Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month 11

This month's block is in honor of Ellen Mary (Marcy) McClellan.  Her marriage to General McClellan happened only after he proposed to her on nine different occasions over a span of about 7 years (and she rejected him all nine ccasions because she loved another man).  It is a rather astonishing story as to why she finally said "yes".  Sorry, but the material is copyrighted, so you must find other means to find out the rest of  the story.  :)

Block 11 - Ellen Mary (Marcy) McClellan wife of General George B. McClellan

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month 8 thru 10 and Future Sewing Plans

Wow!  Has it actually been since April when I posted my last block of the month?  Yes, I was three months behind on these.  I spent part of yesterday catching up since I will be receiving block 11 in about 2 weeks.  So here they are, in chronological order:

Block Eight - Flora Cooke Stuart, wife of General J.E.B. Stuart (CSA)

Block Nine - Maria Louise (Garland) Longstreet, wife of General James Longstreet (CSA)

Block Ten - Frances Caroline 'Fanny' Chamberlain, wife of General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (US)

Now that I caught up on my BOM, I don't feel guilty starting another quilt project.  It is difficult to find non-girly fabrics, but I scored this line at my local quilt store.  It is called VeloCity by Jessica Hogarth for P & B Textiles.  To make it even better, the store was having a 30% off entire purchase sale.  I need more masculine fabrics to make a crib quilt for my daughter's friend who is having a baby boy in a couple months and it is nice to have the fabric on hand because I also have three grandsons.

I'm heading to Hancock Fabrics tomorrow to search out a great fall jacket pattern.  I will also peruse my back issues of BurdaStyle magazine.  I'm anxious to get started on some fall garment sewing.  Do you have plans for any quilts or fall wardrobe pieces?

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Seven

Here's the seventh of twelve blocks for this quilt.  It has a number of little pieces and I really like the look of the block.  This one is to commemorate Mrs. Pauline Clark Mosby, wife of General John S. Mosby (The Gray Ghost).  Now if  you know your Civil War Generals, you know that John S. Mosby never attained the rank of General.  He was a Colonel.  If you are so inclined to check it out, DH pointed out to me that Colonel Mosby's mug graces the cover of the April 2012 edition of Civil War Times.  Yes, yes you can stop chuckling now - I admit it.  Civil War Times magazine is delivered to our mailbox six times per year.

So is the quilt now called The Generals' Wives and One Colonel's Wife Quilt?  Probably not.

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Setting Blocks

I received the fabric and instructions for setting blocks several months ago, but procrastinated in assembling them.  Please don't laugh, but being the novice quilter that I am, I had no clue what a setting block was!  So in my effort to understand said blocks, I came upon an article at McCalls Quilting that explained it quite well.  These blocks are oversized blocks that are used around the perimeter of the design blocks so they can be trimmed to size without cutting into the design blocks.

So here are my first two setting blocks:

Setting Block #1 - I made 12 of these

and . . .

Setting Block #2 - I made 4 of these

I am waiting for design block #7, which should be here next week.  Until then, that is my quilting for now. 

I am moving on to tweaking the fit of my Jalie jeans pattern and altering the design a wee bit to make a pair of capris.  I purchased some black stretch denim from Joann Fabrics this week and it is pre-washed and ready to go.

I also completed a dress this week, but I don't have photos to share as of yet.  Hopefully I will get that one posted this weekend.  Have a blessed Easter.

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Six

It goes to reason that since last month's block was commemorating General Grant's wife, this month would inevitably pay homage to General Lee's wife, Mary Curtis Lee.  She had a silver-spoon upbringing and she was highly educated, but the poor woman was just weak in many facets of her adulthood.  Her life was such a sharp contrast to Irene Grant.

I really like this block, I think it is rather detailed and quite attractive.  I'm now caught up on all my Civil War blocks, so you won't be seeing another one until I receive my next shipment in April.  But of course I have clothing construction to share with you in upcoming posts.

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Five

Block five in this historical quilt series is ode to Irene Boggs (Dent) Grant, our 18th First Lady and wife of General (& President) U. S. Grant.   Bringing elegance and grace to the White House, Mrs. Grant was quite the socialite and hostess.  Her memoirs were published in 1975 - I may have to locate a copy as her story has peeked my interest.

I like this block very much.  I'm particularly drawn to the pinwheel in the middle of the star.

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Four

Admittedly, I'm behind on my Civil War Blocks of the Month.  This one was my January shipment!  I'm working on catching up with them this week because I truly would like to have all 12 complete by October so I can finish the quilt in time to give it to my Civil War enthusiast husband for Christmas.

This was a fun block to sew.  No itty bitty pieces to worry about.  And I'm really partial to green, so of course I like the color scheme.  This block is in honor of Irene (Rucker) Sheridan, wife of General Sheridan.  Following the Civil War, the Sheridan's lived in Washington in a home that was purchased for them by Chicago citizens who were grateful to General Sheridan for his work following the great Chicago fire in 1871 - now that's gratitude!!

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Three

Here it is, my last post of 2011.  This month's block of the month is in honor of General William Tecumseh Sherman's wife.  Since he was a Yankee general, there are no forts named after him as there are for the Southern generals.  I have no partiality to the North or South - I am neutral.  My mother is 100% Southern belle and my father is 100% Yankee.  General Sherman's wife, Ellen, was a highly educated, very politically active woman.  You go girl!

I must confess, I am not an accomplished quilter, so I have one thing to say about this block - tedious.  I find quilting more difficult than garment sewing because it is one dimensional.  Measurements and seams must be spot on or the whole thing ends up askew.  Garment sewing is three dimensional and easier to 'fudge' when something doesn't match up perfectly.  I'm learning patience every day.  :)

Have a safe New Year's Eve and a "sewcessful" 2012.  Thank you for reading my blog.



Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month Two

Okay, here's installment number two.  This block is in remembrance of Eliza Brooks Ellis Bragg.  Her husband was General Braxton Bragg, CSA.  Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Fort Bragg, California are named for him as well as Bragg, Texas (a ghost town).

Civil War Generals' Wives BOM - Month One

Since DH's graduate degree is in Civil War studies, I thought I would show my support of his interests by joining Fat Quarter Shop's block of the month.  Each month focuses on the wife of one Civil War General.  Once a month, for 12 months, I receive the biography of said wife along with the fabric and instructions for that month's block.  The club runs from this month (October) through next September.  The first block is in remembrance of Anna Marie Hennen Hood.  Fort Hood is named after her husband.