Okay, it’s actually Free Pattern Saturday, since I forgot all about posting yesterday. I need to get with the program!
There isn’t much information on this pattern sheet — not even a name. I did find a 1957 newspaper ad for the pattern, which refers to it as a “3-Patch Design.” The pattern sheet actually contains 4 patches, but one is for the zig-zag border. The unusual 2″ border is applied with its own separate batting and, although I’m not sure if I would do this, it might be interesting to try. Have you ever attached a border that way?
Remember, if you are going to attempt this pattern, the yardage requirements listed are for 36″ wide fabric.
Because this pattern is about 17″ x 27″, it will need to be tile printed. Clicking on the pattern image below will open a full-sized pdf file. Scroll to the bottom of that image, and click on the download button. Open the downloaded file in Acrobat Reader, and select “poster” in the print dialog box. This will allow you to tile print the original pattern size on multiple sheets of letter or legal sized paper, which you can then trim and tape or glue together.
Wow! It’s pretty but very, very ambitious! I think I’m quite a few years of experience away from something like this.
I agree, Robin — it’s a challenging pattern, and one more suited for hand piecing (or paper piecing), but it’s easier for me if I think of it as just another variation of a 6-pointed star pattern. If I were constructing this top, I wouldn’t use the C pieces at all. Instead, I would sew four B pieces together to form the larger diamond, and then stitch that unit to the stars. Blocks are odd-shaped when you work this way, but it would eliminate those extra seams in an already busy pattern.
Thank you Martha. I love your site.