2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America!
Each week we will send you a block to represent a state
Here are some notes going forward with all the blocks.
- Each block measures 14" x 14" when made up
- HST = half square triangle
- Images in instructions are not necessarily to scale, I get as close as possible
- I mainly use images to give instructions for each block, if you have questions please reach out to me for more explanation
- Instructions are in our blog post each week, the link for the blog will be in each email
- The cut charts for each block are grouped by sections for the block, the two cuts that will go into making a HST are listed one after the other
- Since cuts are listed together, colors are repeated on the cut list
I will also be making up a U.S.A. map quilt. I snagged the file for the state shapes from Flamingo Toes. Click here to grab it for yourself: USA Map
If you choose to download the map all you need to do is line up the map and tape it together. I cut out and traced the pieces for each state onto steam a seam and then placed that onto my fabric to cut out. If I were to do this again I wouldn't cut out the state pieces separately because then I had to put it all back together so I could center it on my background. I would have just taped it to a window and traced each state that way instead.
Each state is cut separately and appliqued onto the quilt background. I will be working left to right and up and down to try and make it as smooth as possible fitting everything together. I will be sewing these as I go once I have enough states lined up to completely sew around a state. I want to do as little overlap on my sewing as possible so I will be a couple rows in before I actually sew anything down to my quilt background.
The background will be 60" x 45". I picked a piece of blue flag fabric for my background. The states will be made out of a red, white and blue layer cake.
A couple thoughts on what I would already do different. The map I got from Flamingo Toes was not the best. It didn't go back together create and my fabric isn't fitting together great as I start to lay it out on my background.
I would go and buy a plain map, like the fold up ones, maybe 2 of them and cut one up on the lines that are a little more exact than the map I used above. It will be more precise how it all fits together when you are putting the states on your background.
Just my two cents so far.
I hope you enjoy the blocks and will consider joining us making up a U.S.A map quilt too!