Reproduction Quilts from the Civil War Period, 1850-1865: Patterns for Quilts, Blocks and Wall Pieces from the Civil War Era [Unknown Binding] Review

This book has interesting ideas, but it is not for people who are just beginners.Please note that there is a mistake on page 18 in the pattern for the Civil War Star Wallhanging.Piece "C" is listed as being from the "print" fabric, but some "C" pieces are print, and some "C" pieces are muslin. I learned this the hard way!

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Around the Quilt Frame: Stories and Musings on the Quilter's Craft [Hardcover] Review

I bought this book so my kids could give me something nice for Christmas.The idea was ot put it away and not read it.No chance of that!I thought, "I'll just read the first few lines... Well, just this page... Just the first chapter??!!"
I couldn't put it down.

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Product Description:
Inspired by the sense of community forged by the millions of women who have gathered with friends to quilt throughout history, Around the Quilt Frame draws upon this common bond, connecting today's quilters in a more symbolic way.
This unique compilation of essays and stories about quilts and quilting blends light-hearted tales with more philosophical pieces. From a variety of well-known quilting writers, including Helen Kelley, Ami Simms, Lisa Boyer, Patricia Cox, Jean Ray Laury, and Sandra Dallas, these pieces expertly stitch together a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces to create a patchwork of treasured and timeless tales.

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Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad [Paperback] Review

I agree with most of the reviews of this book that the material is indeed fascinating.It just doesn't happen to be true.Sadly, the "quilt code" myth has been invented by a couple of vendors who sell quilts, and now also sell books, speaking engagements, memorabilia, etc.
This isn't the place for a "debunking", however.If you're interested in seriously evaluating the facts of the issue, and comparing this book's unfounded (indeed unique) claims against real scholarship on the Underground Railroad and the history of quilting, a good place to start is the research of Leigh Fellner, which appears in the March 2003 issue of Traditional Quiltworks magazine as well as the Hart Cottage Quilts website.

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America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890: 8 Reproduction Quilt Projects: Historic Notes and Photographs; Dating Your Quilts [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

Barbara describes her book as soft on fabric science and high on the how-to of making choices, choosing fabrics and quilt styles appropriate to a time period. The antique and reproduction swatches are large and clear. Barbara brings her considered opinions, research, and years of experience to each subject she discusses.

This book is probably a better choice than her classic "Clues in the Calico" (and it's updated some of the information too) for the individual just starting to learn about textile history because it is less dense in terms of text and details, but it is by no means shallow for those entrenched in textile history.

Throughout the book, there are what I call, Barbara's signature vignettes. These are those wonderful still life pictures of colorful combinations of antique fabrics, daguerreotypes, ephemera, sewing tools, bonnets and clothing and everyday household décor found in 19th century homes. In fact, she has included many photographs depicting dresses and textiles. Brief personal quotes from old diaries, letters, and other historical writings are scattered throughout the book, as are reproduction quilts made by outside contributors to the book. I really appreciate her putting dates, specific when possible, a narrow range when not, with the photos, quotes, quilts and fabrics.

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Product Description:
The fabrics and quilts of the 19th century are thoroughly detailed in this quilting guide filled with projects that will delight quilters of all levels. Included are eight projects that were inspired by antique quilts but made with today's reproduction fabrics. Quilt historian Barbara Brackman guides crafters through more than a century of American fabrics, and shares wonderful old photos, diary entries, and letters from America's past.
Barbara Brackman has been named to the Quilters' Hall of Fame. She lives in Lawrence, KS.

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More Biblical Quilt Blocks: New Inspirational Designs [Bargain Price] [Paperback] Review

I have the first book this author wrote, and was extremely disappointed to find out that at least half the blocks in her new book are repeated from her first book. I feel that the title is misleading. Several of the authors of multiple volumes on the same subject are in my library. Examples would be Bethany Reynolds, Marsha McCloskey, Sharyn Craig, and Carol Doak. In each and every case, the blocks or techniques do not repeat the items that appeared in their earlier books. Therefore, it's logical to expect that a book entitled "More Biblical Blocks" would haveadditional blocks to the ones you already have.

Have you ever bought a CD of an artist you liked to find out that half or more of the songs were repeats from one you already owned? Well, this is the equivalent. Since the book isn't cheap, it's doubly disappointing.

Whereas I do agree that the directions are guite good, they are no better than those contained in many other books on the market by other authors, so there is nothing remarkable in that arena. If you have this author's "Biblical Blocks" book, I'd recommend skipping this one. If you're considering buying one of her books, buy only this one and skip the first, so it can have value to some. I, however, feel ripped off.

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Product Description:
Comforting, breathtaking, inspiring-these are just a few words that fans use to describe the popular book Biblical Blocks. Now Rosemary Makhan returns with all-new blocks that celebrate favorite Bible passages in fabric.
·Discover the special meaning behind 32 time-honored quilt blocks
·Feature blocks in six projects, including large samplers and quicker one-block quilts
·Stitch designs such as Job's Troubles, King David's Crown, and Road to Paradise--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Facts and Fabrications: Unraveling the History of Quilts and Slavery: 8 Projects, 20 Blocks, First-Person Accounts [Paperback] Review

This is a beautiful book of history on African-American quilt making and is chock full of photos, patterns, and basic American history as well.She pulls no punches, tells no lies or tales, and tells you what is an absolute FACT and what is questionable.If you are interested at all in the subject, you must have this book.It is way beyond the info in E.Burns Underground Railroad book.(Which is also a nice resource.)

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Product Description:
* Celebrate and continue an American quilt tradition
* Combines history and quilting
* Great for homeschoolers--includes curriculum!

