Perforated quilting pattern: Maple Leaf

Marking a quilt for quilting is more nearly like an artist’s job than any step in the making of a quilt. On pieced blocks straight lines, which follow the seams of the patchwork or cross into checkerboard or diamond effects, are usually best.

Both pieced and applique blocks are almost always marked for quilting in lines which parallel their seams. For instance a nine patch block with its finished squares two inches across would be quilted on all nine squares one fourth inch in from all seams. This would mean 9 squares, each 1 1/2 inches across, 1/2 inches apart at all places. Each alternate plain square might be gorgeous with a small feather circle, a series of crossed lines, a star or pine-apple. A pieced “Skyrocket,” “Weathervane,” or any star block will make a lovely pattern on the reverse side when quilted to follow the seams.

Old-time quilting patterns were few compared to the great number of designs for patchwork. About a dozen standard patterns, with their variations completed the list. Here they are: diamonds, shells or scallops, circles, ovals, cables, crescents, stars, hearts; leaves, running vines, tulips, roses, buds; pineapples, harps, birds, baskets, and feathers, feathers, feathers! The easiest pattern of them all was made of single lines running diagonally across the quilt.