As I design quilts I draw a lot from the past. Quilters from yesteryear are a great resource. Isn’t it wonderful that we can pick and choose from all those that came before and make something totally are own? Recently I’ve had an interest in Medallion quilts. A lot of that interest was inspired by this quilt by Jen Kingwell.
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| By Gone Aussie Quilting |
So I did a little research. Medallion quilts were a favorite style from 1780-1800. They often used a panel as a center. Fabric manufactures printed fabric specifically for this as well as fabric that would work for borders. Quilters would often have the same center then create their own borders to make the quilt their own.
Applique centers became popular in the late 1700’s. Quilters often cut out shapes from printed fabric for their applique.
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| Hexie Center |
Later pieced centers became popular. Hexagon centers beginning in 1817
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| Star Center |
Centers featuring a pieced star started around 1830.
Hope all this information as made you excited to make a medallion quilt as I am. Would you be willing to join me in a sew along? We’ll change things up a bit from our sister quilters of yesteryear. Instead of having the same center I thought we could each make our own center. Choose your favorite method, applique or pieced. You will want to have a 24″ center. Or use my center. It can be found in the Mountain Home pattern. Along with all the borders.
