Blockheads 3 Block #10 Windmill

Hi Everyone!  Today is my turn to share my block Windmills.  I am super excited because this block has a little bit of a story behind it’s inspiration.  To download the pattern to my block click HERE. You can also download it from the block image below.

This last summer my family and I took a trip to Europe.  One of our stops was the Netherlands. It was great to go to Amsterdam but my favorite stop was right outside of Amsterdam where there is a grouping of some old large windmills.  I loved it! Not only because it’s impressive but because my family is from the Netherlands. My mother was born there along with her 8 brothers and sisters. When she was around 5 years old, their family was sponsored by a church and they moved to America along with thousands of other folks and settled in Southern California where there were a lot of other dutch immigrant families.  When they moved to America, my grandfather had to do multiple jobs just to provide for his family but when he had time, the one thing he loved to do was carpentry and one of the things that he made was small replicas of the large windmills from Holland. Word spread and he started making windmills for other dutch families and they would put them in their front yards. He made all different sizes and colors.  Below is an example of the windmills he made. My mom is the little girl on the right with four of her brothers and sisters. This block is an ode to my dutch heritage and a tribute to my grandfather. 

Here are a couple of pictures of the Windmills we saw.  The trip was so inspiring to me. There was also a working farm near the Windmills that inspired my latest collection On The Farm.  The collection is a celebration of animals on the farm. It is a fusion of a farm in Holland and the MidWest all wrapped into one. If you look closely you might find a tiny windmill in one of the prints.   

Also, stop by MY STORE to save 20% off everything until Sunday.  I know a lot of us are home bound and looking for things to do. Hopefully these bundles will inspire. There is no better therapy than sewing and crafting.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and reading my story.  Wishing all of you patience and good health during this time.

Write a comment

Comments: 37
  • #1

    Belarmina (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 05:33)

    Bonita historia, bonito bloque .
    Saludos desde este lado del océano

  • #2

    Carrie (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 06:32)

    I loved the block when I first saw it, now I love it even more. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the story behind Windmill. :)

  • #3

    Kristy E Goettl (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 06:42)

    Thank you! Your story makes the block even more special!

  • #4

    Cindy Westover (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 07:08)

    Loved the windmills I toured in Kinderdyke! Thanks for this block! Will be so much fun sewing and reliving memories

  • #5

    Vera Fernandes (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 07:15)

    Your block is quite charming, as well as your story! Thank you for sharing your memories!

  • #6

    TroyJennene Gibbs (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 07:41)

    Love the story- now I know the history, and it makes me want to sew my block even more
    Fantastic history, you must be very proud of your family

  • #7

    Pat (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 07:46)

    Thank you for your lovely family story this morning
    It is a bright spot in a rainy gloomy morning with same on the news
    The block is cute and now will make me smile all the way thru the piecing if it

  • #8

    Jackie (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 08:12)

    There is a wind mill museum in Lubbock TX if you ever get a chance to visit. It’s really fun to see.

  • #9

    MICHELA LOVATO (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 08:17)

    Thanks from Italy, for your lovely block.
    Today is my birthday, this mystery quilt is a big hug for me!
    Many thanks to all designers and Moda Fabrics too for this gift

  • #10

    Patricia (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 08:22)

    Pretty block, I have just the fabric I can use, thanks!
    Your trip to the Netherlands! We had a trip scheduled in April but because of the Conor virus it has been cancelled.�

  • #11

    Verena (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 08:24)

    Love the story behind your block

  • #12

    Sue Kessler (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 08:25)

    I love your story. Thanks for sharing it. The little girls in the story made me remember dresses I wore as a child.

  • #13

    Sue F (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 09:24)

    Stacy,
    Thanks for sharing your story! And on a side note, I just made the Little Red Riding Hood set from your panel for my granddaughter! I have had it in my stash for a few years and was blessed to be Grandma of a baby girl a year ago! She will love it! Blessings and thanks for sharing your special gifts with us! Be well...

  • #14

    Nancy H (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 10:08)

    Love the story that goes with the block...and your childhood. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

  • #15

    Vicky (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 10:14)

    Your grandfather's windmills are wonderful! I hope there are still some around.

