It's Time to Show . . .

With fall market less than a week away, I believe it's time to show you the new Generals quilts!  We have General Sheridan, the Union General known to be the first to use the "scorched earth" policy that General Sherman used on his march to the sea.  General Sheridan, however, used the technique in the Shenandoah Valley earlier, and it, too, did help to put an end to the war.  After the war Sheridan was sent to fight Indians in the far West & is credited with saving Yellowstone for the generations instead of the land developers.

General Sheridan was a small man, only 5'5", nicknamed "Little Phil."  I smile whenever I read the quote by Abe Lincoln, "A brown, chunky little chap, with a long body, short legs, not enough neck to hang him, & such long arms that if his ankles itch, he can scratch them without stooping!"  Funny!  But Sheridan was indeed one of the most superior generals,  winning Grant's & Lincoln's praise before the end of the war.

General Sheridan


The quilt features stars, like all the Generals, between light & dark sashings.  The dark sashing resembles the scorched earth left behind the marching army. 

Jo Morton's Savannah fabrics make the stars sparkle & dance across the quilt.  As you can tell, I really like General Sheridan & it was a joy to sew!

Then we have the Confederate General Jeb Stuart, leader of the South's cavalry, as was General Sheridan for the North.  The cavalry was the eyes & ears of the armies for Grant & Lee; accomplished horsemen, they scouted out the enemy & returned information to the camps needed for successful battles. 

You may have seen pictures of General Stuart in the past.  He was the general in his "red-lined gray cape, yellow sash, hat cocked to the side with an ostrich plume, red flower in his lapel, often sporting cologne."  What a sight he was on the battlefield; a "knight in shining armor" for the South.

When I first saw Jo's red toile fabric, I wanted to do a quilt with red stars on the toile, and General Stuart is it!  This quilt would be a beauty on a full bed with the 10" block size! 

Four different reds are used for the stars & the alternate blocks!  Add the borders & it's done.  An easy quilt to decide the fabric call, that is for sure.

Take care until I return from market.  I will try to blog from market & send pictures.  Wish me luck, as you know,  that does not always work, but I will certainly give it my best try!

New Table Cozees for the Houston Booth

I have been spoiled in the past having a dear friend Shirley to sew most of my new quilts & patterns.  But . . . Shirley wanted to retire her position here, which I might say, was right up at the top.  So I have been left to actually do the sewing together with the pattern writing.  When I decided to market in Houston this year. . .well, needless to say, I have been scrambling to get it all done.

But do we have some great new samples of the patterns for the market booth!  And I just wanted to share some of them with you before we leave.

This little red & black design is from the very first Table Cozee   pattern.  I love this Jo fabric in the border & always wanted to do something with it; I think it makes a beautiful border fabric.

Now this little black & gold number is from the Table Cozee III  pattern. 

Love that big paisley fabric on the border.  Another of Jo's!






And here are the Pinwheels included in the Table Cozees II  pattern.


Isn't it cute with Jo's new Savannah in the border!



Now I wouldn't be very nice if I didn't show you the very newest Table Cozee pattern - IV! 







As you know, each of the patterns features two designs; Table Cozee IV is no exception.  It features Stars Over Tennessee and Blockade blocks.  I hope you like it as much as I do! 


You won't find this new one on the website yet, but just give us another week.

                                                       

 

 

And let me know by calling

 712-362-3022

if you're interested in a day class at your shop. 

 

We'll do one of the designs

with extra attention to

mitering the corners &

scalloping the edges. 

 

At the end of the day you can go home with a finished project! 

 

Blue Water Quilt Guild in Milford, IA

What a super nice time spent with the Blue Water Guilt Guild in Milford!  Many of the gals there are old friends & customers of our quilt shop - so many years ago now!  Isn't it grand to have such wonderful memories from the past!  I have to admit - I do miss our quilt shop, especially the fabrics.

The Civil War Generals were a big hit and this group of gals is totally awesome.  It was great to see them again. 

Here are a few pictures that Judy Wehrspann took since I totally forgot my camera that night!  A close-up of the General Grant quilt; a totally working man's quilt reminds me of the victorious Union general!


Below right is Sharon's General Lee in the large bed size.  Remember, you can make these patterns with 5" blocks for a lap or wall quilt perfect for decorating or 10" blocks for a bed size quilt.

And some of us enjoy the backs as well as the fronts!  The red & white General Sherman below is showing off it's backing here which is actually maps of the Civil War battles.  Pennsylvania is where I found many backings unique to the Civil War reproductions.  Just love using them!  They add a little fun!

Now General Jackson below has this beautiful backing of what I believe is the President's seal with the eagle's wings spread and flags flying.  This one is in green, but I'm sure it was available in other colors at the time of printing.  It truly is unique & again, found in a Pennsylvania quilt shop.

 

 And a close-up of a corner of General Meade, the victorious Union general at Gettysburg.  Just a little history for you since we do get in to some of that in these presentations; it's fun to learn a little about these very important people in our history!  Especially now that we don't have to read it from a book, right??

And the backing on General Sherman is very picturesque; soldiers in fields and on horseback around trees; it looks like battlefields, but very serene with a courthouse and a farmhouse scene.  Just a beautiful toile!


And last is the 10" block size of General Longstreet in red & block.  I love how the alternate blocks move in to the main star of this pattern.