Quilted in honor is a fundraising initiative hosted by Island Batik, with Landauer Publishing as on of the partners. And today, I'm excited to share insights with on a beautiful quilt pattern that has caught my attention and become one of My Favorite Designs: This beautiful quilt design is named "Freedom Is Our Strength". The pattern is a downloadable design available from Landauer Publishing for a reasonable fee of $8. And, 100% of the proceeds of the sale of this pattern are donated to Operation Homefront.
Finished size 57 1/2" x 72 1/2" and is available exclusively from Landauer Publishing. You can find Laundauer Publishing at:
There is something special about Victory Quilts, those beautiful quilts that were made in the 1940's using a variety of beautiful quilt blocks (aka Sample blocks). I remember them fondly at my Grandparent's home, when I was a little girl. But, it wasn't until Eleanor Burns released "Victory Quilts, 1940's Sampler Quilts", published by Quilt In A Day, that I began to truly understand the history and delight of these special quilts.
Eleanor's dedication to this delightful book, hits home on what Victory Quilts are all about. I also believe it applies perfectly to Memorial Day. Her dedication reads "For Father, Erwin J. Knoechel, and all men and woman who bravely serve our country". For me, I embrace this dedication with great admiration and compassion.
I want to recognize Eleanor for this delightful book, as well as recognize those whom she dedicates this book to. As such, I dedicate this post to those that have the men and woman who are currently serving, as well as those that have served.
Eleanor has made many wonderful contributions to our world of quilting, but this book also formally captures the recognition for those that have served, and are currently serving, to protect us and fight for Freedom, through the eyes of a quilter.
Thus, I want to use this time to share insights on this delightful book, as well as to recognize and show respect to those whom this book is dedicated too!
Eleanor shares insights in this book about the 1940's, when the United States was united with a common cause of winning World War II. Rosie the Riveter was the symbol of working woman. There were scrap drives, rationing, Victory Gardens, and the baby boom. I am proudly a child that came from this baby boom, and there isn't a day that doesn't pass where I don't think about how blessed I am.
Insights are also included on how to make many beautiful traditional blocks, how to set them on point or traditional block, add swags, beautiful borders, and more. For the beginner quilter, insights are also included for basic cutting, fussy cuts, assembly line techniques, seam allowance tests, pressing, and more. But heartwarming insights are also provided on traditional blocks, sharing insights on how these blocks came to be, as well as historical insights on many quilt designs.
Many designs are shared to make completed quilts, including the "Comfort Quilt". When Europe was devasted in World War II, familes often had to live in one room with no heat and blow out windows. American and Candian quilters were urged to make quilts for these people. The Comfort Quilt was one of the popular quilt designs that wer emade from scraps and ultimately shipped to families in Europe to provide warmth and comfort.
The Service Flag is an official banner that the family of service members in harm's way can display. The banner has a white background and a red border, with a blue star for each family member in active duty. If a family member dies during service, a smaller gold star is sewn on top o fthe blue star, with the blue edge showing. These banners became popular during World War II, and were hung in windows of service member's homes. Yet, even today, we see many volunteer groups that make these banners and present them to families who have family member serving.
This book brought soft tears to my eyes, as I took a few minutes to write this post. It is a delightful book. While it has many beautiful quilt blocks, designs and qulting insights, it also shows how quilters have helped to recognize those that have served to provide Freedom. I don't want to come across that a gesture of a quilt is greater than one who actually serves, but I do want to say that I am proud of any qulter, historically or current, who has taken the time to make a Victory Quilt, or block. It might be through making a block for Quilts of Valor, in making a Service Flag quilt, or in helping in so many other ways. But, this Memorial weekend, my focus is truly on the men and woman who are currently serving to provide Freedom and protecting us from those that may challenge or terrorize this basic human right. Yes, thank you for all those that serve in the Military.
Most people think of a cat as an animal that sleeps all day, or maybe hunts birds. But my perspective of a cat is that thye are an expert fabric selector and sewing supervisor. I know cats have special talents with finding the right fabric, with the right softness, with the right color and and the right design for any project. I believe they were quilters in a prior life. I know this as my cats always found my best quilt to sleep on, and they enjoyed playing under a quilt as I attempted to baste it. And while they sometimes enjoyed cuddling on my lap when I sewed, they were always in my sewing room with me.
It always amazes me how a cat can watch tv for hours, even when there is a political speech going on. And they can stare at a flag waving in the breeze for "hours" too! Thus, I've concluded cats are very Patriotic. So, today I'm focusing on sharing insights about Patriotic cats and Patriotic cat quilts.
I did some research on the web, to prove my theory, and found some great photos on www.flickr.com. I always get a lot of great ideas searching photos posted in flickr (and evidence to support my theories).
I saw this beautiful Patriotic cat quilt that was made by Renata. Isn't it cute? Definitely provides evidence that cats are Patriotic.
You can see more of Renata's delightful photos posted on flickr by clicking on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28010958@N03/3310105975/. Renata is very talented and I enjoy looking at her photos she has posted on the web.
Then I found some delightful photos of Patriotic cats taken by Delina (Pixel Packing Mama). She has two cats, Montana (full name is "His Royal Highness, Montana de Montecore") and Cerulean, both boys. Personally, I think Montana and Cerulean should run for public office. They'd definitely get my vote.
I'm hoping to someday right another article about these cats. Montana earned his name by jumping thru embroidery hoops. I think this talent warrants another story!
Pixel Packing Mama is an outstanding photographer and has many wonderful photos posted on flickr. You can see her exceptional photos by clicking here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/delina/3618961938/
I've been researching patriotic items, looking for items that would be fun to make. I've decided to spend this week sharing insights on my findings. There are simply too many insights to share in one day. So, for now, here are a few ideas I think would be fun to make {but more to come this week, plus other patriotic ideas}.
