Welcome to Block 16 of the Little House on the Prairie Sew Along.  This block is the second to correspond to Little Town on the Prairie.  That means that we have 2 more books to read and 4 more blocks to make before assembling the quilt.  If you are new to the sew along, we will be making 20 block.  My 8 year old daughter and I are reading the Little House series and designing easy to sew blocks to represent key elements from the stories.  She is choosing all the fabrics. I am cutting and helping her with the pinning.  She is doing all the sewing.  You are welcome to join us!

This is a shirt block.  In Little Town on the Prairie, Laura works for a time helping a woman in town sew men’s shirts.  She earns money which is used to send Mary to college.

The block is simple but introduces some new sewing skills for the beginner; pivoting, turning and edge-stitching.

To make this block, you must cut two pieces 7″ wide x 14 1/2″ high for the two sides of the shirt.  The strip in the middle is 1 1/2″ x 14 1/2″.  You can cut it on the bias to make the transition more obvious.  It will add more interest to the block.  The print Lily chose is a bit busy but it still helped.

Next, download the pattern here. Cut 4 collar pieces from pattern C and two pocket pieces from pattern piece F.

To assemble, Sew the 7″ x 14 1/2″ piece to the long strip and then to the other 7″ x 14 1/2″ piece. Press and then edgestitch down either side of the front placket. Set aside. The front of the shirt is done.

With right sides together, stitch 1/4″ along the edge of the collar, leaving the upper edge open for turning. Clip the corner. Turn and press. Then top stitch 1/4″ from the edges. Line the collar up with the upper edge of the shirt and stitch along the upper edge. I purposely did not overlap the collar at the top to reduce bulk in the seam when this block is sashed.

Next, sew along three sides of the pocket, clip corners, and turn through the opening at the top. Fold under the top, 1/4″. Press and edge stitch along the upper edge and then stitch 1/4″ from the top.   Place the pocket where desired and pin.

Stitch around the 3 sides of the pocket using a 1/4″ foot, leaving the top open.

You are left with a shirt block with collars that can be lifted up and down and a real pocket.  How fun will it be to have a quilt with a real pocket in it for a treasure?

We plan on attaching buttons, maybe to the collar but definitely to the front. We are waiting till the quilt is assembled and quilted and then we will add those buttons, along with the buttons for the sheep’s eyes.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this block!  Sadly, there is no cute picture of Lily with this block because she is not feeling well.