Bowmansville Star

For the new editions of BlockBase and Encyclopedia

of Pieced Quilt Patterns I added patterns

passed around in small communities rather

than published in the pattern literature as most of the 4,000 plus

designs are.

One we added was the Bowmansville Star,

which will be in the small category of whole top designs

as "Popular in Lancaster County."

Just one pattern piece---a square.

From The Herrs, Lancaster County dealers

Stella Rubin's Inventory

There are many variations; this one from RickRack antiques,

Which I did not include.

You have to stop somewhere.

UPDATE: In the comments Sue had a good question. What's the date on these???

I'm guessing they begin in the 1880s and since quilters were so conservative in southeastern Pennsylvania, using the same patterns for quite a while, I'd guess you see them into the 1940s.

Conestoga Auctions version.

 I bet a green or blue

has faded badly in the star's arms.

How did they keep the shading consistent? Counting? Design floors in the spare room? Design beds in the spare room?