Pine Burr Quilt Fini!

I started this quilt nearly two years ago, and finished it today!

The Pine Burr blocks were inspired by an old quilt and a box of gifted polyester squares.

Click here to see the beginnings and a tutorial on how to make the blocks.

I finished the top, but couldn't figure out how to construct it into a quilt.

The blocks are thick and heavy.  The old quilt's blocks were sewn together with bulky seams.

I didn't want to do that, so I was stuck.

Then Karen made her own Pine Burr quilt and offered a pattern for it.

She figured out a brilliant way to construct it with batting and backing,

and no extra bulk in the seams!

I highly recommend the pattern.  You can download it instantly, 

and the instructions are easy to follow.  

Click here for the pattern.

She sewed her blocks together by hand.  I sewed mine by machine.  

I also added some Baptist Fans in #8 perle cotton to the borders.  

Now all I have to figure out is where to hang it!

Our blog friend in France, Katell, has written a beautiful post on slavery in the U.S.

and African-American quilts, including the Pine Burr.  Click here to read it.

Pine Burr Quilt!

"Flower Power"  48 x 48"

This quilt is rockin' the 70's, with polyester "burrs," denim sashing, and an old home dec print for the border.  

Reminds me of my hippie girl days.  

Many of you asked how much these blocks weigh.  So I put one on a postal scale.  Looks like about 5 ounces each.  I'm sure it would be more if the "burrs" were made of cotton.

You also asked how on earth I was going to put these blocks together.  Here's a photo of how the original one was done.  (See last post.)   I tried this, but it made the points stick out around the edges.

Here's another close-up of the original.  I can't imagine getting all that fabric through my machine!  

 Looks like she stitched around and around, to keep the points from curling too much.  

Since mine's a wall hanging, I don't think I'll need to do that.  

I will put a back on it, maybe some light batting, and stitch in the ditch around each block for stability.  

Yes, the quilt is heavy!  These quilts would definitely keep you warm!

Doin' the Pine Burr

I've become a little obsessed with making Pine Burr blocks.

This is my first.  I thought I'd make only one.

But then I couldn't stop!

I've made one each evening for the last four nights.  

Talk about a stash buster!  Each one has at least 144 three inch squares.

It all started with this quilt at the Bold Expressions show.

Did you know that the Pine Burr is the official state quilt of Alabama?

Em's mom, Marian, sent me this wonderful box of 1970's fabrics cut in 3" squares.  And Mary sent some lovely small scale gingham.  What's a girl to do?

Want to make one yourself?   

You can go here, for instructions from Loretta Pettway Bennett of Gee's Bend, Alabama.  

 Geesh, I discovered these instructions AFTER I made the blocks!

Or you can just wing it like I did.  My method is below.

  First you need a ton of 3" squares and a 12.5"square of muslin or other fabric.

Put a square of in the middle.  The color should match your middle "burrs."

Fold 4 - 6 squares diagonally twice and iron them.  Then pin them on.  

Sew a ring of stitching.  This could be done by hand too.

Then do another ring.  I lined mine up just so they would just cover the raw edges of the prior ring.

I think of the raw edges as the little triangles' "privates."

Keep goin'.  You get the picture.

It took 8 rings to cover the square.  You could do yours thicker and it may take more.  

If you end up with not enough to cover the fabric on one side, just add some more triangles.  You can see I had to do this at the top of this one.  

Then you fill in the corners.

You end up with this.

Get out your 12.5" ruler and cut off the extra.  Wa-la!

Betcha can't make just one!

If you do make one--or more--you can post them on the "Inspired by African American Quilts" Flickr group!