something stitched

The block this month is called the Farmer’s Daughter. Depending on how the colors are arranged it may take on different looks. I really wanted to use the fruit and vegetable fabric I have collected and used in other quilts and wall hangings. I can remember when I didn’t like strawberries, I think it was the seeds that I didn’t like and now I wish I had my own bed to pick from. This tablemat can be a reminder of healthy choices but also a reminder of the work it takes to raise the food we eat. The block was probably first published in the early 1900’s in a magazine called Ladies Art Company but is referred to even earlier in other documentation.

The block is extremely fast and simple to make. The striped border took the longest as I wanted to miter so needed to cut the stripes on the same lines on each of the four pieces.

Small table mat measures 24” square:

Block:

Cut four 3 ½” squares of green, red, yellow and black/white print fabrics

Cut four 4” squares of red and black/white print fabrics

 Inner border: Cut two 1 ½” x 15 ½” strips of black and two 1 ½” x 17 ½” strips of black

 Outer border: Cut four 6 ½” x 24 ½” vertical striped fabric

 Use 4” squares to make half square triangle blocks, sewing ¼” on either side of diagonal center, trim to 3 ½” square.

Sew blocks in rows to form design as shown in photo.

Add inner border strips to sides and then top and bottom.

Sew outer striped border mitering corners.

My favorite way to miter borders is to center strip on a side stopping ¼” from each end of the block, leaving a “tail”. Match “tails” of adjoining corners, mark a 45 degree line from last stitch to the outside corner of the border strip, sew on the marked line and press seam open.

Enjoy this summertime project.