Confederate Flag

I love the colors red, white and blue when pieced together in a quilt.  So many of my quilts have these colors in it, sometimes I mix it up and throw in hunter green! Needless to say, I love this weeks block, 'Confederate Flag'.  In Isabella's diary she writes about sewing, worries about her brother and Yankee squads passing through.  With a little digging around on-line I found a diary entry from Belle Edmundson dated March 3, 1864.  So I've included it in today's entry, since Civil War Saturday landed on March 3rd!

"March, Thursday 3, 1864
The monotony of our life was somewhat changed today, by a visit from Lt. Bayard of the 4th U.S.R. to Nannie, he is her cousin, and came this distance with only six scouts to make a call, they behaved themselves very well, ate dinner with us-and they all admit our dear Rebel Gen. Forrest defeated them badly in their raid to Okolaba.  Decatur Doyle came this evening from Dixie-Jimmie sailed for Europe the 6th. of Feb. Eddie and all the boys safe through the fight.  Pontotoc (Miss.) suffered very much-Sister Mary with the two youngest children will start home some time next month. Col. Jeff Forrest is really killed-Sherman has returned to Vicksburg. Our Army of Johnston advancing-Grant reported falling back.

I have been busy braiding all day, one more width finished-Laura has provoked me and I feel real cross-she or I one should certainly have less temper at times. All of them received letters tonight except me, tis now 10 o'c, and I think I will try and get to sleep early tonight. I suppose they are all happy in the house, I can never content myself with the lonely life I lead."

Diary of Belle Edmondson"

Here are the fabric choices I used for this weeks block.

I printed up foundation paper using Rosemary Youngs companion CD for the Civil War Diary Quilt Book.

As in previous blocks, I cut my fabric into more manageable strips and write the colors on the foundation paper so that it's easier to keep track of the block colors.

Here I am lining up blue fabric for the next section to be done.  As you can see I sorta goofed up the order but the block still will turn out luckily.  (My goodness my hands are dry and I need a manicure!)

Sewing on the lines.....

Sewing sections together.... remember to sew on the 1/4" seam line on the foundation paper.

The center section of the block is done....

Top section of the block is done, now to do the bottom half.

'Conferderate Flag'
April 18, 1864

Next week I am looking forward to quilt retreat with my quilting family.... mom, Laura and Kim.  I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend and hopefully will get caught up on my Takes Two quilt. I will also be building houses, I am again a couple weeks behind.  Next weekend will be the perfect time for me to host a 'give-away" in celebration of row 4 done on my Civil War Diary Quilt! 

Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1547598@N25/

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!

Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!