Still on my Ole Glory Quilt...

I am still working on my "ole glory quilt", and wanted to share the latest in my progress:

So still a work in progress, but I am still pluggin along,I finished the house block last night... Many Hugs, Mary

Eagles on the Brain

Since I've been working on my Quilt Like An Eagle quilt, I have become much more conscious of eagles as decorative symbols in the world around me.

 

I spied this eagle on a bank's after-hours depository.

 

The federal courthouse in downtown Denver had these eagles and shields atop the building's columns.

 

How 'bout these Peeps I found at a Cracker Barrel (the US restaurant chain)?!

I have been working on my eagles, but only intermittently.  I decided I wanted to make my own patterns for the rest of the quilt, and it took some time to get that accomplished.  The center of the quilt will have two concentric spiky circles with a star in the center.  

 

I made a test version - half of the outer circle - to see if I was happy with the outcome.  From looking at a lot of 4 block eagle quilts, it seems many of these spiky circles are done with reverse applique.  I've never done a stitch of reverse applique and I decided this was not the time to try it!  These will be made with regular applique, using the freezer paper and spray starch prep method.  

 

I purchased some French General Rue Indiennes fabric for the outer border of my quilt, but I think I will also use it for the outer concentric circle.

 

The eagles have all gotten embroidered eyes and arrows in their beaks.  I'm also playing around with some 8 pointed stars below the tail feathers.  Now that I see the stars in the photograph, I may switch the blue star fabric for the Rue Indiennes paisley.

How are you doing with your eagles?  Do you spy eagles where you never noticed them before?

 

 

 

Part 4 of my Eagle Quilt

Slowly working on all the blocks for my eagle quilt, this is what I have so far:

I didn't want you to think I wasn't working on them, the house block half is already appliqued, just need to applique leaves, stars and 2 large vines, then on to Block 5 Hope all is well with everyone! Hugs, Mary

Picking Up My Eagle Quilt Once Again

Okay, here it is, the latest progress on my Eagle quilt! I've been putting this quilt off so much and working on other things that July 4th is totally out of the question now. I might {maybe, maybe} be able to get this applique border stitched down by then? We'll see. I'm not always good with deadlines!

Figuring out the applique border

I wrote a lot more about my border decisions over on my regular blog as that's where I tend to blather on about things like that. I sort of thought I'd end up with a more classic looking eagle quilt {like Angie's}, but alas, I seemed to have been hijacked by my weird and wonderful design process. And although there won't be a finish with this quilt project any time soon, I do feel good about the fact that I haven't abandoned my quilt altogether!

And Then There Were Four

 

The eagles for my four block quilt are finished!  I'm excited to be at this stage, although there is still a lot of work to do.

When I started this project I thought I might add my own personal stamp to this quilt by doing a fleur de lis inspired center applique block.  Now I'm veering back toward the more traditional sunburst/spiky circle with a star center.  I think I'll have to make some mock-up blocks and see which idea I like better.

Before I stitch the blocks together, I'd also like to applique some five-pointed stars in the area below the wings and tail.

I doubt there's any way I'll finish this quilt by July 4th - at least not July 4th, 2015!  That's OK, I'm enjoying the journey and still see several more eagle quilts in my future!

Finished 1st block

Hi Ladies, Here is my first block of eagles, finished. Was a bit challenging like I posted on my blog, especially their beaks and wings,

Now onto the next block! Hope everyone is enjoying their Tuesday, Hugs, Mary

Hi everyone, Well, after changing my mind re pattern to use, I started tracing and cutting out the eagles for my quilt - I have decided to use Summer Weekend by Blackbird Designs. Anyway, the eagles are not as easy as I thought...when you look at my picture you will see the little legs and wing span on one side is going to give me trouble, I just know when I start to needle turn. So, I am going to try and see how the first one goes, if it gives me problems then I am going to tweak it by redrafting those eagles. I will let you know my progress, Hugs, Mary

One Down, Three to Go!

 

I finished hand appliqueing the first of my four eagles.  He still needs to have a few details embroidered in, but that can happen later.  The applique was not difficult, except for a few places where it was awkward to hold the fabric and stitch at the same time.  I used the freezer paper and starch method for prepping the fabric pieces - that technique really simplified the stitching process!

