Vintage Quilts Pattern

From Vintage Quilts
Annual 1998 Issue

Ocean Waves
Pieced by Margaretha Lauterbach, 1933
Quilted by Barbara Miller, 1985-86

Margaretha Lauterbach pieced this Ocean Waves top in 1933 as a wedding gift for her daughter, Grace Lauterbach Miller. Stored in the attic for years, the quilt was finally completed by Grace's daughter-in-law, Barb Miller, who now owns it and has registered it with the Illinois Quilt Project.

FINISHED QUILT SIZE
78 3/8" x 93 5/8"

NUMBER OF BLOCKS AND FINISHED SIZE
15 Ocean Waves Blocks 21 3/8" x 21 3/8"

PLANNING, CUTTING, AND MARKING
Our instructions are written to construct the quilt in the same manner as the original, using half-square triangles for the waves. Although it may seem more difficult to piece the octagonal blocks, rather than the traditional square blocks more common today, you'll find it much easier to plan the color sequence. When stitching the pieced units to the sides of the red square, take care not to stretch the triangles because they have been cut on the bias.

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
... Red solid (blocks) - 2 yards
... Assorted light plaids/prints
(blocks) - 4 yards total
... Assorted blue/gray prints
(blocks) - 4 yards total
... Blue print (binding) - 7/8 yard
Backing (pieced lengthwise) - 5 3/4" yards
Batting - Queen size

OTHER MATERIALS
Sewing thread
Quilting thread (hand-quilting)
Monofilament thread (machine quilting)

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
Red solid
... 30 squares 7 5/8" x 7 5/8"

... 5 squares 8 3/8" x 8 3/8", cut in half twice diagonally to make 20 quarter-square triangles (2 left over)
... 2 squares 8" x 8", cut in half diagonally to make 4 half-square triangles

Assorted light plaids/print
Cut 71 matching sets of:
... 5 squares 3 3/8" x 3 3/8"
... 1 square 3 3/8" x 3 3/8", cut in half diagonally to make 2 half-square triangles

Assorted blue/gray prints
Cut 71 matching sets of:
... 5 squares 3 3/8" x 3 3/8"
... 1 square 3 3/8" x 3 3/8", cut in half diagonally to make 2 half-square triangles

Quilt Top Assembly
PIECING THE BLOCKS
1. Select 1 set of assorted light and 1 set of assorted blue/gray fabrics. On wrong side of light 3 3/8" square, draw diagonal line with marking tool of your choice. Referring to Diagram I, place light square on blue/gray 3 3/8" square, right sides together. Sew 1/4" seam on each side of marked line; cut apart on marked line. Press open to make pieced squares. Make 10 matching for each block.

2. Using matching pieced squares and matching 3 3/8" half-square triangles, sew 4 rows (see Diagram II). Stitch rows together to make pieced unit. Make 71 total. Position and sew red 8 3/8" quarter-square triangle to corner of pieced unit as shown in Diagram III to make side units. Make number indicated.

Diagram I

Diagram II

Diagram III

3. Referring to Diagram IV, stitch pieced units to sides of red 7 5/8" square to make Ocean Waves Block. Make 15 total.

Diagram IV

QUILT TOP ASSEMBLY
4. Referring to Assembly Diagram, position Ocean Waves Blocks, remaining 15 red 7 5/8" squares, and side units. Stitch 5 diagonal rows of Ocean Waves Blocks and side units. Sew together with red squares. Sew red 8" half-square triangles to corners.

Assembly Diagram

QUILTING AND FINISHING
5. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice (see Quiltmaking Fundamentals). Quilt as desired.
6. Bind quilt with blue print fabric (see Quiltmaking Fundamentals).

Due to variations in materials and equipment, mccallsquilting.com disclaims any liability of untoward results in doing the project presented. Because mccallsquilting.com has no control over your choice of materials or procedures mccallsquilting.com assumes no responsibility for the use of this data.

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