Sugar Sack Stars - Katie Scarlett Designs
Well,
here's the first quilt from the vintage sugar sacks I bought last
month. Rose and blue prints suit this block perfectly. The only new
fabric I used is natural muslin. The pink and blue solids and backing was from 36” wide yardage,
not as old as the sacks but not new.
Sugar
Sack Stars is made up of nine blocks cut with Blue Wren's Jackaroo
Star die. I wanted a small 37” size to use as a wall hanging in my
dining room, which is furnished with early 1900's tiger oak pieces.
I decided to keep with tradition and quilt it with medium beige
thread in a free motion meandering stitch.
I
remember seeing similar designs in bed quilts made by my Granny Hill
and also Jerold's Granny Rose. By the way, I added one of Granny
Rose's sugar sacks to this one. There are many versions of the block,
including Arkansas Traveler, Travel Star, and Cowboy's Star.
Women
have used sugar sack material for years to make all kinds of useful
items. Grain sacks were sewn into dishcloths, curtains, tablecloths,
pillowcases, clothing, and of course, beautiful quilts.
I
love reproducing antique quilts, so having authentic materials is a
bonus. It was hard to cut into that first one, but I believe fabric
is intended to be used. Don't worry, I've kept a few intact. And, I
now have vintage scraps left over for my next project.
Blue
Wren Dies used:
6369
Jackaroo Star 12”
6720
Magic Strips
