Stitching on Civil War Quilt

 What an experience it is, working on this quilt.  I love reading the letters behind the civil war....so many letters, and no time to stitch them all. This quit is coming together like a dream...the backing and batting and top piece all seem to mesh into one. Well, it's a lot easier to  hand quilt, I think, than it is to use a machine. And it looks much more  real more like you touched the fabric.  I am not a big fan of maching quilting.

I'm probably about almost 3/4 done on the quilting...somewhere about there. Won't take too long...not sure how long, and I won't guesstimate....no pressure. I wanted this to be an experience and it is.  I think I'll make another one.....great to stitch with purpose....

Sneak Peak at Civil War Quilt

Civil War Quilt reproduction I'm in the midst of making. Almost finished the top. Just stitching memorable words and dates into the fabric. The quilt will go to our friends, Judy and Don, down in Los Angeles. Haven't seen them for about 23 years, but when I make this quilt  the miles are a little shorter between us all.

"Nathaniel" ..one of their  great great relaties

"Payne"...the  family name

The poem that is stitched on the quilt was written by Ezekiel Brumfield 1839-1861 ( 1st cousin  of Judy, 4x removed)

"I who was born by the battlefields, cannot escape a sorrow that dwells,

A valour ( note Canadian spelling!! Wonder if Judy or Don will notice???) that lingers,

A hope that spoke on lips now still.

Come from the flour winds, oh breath, And breathe upon these slain that they may live."

                                                                     "dwell........"

Recovering Old Footstool

 This is the finished footstool. Lovely old thing I found in an old furniture store. It was dusty and dirty and  just screaming "take me home"....for $30 it was a "good thing".

 The original covering. Kind of worn, lots of tacks. Ltos of bits and pieces coming off. I don't know one thing about repholstering anything, so I just took apart the old pieces and saw how they were put together.

Pulled out the old tacks with a screwdriver.

             Underneath the worn fabric found fluff and padding that I decided to use.

 Then underneath the fluff padding found straw. It was still clean, still smelled sweet, so left it alone.

                  However, I did add a piece of new foam to give a bit more poof to the footstool top.

 The old fabric, I noticed had rough edges, and was cut really wide in order to tuck it underneath.

 Using a staple gun ( way easier than tacks), pulled the fabric tight against the edges.
                                               BAM! BAM! went the staple gun.....kind of fun....kind of loud.

                Wrapped and stapled. Not quite finished.Just the final piece to add underneath.

This is the fianl panel that is attached to the bottom to hide the wrapped fabric. Still have to tap the staples down so they stay in place. But all done. Kind of looks new and bright......accents the leopard print throws and cushion covers ( but that's another story)