Utah Quilt Guild

  This is the block for the month of March in Lorrie's newsletter articles about different quilt blocks.  I enjoy reading about the blocks and how they are made.  I hope you enjoy this article. Last month we discussed the Fan Block which basically is a fourth of a Dresden Plate block. The Dresden Plate name is based on a popular china made in Dresden, Germany between the early 1700’s and the late 1800’s. The Dresden Plate block was one of the most popular quilts made during the 1920s and 1930s . The inclusion of the block was very popular too. The Dresden Plate is a combination of piecing and applique. It usually had a round center with a solid color. Surrounding the center are petals/blades/wedges from scrapes, mixed colors, shades of a color, etc.    The original plate had a curved outer edge. As time passed, the blades were sometimes pointed instead of curved. There are many different sizes of blades, and you can purchase a template or make one yourself. Pers...

 This month's quilt block focus is the Grandmother's Fan Block. Lorrie, thank you for sharing your expertise with us each month.   FAN BLOCKS (or GRANDMOTHER’S FAN) The Dresden Plate quilt pattern became popular during the 1920s and 30s . However, the mother of the Dresden Plate could easily be the Fan Block which began during the late 1800’s and is known as the Grandmother’s Fan Quilt. All colors, modern, different shades of one color, civil war, 1930’s, etc. are used to make these quilts. Traditionally fan quilt blocks were made with templates. Eventually specialty rulers were created to make the fan pieces . Fan Blocks have a quarter of the round plate.  This fan quilt block doesn't require any special tools, only regular rulers and a rotary cutter. To make this non-traditional Fan, you will need a 12 ½” background square, a 4” square fan base, 10 ½” square of fusible, and nine fabrics 2 ½” x 7 ½” an assortment of colors or one color (Thinking Jelly-Roll). To sta...

 At Quilt Fest in October 2025, we were able to get a picture of the Silver Thimble Winners. The names, beginning with those standing from Left to Right are: Sharon Wright (2014) Louise Mudd (2025) Ruth Davis (2024) Virginia Lee (2012) Pamela Morgan (2009) Charlotte Davis (2016) Barbara Walsh (2015) Nancy Henderson (2008) Kaye Evans (2019) This group photo of these wonderful quilters was taken during Quilt Fest 2025.   In 1997 the first Silver Thimble award was created to recognize outstanding service and commitment to the Utah Quilt Guild and its mission to encourage, promote and preserve the art of quilt making in Utah. If you know of someone special, who has contributed greatly to the promotion and enjoyment of quilting in the area served by the Utah Quilt Guild, please consider nominating them for this prestigious award. Is there someone who has inspired you to be a better quilter or who has been an impressive force in bringing quilters together?...

  The Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild will open its 23rd annual quilt show at the Moab Museum on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. This year’s show is called 'Magnificent Moab Medallions.' It features quilts inspired by Persian, Indian, and Chinese carpets from the 16th to 18th centuries. The medallion style uses a central design with surrounding borders. This technique became popular in America in the mid-1700s and 1800s and is known for its patterns and geometry. Join the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild the evening of Tuesday, December 2, at the Moab Museum for the opening of the annual quilt show. This year’s theme is  “Magnificent Moab Medallions,” a quilting style derived from Persian, Indian, and Chinese Carpets which appeared during the 16th-18th centuries. The technique made its way to the Americas, becoming the preferred style during the mid-1700s to 1800s. This will be the Quilters’ 23rd annual show at the Moab Museum. We’ll have an opening with the Stitchers from   5:30...

  Pineapple Blossom Quilt (April from April’s Craft Room and Di from Sisters Chick Quilting - Pattern from Bonnie Hunter)   The small block starts with 3 ½, 6 ½ and 9 ½ inch strips and follows the pattern. April makes it super sized beginning with a white/pattern 8 ½” center and 8 ½” snowball at the end. The strips are 4 ½” strips. First sew a dark 4 ½ x 8 ½ strip to both sides of the center. Then sew dark strip 16 ½ x 4 ½ to the top and bottom. Draw a line down the middle of two 8 ½ inch light squares. Place the squares on opposite sides of the block (doesn’t matter which side for the first block as you will coordinate sides when doing other blocks). Sew on the line. If you want, you can sew another seam ½” on the outside of the other sewn line making a triangle to be used in another project. Cut between the lines. Press the snowball/triangle over. Add 4 ½” print strips to each side of the block. Last part is to add two more 8 ½ snowballs, the same way you did the othe...

 Every year at quilt fest, the judges get to choose a quilt that they really liked to receive a judges choice ribbon.  Sharon Aposhian Wright choose this quilt as her judges choice quilt.  Donna Garrett made this beautiful quilt, for her daughter who is a librarian.  What a great legacy for Donna's daughter.   About 1 1/2 years in the making. My Favorite Things Quilt was made for my daughter who works at the Logan library. These are actual book titles and their authors. Nikki has read each of the books listed. The books with the states are states where Nikki has lived. She likes reading, Disney, dragons and purple is her favorite color. There is a family picture as well and it wouldn’t be complete without a hidden Mickey (not that hidden). This one was a challenge! I started with scrap strips of various colors and sizes. Using suggestions in the book: Personal Library Quilt by Crimson Tate , I made individual blocks with the strips in assorted layouts. I...