This is a "block of the month" pattern commissioned by Quakertown Quilts of Texas. It includes historic lighthouses in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. I chose the lighthouses with the most interesting architecture or history. The small lighthouses in the oval frames are paper pieced, the others are a combination of piecing and appliqué. Many details are achieved with ribbon, satin or straight stitching (or embroidery), and inking -- I strive for realism in my patterns. There are many fun details not apparent in the view given here, such as rick-rack for the shark's teeth, and three-dimensional pennants on the sailboats and the beach sun's rays.
In addition to the lighthouses, other blocks include seagulls, fish, sailboats, seashells, and a beach scene-- complete with sunscreen, soda, sandpipers and a turtle. The outer border is the traditional "Snail's Trail" block but recolored to look like waves.
Click on these links to view a larger "piece" of this quilt. (Please use your browser's Back button to return to this page.)
- Sand Island, Alabama
- Sabine Bank, Louisiana and Sanibel, Florida
- Texas: Matagorda, Port Isabel and Aransas Pass (Lydia Ann)
- Mariner's Compass Block Sabine Pass, Louisiana; and Florida: Pensacola, Crooked River (Carrabelle), Port Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island), St. Marks, and Egmont
- Mobile Bay, Alabama (above the orange beach umbrella)
- Bolivar, Texas
- Biloxi, Mississippi and Seashells. The Biloxi light is located on the median strip of a highway.
- Tide's Out (beach scene with umbrellas, drink, sunscreen and sandpipers). Note the lighthouse fabric in the right umbrella!
- New Canal, Louisiana
- Here is a view of Stephanie Bryant's version of this quilt. She made the "test" quilt for Quakertown Quilts.
The Mariner's Compass and Snail's Trail blocks are paper pieced with Lynn Graves' Foundation Sheets.
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