Log Cabin Reproduction , circa 1864

Finally, have the quilt top done. I am so happy with it. A true Log Cabin, about the time 1864, during the civil war. Log Cabins then were done with mostly scraps, whatever was at hand. In a way, the centre square is like a prisoner with the strips encircling it......

Sept. 11, 1864

(A letter written to his sweetheart, Lottie Putnam, by Richard Adams 1842-1986. He was mustered into the Company D, Alabama Infantry Regiment. These letters are from the Compilation "Civil War Love Letter Quilts" by Rosemary Youngs.)

"You will see, my dear cousin, I am again on "Terra Firma", but still a prisoner and under very trying circumstances in sight of Charleston, the smoking and under the range of the "Rebel" guns, and of the steeples of the churches, in which there are so many "rebellious spirits" at this time, oh divine worship.

You see, I have not forgotten my duty and sweetest pleaure to write to you every Sunday, nor did I forget you while in all my fog at sea, for I wrote you a long letter. Then, we expected to be exchanged as soon as we reached this place, but for some reason not known to us, we are still prisondrs. I am still the hopeful and cheerful being you have always known. We may be here for some time, and we may be exchanged very soon. So, you must write just as soon as you receive this, for you kow what a great source of pleasure and comfort your sweet letters are to your prisoner cousin.

Tell my little friend, Birdie, she in all her innocnece and loveliness, was not for one moment forgotten, and as soon as I land in Dixie, it shall be my first duty to write to her and yourself. Her devoted admirer told me today he hopes soon to meet her in the sweet, sunny South. My trip from Fort Delaware, for the first, was much pleasanter than I expected, for I had cabin passage, but all the while we were laying off HiltonHead and Charleston. It was very disagreeable, but still I preferred being on the transport for as long as we were on it. There was a hope of an immediate exchange.

I was sorry I did remain long enough to receive the box you sent me, but willingly, I went and would leave everything and give out everything and you know what for an exchange, and that I pleaded as hard ,for one certain young lady would not believe I was in earnest, and really needed it. That is in my estimation for such a priceless gift, and I was such a happy prisoner in possessing it. I would not lose it for the world and all its riches. Tell Sis I wrote to her in one of my letters to you, while I was being rocked in the "cradle of the deep". She must write to me by fear of truce. Lt. Robinson promised to write and tell you all about me.

Devotedly, Richard Adams, Jr.

Confusion and Turmoil....1864

This is basicaklly an arrangement of flying geese rectangles....see how they go up one way, and down another...Easy piecing....very effective in two tonal fabrics. The letter I found that was attached to this was dated Feb. 15, 1864 written by Emma Florence Le Conte Furman. ( The book I'm finding these in, is remarkable. It is compiled by Rosemary Youngs. It's entitled: "The Civil War Quilt Diary." Worth the read.)

"Oh, how is it possible to write amid this excitement and confusion! We are too far off to hear and see much down here in teh Campus, but they tell me the streets in town are lined with panic-0stricken crowds, trying to escape. All is confusion and turmoil. The Government is rapidly moving off stores...all day the trains have been running, whistles bllwing and wagons rattling through the streets. All day we have been listening to the booming of cannon....receiving conflicting rumors of the fighting. All day wagons and ambulances have been bringing in the wounded over the muddy streets, and through the drizzling rain, with the dark gloomy clouds overhead.
All day in our own household has confusion reigned too. The back parlor strewed with clothing, etc., open trunks standing about, while a general feelingof misery and tension pervbaded the atmosphere. Everything is to go that can be sent....house linens, blankets, clothing, silver, jewelry...even the wine...everything movable, of any value.
Hospital flags have been erected at the different gates of the Campus...we hope the fact of our living within the walls may be some protection to us, but I fear not. I feel sure these buildings will be destroyed. I wish mother could have sent some furniture to different friends in town, but it is too late now."

Bolts of Fabric,1864

This letter was written by Emma Florence Le Conte Furman (18147-1932)

"April 1, 1864
Since my last entry on the 18th many events of inportance have transpired. About ten days ago father returned from Augusta bringing provisions, cloth,leather and tallow to make some candles...thus far we have had nothing but pine firelight after dark. The provisions were flour, corn and bacon.....a few hams, but chiefly the sides.
I am so sick of bacon...it seems impossible for me to eat it. It seems as if I ought to, when father and the rest can eat it and think it good, but indeed my stomach turns against it and I usually make my dinner of hominy, corn bread and butter.
The cloth is six bolts of factory cloth ( unbleached homespun), which father, on account of being a 'Columbia sufferer', got it at the very low price of only $3 a yard. It makes me groan in spirit to think of wearing this heavy stuff as underclothing all the hot summer, but as Aunt Jane eagerly observes: 'it is better than nothing.'
Indeed, Cousin Ada and I agreed we would willingly wear sackcloth, and even ashes if necessary, rather than give up to the Yankees. With all the ports closed we will be obliged to give up every foreign luxury, which are, even now, by their high prices, beyond the reach of all but speculators.
As I sat with Aunt Jane ( sick with measles), we laughingly arranged it all and found we could very well on home products. Our clothing is already mostly of homespun. Our stockings we already knit, and we make our own gloves."

