces of the whole line, so I knew I needed some additional fabrics. Also, I want to take Joanna Figueroa’s advice and work towards using only 80% of a line so that my quilts look different from other quilts that use a whole line.

4 Blocks
4 Blocks

I looked at the layer cake to get a few ideas about colors to use. I picked some fabrics out of my fabric closet and set to work. There was a bit of pulling colors out of the pile, but I really wanted to sew and tried not to be too picky.

I am not very experienced at following patterns and I had trouble with this one. I am not used to making a whole bunch of one element at a time, then making a whole bunch of other elements and finally sewing them together. I have to admit that once your elements are made the sewing goes quickly, but it was a lot of time on my feet.

Also, I didn’t like the pattern, because it didn’t clearly tell me how many of each triangle square and four patch I needed, nor did it tell me what size they should be (finished or unfinished). I tried to guess and hope I got it right.

Finally, the pattern is not written in such a way where it is easy to switch out colors. I would have preferred if they used terms like “light,” “dark” or “medium.” Even if they used “large floral” or “fabric with small repeat”, it would have been a bit easier to NOT use the colors and fabric line the authors used.

1 block
1 block

The blocks appear large and are coming out fine. I am liking how it looks, though I see now where I could have used more contrast.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

4 thoughts on “Circa 1934 Stepping Stones”

  1. I agree with all you complaints. I am finding that I dislike patterns that do not give the sizes for the units. I am using other people pattern and book less and less and making more and more designs from EQ … either the traditional patterns in Block Base or drawing out my own blocks. My own blocks are not perfect but I am good at getting the sizes correct.

    I am taking a hiatus from buying books as I have no more storage area for them. It is going to be hard cause I just saw the new books coming out of C&T publishing and …… I WANT THEM ALL! Just to read and stoke them.

    Nonnie

    1. You are like me, Nonnie. I also want all the books! and all of the fabric!;-) I did not learn to quilt using patterns. I learned making my own blocks or traditional blocks nd putting them together in my own way. In that way, I always knew how many of what units I would need and what sizes they would be. Of course, everyone learns and processes directions differently, so I am sure the directions for the Lintott girls’ patterns are fine for most.

  2. This is interesting. I’ve never used a pattern, so I don’t know how they work. (I’m toying with writing some patterns, so I want to know where the trouble spots are. ). I’ve always used traditional blocks or my own blocks, hand-drafted first, then got EQ almost as soon as it came out.

    I like your fabris and the way this quilt is looking.

    1. Thanks, Valerie, for reading and posting a comment. I would recommend that you include the following in any pattern you are thinking of writing:
      1. a line drawing of the units you are asking people to make and the number that they need. For example, if the block you are having people make it a Double 4 Patch, it will need 2 4 patches for each block. If you want the maker to make 10 blocks your directions would say something like “make 20 4 patches for 10 blocks” underneath the line drawing.
      2. Tell people the unfinished size of each unit so they can measure as they go along.
      3. Tell people the grid of the blocks they are making, eg “you will be combining these units into a 9 Pach grid”
      4. If you are suggesting they use Jelly Rolls and other Pre-cuts have the equivalent amount of yardage in case people want to create their own strips.

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