Monday, May 30, 2011

"Bad Box" July 7, 1863

Happy Memorial day to you all.  It is a cool and rainy day here in Minnesota.  It was raining July 7, 1863 when Nancy Elly Moore wrote in her diary about General Lee. 

"...It has been sprinkling rain in light showers today and looks like we might have a heavy shower tonight.  It is rumored here that General Lee is repulsed and 20,000 of his army captured by the Federals and one hundred cannon with a loss of 5000 killed and wounded and that they have destroyed all of his pontoon bridges and surrounded him so he cannot make his escape..... If this is all so he is in a bad box." 

This weekends block is titled 'Bad Box'.  Let's get started....

Working from Rosemary Youngs book, "Civil War Diary Quilt' I choose fabrics that are similar in color as what is presented.  I did go with a darker green then what was pictured.

I'm using foundation paper that I printed up using the companion CD for the book.  The foundation papers can easily be drafted using the book, remember to add 1/4" seams around each section.  There are 7 sections to this block.  I wrote the colors in each section so that I don't make any mistakes.

I cut my fabric into 2 and 3 inch strips to make it easier to work with while paper piecing.

Here you can see how I line up my fabric right sides together on the back side of my foundation paper.

Sewing on the line.... remember to sew past the 1/4" seam allowance....

I only have the corner pieces left....

Paper piecing the corner sections...

My sections of the block before I trim them up.... sorta messy...

All trimmed and ready to be sewn together....

Sewing the sections together....

"Bad Box"  July 7, 1863

Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr


Next Saturday, June 4th, I will be working on the next block titled "Robbers" from the Civil War Dairy Quilt Book by Rosemary Youngs.  
Hope that you're able to join me in my journey. Feel free to email me any time if you have questions or comments.

Wishing you a Happy Memorial Day.  Take time to thank and remember all of the men and women who have served and are serving our country for the freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis. 

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Merchantable Goods, May 22, 1863

It has dawned on me that Nancy Elly Moore's diary entry was written 148 years ago.  This week's block is called 'Merchantable Goods'.  Nancy Elly Moore writes about needing rain and about two rebel women who went to the McGoodwin store to purchase dresses. 

I find it interesting that we will be observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War this year and many stories have been forgotten.  It is easy to google 'Civil War Diary" and not only will you find info on Rosemary's books, but when you dig around, you will find actual diary entries.  Both by soldiers and family members... they are very interesting to read and I feel bring the human condition during the Civil War to life.

So let's get started on the next block, "Merchantable Goods"...

I selected colors similar to what is presented in the Civil War Diary book, although my fabrics are a bit on the lighter side.  Shown here also is the foundation paper that I printed up with the companion CD.  I have decided instead of using the foundation paper, I would construct the block using a rotary cut, sewing method.

Cut 6  2 1/4" squares from the pink fabric and 2 1/4" squares from the green fabric.
Then cut 1   3 1/2" square out of the cream fabric and 1    3 1/2" square from the green fabric.
Pair 1 pink 2 1/4" squares with 1 green 2 1/4" square, right sides together, you will have 6 sets.
Pair the cream and green 3 1/2" square together, right sides together. You will have 1 pair.

I love this handy dandy tool.  I use it to draw my 1/4" seam lines. 

It's hard to see in this picture since I used a pencil, but I have drawn my seam lines to follow to form my triangle pieces for this block.  On the 3 1/2" pair, draw a single line corner to corner, you will sew on this, trim it up, iron.  Voila, the center triangle piece. 

On the 2 1/4" square pairs, draw a line corner to corner, sew a scant 1/4" seam on each side of the line, cut apart, iron.  You will have 12 triangle squares to go around your center square.  (In the picture I used my handy dandy tool to draw my seam lines on each side of the line that runs corner to corner.)

Sewing my seam on my 3 1/2" square....

Sewing my seams on the 2 1/4" squares...

Here my 6 squares are cut into two after sewing.  The sections are all ready to be ironed.

The sections are ready to be sewn together to form the block...

Sewing....

sewing the sections.... remember scant 1/4" seams....
"Merchantable Goods"

Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr


Next Saturday, May 28th, I will be working on the next block titled 'Bad Box'  from the Civil War Dairy Quilt Book by Rosemary Youngs.  
Hope that you're able to join me in my journey. Feel free to email me any time if you have questions or comments.

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

April 15, 1863

Where have I been you may have been wondering.  I've been busy with my son's Confirmation, Mothers' Day, working at the library, and working at the greenhouse.  The whole time I have been longing for time to sew and work on my quilt projects.  So here I am finally ready to present to you the next block in Rosemary's book.  The block is called 'Death Penalty' and looks like a complicated block but it is easily pieced when paper pieced.  The block as 48 pieces to it.... don't let that scare you!  It's completed with 4 paper pieced sections... so let's get started on the first block for the third row.

I have chosen colors that are very similar to what is presented in the Civil War Diary Quilt Book.  I've printed up my paper piecing pattern using the companion CD.  The block can also be hand drafted if you do not have the CD and EQ5.  Remember to add 1/4" seam allowances around the sections.

I write the fabric colors in each section referring to the book.  This helps me so that I don't make mistakes while sewing.

I like to cut my fabric into strips so that it's easier to work with while I paper piece each section.

Here I am sewing on the lines....

One section done... three more to go....

Three sections done... arggggg I don't have time to finish the block... gotta run and work at the greenhouse.  It's cold and rainy outside and not a pleasant day to be working outside.  I hope to finish the block when I get back home.

'Death Penalty' all finished...

Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr


Next Saturday, May 21, I will be working on the next block from the Civil War Dairy Quilt Book by Rosemary Youngs.  Maybe it will feel more like May next week.  I'm tired of the cold and rain and bringing my flowerpots in the house every night. 
Hope that you're able to join me in my journey. Feel free to email me any time if you have questions or comments.
Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!

The Civil War Diary Quilt Book can be bought through paypal or through the mail from Rosemary Youngs...

The Civil War Diary Quilt book is available for $22.99 plus $4.95 priority mail, (global priority mail $11.95) . You can order the CD with the book, you will need Electric Quilt 5 or 6 to run the CD, the CD alone is $10 and there is no extra charge for postage when you order the book with the CD, total cost for the CD with the book will be $32.99 plus your postage.

Send a check or money order to Rosemary Youngs, 3704 Nicole Ct., Walker, MI 49534