Our Block of the Month for our 2007-2008 Guild Year will be a sampler of Seminole quilting.  Seminole quilting was invented by the Seminole Indian women in Florida, around 1900, when the hand cranked sewing maching was introduced.  They used solid colours, usually in bright shades; they used the bands of Seminole quilting to decorate clothing and blankets.  The technique consists of cutting strips of fabric, sewing them together in strip sets, cutting them into pieces, and sewing them back together in different positions, to create complex looking designs.  The technique is similar to our modern strip piecing technique.

The Block of the Month is actually a "strip of the month".  Each month, you will get a pattern to make a different design, each with a different technique or variation of a technique.  There will be 12 patterns (some months will get two patterns);  you are not required to make them all.

You will make Seminole bands which are ~26" long, and of various widths, depending on the design.  Once all the bands are made, they can be assembled with plain strips in between to make a wall hanging approximately 30" x 40".

There was a demonstration of Seminole Quilting at the Rowanwood meeting on Sept. 27/07.  Several hints were discussed at this meeting which might make your work easier.

1. Keep your "sub-cuts" in the same order in which you cut them.  Then, if there are slight variations in size, they will not result in matching problems.
2. Prior to trimming your band to the finished size, either use spray starch or masking tape on the back to keep the band in place.
3. On the final pressing, once sub-cuts are joined, you could press your seams open to reduce bulk.
4. Once your band is completed and trimmed, join the beginning diagonal edge to the ending diagonal edge to make a loop. Then make a vertical cut in the desired location. This will eliminate waste from trimming the diagonal edges.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion and offered these ideas.

Ongoing examples of our Seminole Block of the Month.  Click on an image for a larger view.

At our December 2008 Pot Luck Meeting, members who had made projects using the Seminole strips brought them in for all to see and enjoy.  Click on an image for a larger view.