Houses are long-time favorite motifs for quilts. These blocks vary in size depending on the pattern. They’re typically seven to twelve inches. These motifs are often pieced. However, in some cases the houses are appliquéd.
Ideas for House Quilt Blocks
Quilters can create many variations of these houses just by changing the colors of the fabrics. Use all sorts of prints and solids. They need not be traditional house colors.
To add variety and diversity for the house blocks, vary the size, style, color, perspective, and roof pitch of the building. You can change the direction or location of the doors, windows, and chimneys.
The house styles can range from plain simple rectangles to rambling quaint farm houses, Victorian cottages, garden cottages, and rustic structures.
A house block is often used as the center for a medallion quilt. For this quilt project, the building is typically surrounded by pieced strips and borders. Add other motifs to the background to create a home-like setting for the house. These might include trees, hearts, gardens, and birdhouses. For a Christmas quilt, substitute a gingerbread house for the usual building.
For inspiration and ideas for house quilts there’s no better source than Houses by Joanna Figueroa and Lisa Quan of Fig Tree Quilts. This wonderful title features 14 house-based quilt projects. It was released by Martingale/That Patchwork Place.
There is also a delightful pattern from Indygo Junction featuring houses. Brownstone Boulevard by Marilyn Gash has a lovely house pillow pattern with a row of strikingly beautiful homes and a framed house sampler.
Some Historical House Quilt Block Patterns
A number of house block patterns have been released over the years. Several date from the late 1800s.
One early pattern was called the Log Cabin. Released in 1897, this features a nonsymmetrical house. It resembles an early colonial cottage rather than a traditional log cabin. In 1929 a similar pattern was released.
The Old Homestead pattern dates from 1897. This features a tall building with a chimney on each end. There are two tall nonsymmetrical windows on one end and two windows on one side.
The Little Red House pattern is from 1898. There are chimneys on each end and a door at one end. This has two tall windows on one side. A narrow strip in a contrasting color runs along the lower edge of the roof. This house is nonsymmetrical.
The Jack’s House pattern dates to1897. This features a house with a chimney at each end. There is a tall door on one end and two tall windows on one side. A black strip is located on one side above a window.
The Stars Exhibition Home Quilt block was released by the Kansas City Star in 1919. This was also called the Little Red House on the Hill and House on the Hill. It has a chimney on each end as well as a door and window at one end. A similar block was released in 1938, and was called the Kansas City Star Exhibition Home.
The House That Jack Built pattern was released in 1932. This is similar to the Little Red House pattern from 1898. However, the windows and doors are shorter and the contrasting strips at the lower roof edge are wider.
The Honeymoon Cottage pattern from 1935 has a nonsymmetrical house. This features stripes along one side and a chimney at one end.
The Early Colonial Cottage pattern from 1938 features a nonsymmetrical house. This has a striped roof, a chimney, and a door at one end. There is a window on one side.
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