October Block is Milky Way

Kristin made this block--thanks Kristin.

Finally updated - October 14

Milky Way was first published by the Ladies Art Company, a publication that was active from 1895 to 1934.

It is a block that is designed to be set in a straight set, which is block-to-block with nothing in-between the blocks. That allows the overall pattern of blue and yellow stars to appear.

Because this block is somehow really a block and a half, our blocks this month will be EIGHT INCH (finished size) BLOCKS.

Fabric Guidelines

You’ll need 4 fabrics for these blocks:

BLACK – this may be solid or tone-on-tone and you may use the same black for all your blocks
WHITE – like your black fabric, this may be solid or tone-on-tone and you may use the same white for all your blocks
YELLOW – the yellow fabric may be tone-on-tone or a multi-color print that is predominately yellow. From across the room, it should “read as yellow.” It can be any shade of yellow.
BLUE - the blue fabric may be tone-on-tone or a multi-color print that is predominately blue. From across the room, it should “read as blue.” It should be a medium or dark shades of blue, but not too dark to be indistinguishable from the black.

If you are making multiple blocks, you may repeat your YELLOW and BLUE fabrics , however each YELLOW + BLUE combination should be unique.

Block Pattern Information

I really appreciate everyone who helped supply the pattern information while I was down with the flu. Today I managed to make a block, taking step-by-step photos along the way and publish the directions in a bit more detail here: Milky Way Quilt Block. I tired using a chain-piecing technique to keep everything attached an in order and felt it worked pretty well . . . so if you're having problems getting the block right (or are afraid you're going to have problem), you might want to check out this technique.

Again, I apologize for not being able to drag myself out of bed for the past couple weeks. The flu really hit me hard. I'm hoping this experience will give me immunity for the rest of the season.