Barbara Brackman’s Civil War blocks

Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks — 7 Comments
26
Mar 11

Little Blue Basket

The block Barbara Brackman posted this week for her Civil War quilt along is a block called Little Blue Basket.

This block represents Missouri.  It recalls the Little Blue River, and the baskets that women used to take provisions to the Guerillas called Bushwhackers along the free state-Kansas and the slave state- Missouri.

The Bushwhackers survived in the bush through aid from their sisters, Mothers and sweethearts who carried baskets full of food to their camps, washed their laundry, and sewed their clothing.

“The Little Blue Basket recalls the women who set out after dusk in the evenings to carrying baskets of food into the woods near the Little Blue River.” 

With a name like “Little Blue Basket” my fabric choice was pretty easy this week.  The block is given without a handle, but shown with a handle as an option.  I pieced my block first and then decided to add a handle.  Mine is a bit different from what’s pictured on Barbara’s site.  I was too lazy to go check the computer to see how it was done.

Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks — 8 Comments
19
Mar 11

Civil War blocks week 12

The block that Barbara Brackman posted for us this week is called Louisiana.

It’s a block that represents the Southern states.

Barbara has mentioned Sarah Morgan, a woman who kept a diary during the Civil War years.  She shares some of the exerpts, which told of events of the day and the thoughts and feelings of the women who were left at home to “keep the home fires burning”. 

Life changed drastically for the women left behind.  They were now in charge of running households, farms and businesses.  They anxiously awaited news, especially news from their loved ones.

Although this week’s block is a Southern block I didn’t color it that way.  I wanted to use the light fabric with the Civil war ladies to honor them and their sacrifices, not only during the war, but for those who lost loved ones, for the difficult times after the war as well.  Life would never be the same.  I used browns with my ladies for a balance of color in the quilt.

Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks — 6 Comments
14
Mar 11

London Square

This week the Civil War block that Barbara Brackman posted for us to do is called London Square.

The block represents England’s interest in the War.  As Barbara says..”England was our greatest trading partner and cotton was currency”.  England supported the Confederacy and the cotton growing industry. Cotton was vital to their economy.

I tried to have my colors for this week’s block have a bit of a Confederate feel to them.

 I’m finding some of the blocks that Barbara posts to be very similar to some of the quilts I’ve posted from the cupboard.  This one is very like the Linton I posted last week, and the Cotton Boll block was very much like the Mosaic Tile quilt.  We both posted a log Cabin too.  It shows how blocks have been used throughout quilting’s history, many times with the blocks having several different names.

Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks — 7 Comments
5
Mar 11

Civil War blocks week 10

We’re at week 10 of Barbara Brackman’s Civil War blocks.  This block is  called Lincoln’s Platform, along with several other names.  Very fitting choice as March 4 is the anniversary of his inaugeration  as President in 1861.

I saw the fabric with Lincoln’s image online and it looked like a nice warm golden tan.  When it arrived it looked pretty green!   I gave Mr. Lincoln a nice hot bath in coffee and it warmed him right up.  ; )

This week’s block was an easy one.

Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks — 11 Comments
26
Feb 11

Civil War Quilt week 9

This weeks block from Barbara Brackman’s BOW is a Birds In The Air pattern. 

It represents the South and the “birds” fleeing north to be free from  slavery.

It’s an easy block to piece. 

When I laid out the blocks I have so far…it looked like this block should be mostly blue, and preferably a lighter blue?  I also wanted to get some paisley in the quilt because that was such a popular print in the Civil War era.

My friend Barb, from the  Fun With Barb blog recently made a fabulous quilt Remembering Abe.

Go have a look…it’s FANTASTIC!

She very generously sent me some of the fabrics she had left over to use in my Civil War blocks.

Just look at all of those fun stripes and prints! 

I didn’t see a fabric from the group that seemed just right for this week’s block..but I’ll have fun slipping them in along the way. ;)

Thanks Barb!

← Older Entries