What Is a Sampler Quilt?
A sampler quilt is a quilt in which every block pattern is different. Traditionally, quilt blocks are the same size. Today, you can find sampler quilts with all different sizes of blocks, fitting together and ending with straight lines around the quilt edges. There are uncountable quilt block patterns, with quilt artists creating new ones every day. Therefore, there is no shortage of quilt block patterns to choose from.
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Story Samplers
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A sampler quilt can be constructed to tell a story by following the quilt blocks as though you are reading a book. Most of these quilts use appliqué (pieces of fabric sewn to a solid fabric block) to form objects.
Wedding Samplers
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Throughout American history, wedding quilts were quite often sampler quilts. They were made by many different women, each creating one block. They would come together, create the quilt top with all their blocks and then do the hand quilting together.
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Fundraising Samplers
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In the same tradition of wedding samplers, today's quilters work together to form a quilt. They each choose their favorite quilt block or create a theme around the charity or event. The completed quilt is used as a prize in a raffle and the funds are donated to a worthy cause.
Mini Samplers
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Mini sampler quilts are made from very small quilt blocks. Many time the blocks are made so small that it is difficult to form them in the traditional manner. A "flip and sew" or "paper" quilting method might be used (see Resources).
Album Samplers
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Album or friendship quilts were often made as samplers during the early American years. Each block was made by a different person, but with a twist--the center piece of the block would have the maker's autograph. Sometimes a message or drawing was included, as well.
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Resources
- Photo Credit splityarn at Flickr
