Many of the quilt blocks in Scarlet Sampler (81" x 99") relate to Nebraska.
The three large tree blocks are not only beloved traditional designs, they also symbolize Arbor Day, which was first celebrated in Nebraska in the 1870s.
It is estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Read about the history of Arbor Day.
One of Nebraska's most recognizable landmarks is Chimney Rock near Bayard in Morrill County. It is the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. Our block depicting this National Historic Site was drawn and embroidered by Jan Wilson. Read more about Chimney Rock.
We wanted to recognize the role of agriculture in Nebraska, and we did so with several blocks. The barn above is from Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt. According to farmflavor.com, "Agriculture is the heart and soul of Nebraska. As the state’s leading industry, the impact goes far beyond the plate, providing Nebraskans with jobs, significantly contributing to the state’s economy, and touching the lives of its citizens every day.
"Annually, production agriculture contributes more than $25 billion to Nebraska’s economy, thanks to the hard work of Nebraska farmers and ranchers working on 49,100 farms and ranches spread across more than 45 million acres.
"...farms and ranches use 92 percent of Nebraska’s total land area. In 2014, Nebraska ranked fourth in the nation for commercial red meat production. Important commodities include cattle and calves, corn, soybeans, dry edible beans, hay, wheat and more."
This appliqued farmer block is from the Electric Quilt library of quilt blocks. Isn't he adorable? The block and all of the hand applique on the quilt is by Debra Bauerle, whose work is exquisite.
This block called Livestock is from Sod House Treasures and Other Nebraska Quilt Patterns by Jan Stehlik. We also used the Cottonwood block from Jan's book, which is a great resource if you're interested in quilt blocks with Nebraska significance.
One of the most famous quilts ever made in Nebraska is Grace Snyder's Petit Point Basket Quilt. It was based on the china pattern seen above. Diane Harris created and embroidered a block for Scarlet Sampler based on this design.
The new block is called Petit Point Redwork. It pays homage to Grace Snyder and to her remarkable contribution to Nebraska's quilting heritage. Read more about Grace Snyder. See an online exhibit of Grace's quilts from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum entitled Grace Snyder: A Life in Extraordinary Stitches.
What would a sampler be without a sewing machine? This one was made by Diane Harris.
Keri Wheeler pieced this Indian Arrowheads block to honor the Native Americans who inhabited Nebraska's prairies for centuries.
An eagle appliqued by Debra Bauerle suggests Nebraska's place in the United States of America. Another block on the quilt depicts an American flag.
We pay tribute to three significant Nebraska authors in the quilt. This original block by Jan Wilson honors Bess Streeter Aldrich, who wrote A Lantern in Her Hand, and its sequel, A White Bird Flying. We named this block Bess's Lantern. Read more about Bess Streeter Aldrich.
Author Mari Sandoz is recognized in this original Nebraska Sandhills block by Diane Harris. It features the rolling Sandhills terrain, a fence and a short, stout windmill. Read more about Mari Sandoz.
The charming church block does double duty in Scarlet Sampler, honoring author Willa Cather as well as our faith-based pioneer roots.
First, it resembles what is known locally as "the Dane Church" in Webster county. The Dane Church and cemetery are believed to be the prototypes for the Norwegian cemetery that refuses to bury Mr. Shimerda in My Ántonia by Willa Cather. Read more about Willa Cather.
Second, the church block represents the foundations of faith that many Nebraska pioneers practiced and cherished as they settled a harsh and sometimes unforgiving land.
Be sure to peek at the many applique blocks by Debra Bauerle. This one celebrates sand cherries, a Sandhills staple for Nebraska pioneers and for today's residents, too.
This traditional applique motif is also a favorite. It's one of the blocks we added to the quilt just because we thought it was beautiful.
The same is true of this Reel from the Electric Quilt block library.
Some foundation paper piecing helped us create odd shapes and sharp angles with ease. The block above was made by Keri Wheeler.
We further indicated our love for quilting with these little spools. So easy with stitch-and-flip!
Keri Wheeler outdid herself with this fancy star. That's a lot of points coming together at the center but she made it work.
To fit 149 blocks on the front of the quilt, some of them had to be small. The 4" blocks above and below were labors of love for our team.
Some of the 4" blocks are simple and some are more complex.
The many different kinds of baskets represent Nebraska's bounty in all things.
When you have an opportunity to view Scarlet Sampler, we hope you'll look closely at the symbolism we included. There are many layers of meaning in this piece, and perhaps even some yet to be discovered.
