War & Pieces – A Civil War Reproduction Sampler

It has only been two years since I started getting this block of the month from Homestead Hearth. They chose lovely fabrics for the kit. I love Civil War fabrics, well you know me, I love any fabrics, but I have to say they are my favorite. Anyway, this pattern was put out way back in 1999 by the Sunflower Pattern Co-Operative it was designed by Barbara Brackman (love her!!) and Karla Carney Menaugh. The pattern is great, each one gives you a little history lesson of the block and what inspired it. 

I had started the first block when I originally was receiving the kits each month, but I became side tracked by the 20 others I was receiving (this was in my big mindless spending days). I had used the starch and templar method of appliqué but I have changed my mind and I am now using the needle turn method. I thought I have so many appliqué quilts to do and I have always wanted to become proficient in the needle turn method why not start now.  By the time I finish all these BOM’s I have started or in tubs I will be a pro.

The first block is Hopes of Peace. “It was inspired by a block in a sampler on the cover of Jane Bentley Kolter’s book Forget Me Not: A Gallery of Friendship and Album Quilts (Main Street Press, 1985).” (from the pattern) That is all I am giving up since the designers spent so much time on the pattern I do not want to give away all their secrets.

Here is mine all stitched up – minus the signature part. I have yet to decide if I am going to include that.

I have the second block almost ready to stitch, but I am going to do this one and my others (I will not admit to how many I have – we are talking double digits folks). This quilt has two border options I believe, because you know I can’t remember, I have the appliqué version just because of the bulk of background fabric I received.  I know many of you do not like Blocks of the months and most of the time I would rather pick the fabrics myself, but I have received many from Homestead Hearth and they do an awesome job on the selection of fabrics and they label each piece – sweeeet!

Yesterday was a something of a day. When I got home from work it snowed like crazy, the delivery truck pulled up at about 9am with the trampoline and I was able to get some sleep before picking up the kids. I feel good this morning – so good in fact I am going to head to the quilt room – which has now been cleaned and work on yet another block of the month I had started. Hopefully I can post it tomorrow since the block I was working on is almost complete. Then I must, since I promised Alice, break open the box and begin the task of assembling the trampoline – fun fun! Have a great day!!