For the Love of Dirt: Civil War Quilting

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Civil War Quilting

LONE STAR

“July 22, 1861. The telegraph today brings us tidings of a terrible battle fought yesterday, Sunday, between 20,000 of the Federal troops and the Rebels. At Bull’s Run….A rough estimate of our entire loss, is made at 5000….provisions left behind fell into the hands of the Rebels. We are startled and confounded…” (Rebecca Lorraine Richmond....Diary of a Civil War Quilt by Rosemary Youngs)

I love making Civil War quilts. I try and find fabrics that are as close to what would have been used. Some of the best pattern books I have used are "The Civil War Diary Quilt" by Rosemary Youngs,or her "Civil War Love Letter" book. Recently, I found "Civil War Legacies 2" by Carol Hopkins and Barbara Brackman's "Civil War Sampler book". I love the era, the style, the distressed fabric . I like nothing better than to stain fabric with tea and coffee, beet juice and watch it turn into something old and wrinkly.

BLAZING STAR

In some of the online fabric sites you can find actual reproductions. But they can be costly, so instead I search the local stores here.

During the Civil War,In the North, women would show their beautiful sewingto raise money for causes; like the civil war. Wealthy women, and their households, sewed squares using silk. Supplies could then be bought for the Union.

Southern women were first involved raising money for gunboats. In 1862 this was abandoned. From then on, money was raised for medical supplies,blankets, clothing and quilts for the soldiers.

"Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them."
- Abraham Lincoln

THE BLUE and the GREY

Quilts had to be sewn 7’ x 4’, to fit a cot. And big enough in which to wrap a body. That was the reality.

SAWTOOTH STAR

Any fabrics were used, including cut up rugs, draperies, old quilts and sewing them together. By the end of the war it is said that over 250,000 quilts were made.So many have not survived.

BROKEN WHEEL

FRIENDSHIP STAR

KING'S CROWN

PINWHEEL CARD TRICK

AMISH STAR

In 1829, the term “underground Railroad” was first heard. It ran till about 1862,helping slaves reach freedom.

Some people say that quilts were used in leaving messages and signs for the slaves as they made their way to freedom.A sort of code .

PATRIOTIC STAR

GENTLEMAN'S FANCY

The squares of this era, designed got their names after 1900. There is much speculation whether or not the quilt squares carried a “code” or message, relating to their style and colour.

LOG CABIN

OHIO STAR

All I know, is that the blocks tell of a time in history when a household object was raised above that of mere fabric and thread. Something that tells a story that shapes us in its wake.