Now I just need to prep and stitch 3 more identical blocks.  Since I have the experience of the first block under my belt, I think I'll prep all the remaining blocks at the same time so I can just stitch my way through all of them.

How's everyone else doing?

Change of Plans....

Yes, it is me, Mary, and I am going to change my pattern for the Eagle Quilt - I am going to use this Pattern:

Karen, has lent me her book - Summer Weekend by Blackbird Designs, so I will have more pictures of what I am doing.... just fell in love with this pattern, so will be posting progress... Have a great weekend, Mary

My first attempt...

Hello everyone! Well, after much contemplation and sleepless nights - well a little sleepness, but much thought, here is a very rough draft of my first block - the Eagle...didn't know what color I was going to go with, then decided on this one, then background, Then, what was my Eagle going to stand on, or just fly aimlessly which was what he was doing for at least a month of so, until I came up with this....

I love sunflowers so took this from the book "Serendipity" by Ginger Cookie Company. Decided he would be standing on a branch of Sunflowers...what do you think? Or is this goofy? I kinda like it, again very rough haven't basted anything down yet, but didn't want you all to think I was slacking....Oh, and the block is 16x16 so not really centered on background fabric yet, but thought I would share what is going on in this mind of mine :)

Well, I hope everyone is staying warm and dry - trying to in Illinois! Hugs, Mary

A Little More Progress!

Here's the latest progress on my Eagle quilt! I don't want to make it too large, so I'm trying to figure out how to successfully wrap it up.

Looking at my Eagle Quilt on the wall

It's been a challenge to get all the colors to play nicely together, but I think the red gives it the spark to carry through to an outer border {still to be determined}. It's only February, but I'm already nervous about getting it to an absolute finish. With me, that usually only takes a year or two. lol

Eagle - Still on the Menu!

Howdy, Eagle Quilters!

It's been some time since we've chatted about eagle quilts.  I haven't stopped thinking about them, but I have let other quilting projects distract me from creating a host of eagles. 

One of my January goals is to get some eagles cut out and prepped for applique.  I have my eagle pattern re-sized and ready.  I also made some fabric selections.

 

The blue, gold and red are for the eagles; the paisley is for borders and whatnot.  I'd like to start appliqueing this weekend - if real life doesn't interfere!

 

I did finally finish my eagle "appetizer" project.   This took much longer than I expected, but I'm quite happy with the result.  

 

I hand quilted squares in the squares and did echo quilting around the eagle.  In the border, I just followed around the paisley designs with matching thread.

 

I finished stitching down the binding this morning and added a label.  

The finished quilt measures 16" x 14".  

On to the next eagle in the series!

 

 

Lovely To See Progress!

Still working on my Eagle quilt! It's quite the process as the plan seems to be changing all the time.

Working on my Eagle Quilt

It's definitely turning out to be different than I expected but in a good way I think. I wrote more about it over at my blog if you're interested in the details. For now I'm just happy to see progress!

I have just finished tying this quilt...it requires binding yet. 

Getting Started On the Centerpiece

I'm so excited about all the unique eagle projects we have going on here! Love that they will all be so varied and different. As personalized as the quilters working on them! I started the prep work on my centerpiece earlier in the week. Still have a little more to get figured out, but the eagle has to be appliqued down first, so I consider this real progress!

Starting my centerpiece

I like to cut out tricky applique pieces like the eagle wings by tracing the pattern onto freezer paper, cutting it out and then ironing the shape directly onto the top of my fabric. I used to leave the freezer paper on as I stitched (around) it to the background, but no longer. Now I just pull the paper up and pin it into place.

Prep work for the applique

I kept fussing with the bottom of the eagle trying to get things centered, but then I realized my original isn't even centered. Okay, enough of that! I'm still crossing my eyes at the red center (shield) on my eagle too. Do I want it to look this patriotic or not? I think I'll wait a bit before I start stitching in case I change my mind and go with a different color.

Hi everyone, I'm Mary, and I think I like this Eagle Quilt from Piece O' Cake Designs: I think this is the one! Now to start on it!! Hugs, Mary

An Eagle Series?

I haven't started an Eagle Quilt yet, but 

I seem to be seeing eagles everywhere! 

