Classic Quilt Patterns From The Early 20th Century

Quilting is a fantastic hobby that has been around for a long time. This fun craft has a rich history of creativity.

Weaving patterns into quilts has grown over time, with individuals expressing themselves over the course of time.

If you are looking for some inspiration on how to quilt, then look no further than these vintage quilt patterns from the 1920s and 1930s.

Classic Quilt Patterns From The Early 20th Century

These unique designs were created by artists who had an eye for detail and wanted their creations to be as beautiful as possible.

They often used bold colors and intricate details that would make any modern-day quilter envious.

If you love the idea of creating your quilts but aren’t sure where to start, we have some ideas for you.

Whether you want to learn more about quilting or just need help getting started, keep reading below!

We’ve also included a short FAQ section at the end of this article which will aim to answer any additional questions you might have around this topic.

9 Quilt Patterns

Let’s get straight into it! We have a list of the nine best quilt patterns below.

Keep reading to see what quilt patterns from the 20th century have stood the test of time.

Sailboats Pattern

Sailboats Pattern

Sailboats were one of the first quilt patterns ever made. It was designed in 1925 by Helen M. Bowerman of New York City.

She began making her quilts when she was only 10 years old.

Her mother taught her how to sew, and it wasn’t long before she became quite skilled.

At age 14, she won a contest sponsored by the Ladies’ Home Journal magazine.

This is a great pattern if you’re looking to make a comforter for a child, or perhaps a quilt to go on top of a sofa in a den or living room.

Either way, this classic pattern has been enjoyed for generations and is a great choice to add to your quilting repertoire.

RELATED: Easy T-Shirt Quilt Instructions for DIY Quilt Project

Faded Roses Pattern

Faded Roses Pattern

Faded roses were another popular pattern during the early 20th century.

Designed by Mary E. Hodge of Chicago, Illinois, this design was published in the American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine in 1928.

It features a variety of different sizes of rose shapes that are all faded together, which can be tricky to try yourself, but very much worth trying.

Floral Garden Pattern

Floral Garden Pattern

The floral garden was one of the most famous quilt patterns of all time.

Created by Anna Schmidlapp of Germany in 1926, this floral design was featured in the book “The Art of Sewing”.

Many other books followed suit, including “Quilts For All Seasons” by Elizabeth Hartmann.

This is a wonderful pattern for beginners because there aren’t too many steps involved.

You simply cut out the pieces needed and sew them together.

Flower Garden Pattern

Flower Garden Pattern

The flower garden was originally designed in the 1930s by Ruth S. Smith of San Francisco, California.

It was later republished in the 1950s by McCall’s Pattern Company.

This is a fairly simple pattern to create and looks lovely once completed.

There are plenty of flowers to choose from, so you’ll never run out of options.

Vines And Flowers Pattern

Vines And Flowers Pattern

Vines and flowers were created by Edith Woodbridge of Boston, Massachusetts in 1932.

It was published in the book “American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine”. This is a really pretty pattern with lots of vines and flowers.

It’s perfect for adding a touch of color to a bedroom or nursery.

RELATED: Free Baby Quilt Patterns: 20+ Of My Favorites

Sunflower Pattern

Easy T-Shirt Quilt Instructions for DIY Quilt Project01

Sunflowers was designed by Elsie Widdowson of London, England in 1929. It was published in a book called “Modern Quiltmaking”.

This is an easy-to-make pattern that requires no cutting and sewing. Simply lay out the sunflower petals and arrange them as desired.

Peony Pattern

Easy T-Shirt Quilt Instructions for DIY Quilt Project03

Peonies were designed by Mary E. Hode of Chicago, Illinois in 1927. It was published in “The American Patchwork and Quilted Book”.

This pattern is similar to the floral garden pattern, except that instead of using a flower shape, it uses a peony shape.

This makes a nice alternative if you’re looking for a slightly different flower pattern.

