Welcome to Quilt Across the US with AQS – 50 State Quilt Blocks!
Along with 50 State Mug Rugs for AQS Members.
Each week you will find five state block patterns released in the order they joined the Union. In the AQS Member access area, you can also find the same five states’ Mug Rug patterns.
The state blocks are the vintage blocks shared among quilters for generations presented in Bonnie K. Browning’s book, Vintage Quilt Blocks State by State, which is no longer in print. A special thank you to Bonnie for letting us use her book as a resource. Care has been taken to not alter the line design of the blocks and follow the traditional colorings.
There are many ways to make these blocks. We have chosen to offer patterns using a variety of techniques to finish the blocks with skill and precision. Try our methods, or use your favorite!
Please join us on the AQS Project Parade Facebook group to share your progress!
Week One:
Week Two:
Week Three:
Week Four:
Week Five:
Week Six:
Week Seven:
Week Eight:
Week Nine:
Week Ten:
Block Guides
We’ve curated the blocks by suggested assembly technique and added tips along the way. Check them all out below.
Patchwork Piecing
Brush up on your patchwork piecing skills for making the 50 States quilt blocks!
Template Piecing
Learn about template cutting and how to use them with piecing.
English Paper Piecing Basics
Learn the basics of English Paper Piecing.
EPP Blocks with Center Points
Work with sections to tackle EPP blocks with center points.
EPP Blocks with Curves
Did you know you can curved piece using EPP? Learn how!
EPP Block Practice
Master EPP through practice with these five blocks.
Foundation Paper Piecing Basics
Learn the fundamentals of FPP.
FPP to a Point
Manage matching points, unruly bias, and bulky seams while Foundation Paper Piecing.
Applique All the Way
Get applique tips in multiple techniques to find what works best for you!
Finish Strong
With all your skills, finish off the last few state blocks!
Show off your creations, connect with other quilters, and get inspired!
Be sure to join our growing community of quilters at the AQS Project Parade Facebook Group. There are lots of great quilters there to answer questions and encourage you along your quilting journey.
Members get even more…
Not a member? Join today!
Sounds interesting.
Don’t know who designed these blocks but… they are too busy. In fact, I live in Maine and the block is super ugly. Why are state blocks not in tones of red,white and blue. With a specific color for each state. For example, a deep red, white,a sea blue plus a pine green. ?
Hi Judy, The designers for the state blocks are varied and long before rotary cutters. We have taken special care to replicate the historical version of each block, paying attention to line and color as originally presented. That said, please do anything you like when creating your state block, change colors or change the design. Enjoy! Thanks, Betsey
I’m excited!!
This is Excellent, All the States – – in order of how they joined. At the perfect time, a project for my Grand children to learn some sewing and all about the states. Thank You, I am excited to get started.
a great adventure and history reminder
Why are these blocks for these states? And colors?
These blocks represent the state blocks shared among quilters for generations. They were collected for several sources and compiled in Bonnie Browning’s book, Vintage Quilt Blocks State by State. The blocks shared here are unaltered in line design or color aesthetic. Thanks, Betsey
I’ve been interested in the state blocks and now I can do them..yahoo!
Are the fabric requirements going to posted somewhere like on the other AQS projects – Either for all the blocks or mug rugs? Or is the only option to purchase the fat quarters pack each week?
Hi Vicki, Since the 12″ state blocks do not follow a united colorway (over 50 different colors), we are offering weekly fat quarter bundles from the American Made Brand fabrics that we are using in the blocks. This is a great project for scraps as well. The mug rugs loosely coordinate with their state block. Thanks, Betsey
I have been looking for a project to use my state flowers fabrics on, this will be perfect. Thank you!!
Me too… I am going to use my State Flower fabrics too!
Sounds great!
I like the American made fabrics but am not a fan of solids in general. I think I will use reproduction fabrics appropriate to the time that each state joined but try to stay with the overall color theme suggested in the insturctions. If I don’t have the correct period, I use something else that represents the state like tropical or batiks for Hawaii, cowboy/western for Wyoming, etc. A great opportunity to dive into my stash.
This looks like a fun project!!!! Will state birds, flowers, animals, trees, etc follow in the future? They could all make a nice series of quilts celebrating the uniqueness of each of our glorious 50 states…. just a thought.
I see we can order the fat quarters to make these but the bundle say you may need more of certain colors. I’d like to order enough to the same time to make them all. I don’t want a lot of leftover colors either. Any advice?
Hi Teresa, Because of the different types of piecing involved with the blocks, it is harder to estimate how much fabric a specific person might need. For example, I’m a generous paper piecer and would rather cut bigger pieces of fabric to be sure everything is covered when I flip. I also make mistakes, which eats up more fabric. I started with the big bundle and have added yardage as needed. Hope that helps. Thanks, Betsey
Hi Betsey, Sorry if I missed this somewhere but will the Big bundle be enough fabric to do all 50 states and the mug rugs or do I need to use other fabric for the mug rugs. Also, please thank Bonnie for me – I didn’t even know there was a book on Vintage Blocks State by State. This is an excellent history lesson for my grandchildren.
Hi Vicki, So glad to hear you are enjoying the blocks! I’ll let Bonnie know. 🙂 The big bundle doesn’t include the mug rugs. Thanks, Betsey
I love this project and am excited to get started on it. I’ve been looking for a project that will help me hone my paper piecing skills!
Thank you!
Me Parece estupendo este proyecto!!
Muy interesante por todos sus conceptos. No soy americana, pero me siento orgullosa por vosotras, quilters!
Seguiré vuestros avances con mucha curiosidad.
Gracias a todas las personas implicadas!
Un abrazo desde España!
Hi, I am recently new to AQS, like June of this year. this 50 states is what got me to join, I am wondering if these patterns are going to be available for awhile or do I need to download all of them now.?
Thanks
Marge
Hi Marge, The 50 State block patterns will always be available on AQSblog.com and the mug rugs in the AQS Member Access Area. Enjoy and welcome! Thanks, Betsey
Thank you!!
I have been printing the blocks that represent where my ancestors came from in the US and where my husband and I were born. Luckily all 6 of my children were born in CA!
Thanks so much for these beautiful blocks. They are very special and easy to make (well, most of them).
Please send thanks to Bonnie Browning also. Love them.
Love that these blocks are unique and a little more detailed. Thank you!
Where can I find state flowers fabrics?
I am looking forward to starting these. With every block different, there will be no boredom!! I have been having one problem–I cannot get the Idaho block to download. I click on PDF and it does not come up.
Hi Janet, If you are using the green print/pdf button at the bottom of the post, once open, select the pdf option and save. If you have difficulty, try using a different browser. Hope this helps. Thanks, Betsey
To put these all together, what color sashing would you use? I’m not good with choosing colors.
I’m enjoying these blocks and plan to make them all. Thank for the foundation piecing and English paper piecing templates on some of the more complex blocks.
Are you aware that several of the links to the block PDFs do not work? All I get is a blank page. Iowa, Oregon, Oklahoma, Alaska, and a couple others that I can’t remember.
Hi Donna, So glad you are enjoying the State blocks! We are looking into the Print Friendly PDF generator issue. Hopefully we will have a resolution in a couple days. I’ll let you know as soon as we have a solution. Thanks, Betsey