New Quilt

I have a stash of squares...all sorts of squares...some dark, some light, some really ugly. Amongst them I  have rather lovely fabric squares that have a Victorian theme smattered over their visages.

     I've decided at last what to do. Has taken me long enough. Going to make a Victorian square qult, tea dye the panel to make it seem antique, complete with a border or two. It's been in the back of my brain, for some time, niggling away. And the most important decision....for whom shall it go. All quilts need a home. You see, the way I figure it, I have a ton of quilts already. Big ones, small ones, bags, runners, etc. Sometimes they live in closets, other times  let out for air and splattered all over the walls. My house is already bursting at the seams.

      You know how  it is....see fabric, must run for scissors, snip, snip, snip...(terrible fixation, but there it is). I have this need to play with fabric, I admit it . Oh, and this quilt....well, I decided on its new home..... somewhere windy (that's the only clue you're getting).

     Or is it the other way around? Could be. Maybe it is the fabric that really chooses it's new owner.....kind of like a pet.....what a novel concept.

So, now I have a lot of fabric to sort out....can you hear the whrr of the sewing machine, and the snip snip of the scissors?

Civil War Repro Quilt Embroidery

The quilt is very special because it houses the writings of some of Judy and Don Payne's relatives. I first met Judy and Don when I was doing my Masters, down in Redlands, California, even going to their spectacular wedding at one point during my time there. We've been good friends ever since.
      I had to take some short cuts on a few of the names, so couldn't  stitch them in full. Some of the names on the quilt are:
 W. Zachary ( 1829-June 1909) ( He was a private in the 32nd Louisana Regiment..)
T. Zachary ( 1827-1864...Killed in Action at the Battle of Jonesboro with the St. Helena Rifles).
B. Zachary (1833-1863...Miles Legion). E. Zachary (1836-1863, KIA in Tennessee).
Ezekiel Brumfield (1839-1861...16th Louisiana Infantry. Died in measles epidemic at Camp More, Louisiana).
   There was a  letter  dated 1863, that Judy sent with all the information, written by one John Payne who served in the Sixth Regiment of the Georgia Cavalry Volunteers. He served til May 1865. It was impossible to include the entire letter on the quilt, so I chose the first and last lines: "I now seat myself to wright ( his spelling)you a few lines...." and "I will write again before long." In the bulk of the letter he talks about  who has died  from smallpox, and how the horses will starve even. It seems like they  lived on cornmeal and some meat, but there wasn't much of either. The letter was quite poignant, since he wrote it to his wife, and he says that he has had only one letter from her....he obviously missed her a great deal.
    The biggest piece of writing I stitched ,onto the border of the quilt, is a poem written by Ezekiel Brumfield ( a first cousin 4 x removed). He was the one who died in the measles epidemic at Camp More.
                            "I who was born by the battlefields,
                     cannot escape a sorrow that dwells,
                                 a valor ( I spelt it with a 'u' to give it a Canadian flavour) that lingers,
                     a hope that spoke on lips now still.       
                                 Come from the four winds,
                                         oh breath,
                     and breathe upon these slain that they may live."
   Brumfield was buried at Camp More, but the camp was burned to the ground by the yankees, and the wooden markers did not survive the fire. Some headstones have been erected there in memory of those buried there, but Ezekiel's has not been erected to date. Well, maybe with the stitching of these words, they will live again.
   I always wanted to make Judy and Don a quilt, but couldn't come up with something  that I was satisfied with. Lo, and behold, after knowing them for about 24 years ( yikes) I have finally found  something poignant to stitch.

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........"