There’s something about August that feels like standing on a threshold—one foot still in summer’s warmth, the other inching toward the golden hush of fall. It’s a month of soft changes: sunflowers bowing their heads, early apples ripening on the branch, and light that lingers just a little less each evening. It’s the perfect time to welcome a block like Jacob’s Ladder into our Patchwork Stitches stitch-along—a design steeped in meaning, movement, and quiet reflection.
Historically, the Jacob’s Ladder quilt block dates back to the 1800s, and over the years it’s carried many stories. Some connect it to spiritual journeys and the slow, steady climb toward something greater. Others tell of quilts sewn with secret messages, used along the Underground Railroad to guide travelers toward hope and freedom. But at its heart, the block is about progress—about taking one small step after another, even when the path is winding.
In our cross-stitch version, I wanted to honor that spirit while also capturing a bit of August’s rhythm. Rich blues and soft greens stitched against gentle neutrals feel like stepping stones in a forest trail or waves lapping at the edge of a lake. This block isn’t just a pattern—it’s a quiet, mindful journey through the landscape of late summer.
A Tribute to the Quilters Who Came Before Me
Growing up, quilts were never just fabric and thread. They were stories, stitched into every corner of our home. My grandmother was a gifted quilter—meticulous, patient, and full of warmth. My mother inherited that same love of fabric and creation, and I remember so many evenings spent curled beside her as she stitched by lamplight, the rhythm of her needle as soothing as a lullaby.
And me? I’ve always wanted to be a quilter. I even started a quilt for my daughter before she was born—full of hope and nesting energy and a hundred good intentions. I came so close to finishing it. Every piece was cut, stitched, and pressed… except for the backing. It still sits, almost-complete, quietly waiting for that final step.
Cross-stitching, however, has always had my heart. There’s something about the simplicity and slowness of it—the way you build a picture one tiny X at a time—that draws me in and keeps me grounded. It’s become my way of making heirlooms, of telling stories, and of finally, in some small way, finishing that quilt I started so long ago.
This pattern is for my grandmother. For my mom. For my daughter. And for anyone else who’s ever loved a craft that links generations together.
What’s Inside the August Newsletter
If you’re stitching along with us, or even just dipping in and out as the seasons shift, August’s edition of Thyme for Stitching is a treasure trove of cozy, creative joy. Inside, you’ll find:
🧵 The Jacob’s Ladder Quilt Block Pattern – A step forward in our Patchwork Stitches series, filled with symbolism and soul.
🍪 Peanut Butter Buttons Recipe – Sweet, simple, and perfect for sharing. Or not sharing. No judgment here.
🎶 A Late Summer Playlist – Mellow folk tunes, gentle instrumentals, and warm-weather nostalgia to stitch by.
📚 This Month’s Reading List – Cozy novels and page-turners perfect for porch swings, tent lanterns, and quiet August afternoons.
🧺 Printable Stitching Tools – Including a Daily Stitching Challenge Calendar, tracker pages, and reflection prompts to inspire your creativity.
🧡 Featured Designs from the Shop – This month’s highlights include a sweet apple basket with falling leaves and a glowing campfire scene that will make you want to pitch a tent right on your stitching chair.
If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d love to have you join us. Every month, I send out a new free pattern, heartfelt stories like this one, and a bundle of extras to spark joy in your stitching routine.
August may feel like a long goodbye, but I like to think of it more as a gentle turning of the page. Stitch by stitch, we move forward—with gratitude, with love, and with a little piece of home in every block.
Here’s to family traditions, to unfinished quilts and new beginnings, and to making something beautiful with our own two hands.
With heart and thread,
Jeannie
Thyme for Stitching
