stitching a Windmill

Thanks so much for your interest in the Penny Sampler Pattern Club for 2020! It’s always a little magical to discover that an idea I’ve dreamed up is also inspiring to you.

I was perfectly delighted to hear that several who made the original Penny Sampler are eager to make a second one. That’s exactly why I decided to create a new Dutch-inspired version.

Well, that and the fact that I will very much enjoy sewing it! How lucky that I can put my love for The Netherlands right into my work.

Are you not so keen on all things Dutch? Don’t worry! You can mix and match blocks from the original Penny Sampler with blocks from the new version, creating a quilt that’s all you. The Penny Sampler Pattern Club will include alternate blocks so that you can skip the ones that don’t appeal. Just make the blocks that speak to you. It’ll be fun to see all the different versions that emerge, don’t you think?

Today I’m sharing a quintessential Dutch block - the windmill. In this flat, windy country, I see the windmill as a symbol of victory. The Dutch people harnessed a challenging aspect of their climate as a powerful source of progress. Thanks to the windmill, they were able to drain soggy fields for farming and building, as well as grind grains. It’s just what we all want to do in our lives - transform the challenges life throws at us into something that makes our world a little better.

Please excuse me if my windmill block is more fanciful than historical. It is definitely fun to sew!

Choosing fabrics is always my favorite part. The rain is so spot-on for the windmill flags. So much rain lately! Both the Panorama rain print and the tulip print used for the building are Cotton + Steel. I figured blue and white are great colors to start any Dutch-inspired work.

This block is a good example of my paper piecing style, for those of you considering the pattern club. I’m not one for blocks that have a ton of seams so that everything looks as realistic as possible. Instead, I prefer to simplify shapes for a clean, modern style that’s faster to sew. Throw in one or two options to fussy cut a fabric, and I’m happy! I hope you will be too.

Questions about the Penny Sampler Pattern Club? See this FAQ page. Next week I’ll be chiming in with lots more details after Christmas.