Quilts from the Civil War - Print on Demand Edition

by Barbara Brackman

Book Overview

Important Note about PRINT ON DEMAND Editions: You are purchasing a print on demand edition of this book. This book is printed individually on uncoated (non-glossy) paper with the best quality... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571200339
• ISBN13: 9781571200334
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: C&T Publishing
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 1.2" x 0.6"

Customer Reviews

good book

I am so pleased with the condition of this book and the speed which this order was handled. I will order again.

Quilts from the Civil War: Nine Projects, Historic Notes, Diary Entries

This is a well researched documentation of Civil War era quilts and historical accounts of the women who created them.

More than just a quilt book

"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 excell

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In "Quilts From the Civil War" you will find that glimpses of news items, letters, and diary entries blend with facts and myths to tell the story of quilt making surrounding the Civil War. Beginning with abolitionist quilts and ending with commemorative quilts Barbara Brackman tells the story that changed the course of our country. In this comprehensive book even the patterns are provided. You will find complete instructions for Underground Railroad quilts, patriotic quilts, Sanitary Commission quilts and many more. So your fascinating journey just begins with reading the history found in this book. That only prepares you for your personal quest to find reproduction fabrics as you began to plan to make your own period quilt.

Excellent resource for historic quilt lovers

I purchased this book over a year ago and since that time I have referred to it repeatedly for ideas on historical fabrics and patterns. The text gives details about quilts and quiltmaking that can not easily be found elsewhere. The author's perspective on the subject is invaluable whether you make quilts, collect them or both. The historical quilts and newer quilts are beautiful. Quilts from the Civil War is my favorite among a collection of several dozen quilt-related titles.