Hello, Everyone! Today I’m happy to share month eight of my First Ladies Quilt. If you are new to this series, I’ve been taking a Block of the Month class and making a quilt; the blocks are named after First Ladies. Please see past posts for all the blocks. A picture of the entire quilt is in the first post on 11-19-2019.
This was the last month we made blocks. Starting next month we will start putting the quilt together and building the borders. I’m also behind with my posts; we are now finished with class sessions. I’m currently working month 11, the second to last set of borders.
For our last blocks, our first one today is Abigail Filmore. It is constructed with squares, half-square triangles (HST) and flying geese units. A picture of it is below. It is 9-1/2″ square.
This block starts with a center square, 3-1/2”. That square is surrounded by 4 flying geese units at the north-south-east-west positions. As we made those units, each of the flying geese were sewn to a rectangle 2”x3-1/2”.
Our four corner units were fun to make; they contain a 2” navy square with 2” HST (in green print with background fabric, and navy print with background) added to it. The corner units finished at 3-1/2” square.
I liked the secondary pattern the finished block has. Using another colorway would really change the look of the block.
Our last block is Jane Pierce. Like our last block this one also contains squares, HST, flying geese and rectangles. A picture of it is below. It also measures 9-1/2″ square.
Our center unit is a four-patch of navy and cadets blue prints. We started with 2” squares. The unit finishes at 3-1/2” square. It is again surrounded by flying geese segments sewn to rectangles.
center four-patch 
flying geese unit
Our corner units started with a navy 2” square. Background fabric triangles were sewn to them and then joined to the larger triangle. They also finished at 3-1/2” square.
This block also creates a wonderful secondary pattern. Please compare both blocks. See what magic happens to a secondary pattern when the flying geese face different directions? This is one of the creative design aspects of quilting I’m drawn to. Manipulating block layout and colors opens a world of possibilities.
I’m so excited- my next post for this project will start assembly and borders. My borders are a little time consuming; there are friendship stars involved. I think I have 36 of those pretty little guys in the first border. The very outside border also has friendship stars.
Until next time- find some time to sew!