Each month of this year I will be introducing a new block as well as the history behind the block.  You may take this as an opportunity to build your own skills.  Additionally, I encourage you to post your block creations either on our ACQ Community Facebook page or on Instagram using #ACQPresidentBlock2021.  Each block you post will be entered into a monthly drawing for a fat quarter bundle.  If you aren’t on social media – no problem, just send me an email with your photo (pond.jennifer@comcast.net).  We will draw the winner at the next guild meeting, and you don’t need to be present to win (although we hope you will because we have a great line-up this year!).  The winner of April’s block will be announced at the May meeting, and the May block at the June meeting.

This month’s block is the Friendship Star.  Here is a little history about the block: The quilts the homesteaders brought with them were a comfort to the women who traded their home, family and friends in the East, for the uncertainty of traveling to a new home. A quilt that held special value to the pioneer women was the Friendship Quilt.

Often it was done is secret, and then given to the woman as a going away gift. It usually was a group effort, with each block being sewn by a friend or relative with their name
embroidered in the center.

Putting a Friendship quilt on the bed, gave a woman a sense of connection with her former way of life. It kept alive the memory of family and friends, providing comfort and company during the difficult days of homesteading.
One woman homesteader said, “When I get lonely, I read the names on my quilt.” It was like getting a hug from home.

A link to the block in 5 different sizes is here: Friendship Star Quilt Block Instructions in 5 sizes