Inspired by reading the Little House series as a child, I remember searching for years to find the Doves in the Window pattern that Laura told of making for her wedding quilt. I too had started sewing at an early age, and loved that Laura made quilts out of fabric scraps to keep warm. But what was the Doves in the Window pattern? The quilt she made did not survive the fire that destroyed their home just before their 4th anniversary. I learned that there were several patterns called Doves in the Window. The only clues I had as to which version Laura made were bits of decriptions she mentioned in her stories. She made a quilt block with bias edges that were so tricky, Ma made her take it apart and re-do it until she got it right.
A visit to the Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Burr Oak, IA sent me down a path that has lead to what I believe may have been the pattern Laura made for her wedding quilt. Join me in this one day workshop where you will learn how to draft this unusual patterns, make your own templates, and use a combination of machine and hand piecing to create this unique Doves in the Window pattern.
In celebration of the spirit of Laura, I have created my version of her Doves in the Window quilt, combining this intriguing block with the nine patch blocks she and her sister Mary learned their piecing skills on.