Vermont is known for its mountains and maple syrup, but there’s more to it than that. Originally inhabited by the Abenaki and other Native American tribes, Vermont was claimed by both the French and British before becoming a contested territory between New York and New Hampshire. In 1777, Vermont declared itself an independent republic—the Vermont Republic—making it the first territory to abolish slavery in its constitution. This independent streak defined the state’s character long before it officially joined the Union.
When Vermont finally ratified the Constitution in 1791, it did so on its own terms, having already established itself as a place that valued freedom and self-determination. This revolutionary spirit is still evident into Vermont today.
During the Industrial Revolution, Vermont developed a different economic path than many northeastern states. While textile mills did come to Vermont, the state’s economy remained more diversified, with marble quarrying, logging, and agriculture playing major roles. The state became famous for its marble—Vermont marble was used in iconic buildings like the Supreme Court and the Lincoln Memorial. Though manufacturing declined over time, Vermont’s heritage is preserved in historic mill towns and quarries that now serve as tourist attractions and cultural centers. The state’s commitment to preserving its natural landscape meant it never became as industrialized as neighboring states.
Vermont is famous for its maple syrup production—Vermont produces about 4% of the nation’s syrup despite being one of the smallest states—and its craft beer and cheese industries are world-famous. Vermont is a hub for progressive politics and has become a model for renewable energy adoption and environmental conservation, with over 99% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.
We had to stop at Ben & Jerry‘s home turf and grab some ice cream along the way. We didn’t get a chance to do the factory tour, but maybe next time!
The lush green of Vermont was something that has stayed with me since our visit, though I’d love to travel through in the peak of autumn to see the changing leaves. We stayed a few days on Lake Champlain, learning a bit about Champ, the legendary lake monster. I took a day trip and visited the WhistlePig distillery, the nearby Simon Pearce glass factory and several wood artist’s shops. Vermont looks like Oregon in some ways, so visiting made it feel a bit like being home.
Quilt Block
The Vermont block reminds me of both trees and church steeples and gives us an opportunity to work with triangles. It’s easily constructed, but make sure you stabilize your fabric with starch or starch alternatives first to keep the bias from being a bother.
If you want to introduce more colors, this is a perfect place to add in some greens!
I included an alternate construction method for this one at the request of some in the Dream Team community. There’s an FPP template in the pattern in case you’d rather do it that way!
Quilt Shops
Vermont Quilter’s Schoolhouse in Troy is truly an old schoolhouse and has all the charm you’d expect!
Stash Fabric in Burlington stocks all the fashion fabrics you might want, as well as quite a collection of quilting cottons. Plus they print PDF patterns! What’s not to love?
Quilters’ Corner in Middlebury has a wide variety of fabrics, including quilting cotton, linen, Cuddle® and rayon. If you’re doing the Vermont Shop Hop, make sure to stop in.
I can’t wait to see your Vermont block! If you’ve been to or live in Vermont, tell me about your favorite quilt shops or places to visit there!
Where are the patterns for the blocks? can’t find a link.
It is in your Crinkle Dreams library; the link for that is in every email that tells you the patterns have been updated. Your link stays the same every week. 🙂