Basket Weave Variation Quilt Block

     My first Basket Weave block, using the original pattern, looked like a swastika symbol, which is unacceptable to me.  After much input from others and after several attempts, this is the variation I chose.  I found the original pattern in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird but varied it by flipping some of the basic blocks around to form a different design in the center.    

     In these diary entries, Hattie's stepmother has been out of town, and she is thankful to have her home.  The housework is a lot without her help!  On Easter Sunday, Hattie goes to church with her Mother (stepmother Nelle Daniels Woodbury) and her younger brothers Ted (14) and George (12).  Sister Anna (12) is sick at home. 

Saturday, April 22, 1916 -

"Well, Mother finally got home, and I'm rejoicing.  It seems a long week.  I got my wish for a nice, bright, warm, still day, for today has been really hot!  This morning was entirely too lovely to be spent in the house baking and cleaning.  But such is life!

"I finished my work this afternoon and had my bath and got ready to go to town.  Papa and Mr. Peat and I, after a great deal of puttering, got the horse hitched up and I started.  I just had a few minutes to run up to the church to see how the Decorating Committee was progressing. (I was supposed to help.)  But it was about train time, so Alpha and I shot down to the station.  I greeted Mother and was just helping her get her baggage when Alpha hopped on the train, seeing some friends, and called back to me, 'Harriet, stop in and tell Mamma I'm going to Quenemo.'  And off she was without even a hat or coat and no money either!  That's just like Alpha.  Her folks were as astonished as I.

"Grace Mc. phoned this A.M. and informed me that I was to act as usher with Grace K, Mary, and May in the morning.  I told her I had no new hat to display, and she said neither had she.  Then May spoke up and said, "Neither have I."  But afterwards Mary phoned and said she had got one.  But I don't care!  Mother brought me a nice corsage bouquet of pink roses, sweet peas, hyacinths, and ferns so I can at least have flowers.  I had violets last year.  Mother brought me a pretty basket filled with nice things: an Easter souvenir pin cushion, two pretty handkerchiefs, a dainty collar, a bar of French soap, and crepe for a dress.  O yes, a box of Easter candy, too!"

Sunday, April 23, 1916 -
"This has been about the nicest Easter day (as far as the weather is concerned) that I have on record.  Just a nice warm, bright spring day.  Anna was sick but Mother, Ted, George, and I went to church.  Everybody (but I) was out in his or her new spring outfit.  They had a right nice program and beautiful flowers.  I filled my new basket with tulips, lilacs, cherry and apple blossoms, and everyone admired it very much." 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/11/cats-and-mice-quilt-block.html