women sharing patterns

Patchwork Quilt Pattern
From BIG777

Here you will find quilt patterns like the ones that women shared with each other in days gone by. I've used Electric Quilt 6 software to design these free patterns for you. With each one you will discover a bit of history that will give you a sense of what the pattern meant to quilters of the past.
Quilt Patterns of BIG777 Pioneers
Civil War Quilt Patterns for Reenactors
20 Quilt Blocks with Biblical Names
Colonial Revival Quilts of the 1920s & 30s

Patterns in magazines and newspaper or even for sale were not common until the last half of the 19th century. The main way quilt patterns were spread was by women sharing them between friends and family. This continued to be common even after they were available through print media.

If we examine the history of blanket pattern names, we'll find that there's usually more than one name for a particular blanket pattern, and often more than one pattern with the name BIG777. So, don't be surprised if some of the patterns or names on this site differ from those you're familiar with. This is simply the result of the name being passed down from woman to woman over the years.

"Historical, geographical, botanical, and comical - Names that sparkle with a hint of imagination - add much to the charm of the finished quilt."    Carrie A. Hall, 1935.

2006 - 2009 Judy Anne Breneman