I can hardly believe we are nearly 1/3 of the way through our blocks. I also can't believe it's the first of June and the year is almost half over already. The older I get, the faster time goes by.
I hope none of you are worrying about keeping up with the stitching on your blocks. I still have one to finish from May and looking at the June blocks makes me think I won't get them all finished before we have new ones in July. Please remember, it's not a race and the only thing you really need to think about is saving the blocks each month. When the time is right, you'll have the patterns ready to work on them.

Block 18

 

The surprise block from Mother's Day is now part of this 6th set of blocks. You can read all about it and the machine quilting on the quilt - HERE.

This block is simply signed - Mother

Block 19

 

I've looked at what is left of the signature on this block in every way I could think of and can only figure out a couple of the letters and nothing makes sense to me.

There are some interesting embroidery details you can barely see on this block. The maker was definitely experienced in needlework.

There were frills and small stems on top of the strawberries and stems with a tendril on the grapes. The strawberry frills and stems appear to have been stitched using black thread. There are seeds stitched on the strawberries using yellow thread.

There were veins stitched on the grape leaf. I'm going to use a darker shade of green thread and an outline stitch for these.

Block 20

 

This block was made by S. Ackerman

It will be a nice change of pace from the more complex blocks this month. Four pretty leaves in a diagonal crossing pattern. The fabric looks very familiar with lots of reproductions nearly a perfect match to the original.

Block 21

 

This block was made by Cousin Maggie. I love the sweet little pink bow that ties together what looks like a bridal bouquet.

I tried to study this block very carefully. It's filled with lots of embroidered details that have worn away over time. Some of the stitching on this rosebud looks like it was done by making a "Y" stitch. In other places it looks like it's a straight line with stitches crossing it ++++++++
I'd try both techniques and see what you like best. The stitching was done using black thread. There is also a single line (or very close double line) running down the center of the rosebud on the red fabric. I'm not sure why that would have been done and may not include it on my own block.

Cream color thread and a tiny chain stitch define the petals on this cheddar flower.

It looks like there was a center circle on this blue flower. I can't tell if it was an applique piece or if it was just embroidery. I think either technique would be pretty. You could use a little chain stitch to define the circle using yellow thread or applique a yellow circle. The circle shape is drawn on the pattern for you.

This flower reminds me of a Forget Me Not, one of my favorite flowers. I have a few of them growing near the cottage and look forward to seeing them every year.

It's difficult to see in the pictures but all of the leaves had embroidered details. I'll use a darker shade of green floss on these too. This block will be fun to work on and see it come to life as you add all the special touches Cousin Maggie included in her block.

The winner of last month's anniversary prize is Heather from Canada. Congratulation Heather! I hope you'll enjoy using the purse.

June is a special month for me and I've decided to have a special prize this month. Leave a comment on this post and on the 20th of the month I'll draw a name for the winner. This month's prize is either the PC or Mac version of Electric Quilt 7! I've used Electric Quilt since I saw the very first version 25 years ago at Quilt Market and pleaded with my Dad, who I was working for, to buy this fancy computer program I felt would change my quilting life. Because I tried the the rotary cutter thingy he thought was so great several years earlier, he agreed. I've been using EQ to design quilts and try out ideas ever since and love, love, love it. I know you will too so leave your comment before the 20th!

Have you seen this quilt? It's simply stunning and was designed by Corliss Searcey from Threadbear in Australia. It's called Celebrating Mary Brown. The quilt was inspired by the famous Mary B Brown applique quilt sold at Christie's Auction House in 1991 for $49,500. Corliss has generously allowed me to make the pattern available to quilters in the United States exclusively at Sentimental Stitches. We're getting them from Australia to the states as fast as we can so please be patient if you have to wait a few extra days for yours to arrive.

Susan Smith has also graciously made her darling Sweet William pattern available. Her adaptation of a circa 1860s quilt from Pennsylvania is as sweet as it can be. It combines patchwork, applique and embroidery. I've loved this quilt for a long time and think this might be a fun summer applique project while I'm at the cottage.

Are you making Panama Pyramids? Have you joined Linda Collins' Sew along on Facebook? She's doing some fun things and the girls are making wonderful blocks. I have templates her templates available if you want to join in the fun!

If you're looking for a masterpiece quilt to make you, look at Di Ford Hall's Morrell Quilt! It's filled with all the things we love; patchwork, applique broiderie perse and more. This is a once in a lifetime quilt to make and Di has also graciously allowed me to make it available in the US.

All of these patterns are huge and chock full of photos and designs. I might not get all of them finished but love knowing they're in my sewing room even if I just want to look at them. There are some very talented quilters in Australia who love antique quilts as much as I do!

I think that's it for today. I know I've forgotten things, like the horizontal and vertical positioning lines on a couple of the blocks this months. There are days I really wonder where my head is at. I'm sorry I forgot them. Keep me posted on how you're doing and share your pictures in the 1857 Album Quilt Facebook Group.

The 1857 Album Quilt - Block Set 6