As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I think of other years…of my childhood and with my daughter and grandchildren.  Although most of us in this multi-generational household have work schedules (four of us work at a supermarket), we still have time to engage in patriotic activities.
There are fireworks in a neighboring town on Friday night.
A parade also is held there on Saturday morning.
We prepare special foods that have become a family tradition, including a barbeque. 
If the weather is good, we also may hold a yard sale this weekend.  Yard sales have become traditional over summer holiday weekends in our …read more

Many of the traditional quilt patterns of yesteryear carried names of  patriotic events or people.  As a celebration of the Fourth of July (sometimes called Independence Day), let’s discover these.
(From your knowledge of American history, do you recognize these patriots’ names or the event?)

Clay’s Choice
Lincoln’s Platform
Little Giant
Old Tippecanoe
Union Square
Union Star
Whig Rose
Democrat Rose
President’s Wreath
Alexander Hamilton’s Quilt
Burgoyne Surrounded
Yankee Pride
Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight

Do you have favorite patriotic quilt patterns…those of yesteryear or today?

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
 “A Blast from the Past” – the Lifestyles Channel’s Promo Day theme – encompasses the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and patriotism.  As I browse through quilt names, I find many that refer to our country’s history or Americana.
Do you know what any of these names mean or refer to in our history, whether patriotic, political, or pioneer?

Old Tippecanoe
Union Star
Mill Wheel
Water Wheel
Clay’s Choice
The Little Giant
Churn Dash
Lincoln’s Platform
Rail Fence
Log Cabin & Log Cabin Star
Whig’s Defeat
“Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight”
White House Steps
Madison’s Patch
Kansas Dugout
Democratic Donkey
Elephant

For instance, Madison’s Patch refers to President James Madison.  It’s claimed that his wife, Dolly, had a quilt patch named in his …read more