Tara's Grad Quilt

 "Trip Around the World" quilt for Grad 2011 for Tara.  Tea dyed the front to make it look more antique . Made the panels in the summer, kind of forgot about it for a while, until after New Year's, then decided it was time to put it together. I made a quilt for her sister, Aleia, last year. Neat to make  something for  a special occasion.

 Reverse of Grad quilt. Decided to use another panel, to make this side more bright.....love the hot pink. Added the writing at teh top and bottom. "Grad 2011" and "Tara Lynn". Her second name means "Beautiful" , so wrote that in  embroidery thread. Had to think hard about some sort of  inspirational wording so chose "God reveals...." Easy to fit on the panel, and loved making the swirly letters.

                                                           Lettering..............

Civil War Panel

Civil War Panel finally put together with 40 squares.  No detailing, no embroidery just yet...there often would be names stitched into the quilt. But at last I have it at least in one piece. Hasn't even been ironed. And I stillhave to tea dye it, to darken the whte patches. I want it to look rather old, if at all possible.

                                             More detail  of squares, set in plain   background.

Letter following written by Eldress Nancy Elly Moore , Nov. 7th, 1863. (She was admitted to the Shaker covenant in 1830at the age of 23 as an Elder of the church. At the time, Shakers kept detailed accounts of busiess transactions  and community activities. Nancy kept a journal about the civil war. The Shakers were self sufficient and successful community. They had well established gardens and orchards and were known for their hospitlity....something the Union and Confederate soldiers took advantage of.Nancy collapsed of a stroke in Nov. 1889 and died just before Christmas that same year. Her journals are amazing.)

"Mercury at 3 degrees. Clear and beautiful day this 7th of Nov. Today Brother Patterson J. was out at the town of Franklin, Kentucky. While there he saw the dead bodies of wo guerillas, who had been shot by Federal soldiers of Col. Johnsons company. They having learned that a company of guerillas were scouting round near town, started out in pursuit, and met them but a short distance from town. For of the Federals fired at them killing two men and one horse. A good many man who were acquainted recognized one of  the dead bodies to be that of George Milligan, who was formerly ( before the war commenced), one of our near neighbors and a bitter enemy to believers. We have been informed several times since he has been engaged in the rebel service of his threats, totake vengeance on Shaker Town. But outside of helping to burn our Depot, he has failed in carrying thenm into execution, until now, in his own work he is suddenly put beond the reach of being able to injure us, as a people. We dreaded him as much as any other rebel or enemy. But now we say Amen , so let it be.A goodly number of Sisters were engaged today gathering dried beans from the garden for winter use."
   (From Diary of a Civil Wr Quilt Diary, by Rosemary Youngs)

Last Civil War Squares for quilt panel

So these are last of this group of civil war quilt squares that I'm putting into a quilt for my friend Judy, down in California. Sigh....they have sun.....I wish we had sun. But I digress.........This square is known as "The Meaning of War"

                                                         "Hiring Help"

                                                                   "Mercantile Goods"

                                                                       "More Pigs"

                                                              "Parlour Activities"

                                                                "Oath of Allegiance"

                                                                     "Panic"

                                                                        "News"

                                                            "Rachel's Frustrations"

                                                          "Regiment Landed"

                                                         "Sadness and Silence"

                                                      "Selling the Livestock"

                                                            "Southern Notes"

                                                               "Special Blessings"

                                                                  "Splendid Victory"

                                                              "Sugar Cane"

                                                                    "The Fate"

                                                              "Troops Arriving"

                                                                "Union Soldiers"

                                                          "United No Longer"

More Civil War Squares

 Have been making civil war quilt squares like crazy. These are about half of the last batch, then I can put Judy's quilt together.....This first sqaure is known as "Anxieties". Letter to follow ..........learning a lot as I make these swatches into squares. "We can defend our country, repel the foe, and trnasmit the priceless heritage of freedom to our children if we will. Failing, we can but die. Death is such a struggle, as is glory.  Submission to the Federal tyrant is infamy and slavery." ( 1862)

                                                             "Battle of Springfield"

                                                     "Beauregard's Narrow Escape"

