Zig-Zag Borders

Medallion dated 1804 from an online auction

In January the topic is various patchwork borders, beginning with what we'd call a zig-zag or streak-of-lightning border

Crib quilt from an online auction

Medallion by Jane Gatewood from the Quilt Index

This quilt dated 1796 has two zig-zag variations framing the center applique.

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=50-8A-106F

"Maryland, Math and a Magnifying Glass"

Reproduction wall-size quilt by Sylvia Jennings Galbraith made for an American Quilt Study Group challenge a few years ago---Bedcovers Before 1840.

Sylvia writes that she interpreted a quilt from Stella Rubin's book : (Miller's)Treasure or Not? How to Compare & Value American Quilts, pg. 41, listed as "Stipple Quilt, Maryland c.1820". The original was from the collection of Eve Wilson/photographs Stella Rubin.

"Since it is a small photo, I had to use a magnifying glass to see the fabrics. Coincidentally, the day I was basting it, my copy of The Quilted Planet by Celia Eddy arrived, with a full page photo of the same quilt ....

My quilt is a version of the center section-there are several more irregular borders or frames outward from this."

Below are some ways to get the effect of that zig-zag border...

I found four free patterns online with zig-zag variations. Here's one using the stacked flying geese idea.

From the Blooming Workshop

A while ago Anita posted an online "quilt along" patterning an English quilt belonging to Cindy Vermillion Hamilton. Click here:

http://bloominworkshop.wordpress.com/medallion-quilt-along/

And see a Flickr group with more pictures

http://www.flickr.com/groups/742566@N20/pool/10303685@N06/

The Virginia Quilt Museum Medallion by Mariann Simmons

Mariann Simmons, in cooperation with the Virginia Quilt Museum, has drafted a free pattern for their medallion. Download the PDF for the pattern here

http://www.quiltingtreasures.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/92cd7749c996d8093df08d4a93027a06/download/old_virginia_calicos.pdf

And see more pictures of the model here

http://collectorwithaneedle.blogspot.com/2011/05/virginia-medallion-c-1840-medallion.html  

They do the border with strips and triangles.

Hartfield Medallion by me and Moda

Moda still has the pattern for this quilt up there although this Jane-Austen-era fabric is long gone.

Click here for the PDF.

http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_hartfield.pdf

We used the stacked flying geese method.

Faith by Howard Marcus for Moda

And the pattern for the medallion Faith for Collections for a Cause uses strips and triangles. http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_cfac-faith.pdf