Jawhawks or Jayhawks?

Kansas University Jayhawk

I found this quilt block called Jawhawks -- a simple one to construct -- but the name was one I had never heard before. In fact, I can't seem to even find a definition of the word "Jawhawk". All searches point to "Jayhawk". So, if anyone has any information to further this conundrum, please let me know.

My personal opinion is that Jawhawk became Jayhawk because it was easier to say. Maybe those quilters in Kansas can enlighten me. YourDictionary says that the origin of the word jayhawk is "the name of a fictional bird, half bluejay and half sparrowhawk, mascot of the University of Kansas." And here is his picture. He's kinda cute!

Jawhawks quilt block

Now back to the quilt block. This simple nine patch is a good starting place for a beginner quilter. The corners are made using half square triangles, the second most commonly used patch in quilt making, and there are also a few flying geese units to add a little pizzazz. Now, since this is not a common block (at least under this name), you are in the driver's seat to create a unique quilt to impress your friends!

Download the free quilt block pattern.

It's for the birds

• "I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright."
  ~ Stephen King


• "Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses."
  ~ Dale Carnegie


• "A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
  ~ Chinese Proverb
  
  but let's not forget about Kansas


• "When I write, I aim in my mind not toward New York but toward a vague spot a little to the east of Kansas."
  ~ John Updike

<sub>'Jawhawks' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Jayhawk' image courtesy printablecolouringpages.co.uk

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Tonganoxie

Tonganoxie quilt block

How could I come up with a catchier name for a blog post than Tonganoxie? And ... as it happens there is a quilt block by this name.

Upon further research, I discovered that it is named for a city in Kansas (I think it is obvious now, that geography is not my forté or I would have known this already.)

This seven patch quilt block is an easy one to construct because it contains only squares and rectangles, hence easier sewing. To make the construction even simpler (in my opinion), I have laid out the construction process as an uneven nine patch because I prefer to work with "chunks" rather than sewing in rows. Additionally, this block can be made as a 14" block so that the process of making your quilt is speeded up. A win-win situation.

And speaking of Kansas, did you know ... ?

• Kansas is known as the Sunflower state.


• There are 27 Walnut Creeks in the state of Kansas.


• The "prairie chicken" has its largest population in all of North American in Kansas. You might know a prairie chicken as a wild grouse.


• The Pizza Hut restaurant chain opened its first store in Wichita.


• Fire Station No. 4 in Lawrence, originally a stone barn constructed in 1858, was a station site on the Underground Railroad.


• Wyatt Earp, "Wild Bill" Hickok and "Bat" Masterson were three of the legendary lawmen who ruled frontier towns like Abilene, Dodge City, Ellsworth, Hays, and Wichita.


• The state name comes from the Kansas Indian word kansa or kanza which means "south wind".


• A museum in Piqua, Kansas is dedicated to silent film comedian, Buster Keaton, who was a native son.

<sub>'Tonganoxie' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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