  • #16

    Wendy Shaheen (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 11:21)

    Thank you for sharing such a great story! I love family history and your visit must have been so meaningful.

  • #17

    Karen Hieselaar (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 12:32)

    Hello from the Netherlands! I already liked your block but now that I’ve read the story behind I love it even more. Great to read you enjoyed yr visit to our country. Stay safe and healthy!

  • #18

    Jill (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 13:12)

    I love the story and inspiration behind your block. I think learning each designers story is my favorite part of BHs. It adds such meaningfulness to the piecing. Thank you Stacy! A beautiful block!

  • #19

    Melissa Mc (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 13:35)

    I love your block. It reminds me of my grandfather who was also from Holland and he also made replica windmills when I was a child. I loved visiting the Kuekenhoff and Nordvic.

  • #20

    CHERI L MATYJASZEK (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 14:40)

    I like this block, I'm pictureing some many different colors. Nice work

  • #21

    Aleta Kerker (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 16:09)

    I love the windmills especially the family story. I visited the Netherlands some years ago and fell in love the generous people and the land itself. This windmill block reminds me too of one of the favorite times I my life. Thank you for bringing it to life once again.

  • #22

    Jan Richards from New Zealand (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 17:54)

    Loved reading your story & love your design
    Thanks for sharing both ��

  • #23

    Tanis Williams ~ Vancouver BC Canada (Wednesday, 18 March 2020 18:15)

    Thank you for your gorgeous pattern and for sharing your family story and pictures! I will put Holland on my travel bucket list.

  • #24

    Kim (Thursday, 19 March 2020 05:21)

    Lovely story. Thanks for sharing and giving us this block.

  • #25

    Linda Clemmons (Thursday, 19 March 2020 10:15)

    Love the story behind your block. Thank you for participating.

  • #26

    Deb F (Thursday, 19 March 2020 17:27)

    What a wonderful story to go along with your great pattern. Thank you for sharing it. Stay healthy!

  • #27

    ivana bonanomi (Friday, 20 March 2020 03:35)

    E' molto bello che tu abbia condiviso la storia della tua famiglia e le tue origini per spiegare il tuo blocco. Grazie

  • #28

    Sue Smith (Friday, 20 March 2020 12:34)

    I have ripped out the 12” block twice! I finally came to the conclusion that the measurements for the rectangle were wrong! It should be 3 1/2” x 6 1/2”. Did anyone else have this problem. I am not a new quilter.

  • #29

    carolinpeoria (Friday, 20 March 2020 16:17)

    for Sue Smith, the directions do say 3 1/2 x 6 1/2. But the 1/2 is on the next line, so I can see how it could be misread.

  • #30

    Sue Smith (Friday, 20 March 2020 17:06)

    Thanks, I see the 6 1/2” now!

  • #31

    Kathy (akamurf) (Saturday, 21 March 2020 12:18)

    Thank you for this great block. I'm going to use it for a baby quilt.

  • #32

    Peggy Giese (Saturday, 28 March 2020 08:42)

    Every quilt has a story! I loved reading about your Dutch heritage! Thank you for sharing your stories!

  • #33

    Linda (Wednesday, 22 April 2020 13:34)

    I live how you can take a picture and make a Beautiful Pattern with it for quilting

  • #34

    apple blossom (Wednesday, 22 April 2020 14:38)

    Love seeing all the blocks. thanks for sharing

  • #35

    Gigi (Friday, 24 April 2020 08:00)

    Your story behind the block you created is what I love about quilting...how we stitch memories & stories into our creations. Thank you for sharing yours!

  • #36

    Pam (Friday, 22 May 2020 14:04)

    WHERE'S YOUR MODA BLOCKHEADS NO. 19? QLTN4FUN@GMAIL.COM

  • #37

    SUSAN M GARDNER (Tuesday, 23 June 2020 13:13)

    I just shared your blog and story with a high school classmate of mine who's family is also from the Netherlands. She has also visited there several times. My husband and I have also been there a couple of times, a wonderful place, I deed.