In 1737 Benjamin was made postmaster of Philadelphia and in 1753 as postmaster of all of the American Colonies. Quite a job for a printer! At the time there were post-offices everywhere and Franklin visited them all to see how the system could be improved. In fact, he wanted to see how the mail could move faster on land and invented a device to measure how many times the wheel on a mail cart went around thus seeing how far it had traveled...Franklin's 'odometer' lead to faster delivery throughout the land...
To print a copy of Page 1, click here-->Download Postage Stamp Block-Block 12 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 1
To print a copy of Page 2, click here-->Download Postage Stamp Block-Block 12 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 2
To print a copy of Page 3, click here-->Download Postage Stamp Block-Block 12 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 3
(We strongly advise downloading all three of these pages for your project)
Postage Stamp block tutorial
Start the center A units by sewing together 2 Red scrap 1 1/2 by 13-inch strips and 2 Beige scrap 1 1/2 by 13-inch strips. Press the seams towards the arrows indicated on Page 1 of the instructions.
Repeat with the remaining Red scrap and Beige scrap strips...pressing again towards the arrows shown on Page 1. You will have 2 center A strip units each measuring 4 1/2 by 13-inches.
Cut the first strip set into eight 1 1/2-inch pieces...there is a little extra in the length just in case you need to square off your cutting...
next cut the second strip set into eight 1 1/2-inch pieces. There is a little extra length on this strip as well, just in case you need to square off an end while cutting.
Using two 1 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch pieces from each strip set, lay out the center A unit as shown. The seams should already be pressed in the opposite direction to help the unit fit together!
Sew the rows together so that the corners match. A neat, tidy, and well-pressed back will help the block go together well. The center A unit should measure 4 1/2-inches square.
Lay out the block following the diagram on Page 2...there are two side borders and a top and a bottom border. They are sewn on Courthouse Steps style.
The side borders are the first to be added. Press the seams towards the borders.
Add the top and bottom borders, pressing towards the borders, and the first of four Postage Stamp blocks is done! Give it a quick spray of starch, if desired, and make three more...We will be back again next month with a new block!
If you are missing a page, or need further copies of any of the instructions posted to date, click on the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt button under DON'T MISS A STEP to find what you need. If you have a question, or need further assistance, please contact Erik HOMEMADE®.