Rosebud Pattern

Rosebud Pattern

Next up we have our final flower pattern.

This rosebuds concept was designed by Marjorie A. Gifford of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1931, and would make a perfect addition to your home decor.

It was published in “The Home Needlecraft Book”. This is a fun pattern to make and will look beautiful when finished.

Starry Night Pattern

Starry Night Pattern

The starry night was designed by Dorothy K. McBride of Portland, Oregon in 1935, and allows you to create a psychedelic, cosmic pattern that will both challenge and delight you.

If you’re looking for something more difficult, for a pattern that will make your friends and family amazed – then this is the one to go for!

Why Not Try Shape Patterns?

Geometric Patterns

Geometric Patterns

Geometric patterns is a term that can refer to many different types of patterns.

This includes everything from simple shapes like squares and triangles to complex designs such as those found in art deco-style furniture.

Some geometric patterns are very abstract while others are much more specific.

In this post, we’re going to focus on some of the most common geometric patterns.

Diamonds Patterns

Diamonds Patterns

Diamonds was designed by Jane C. Tompkins of Brooklyn, New York in 1939.

Diamonds is a versatile pattern that allows you to do many different things with its basic concept – try different colors to create something amazing!

RELATED: 14 Gorgeous Barn Quilt Patterns For You To Try

Triangles Patterns

Triangles Patterns

Triangle patterns are another great category of geometric patterns. They come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and styles.

Triangles are often used in modern design but they also appear in ancient cultures around the world.

You can use triangle patterns to add interest to any room in your house.

Circular Patterns

circular pattern

Circular patterns are yet another type of geometric pattern. Circular patterns are unique because they don’t follow straight lines.

Instead, they form circles, which gives them their name. These circular patterns are usually made from concentric circles.

Squares Patterns

Squares Patterns

Square patterns are another type of geometric pattern that is quite popular.

Squares are the simplest type of geometric pattern and are often seen in traditional quilts.

There are many different ways to use square patterns in your projects.

Hexagons Patterns

Hexagons Patterns

Hexagon patterns are another type of geometry pattern that is often used in modern interior design.

Hexagons are formed by six sides rather than four. They can be used in almost every area of your home.

RELATED: 7 Best Quilt Wall Hangers To Show Off Your Quilts

Final Thoughts

So there we have it!

That was a list of 9 of the best classic quilt patterns from the beginning of the 20th century, as well as some extra ideas that you can weave into your current quilting project!

We hope that this article has shown you the vast display of different patterns available.

Whether you’re hoping to buy a new quilt or have a go at making one yourself, you must plan carefully and make sure the pattern you choose is the right one for you!

If you still have some questions, check below for our short FAQ section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Antique Quilt?

An antique quilt is a quilt that was created before 1950.

It’s not necessary to know when exactly a quilt was made, only that it was made before 1950.

Most antique quilts were made using hand-stitching techniques, so if you decide to make one, you need to make sure that you have enough time to complete it.

If you don’t have enough time to finish a quilt, then you should consider buying a ready-made version instead.

How Old Does My Quilt Have To Be To Call It Antique?

There isn’t a set age limit for what makes a quilt antique.

However, most experts agree that anything older than 50 years old is considered antique.

So if you’re looking for a specific year, you may want to look around for a quilt that was made in that year.

What Is A Friendship Quilt Made For?

A friendship quilt is a quilted item that is given to someone close to you. It could be a friend, family member, or even a pet.

Friendship quilts are generally small items like pillowcases, lap blankets, or table runners.

They might also be large items such as bedspreads or comforters.

Is It Possible To Make A Friendship Quilt Myself?

Yes, it is possible to make a friendship blanket yourself. All you need is fabric and thread.

A friendship quilt doesn’t necessarily need to be made with any particular technique.

Some people prefer to use appliqué while others prefer embroidery.

Whichever method you choose, it will depend on your personal preference.

 

Amanda Brown
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