Old Abe Lincoln, letter, Aril 21, 1864

Civil War Quilt Squares are aptly name, I am finding out. One of the first I found was a plain square, with a bue centre, edged with grey strips and dark blue outer strips, and named the "Old Abe Lincoln". Not very pretty, very practical. It was made as a memorial to the assassinated president. In the centre a photograph of Lincoln usually resides on the blue fabric.
I recently purchased quite a few civil war books with letters and quilt squares. The letters are graphic, sad, tumultuous and shocking. All from women who lived during the Civil War and penned their thoughts, displeasures and ideas.
This letter was written by Emma Florence LeConte Furman......opposite the Old Abe Lincoln square........a rather scathing and surprising letter. It may shock you .......read on:

"April 21st, 1864
Hurrah! Old Abe Lincoln has been assassinated! It may be abstractly wrong to be so jubilant, but I can't help it. After all the heaviness and gloom of yesterday this blow to our enemies comes liek a gleam of light. We have suffered till we feel savage. There seems no reason to exult, for this will make no change in our position...will only infuriate them against us. Never mind, our hated enemy has not the just reward of his life. The whole story may be a Yankee lie.
The dispatch purpors to be from Stanton to Sherman. It says Lincoln was murdered in his private box at the theatre on the night of the 14th....(Good Friday, at the theatre). The assassin brandished a dagger and shouting 'Sic semper tyrannis.Virgina is avenged.' He shot the president through the head. HE fell senseless and expired next day a little after ten. The assassin made his escape in the crowd.
No doubt it was regularly planned and he was surrounded by Southern sympathizers. 'Sic semper tyrannis.' Could there have been a fitter death for such a man? At the same hour nearly Seward's house was entered...he was badly wounded as also his son. Why could not the assassin have done his work more thoroughly?
That vile Seward...he it is to whom we owe this war....it is a shame he should escape."

Log Cabin Quilt Square

This is the quintessential Americana block for quilting. The golden centre, which can also be red, symbolizes the flame or hearth of the home. The lighter strip pieced sides represent the sunny side of the house, while the darker strips represent the shady side . Inits heyday, it was most popular in the later part of the 19th century, taking a westward trek during the Civil War. ( You can see where I'm going with this.....civil war quilt, here we come).
The earliest signed and dated Log Cabin quilt is from 1869, but Log Cabin designs can be found in flooring, inlaid designs, etc dating from that era. In Egypt, when tombs were opened, excavators found hundreds of mummified cats with log cabin fabric wrapped around the bodies.
I guess I should make more of these quilt squares..........there is a ton of history behind the pattern, and I have a lot of thread that needs to be threaded.

Civil War Stars

Okay, this was fun.....made a big bath of tea in my kitchen sing ( used about 15 tea bags, some boiling water, and a pair of dish glovves). Then I plunked in my first civil war reproduction quilt top. At least, that's what the pattern called it. It's probably not exactly like the original, but close enough. I let the quilt top sit in the hot bath about an hour. Everything was bathed in a tea-glow......I like how the stars look. Was more difficult to put together than I thought it would be...was sectioned in pieces and the stars randomly sewed to straight sections. Then had to piece the flying geese sections separately and slide them in between the big squares. I hope the other reproduction quilts are a little less complicated ( no such luck, I bet).
Had leftover tea to dye a couple of other quilts. Will post those in good time. Am working on my next one which is all teal and greens. Won't dye that one, I don't think. Just liked the colour combination.
So nice to be able to play with fabric, and put together quilt tops, without being stressed about getting it done for someone else. Don't get me wrong, I love making things for everyone, but there comes a time when it's just amazing to be "One" with the fabric, a pair of scissors and some thread. No time limits.....what an amazing concept. I'll have to explore that one further.....

Yum-Yum Pastry

Margarine Pastry.....good for steak pies, sweet pies...

For the first time, I tried making a pastry without lard or shortening. Found this weird little recipe, tucked away on a recipe site. Was kind of hoping I could find a way to make pastry on the sly. This is incredibly nice, flaky, and easy, and smells nice as it bakes. Sometimes lard in pastry has an oily, nasty smell as it bakes. Definitely a yum-yum worth trying.

2 cups flour
Cut in 1 cup cold margarine
Add bit by bit, 1/3 cup cold cold cold water, plus a little more

Combine all of this till a smooth ball is formed. It is very elastic and does not require much kneading, or even chilling. Makes 2 pie crusts. Easy. I actually like this better than the usual vinegar and egg pastry.