Long before European boots ever touched Maine’s rocky shores, the land was home to the Wabanaki peoples. The confederation of tribes includes the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Abenaki, nations that had lived along the coast for thousands of years.
The first European attempts to settle Maine unsuccessful. The English tried establishing a colony at Popham in 1607, but harsh winters drove nearly all of them out. The few that stuck around got the fishing and trading economy started and by the mid-1600s, the coast was dotted with small settlements used for cod fishing, fur trading, and timber. At that time, Maine was actually part of Massachusetts, not something residents were happy about.
Maine finally became its own state in 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise — a congressional deal that settled the quandary of whether new states should be admitted as slave or free states. It was agreed that Maine would be entered as a free state to balance Missouri entering as a slave state.
In 1851, Prohibition was born in Portland with the passage of the “Maine Law,” which outlawed the production and distribution of alcohol. Four years later, when Portlanders found out their mayor, and the man behind prohibition, was storing thousands of dollars worth of alcohol, they rebelled. The Portland Rum Riot ushered in the Temperance era with an acknowledgement that prohibition wasn’t going to work for many reasons.
Maine became the center of shipbuilding and the maritime industry. In the mid-1800s, Maine was building some of the finest wooden sailing ships in the world. By the late 1800s, steel ships replaced wooden ones, and the era of Maine shipbuilding faded away. But Maine has lobsters! The lobster industry became the primary economy for the state and continues to be iconic. You can’t go to Maine without trying a lobster roll.
Maine has evolved into a place of real contrasts with mill towns inland, with textile and paper mills. The coastline, on the other hand, became a summer destination for wealthy vacationers. Kennebunkport draws the rich and famous, made famous by the Bush family, but you might not know that Kennebunk is its neighboring town, right across the bridge.
We were able to talk a trip into Maine, spending a few days at a friend’s farmhouse in central Maine. The small towns are charming and it was a delightful break from the road. Hawke spent some time painting the beautiful Sandy River and now that art piece hangs in our kitchen in the other Portland.
Quilt Block
With Maine’s long history of shipbuilding, the Mariner’s Compass block seems like a perfect block for the state. I chose to use a simplified Mariner’s Compass rather than a traditional version. Usually, they have a couple dozen compass points, but with our block being just 6″ square, I knew we needed something less complicated.
The block is simple enough, though it can cause a bit of confusion (I say this from experience!). To make it more clear for you, I’ve labeled the templates with letters, fabric numbers and color-coded stitch lines. Give the tutorial a watch to see how I organized the project before getting started. You’ll find it surprisingly satisfying when that compass comes to life!
If you love Mariner’s Compass blocks, but are intimidated by the more complicated versions, I encourage you to look at Robin Ruth Designs rulers and patterns. Robin uses a clever strip piecing method to make them easier than you’d ever expect. I had the joy of taking a class with her in Kansas City and I learned so very much!
Quilt Shops
- Bolt – Create, Sew, Quilt in Bucksport is a lovely shop, packed with fabrics and an extensive notions wall.
- Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop in Freeport popular quilting cottons, including country casual, modern designs, and hand-dyed batiks. They offer long-arming services and frequent classes
- Z Fabric in Portland is a modern shop that offers an extensive range of fabrics, patterns and yarn, too!
- The Cotton Cupboard Quilt Shop in Bangor is bright, fun and run by a pair of sisters who share their love of quilting and BERNINA sewing machines.
I can’t wait to see your Maine block! If you live in or have visited Maine, leave a comment. I’d love to hear more about it!
