Women's Voices Quilt - Blocks 5 and 7

Today I'm sharing blocks 5 and 7 from my Women's Voices Quilt. Block 6 is in progress. Above each block is the description from the package - interesting history behind the names and origins of these blocks!



Block 5 - Crowned Cross

Quilts frequently echoed the religions of the Civil War era. The Crowned Cross was a popular block often used by church groups in quilts sent to the battlefield. Over 250,000 were stitched for the soldiers. They covered the wounded in army hospitals. If a soldier died, he was buried in his quilt.









Block #7 - Sherman's March / Lincoln's Platform / Monkey Wrench

This block was labeled "Lincoln's Platform" during his presidential campaign. It was also named after Sherman's March through the South during the Civil War. One could conclude it was a "union" block. This block was also known as "Monkey Wrench." It is interesting that one rarely comes across a reference to Sherman's March or Lincoln's Platform. Lavender or purple was first introduced in 1850 and became popular in Civil War quilts. It usually faded to shades of pink or brown. In 1825 manganese bronze was first used as a chemical dye. From this dye, khaki was introduced and became well used. The arrival of magenta was seen during this same era.

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?