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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Women's Voices Quilt - Blocks 3 and 4

Block 3 - Coxey's Camp
After the depression in 1983, Jacob Coxey led a group of unemployed men to Washington, D.C. to draw attention to the need for legislation to increase employment. In commemoration of the efforts of "Coxey's Army," this block was stitched.


Block 4 - Brown Goose
Women "raised their own feathers" for bedding; thus, this block was named. This was an easy block and was done in browns. This block is also known today as "Double Z" and is done in a variety of colors.





Women's Voices Quilt - Blocks 1 and 2

This is the block-of-the-month (BOM) kit I purchased in 2005; I've been stitching it completely by hand, using templates (not rotary cutting the pieces), and I will hand quilt it when the top is finally put together. I'm close - only 3 months (5 blocks) to go! (Then, of course, I'll have to stitch the blocks to the sashing to complete the top.)

Each month, for 13 months, I received one pattern and enough fabric to make two blocks. Sometimes I varied the fabrics within from block to block to make them look a bit different. Fabric placement can do a lot to change the look of a block!

There are a total of 25 blocks in this 1870s reproduction quilt. Each block finishes at 15 inches square.

Below are the first two blocks in the series - with their explanation / history. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures!

Block #1 - Patriotic Flags
Every time a territory acquired statehood, ladies made flag quilts commemorating the occasion. There are many varieties of flag quilts and blocks... everything from large single appliqued or pieced flags, to this one - flags waving around the block.




Block #2 - Underground Railroad
This block was made in support of the Underground Railroad during the slavery issue. Often quilts were made to raise money for "the cause." This same block is known as Trail of the Covered Wagon in Mississippi and the prairie states. If you reverse the light and dark fabrics and omit the third tone, it is "Jacob's Ladder."
Can you see the different fabric placement in these two blocks?







Time for a Change

I decided with the lovely spring weather we're having to clean up my blog, too. I'm using a new template, which I hope is interesting. We'll see... I may change it again.