Quilt Festival Blog
A Journey Through Quilting History
Author: Y. Bilan-Wallace
Part Eight
Quilt Block Designs
The Evolution of Quilt Patterns
Before 1800, quilts typically featured a central motif, often surrounded by decorative borders. However, after this period, the block-style quilt—composed of repeated squares, triangles, and other geometric shapes—became the dominant design. By the 19th century, most patchwork patterns recognizable today were already in use, evolving alongside the expansion of settlement and trade.
As settlers moved westward across North America, quilting traditions spread and adapted. In Canada, quilts played an essential role in frontier life, offering warmth in harsh winters and a creative outlet in isolated communities. Early Canadian quilts often reflected the influence of British, French, and American quilting styles, with many settlers bringing patterns and techniques from their homelands. Over time, unique Canadian designs emerged, influenced by geography, climate, and cultural diversity.
Quilt: 1876 Centennial by unknown artist
(link)
Quilt: Autumn Jane by C. Loeffler
(Displayed at the 2023 Quilt Festival)
The Many Names of Quilt Patterns
The older a quilt pattern, the more names it is likely to have, reflecting the beliefs, hardships, and geography of the quilters who made them. Patterns were often named after everyday experiences, natural elements, political movements, and religious themes.
For example:
- Bear Tracks became Duck’s Foot in urban areas where bears were less common. Quakers, valuing peace and community, renamed it Hands of Friendship.
- Jacob’s Ladder, a common pattern in New England, was known as Stepping Stone in Virginia, Wagon Tracks in Mississippi, and Underground Railroad by abolitionists, reflecting its association with the secret network aiding enslaved people to freedom.
- Log Cabin quilts, a style that became particularly popular in Canada and the United States during the 1800s, symbolized home and security. The red square in the center of many log cabin blocks represented the hearth or a beacon of warmth.
(examples of the above blocks shown to the right)
Popular 19th-Century Quilt Patterns
Many quilt patterns from the 1800s remain beloved today, including:
- Schoolhouse
- Flying Geese
- Basket
- Drunkard’s Path
- Hole in the Barn Door
- Ship of Dreams
- Trip Around the World
- Orange Peel
- Snowball
- Jacob’s Ladder
- Job’s Tears (Endless Chain)
(examples of these quilt blocks shown to the left)
Quilting Superstitions and Folklore
Milwaukee’s Own – Turkey Tracks
Colorado, 1875 by unknown artist
(link to photo)
Superstitions also influenced quilting traditions. Some patterns carried warnings or omens:
- A child should never sleep under a Wandering Foot quilt, as it was believed they would grow up restless and unsettled. This belief was strong among Canadian and American settlers who relied on stability in their homesteads.
- No bride would include a Wandering Foot quilt in her hope chest—unless it was renamed Turkey Tracks to break the supposed curse.
- It was considered unlucky to start a new quilt on a Friday, as it was believed the quilt might never be finished.
- Some early Canadian quilting circles followed the tradition of intentionally placing a “humility block”—a small mistake or misaligned piece—into their quilts, believing that only God could create something perfect.
The Enduring Legacy of Traditional Quilts
By the late 19th century, quilting had become a deeply rooted part of Canadian culture, often reflecting regional identities. Maritime quilters, for instance, favored bold, nautical-themed patterns, while prairie quilters leaned toward practical, scrap-based designs that made the most of available materials. Indigenous communities also incorporated quilting into their artistic traditions, blending it with their own cultural motifs and storytelling practices.
Even today, many of these 19th-century quilt patterns remain as cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations. They serve as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of community across North America.