Image: sxc.hu

We have one of these Service Flags, originally made to hand in a window.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 small gold star was added on top of the blue, thus the term “Gold Star Mothers” originated.  Siver stars were used when a service member was injured.

I don’t know if my grandmother made her flag or if someone did and gave it to her.  I’m proud that we still have it in our family.  To me it represents Uncle Charles and other members who served – Uncle Al during World War II and my husand during the Vietnam war.

Today, quilters are making many variations of these banners and quilts.  (An interesting article about Service Quilts appears in McCall’s America Loves Scrap Quilts, Spring 2008 issue.)

Post from: Blisstree

Patriotic Service Flag Quilts

Among these are:

• Clay’s Choice
• Courthouse Steps 
• Lincoln’s Platform
• Whig Rose
• White House Steps
• Little Giant
• Alexander Hamilton’s Quilt
• Democrat Rose
• Whig’s Defeat
• Washington’s Quilt
• Mrs. Cleveland’s Choice
• Old Tippecanoe
• Potomac Pride
• Martha Washington’s Wreath
• Democrat Donkey

Do you know names of any modern day politicians, presidents, or patriotic events to add to this list?

Post from: Blisstree

Obama Quilts & Others Presidential or Patriotic

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 recognition of events of the past.

Do you have quilts you’ve made for patriotic events?  Those done in patriotic colors?  Do you have them on your blog that I can link to?

(Alyssa Preston/Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Patriotic Quilts for Veterans Day

 With Presidents’ Day celebrated in the U.S. on Feb. 18th this year, I thought it would be fun to mention some quilt patterns related to presidents, past and present, as well as patriotic events.  When I was a child, President George Washington’s birthday (the first president of the U.S.) was celebrated on his birth date, Feb. 22.  We also recognized President Abraham Lincoln’s birth on Feb. 12. 

 Generally we had those days off from school.  Now everything is combined into Presidents’ Day, celebrated on a Monday before the 22nd, to give a three-day holiday. 

Why not find some patriotic fabric, possibly relating to specific presidents, and make the 3 x 3 quilt I mentioned in the post, Idea for a Quick Scenic Quilt?  Simply cut your blocks from this fabric.  Also, if you live in another country, you could adapt this idea for a quilt using patriotic fabric and symbols relating to you.

Some of the older U.S.quilt patterns were named for presidents, patriotic heroes and events:

• Clay’s Choice
• Lincoln’s Platform
• Rail Fence
• Ohio Star
• Lone Star
• Old Tippecanoe
• Rocky Road to Kansas
• Union Star
• Martha Washington’s Wreath
• President’s Quilt

Have you made any patriotic quilts, either from known patterns or your original designs?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilts with a Presidents’ Day Theme