Prairie Queen Quilt Pattern: Reflecting Pioneer Days

Songs and poetry reflect the romance of the name. Pioneer women have been referred to as Prairie Queens. Even Calamity Jane is said to have gone through a period when she wore women's clothing and went by the name Prairie Queen.

It's no surprise that the name has also been applied to a quilt block, in fact two blocks bear this name. One is a variation of the Monkey Wrench and the other a star like block. Often patterns have more than one name and the pattern shown in the graphic on this page has also been published under the name "True Blue".

In her book, "Old Patchwork Quilts and The Women Who Made Them", that was first published in 1929, Ruth Finely mentions the Prairie Queen as one of the, "Simple but widely used nine-patches that every person interested in quilts should know..." Finley gives no history of the block but we can assume from the quote that the pattern must have been around for a while to be that widespread.

The free pattern for this quilt can be found at Prairie Queen Pattern. You will also find information on how to make a Pyramid border and a link to information on making Prairie Points.

� 2007 Judy Anne Breneman

Prairie Queens: The strong, yet feminine, women who settled the West.

"Old patchwork Quilts and The Women Who Made Them", by Ruth Finley