As I glanced through a quilting magazine, I saw an introduction to Victory Garden quilts by Eleanor Burns.  Since I was a child during the Victory Garden years of World War II, in the 1940s, these brought back memories.

Even the fabrics were reminiscent of those we used in making clothing and other items in that era.  These were fabrics like those used when  I learned to sew,  my grandmother pieced quilts by hand, and Auntie sewed aprons and hand towels.

Victory gardens, where Americans raised their own fruit and vegetables, often the first time for many, were popular then.  Some also planted flowers for cheer in an uncertain world of black-outs and food shortages and rationing. 

Although I grew up on a farm where we had a garden anyway, my mom planted one with  flowers  she called our Victory garden.  She painted a large tub red and blue with large white V’s on either side.  This, filled with geraniums, she positioned in the center of the plot. 

Do you have Victory Garden memories?  Then you might enjoy Eleanor Burns’ Victory Garden designs and book.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Victory Garden Quilts by Eleanor Burns

  Quilt History & the Fascination of this Art in the Classroom

Kristin, at Sew, Mamma, Sew! blog relates her experiences Teaching Quilting History to Kids (8th graders) and presents ideas other teachers can utilize. Quilters who simply want to share the lore of quilts and quilt history will find this fascinating, too.  Since I enjoy quilt history and teaching quilts and quilting to youngsters, I thoroughly enjoyed this post of Kristin’s.

After attending one of Eleanor Burns traveling quilting history shows that brought quilting to small towns, Kristin was inspired.

I worked quilts into my curriculum as much as possible. The math teacher got involved and he used quilt blocks to study geometry and tessellations. I enlisted the help of the English teacher, who used historical quilts as writing prompts.

These are just some of the ways Kristin incorporated quilting and quilt history into the curriculum. Check out her blog to find more creative ideas. 

©2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Sew, Mama, Sew! Brings Quilting to the Classroom