I've always wanted to make this Jo Morton quilt.
(Banner Day book)

And I have the panel needed to make this Jo Morton quilt.
(Banner Day book)

This Kim Diehl pattern is also on my list!
(Simple Season's book)

My friend Julierose reminded me about this one in American Patchwork and Quilting magazine.
(October 2002)

Maybe a quilt of just eagles?
(Nancy Kirk collection)

And right outside my sewing room window, the eagle watches!!
(wish it was a better photo--taken through the glass window and it was raining!)

I think I see a series of Eagle Quilts in my future!

Appetizer - Still on the Menu!

I started this eagle embroidery project at the end of July as a warm up for my main Quilt Like An Eagle project.  I thought this would be a quick project, but that was an optimistic assumption!  I finished the embroidery last week, but did not have a chance to start the piecing aspect of the project until this weekend.

The postage stamp squares finish at 1 inch.  I plan to add two strips of 1 inch blocks to either side, creating a postage stamp frame.  I was originally thinking of hand quilting this, but I don't like hand quilting through so many seams.  I'm just making this up as I go along, so I'll make that decision later!

Ever Vigilant

I've been wanting to do a version of this quilt for years, so I'm happy to have the motivation of a sew-along! 

I was first drawn to this quilt when Quilter's Newsletter published this pattern in 2002.
It uses the center motif of an early 19th century quilt. 

In 2005, Quilter's Newsletter published an article about this quilt.
It was inspired by the previously published pattern, but this quilter did some research and based her version more closely on the original. 

This is a photo of the original quilt.
 The quilt is made from hemp, as so has become known as the Marijuana quilt!

Barbara Brackman wrote about this quilt several years ago HERE. As Barbara points out, Jan Patek has a version of the same eagle in her book Flags of the American Revolution--you can see it on the cover:

I have this book on the way--it was a Bobbins Bargain a couple weeks ago.

There is also some information on the quilt from the National Museum of American History HERE.

I'm not sure how my version will end up, but I will be doing the Eagle center similar to the Ever Vigilant version. 

The pattern from the magazine needs to be enlarged, so I am off to Office Depot!

Eagle Thoughts

One of the things that has kept me interested in quilting for the past 25 years is the relationship between quilts and history.  Not only do quilts have their own history, but they also reflect the life and times of the women who made them.

As I began to think about what type of eagle quilt I would make, I also started to wonder about the history and symbolism of eagle quilts.

I have been going through my quilt library, searching out eagle quilts with an eye for history and design.  One of my favorite resources is All Flags Flying, by Robert Bishop and Carter Houck.

 

The book was published in 1986 in conjunction with the Great American Quilt Contest.  The first half of the book is devoted to antique patriotic quilts while the second half features patriotic quilts that were created for a quilting contest sponsored by Scotchgard.  If you're interested in the backstory of the eagle quilts you've seen on Pinterest, many of them are here.

 

This eagle quilt is from the Shelburne Museum and is attributed to Lydia Stafford, who was thought to have made it during the first half of the 1800s.  According to the text in the book, there are other quilts similar to this one, so it is possible there was actually a pattern for the quilt.

 

Fast forward 150 years or so, and another generation of quilters are inspired by Lydia Stafford's quilt!  "Warrior Eagle" was made by Jean Pearson Stanclift and the pattern appears in Barbara Brackman's book, Civil War Women.

The eagle quilts that fascinate me the most are the four block quilts with mirror image eagles.  Barbara Brackman discusses them in a blog entry entitled Eagles and Eccentricities.   I am amazed by all the variations in the pattern - each quilter seemed to adapt the idea to her own tastes, interests and skills.  I created a Pinterest board dedicated to cataloging as many of the four block eagle quilts as possible.

 

My current favorite is from the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.  I read about this particular version in All Flags Flying, where the description piqued my imagination:  "the eagles wear crowns and apparently smoke cigars".  The online catalog description of the quilt is not quite so fanciful!  

 

Quilters are still interested in making this pattern.  Karen is planning to make a version published by Barbara Brackman.  I found another version in one of my books, America's Heritage Quilts, from Better Homes and Gardens.  The "Eagles Union Quilt" is attributed to Sarah Winters, Pennsylvania, circa 1876. 

I think I have found my eagle quilt inspiration - now I just need to decide how I will personalize my quilt!