The vintage quilt patterns always remind me of my grandmother’s old quilt when I was a kid. So I took the time to learn about 25 patterns that impressed me. I am eager to share this compilation with you.
I hope it is helpful to you!
What’s in this post:
25 Vintage Quilt Patterns From the 1920s:
To embark on your vintage-inspired quilting journey, it’s beneficial to begin by determining your preferred quilt pattern.
1. Octagons and Elongated Stars Quilt
As I know, this quilt pattern was created by combining machine stitching and handwork.
The contours of the blocks will be machined first, and then the stars and octagons will be handcrafted. I look at them like bouquets, very eye-catching.
2. Wedding Ring Quilt
Just at a glance, when I saw the pattern of rings together in a clear layout, I immediately knew the name of this quilt pattern. But the sewing technique is quite meticulous. If you are new to quilting, it will be a little challenging.
3. Pomegranate Quilt
This quilt pattern is inspired by pomegranate. At that time, the pomegranate symbolized love and marriage. Red and blue tones were chosen because they kept the color longer than other color blocks.
4. Rose of Sharon Quilt
The Rose of Sharon quilts has enjoyed popularity since the 19th century. A quilt pattern with many miniature roses that have not yet bloomed. Before then, the Rose of Sharon motif was commonly found in cathedrals and intricately carved in stone.
5. Pinwheels Quilt
I am attracted to the 8-pointed pinwheel in this quilt pattern. It reminds me of the games I used to love as a kid. Each wing has a different color and design. They look great.
6. Paper Fan Quilt
Are you familiar with the paper fan? Especially grandma’s paper fan. This vintage quilt pattern recreates that in more bright colors. The fans will be created manually first and then attached to the quilt’s surface.
7. Chain Stamp Quilt
This pattern appeared in the 1930s, the period of economic recession. The quilt is created with tiny scraps of fabric, patchwork according to a particular idea. This was also a way for women to make money from discarded pieces of cloth.
8. Colorful Chrysanthemum Quilt
Hexagons weaved together to create brilliant, colorful daisies in a 1920s quilt pattern. I consider how long it would take to manually make a quilt like this. Oh, that’s wonderful.
9. Magic Diagonal Quilt
This is a quilt pattern from the Depression era of the 1930s. Its timeless appeal is evident, as similar motifs are still found in numerous quilt patterns today.
The design comprises diagonal lines within small squares, ingeniously pieced together from various fabric remnants.
10. Small Sailboat Quilt
The motifs are simply sailboats, but it’s beautiful. I learned that this quilt pattern was inspired by the ship seeking freedom during the American Civil War.
It is created from triangles, squares, and rectangles. And it’s easy to recreate this quilt pattern in modern times.
11. Red Lily Quilt
Oh, how stunning! Each cluster of flowers showcases three vibrant red lilies. This quilt pattern truly leaves me in awe. If I hadn’t known its origin, I would have mistaken these designs for modern creations.
They are far from outdated, without a doubt.
12. Rising Star Quilt
The emergence of this quilt pattern dates back to the 1920s. The accurate alignment of star-filled rows forms a strikingly coherent pentagonal void. The 4-pointed stars are adorned with various colors.
13. Colorful Square Quilt
This pattern is perfect for utilizing fabric scraps and crafting a lovely quilt. Even as a beginner, you can swiftly recreate it with ease. Small squares harmoniously join together, resulting in a vibrant and captivating quilt.
14. House Medallion with Multiple Borders
I observe a house nestled amidst various blossoms and intricate geometric elements. This design emerged around the 1930s and was crafted using gentle, 100% cotton.
While this pattern is not as prevalent in modern times, it enjoyed considerable popularity among enthusiasts during its era.
15. Brick Wall Quilt
The quilt pattern replicates the distinctive brick wall style from the 1910s, with its rectangular shapes representing the two-valve bricks commonly used during that period. I find it similar to the pattern of the current sedge mats.
16. Alabama Quilt
Purple and blue are the predominant color tones of this timeless quilt. The rhombuses interconnect with squares, creating unique diagonal lines that draw attention.
17. Magic Octagon Quilt
I thought I’d recreate something based on this code sample. It’s pretty eye-catching. This particular design emerged in the 1920s and was meticulously handcrafted. The vibrant octagons showcase various colors, resulting in a visually captivating image.
18. Granma’s Hand-Stitched Quilt
This pattern evokes memories of my grandmother. Do you happen to recognize it? The squares intertwine, forming numerous small triangles. The classic color palette sets it apart and makes it unique in the present era.
19. Triangles in Squares Quilt
I figured I could make a quilt pattern similar to that using fabric remnants. Many little triangles are arranged in big squares in a 1920s motif.
This quilt pattern was particularly well-liked at that time.
20. Primrose Path Quilt
Anna Black Hutchin created this quilt between 1924 and 1927 to raise funds for the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization dedicated to Union Civil War soldiers and veterans.
This is a primrose path pattern with a meaningful story concealed in it, which I probably wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t read the document.
21. Multi Border Star Quilt
Have you ever seen this blanket design before? It’s very beautiful. Multiple geometric layers encircle a core star. Every layer is a different hue. It makes me think of my early dreams.
22. Swallow Wing Quilt
Look at this beauty! This is a blanket pattern most famous in the 1930s. The idea of flying swallows is made up of squares and triangles joined together.
23. 6-Petal Flower Quilt
I adore the sleek and minimalist aesthetic of this blanket. The presence of colorful six-petal flowers on a beige fabric brings about a sense of tranquility.
In modern quilting, this classic pattern has evolved into various captivating variations.
24. Brilliant Stars Quilt
Wow, there are so many colors that I adore. This beauty has captured my heart. Each exquisite little flower is crafted using six regular rhombuses.
However, I believe recreating this design would require substantial time and advanced techniques beyond what beginners possess.
25. Sunflower Quilt
Do you have a fondness for sunflowers? Regardless of your preference, I am confident this quilt pattern will leave a lasting impression on you.
This design originates from the 1920s, and although sunflower blankets are relatively common nowadays, these timeless lines never fail to delight me.
I genuinely hope that these vintage quilt designs serve as inspiration for your upcoming quilting endeavor. It’s wonderful if someone looks at one of your quilts and becomes inspired to create their original quilts.
FAQs:
What is the definition of a vintage quilt?
Quilts made from the 1920’s-1950 are considered “vintage” quilts.
What makes a quilted vintage?
Most vintage quilts were made by hand. A telltale sign is irregular, handmade stitches. Older quilts are also often faded.
What is the oldest known quilt pattern?
The Crazy Quilt is widely regarded as one of the oldest quilt patterns. The first quilts were made out of necessity. Quilting wasn’t a hobby at that point. It was a means to a warm bed at night. In its early days, creative quilters utilized any available scraps or remnants, paying little heed to their color, design, or fabric type.