Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Robbing Peter to pay Paulson

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is a traditional quilt block.
This quilt picture is from the Nebraska State Historical Society, International Quilt Study Center, James Collection #11997.007.0925. Copy and reuse restrictions apply.

I am on a quilt mail list. The other day someone said she wanted to make a quilt for an economist friend. Suggestions poured in for traditional quilt blocks: Economy Block, Bright Hope, Flight of Fancy, Dreamers Lament, Card Trick, Federal Chain, Depression Block, Hard Times, Double Cross, Washington’s Puzzle, etc. My favorite was Robbing Peter to Pay Paul (renaming it “Robbing Peter to pay Paulson”).

Quilters are so clever. There are free instructions for making a traditional Rob Peter to Pay Paul block on Marsha Hohn’s Quilter’s Cache site.

To see more historical quilts go to the Nebraska State Historical Society site.

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6 Comments:

Blogger Tanya Brown said...

LOL at your title.

Quilters are clever. I have a top one of my grandmothers made out of sewing scraps. Something beautiful out of practically nothing, in the midst of grinding poverty. Each time I touch it, I silently tell her that I love her and admire her, a funny little ritual I have.

3:23 PM  
Blogger Christine Thresh said...

That is so sweet. You are not entirely a curmudgeon are you?

4:12 PM  
Blogger Si Dunn said...

I'm glad to see that others, including quilters, are making good use of "Robbing Peter to Pay Paulson." It's such an irrestible pun, and I'm sure it sprang to millions of minds very quickly when all of the bad economic headlines appeared. Thanks for the comment you left on my blog. Best wishes!

9:35 AM  
Blogger Collagemama said...

Have you been to the IQSC in Lincoln yet??

I'm hoping you'll design a Beranke variation of Robbing Peter to Pay Paulson!

3:49 PM  
Blogger Christine Thresh said...

Collagemama,
Some day, I hope.

3:58 PM  
Blogger meggie said...

Very interesting post.

2:28 PM  

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