With thoughts of patriotism in our minds around the Fourth of July, why not  teach our children more about the Service Flags for military personnel serving, injured or killed?  These window or service flags are part of our history and originated to commemorate soldiers in World War I, sometimes called The Great War.
I found one in my grandmother’s memorabilia trunk.  It represented her son, my Uncle Charles, who served in that war and came back alive.  These flags, a blue star on white background surrounded by a red border hung in the windows of families who had a member fighting for …read more

Quilts inspired by the Service Flags of World War I have become popular during the present wars in Afghanistan and Iraq…to send to the service men and women and to remind those at home of their patriotic family members.
We have one of these Service Flags, originally made to hand in a window.  My grandmother used it when her son Charles served in World War I.  Consisting of a blue star on a white background, surrounded by red border, it let everyone know her son was serving for their freedom.
Uncle Charles came home from the War.  However, if someone didn’t, a …read more

Even though Memorial Day is celebrated today, instead of on the actual date of May 30, we’ll still see many parades, patriotic celebrations and family gatherings.  Young and old will be watching if they’re not marching.  Some towns hold other festivities and recognition of the men and women who have fought to keep our country free.
When I was a youngster, veterans’ service to our country was well recognized and not criticized as we appreciated being free.  I lived during the years of World War II and knew about black-outs, bomb scares, rationing, scarcity of food, aluminum drives and everyone working together to support the military.
Then …read more

Truman rolled out of bed this morning and the first thing out of his mouth was that he wanted to make a flag of Africa. He got a globe for Christmas (to foster his interest in the planets) and he became fascinated with the continents and their countries.
My husband has been sitting down with him nightly and drawing the continents and telling Truman whatever he knows about the countries. Truman relays this information to me throughout the day: “Mommy, did you know it is very, VERY cold in Antarctica?” “Mommy, you know what Mommy? There is a really bad war …read more

Patriotic Quilts
Veterans Day celebrations bring to mind parades, flags flying, patriotic songs, and recognition of those who have and are serving in the military to protect our country.  I think of my Uncle Al, whose flag we fly from our deck for patriotic celebrations.
(This was the flag draped over his casket at his funeral many years after his service for his country during World War II, service of which he was very proud.)
Have you made patriotic quilts, pillows, and other fabric art items in recognition of patriotic holidays?  There also are many quilt patterns with patriotic names in …read more

Today, June 14, is Flag Day in the United States.  Congress and President Truman officially dedicated, in 1949, this day as a national day of recognition of our flag.  I remember, as a child, flying a large flag from the porch of our farmhouse and having a special program in school.
Many quilting patterns incorporate the flag motif and patriotic themes into various projects.  I found a delightful wall hanging pattern, Salute to the Troops, at Quilt Town USA that uses flags and hearts.  
Janet Foggy-Befort, of Plant City, FL,  designed the hanging as a tribute to friends and relatives in the armed services.  …read more

Although Beth and I haven’t made anything specific for Memorial Day this year in our quilting and fabric arts world, we are commemorating by flying “Uncle Al’s Flag” from our deck railing.
 This is a large flag given to our family when my Uncle Al died.  He was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific Theater.  The flag was draped over his casket at his funeral.  Three veterans attended and presented the flag to my mom, Al’s sister, at the cemetery. 
(I’ve written a story, published in two anthologies, about this flag and it’s meaning to our family.)
As I’ve researched my …read more

Decorate with red, white, and blue quilts, hangings, table cloths, runners and more for the Fourth of July celebrations.  Also, check out your fabrics and start some red, white, and blue patriotic projects.
My daughter found, among her fabric stash, red-white-blue printed fabric with flags on it.  “This will be great for a table runner for the 4th,” she remarked. 
So she’s hemming it, and will add solid color red, white, and blue napkins.  These can be fabric ones or paper.
Among the books available with project ideas utilizing red, white, and blue colors along with stars and stripes is:  Patriotic Little Quilts by …read more

Today, June 14, is Flag Day in the United States.  When I was a child we celebrated in school and at home with flag related activities.  Mother hung the large flag from our porch. Other families in our town had their flags flying, too.
Flag related designs have long been popular in quilts and quilted items.  (These can be flags from whichever country is yours.)
One of the books for patriotic and flag design ideas is Sandy Bonsib’s Americana Quilts.  Her patriotic themes involve flags, stars and stripes, etc. with a folk art influence.