Friday, February 21, 2014

Civil War Quilt Finished!

I am so excited to post that my Civil War Quilt is finished and I love it!

I got my friends to help me take a picture of it, even though the weather was "the usual" for this very cold and snowy year. They were fearless, and we went outside and got some interesting shots.
This was a block of the week pattern by Barbara Brackman that started in January 2011 and my quilt top was finished in January 2014 (read about it here). 
As you may know, my sewing machine was broken and in the shop for so long, I used that as an excuse to ask Cathy from Eagle's Wings Quilts if she would machine quilt it for me. Luckily she agreed and we decided to go with an angels wing design (which you can see here). I even got to visit Cathy at her quilting studio and see her Millennium machine! 


The angel quilting design is so perfect for this quilt. From far away it looks like a soft and flowing design, and when you get up close, the angels appear. It's like a little surprise! Can you see the angel design on the top of the flag?



This is a photo of the back of the quilt, which is almost as interesting as the front. It includes four extra blocks that didn't make the cut for the front, a panel of the war generals, the "flags of freedom", a strip of liberty bell fabric, and the declaration of independence.
By the way, I have an extra panel of the declaration of independence and will give it away to the first person who leaves a comment that they want it.
A big thank you to Barbara Brackman for the wonderful Civil War history lessons each week, and the interesting and sometimes challenging block patterns. Thank you to Cathy at Eagle's Wings Quilts for the fantastic job she did on the machine quilting. Thanks to all the readers who left encouraging comments on the posts and layout ideas. Also thanks to my quilt holders Cynthia and Barbara. 
It takes a village to make a quilt... and a blog post about the quilt!

43 comments:

earthmotherwithin said...

Wow! that is truly beautiful. Congratulations!

Created by Kathi said...

I love this quilt... and it was worth the time involved to finish those blocks and get them put together... nice to have a longarm for that beautifully pieced back too! Would love to have the fabric as I am a 4th of July baby :) If no one else claims it! lol Kathi P. S. Thanks to you and your friend for braving the cold to show us the quilt!

The Cozy Quilter said...

Lovely finish! You have brave friends, going out in the cold to hold your quilt! I noticed the red Canada mitts too!--A nice touch during the Olympics.

Debra G said...

Your quilt is wonderful. And you're right, the back is almost as interesting as the front. I just finished a quilt top last night commemorating the original 13 states. It was for our quilt guild challenge last year; the theme was 13, and all I could think of was the 13 colonies. I call it "Sweet Land of Liberty." Wonder if there are any other panels of the Declaration of Independence floating around out there. It would be perfect for the back of my quilt.

Kristin said...

Congrats on your finish! I love the combination of blue and brown. :)

Béa said...

Very beautiful, front & back, congrats Kathy.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Shoot! I want it, but too late...lol The quilt is beautiful

Ellen said...

Your quilt looks wonderful - I love everything about it! Congrats on such a great and 'quick' finish.

Angie said...

Wonderful! What a happy finish!

julieQ said...

Awesome...what a treat to wake up and get to see your quilt! Yahoo!! Your backing is so much fun too. Great work, Kathy!!

Yvette said...

Your quilt is AMAZING!

Amy said...

Oh Kathy -- amazing!!!! AND I love the pictures in the snow; what'cha gonna do, right? ;)

WONDERFUL finish!

moosecraft said...

That is one awesome quilt! Love that you put the extra efforts in the backing too... all the right touches! I hope you made a huge mug of hot cocoa for Cynthia and Barbara for being such good sports! :-)

Rhonda said...

Your quilt is beautiful. Great job!

Hilachas said...

Beautiful, beautiful quilt. I've been saving Civil War fabric waiting for the perfect pattern. This may be it. I'd love to have the Declaration panel but I see that I'm too late.

Janet O. said...

Lovely finish, Kathy! And a hearty thanks to your quilt holders--wish I could give them a mug of hot cocoa, too. : )
Oh, that back is delightful!

Cathy said...

It looks fabulous finished! SO glad you like the quilting. It was wonderful meeting you. Lets do it again sometime.

PeggyinNO said...

What a great finish! I love all the detail and thought you gave to the backing! The whole quilt is beautiful! I hope you treated your friends to something hot chocolate when y'all came back inside!

Colleen said...

Oh, my!!! It's stunning!! Nice job :)

Monica said...

Great work! The photo is just right -- the muted colour scheme matches the winter weather perfectly!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh my , what a super finish! Excellent fabrics in this and the back is just wonderful. You have a treasured piece there.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Beautiful quilt and wonderful accomplishment. The colors look great outside in the burrrrrrrrrr snow.

Nell's Quilts said...

Looks great and so nice to cross one off the 2014 UFO list. Good for you.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Congratulations on a beautiful finish! Love the blustery snow photos too! :)

Fiber Babble said...

Congratulations - that is beautiful! Be proud :-)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I'm using the Declaration panel as the backing for my mother in laws quilt (if I ever finish getting it hand quilted). Your quilt turned out lovely. I've not met Cathy in person, but I've been reading her blog for a while now. She does lovely work.

Deb A said...

Congrats on the finish - I'd have trouble deciding which side to show - they both are interesting and beautiful.

Deanna W said...

Great finish!!! The pic outdoors makes the true colours of the quilt really show up.

Barb said...

congratulations! it is wonderful and the pieced backing is icing on the cake!
love the snowy outdoor shot

Lesley said...

Fantastic finish! Love the striped borders and how you made the backing. Stunning quilt!

Ivani said...

Awesome Kathy. And the back is very interesting. Congratulations. You made a very precious quilt.

Kindred Quilts said...

WOW! Just beautiful! Love the fabric, the quilting, the back... everything! I think the brown, beige, and blue fabrics are wonderful... and the stripe border! Fantastic, Kathy!

Karen said...

I would be excited too. A wonderful view of the quilt in the snow.

Mary said...

I still have to finish mine. I didnt' start the last two Barbara quilts because I hadn't finished my CW. I'm glad you got it quilted so quick even if it was by check. Love the backing and that panel, if you haven't given it away already.

Jill said...

What an accomplishment. It is awesome. Hours and hours of work. Great job!

Lisa said...

This is a beautiful quilt and I love that you ventured into the snow to photography it for us. The colour combination works so wel.

margaret said...

great quilt and love the angels on it they must be looking after all those lost in the war

Kate said...

Wow! Beautiful quilt. I remember when you started it and shifted the colors by adding the blue. It was definitely the right move.

Sarah said...

This is a beautiful quilt, the colours are fabulous!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I love your quilt....it's gorgeous.

Sally Ann said...

I love the quilt Kathy! Your colours are awesome. Another job well done!!

Teresa Rawson said...

I go out of town for a few days, and look at all the finishes! Congratulations on your beautiful reveal...even in the snow! I think the angel quilting is a nice touch and your pieced back is so charming!

Susan said...

What a fabulous finish! It's so beautiful, it almost makes me want to start putting mine together. LOL