Would you like to have this quilt displayed at your Nebraska event? Please email us: scarletsampler@gmail.com
The three large tree blocks are not only beloved traditional designs, they also symbolize Arbor Day, which was first celebrated in Nebraska in the 1870s.
It is estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Read about the history of Arbor Day.
One of Nebraska's most recognizable landmarks is Chimney Rock near Bayard in Morrill County. It is the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. Our block depicting this National Historic Site was drawn and embroidered by Jan Wilson. Read more about Chimney Rock.
We wanted to recognize the role of agriculture in Nebraska, and we did so with several blocks. The barn above is from Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt. According to farmflavor.com, "Agriculture is the heart and soul of Nebraska. As the state’s leading industry, the impact goes far beyond the plate, providing Nebraskans with jobs, significantly contributing to the state’s economy, and touching the lives of its citizens every day.
"Annually, production agriculture contributes more than $25 billion to Nebraska’s economy, thanks to the hard work of Nebraska farmers and ranchers working on 49,100 farms and ranches spread across more than 45 million acres.
"...farms and ranches use 92 percent of Nebraska’s total land area. In 2014, Nebraska ranked fourth in the nation for commercial red meat production. Important commodities include cattle and calves, corn, soybeans, dry edible beans, hay, wheat and more."
This appliqued farmer block is from the Electric Quilt library of quilt blocks. Isn't he adorable? The block and all of the hand applique on the quilt is by Debra Bauerle, whose work is exquisite.
This block called Livestock is from Sod House Treasures and Other Nebraska Quilt Patterns by Jan Stehlik. We also used the Cottonwood block from Jan's book, which is a great resource if you're interested in quilt blocks with Nebraska significance.
One of the most famous quilts ever made in Nebraska is Grace Snyder's Petit Point Basket Quilt. It was based on the china pattern seen above. Diane Harris created and embroidered a block for Scarlet Sampler based on this design.
The new block is called Petit Point Redwork. It pays homage to Grace Snyder and to her remarkable contribution to Nebraska's quilting heritage. Read more about Grace Snyder. See an online exhibit of Grace's quilts from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum entitled Grace Snyder: A Life in Extraordinary Stitches.
What would a sampler be without a sewing machine? This one was made by Diane Harris.
Keri Wheeler pieced this Indian Arrowheads block to honor the Native Americans who inhabited Nebraska's prairies for centuries.
An eagle appliqued by Debra Bauerle suggests Nebraska's place in the United States of America. Another block on the quilt depicts an American flag.
We pay tribute to three significant Nebraska authors in the quilt. This original block by Jan Wilson honors Bess Streeter Aldrich, who wrote A Lantern in Her Hand, and its sequel, A White Bird Flying. We named this block Bess's Lantern. Read more about Bess Streeter Aldrich.
Author Mari Sandoz is recognized in this original Nebraska Sandhills block by Diane Harris. It features the rolling Sandhills terrain, a fence and a short, stout windmill. Read more about Mari Sandoz.
The charming church block does double duty in Scarlet Sampler, honoring author Willa Cather as well as our faith-based pioneer roots.
First, it resembles what is known locally as "the Dane Church" in Webster county. The Dane Church and cemetery are believed to be the prototypes for the Norwegian cemetery that refuses to bury Mr. Shimerda in My Ántonia by Willa Cather. Read more about Willa Cather.
Second, the church block represents the foundations of faith that many Nebraska pioneers practiced and cherished as they settled a harsh and sometimes unforgiving land.
Be sure to peek at the many applique blocks by Debra Bauerle. This one celebrates sand cherries, a Sandhills staple for Nebraska pioneers and for today's residents, too.
This traditional applique motif is also a favorite. It's one of the blocks we added to the quilt just because we thought it was beautiful.
The same is true of this Reel from the Electric Quilt block library.
Some foundation paper piecing helped us create odd shapes and sharp angles with ease. The block above was made by Keri Wheeler.
We further indicated our love for quilting with these little spools. So easy with stitch-and-flip!
Keri Wheeler outdid herself with this fancy star. That's a lot of points coming together at the center but she made it work.
To fit 149 blocks on the front of the quilt, some of them had to be small. The 4" blocks above and below were labors of love for our team.
Some of the 4" blocks are simple and some are more complex.
The many different kinds of baskets represent Nebraska's bounty in all things.
When you have an opportunity to view Scarlet Sampler, we hope you'll look closely at the symbolism we included. There are many layers of meaning in this piece, and perhaps even some yet to be discovered.
Would you like to have this quilt displayed at your Nebraska event? Please email us: scarletsampler@gmail.com
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