Here’s what I said in a post about this quilt when I first started:
This project began with a box of vintage salesmen sample swatches — probably from the 1940s or maybe the 1950s. There were hundreds of prints (some with duplicates and different colorways), and all of the pieces were the same size (1 3/4″ x 3″) with a pinked edge. I drew a pattern of how I wanted to set the blocks and computed that I would need 1,488 printed diamonds, plus 936 various white pieces.
I sorted the swatches into color groups of 42 for each block, and then into sets of 6 for each of the 7 stars. Some of the prints have light backgrounds, so I tried to arrange the various light and darker prints to make sure each finished block would read a particular color.
Now, finally, all hand piecing of the blocks and half blocks is done and I can start putting the top together with the setting triangles. Although I initially thought solid color triangles would look nice, I’ve since changed my mind and I’m going with white. Somehow the star effect created by the colored triangles seemed to detract from the sisters blocks, which I think should be the main focus. I’m planning on finishing up the top on the machine, so hopefully it won’t take too long.
My wall isn’t big enough to lay out the 32 blocks and 6 half blocks, so I just arranged them on a sheet on the floor.
Love it! I’m dying to make a seven sisters quilt.
STUNNING, Martha!
Congratulations! This is going to be a stunning quilt! I can’t wait to see it when you have it all together!
What a great design to showcase those little pieces of fabric! It is going to be a gorgeous quilt!
WOW!!! I love what you’ve completed so far. The quilt is going to be fabulous. What an inspiration.
Wow! That’s amazing.
The time you’ve spend planning this out has produced great results! I have to know, were you a math teacher?
This is just gorgeous! It will be such a treasure when you’ve completed it all. All that work has paid off to become something so beautiful! I love this.
Wow!!!! It’s gorgeous Martha! Just stunning! I agree with you about the set in triangles, will make the stars really sparkle! What a great achievement! Hugs and hugs,
Mickie
Wonderful view of all the blocks. So many sisters made for a lot of stitching.
Oh Wow!! Just beautiful! Martha, you have the patience of a saint. I like your choice of white for the setting triangles. With the complexity of those little blocks, it is nice to have a place for your eyes to rest before studying the next block. Again, Wow!
Oh my goodness, Martha! That is astonishing. And gorgeous.
Simply stunning blocks Martha! I hope that you are planning to hand quilt the finished top!!
Wow! That quilt is going to be a stunner!
Congratulations! Thank you again for sharing this. I like the color co-ordination of each group. You are at the top of my list!!!!*
*Most admired. =)
Your seven sisters quilt is absolutely gorgeous! How inspiring!
I love it! It’s wonderful. I admire your hard work!
I love this quilt wow the blocks are amazing, wish I could make a quilt like this !
beautiful
Kathie
I have inherited my grandmother’s seven sister blocks. I searched for a long time to find the name of the blocks. Now I need a size/pattern for the setting blocks. Anyway you can share???