Enslaved peoples in the American South preserved their memories with quilts. Today, In nine remarkable projects, quilt historian and artist Barbara Brackman guides readers through the stories they told--and lets crafters create quilts and samplers that capture their own memories. Mix and match historic blocks and Brackman's new designs to create timeless treasures.

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The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121 Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War [Paperback] Review

This is not a quilt pattern book. Those who want a quilt pattern will be disappointed.I thoroughly enjoyed reading the diary entries and planning a quilt from the patterns pictured. It is possible to transfer the designs to patterns if you are patient and have some quilting experience. A wonderful addition to any quilter's library.

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Product Description:
*The paper-pieced block patterns featured in this book are interchangeable with all of the 6" blocks featured in The Amish Circle Quilt and The Civil War Quilt Diary
*Features Civil War reproduction fabrics, a popular choice among quilters and available at most quilt shops and fabric stores
The Civil War Love Letter Quilt is a history book, quilting guide, and touching tale of the love shared by Civil War soldiers, their sweethearts and families. In the same innovative approach as other books of the popular letter and diary quilt-book series by Rosemary Youngs, this new guide showcases 121 different paper-pieced block patterns with the actual letter that inspired them. The collection includes love letters from:
*President Rutherford B. Hayes to his family
*Newton Scott to his childhood friend, whom he married upon returning from the war
*David Winn, a soldier who ultimately gave his life for his country

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Quilts from the Civil War: Nine Projects, Historic Notes, Diary Entries [Paperback] Review

"Quilts from the Civil War" not only contains project for reproducing numerous quilts of the 1850s and 1860s, it also contains an excellent discussion of the role quilts played in people's lives.Barbara Brackman describes quilts made for freedom fairs, by the Sanitary Commission for use by soldiers, and quilts made to express patriotic fervor.Brackman goes beyond a mere discussion of quilts, however, to discuss the development of chemical dyes, women's involvement in the war effort in general, the effect of the blockade on southern textile production, the need to hide quilts from occupying Yankee forces, and even the relationships that developed between quiltmakers and soldiers who received the donated quilt.
Brackman also examines the argument that quilts were used as clues for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, and concludes that these tales likely were a myth.(Nevertheless, she includes a Jacob's Ladder-style quilt that honors the Underground Railroad.)In evaluating this theory, she discusses the history of the Log Cabin quilt.
Period photographs of women and children, engravings of Sanitary Fairs and other gatherings, photographs of original and reproduction quilts and original dresses beautifully illustrate this book.Excerpts from journals, letters and newspaper articles and reprints of ads calling for the production of items for soldiers add further interest.
Brackman provides a unique timeline that combines both traditional historic events, such as "March 4, 1864 - Grant becomes Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army" with social or women's history, such as "August 1864 - Ladies Christian Commission of San Francisco sponsors a Grand Fair" and "October 5, 1864 - Mary Jones of Georgia records paying $16 a yard for calico."
Footnotes provide directions for those interested in further research.
One drawback is that the projects contained in the book do not faithfully reproduce the historic quilts.Some are fairly easy to adapt to make more authentic, such as the Underground Railroad quilt, which adds 8-pointed stars to a Four Patch in a Strip pattern.Since the book contains a picture of the original, a quiltmaker can easily see that by leaving off the stars, she can make a quilt that's closer to the original.Other patterns will take a little more ingenuity to adapt, but again, pictures of the originals should help.
Those mostly interested in southern quilts would probably do better with "Southern Quils: Surviving Relics of the Civil War."Brackman concludes that few quilts were produced in the Confederacy due to blockade-caused shortages of fabric, needles, thread and other necessities.
For those interested in trying some of the projects contained in the book, the directions are clear and easy to follow.Brackman provides strip quilting directions for some of the quilts (such as the Underground Railroad) but not for others where this technique could speed production (such as the Log Fence).The appendix contains excellent information on batting, quilting styles, binding and other details to give quilts a more period look.
Overall, despite projects that are more inspired by historic quilts than faithful reproductions, "Quilts from the Civil War" is an excellent source of information about textile production during the 1850s and 1860s.

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The Civil War Diary Quilt: 121 Stories and The Quilt Blocks They Inspired [Paperback] Review

A few of the diary entries were interesting to read (I especially liked the story of the china doll), but the quilt blocks were a major disappointment. Each block was named after an entry in the corresponding diary entry rather than by its commonly used name. No patterns given for the blocks, only a line diagram and a small picture of an actual fabric block. Civil War Women by Barbara Brackman is a much better choice for historical background, diary entries and actual patterns.

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Product Description:
The Civil War era was a time of great tragedy and triumph, and for a diverse group of women it was a distinctive thread in their lives and their quilting. Quilters and historians alike will appreciate the timeless lessons shared through actual diary entries and 121 related quilt blocks featured in The Civil War Diary Quilt, from Rosemary Youngs, author of the innovative book, The Amish Circle Quilt.
This reference incorporates instructions, list of supplies, a photo gallery, and 121 quilt blocks inspired by actual diary entries from 10 women living during the Civil War. Readers meet a variety of women including Mary Austin Wallace through her stories about running a 160-acre farm in Michigan, while her husband is away at war; 17-year-old Emma Florence LeConte as she recounts the day the Union army set a path of destruction through Columbia, SC; and Rachel Young King Anderson who moved away from Tennessee with her husband and children to start a new life. In addition to the 121 blocks that make a full quilt, this must-have reference includes smaller projects that use the same blocks.
-Actual diary entries of 10 women living during the Civil War create a unique historical reference
-Includes 121 full-size quilt block patterns that can also be used to make smaller additional projects

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