A "Circa" 30s Challenge

 From my collection of vintage blocks, I chose nine that seemed to have been made from 30s era fabrics. The basic challenge was to put them together to create a lap-sized quilt.

One block was ready to use--a beautifully hand-pieced and hand appliqued block* that I trimmed to 14 1/2" square.  This would be my standard...all other blocks would be made to measure 14 1/2" square. 

A Grandmother's Flower Garden block was missing two outer hexagons.  A template was made from the existing hexagons in the block; two hexagons were cut from Aunt Grace green fabrics (which coordinated perfectly); and the two hexagons were hand pieced in place to complete the block.  It was then appliqued to a 14 1/2" square of muslin. 
 

An "improved" Dresden Plate block was also appliqued to a background muslin square.  This block was probably someone's sample block because the name of it is written on one of the solid blue pieces.  :)

The other block that was appliqued to a background square was a small hexagon piece.  It looked a little lonely when appliqued to a 14 1/2" square.  I brainstormed ideas for some block corners, but came up with none.  Three of the other blocks chosen for this project were small blocks, so I decided that this one would also be small.  The 4 small blocks would work well in a 9-patch setting for the quilt top. 
 

Two scottie blocks posed their own challenges.  First of all, they were very soiled.  Experts frown on pre-washing vintage textiles, but these blocks seemed to be well-stitched and would not be put through a washing machine cycle.  I filled a small dishpan with cold water and added a drop of Dawn.  I hand-swished the blocks in the water and then let them soak for a while.  I was amazed at how dirty the water was!  After the blocks were rinsed thoroughly, excess water was squeezed out and the blocks were laid flat on a towel to dry.  Not all of the stains are gone, but the blocks are definitely fresher! 

The other issue with these blocks was that the applique was done "on point", and the blocks measured 12 1/2".  Corners would have to be added to bring the blocks to square with the scotties pointing sideways.  Just adding corners to the existing blocks would make them measure 18" square. 

To not waste a lot of new corner fabric, the blocks were trimmed horizontally and vertically to 14 1/2", removing the original top, bottom and side corners.  Tea-dyed muslin was chosen for the new corners of each block...it just looked better than lighter muslin on these blocks.  But now the corners looked too plain!  With two strands of black embroidery floss, a running stitch was done along the seams, to match the stitching on the scottie dogs.  

The larger blocks were now ready.  The four smaller blocks would be bordered out to bring them to size, but with what color?  Several solids were auditioned, and a pastel green solid fabric was chosen --it complemented all of the blocks without overshadowing any of them. 

This challenge came together beautifully.  Nine 30s-era blocks are preserved in a 42" square quilt top.  Once it is quilted, it will be bound with the pastel green fabric.  

*I like the design of this scrappy block so much that I photocopied a large portion of it.  I can now make a pattern and templates from that.  :)