                                                              "Churn Dash"

                                                             "Confederate Flag"

                                                                    "Dark Gloom"

                                                            "Fasting and Knitting"

                                                               "Finding the Rebels"

                                                                            "Foragers"

                                                          "Farce of Reconstruction"

                                                                          "Full Pay"

                                                            "Greenfield and Stockton"
(Letter written by Rachel  Loraine Richmond, June 13tyh, 1862)
"Very warm. It rained this morning but clered up at about nine clock. I wrote a letter to cousin Libby this morning, announcing that we should leave for Monroe on Monday next, should nothing unforeseen occur to present. We had a dish of splendid, luschious strawberries for tea this evening from our own garden, the first of the sason. Captain Ed Pierce of the  Pet Third arrived at home on fulough, being in very poor heatlth.  I understand that Captains Charlie Lyon and Israel Smith are expected soon for the same cause. This day, the 13th of June, is the first anniversary of the departure of the Third for the war. A whole year has passed and those whom we expected would be called into immediae action were engaged in their first battle, only last week. When shall we welcome them home again? Our separation may be for ears and it may be for ever. Oh, that this devastating, desolating war were at an end."  (( From Diary of a Civil War Quilt, by Rosemary Youngs)

Multiple Civil War Squares

 Have been adding more squares to my stash , in preparation for making some quilted  flats. Still winding my way throuh this book. Fascinating stuff. This square is known as "A Union of Name". Postage Stamp  type of quilt square.

                      This is "Grammar Class",representing the windows of a schoolhouse.

 "Premiu Prize". The Orange and Black fabric idea comes from the original square. I thought it was really interesting. The orange fabric has  leaves on it, kind of a fall theme.

         "Southern Cause". Looks an awful lot like the fabrics used in women's clothing.

                      "SmallPox". This is a Bear's Claw type of pattern.....quite descriptive.

This is the letter connected to the "Smallpox" Square. June 29th, 1863 written by Cora Owens Hume ( and yes it is from Civil War Quilt Diary by Rosemary Youngs)

"Dr. Chenoweth says that Ann has smallpox very bad. We have all quit going to her room except Aunt Lettie who nurses her. The Trustees had a meeting yesterday evening. They will propose to Mis March, Tuesday, to sty and teach us next session. She is to turn out at 2pm , have one session aday and they limit her to 16 scholars, which will include all the girls of the neighbourhood and Mr. Wingate's two boys. A sum of money has been appropriated by the trustees for prizes and they will get a prize for every study. They will not be much I expect. I would not like to think that I would not study for higher motives that for a prize. but it would be a good idea, and will do a good deal of good, I have no doubt.

July 11th, 1863
Ann is showing some signs of recovery. Mrs. Crutcher thinks now is the most dangerous time, or rather will be, in a few dasy. She ways that thee is a powder that goes through the air when the scabs are drying up and that then is the most danger, but Dr. Chenoweth thinks differently. He thinks if we were going to have it we would have it by now. He advises Ma to remain at home, but she willnot go for it is impossible almost to get a smallpox nurse for Ann."

Games, Music and Knitting, 1864

Letter written by Isabelle Buchanan Edmundson,July 20th, 1864.(From Civil War Quilt Diary, by Rosemary Youngs)

"Another happy and beautiful morning. iss Lou gave me some cotton to knit Eddie a pair of socks. I began them, but did not get muh done,most of the time playing Backgammon, Chess, or having some Music. Learned Miss L. two pieces: "Brightest Eyes Quick Step", "Rosebund Waltz", she was very apt, but I fear her swimming scholar will ever be adrag to the next art. Our days are as happy as can be, her brother, Lt. Watt Young, came today on short leave, he is rather shy of Ladies, therefore we have not seen much of him. All went to the Pond again, Hal was sick and could  not go in. I believe I am  a greater coward every time I attempt it. Therese is still gaining confidence, and improving. Mrs. Toom Young and Mrs. King came round to see us after tea, we had a very happy evening. Hal and I did not agree very well. I bet I would finish by sock, she bet I would not, so she put the gas out. I lit it again and finished my sock."