| Quilt Notes: In her notes in the Chicago Tribune (October 31, 1936) for POTTED ROSE, Nancy Cabot claims a special tiling arrangement for this already 4-patch repeat design, that is, by inserting plain half-blocks into the over-all pattern in order to gentle down the repeat (see below — it tiles and it doesn't tile, very nice). Cabot says:
"POTTED ROSE is one of those interesting pieced blocks which are set together on the diagonal to form an all-over design. The suggested arrangement [alternated with plain half blocks] creates a most unusual over-all pattern."
The block's diagonal set is a variation on numerous planters and basket designs: compare at this site, for instance with TEXAS ROSE. Jinny Beyer lists POTTED ROSE in her QUILTER'S ALBUM OF PATCHWORK PATTERNS, p.107, amidst a medley of other blocks constructed as here with a four times repeat, almost dizzying to sort through, and, interestingly, including a number of bobbing SHIPS AT SEA. Beyer's version is pieced entirely with solids, which seems an excellent solution to the busyness of the design. Cabot also indicates no print-like "figures" in her rendering, especially nothing flowery, perhaps because the block itself is actually a floral pattern.
For another quilt design utilizing plain half blocks in the over-all scheme, see MONKEY PUZZLE — although it includes curved elements, yet equally interesting in layout and diagonal set. Compare also with a highly geometric OLD MAID'S RAMBLER, the mysterious OLD KING COLE'S CROWN, and quiltdom's incredibly exquisite BIRDS IN THE AIR.
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POTTED ROSE
