Civil War Era Fabrics

20 comments
Last week at the Utah Valley Quilt Guild Bonnie Miles and Amy, owner of American Quilting gave a presentation on civil war fabrics. I learned things about the colors and styles of civil war fabric that I never knew before. And they both brought lovely quilts to show the class. I appologize in advance to Bonnie and Amy if I get their quilts mixed up. I was distracted since I was next on the program. Sorry.

I'm pretty sure this is Bonnie's quilt. Its lovely and I like how the chains tie the different blocks together. Everyone loves sampler quilts. They are fun to make.


I'm pretty sure this is Bonnie's too. The picture isn't the best but it is a lovely quilt and I like how it is bordered.

I'm sure this is a quilt Amy brought from her shop. Her advice was don't be afraid of using civil war fabrics in non-traditional quilt patterns.


I love this quilt. There is so much color in it and I would never have guessed it was civil war fabrics. I learned that civil war fabric isn't as drab as I thought and one reason civil war fabric tends to mostly be drab is that many authentic quilts from that era have faded. Makes sense. That is Amy on the right. My daughter was taking pictures. Sorry I didn't get a shot of Bonnie.

Amy used modern fabric and civil war fabrics to make this patchwork quilt. It works. I wouldn't have thought of that.


I don't know if this is Amy's or Bonnie's quilt but I do like it. I love the scrapy simplicity of it. And I love the mix of color.


I know this one is Bonnie's quilt. You can't see the paisley border very well. Its lovely. I like the use of white and the rectangles. This is a quilt I'd love to make. Again, I like the mix of fabrics.

-nanette

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20 comments

Eileen said...

My favorite is the square-in-a-square, but I love them all. Was just looking at a top I started two and a half years ago using civil war fabrics, and thinking that is the next thing on my list.

Mixing the prints up with a modern pattern.. that is something I want to try too!

Thanks for taking us with you to the trunk show!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I love the squares one with the black center. I made a civil war reproduction quilt many years ago and might just make another one. My project list is long. Thanks for sharing.

Diane said...

My favorite quilts are traditional quilts. Yet, I have been leaning towards the contemporary looking ones like the squares. Enjoyed the quilts.

Darlene said...

I love them all - great presentation of quilts. My favorite is also the square-in-a-square-in-a-square (the one with the black centers)

Purple and Paisley said...

oooh i love the second quilt - the "stars" are so different than regular stars...what are they? thanks for sharing as always...=)))

May Kristin said...

Oh, I love them all! Beautiful quilts!

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh, great pics! Thanks for some inspiration. I was trying to pic fabrics from my stash with that era in mind last night for my Kim Diehl class -- I have no experience with this sort of thing and I'm just terrible with it. I need a color class or something!

Jill said...

Hi, Nanette!! I'm going to have to check out "Pillars of the Earth"next time I'm at the library! I'm busy with handwork,working on bias trim for baby things. I can't wait to make another apron or two myself but I've got to make some other things priority now. Loved your post again,the first quilt & the blue mix & pink mix are especially attractive to me!!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this quilt show, Nanette!

n, np

jacquie said...

I've never really liked the Civil War fabrics, so I'm surprised I like most of these. I need to be more open minded!

Robin said...

Those are some wonderful quilts! I really love how some of them mix the modern and Civil War prints. I particularly like the aqua/brown log cabin-style one, and the rectangle one (I love how the rectangles have the paisley quilting in them, echoing the border).

So fun!

Joanna said...

Hey I remember these quilts! lol!! I would LOVE to come to the meeting but I'm up in Salt Lake today with no way down there and leaving on our camping trip tomorrow morning so I don't think I can make it. When is the next one? I'll make sure to be there. Can't keep me away. You learnt that with the trunk show lol!!! Can't wait to get back and do lots of quilty stuff :)

Cathi said...

What a great group of quilts! My favourites are the last two -- I think. I'm another who has never really liked the CW prints but these are making me reconsider!

Anonymous said...

I love Civil War fabrics. Especially in the winter time. They are so cozy and rich. These quilts are amazing!

Nedra said...

I loved seeing more of the Utah Valley trunk show. Bonnie is one of my favorite people. I've done several quilt tours with her, and if you ever get a chance to go with her, I'd highly recommend it. She was just in Panquitch last week teaching at the Quilt Walk. You've insprired me to pull out my Civil War fabrics again. --Nedra

Nan said...

I have always been fascinated by Civil War fabrics, and this has piqued my interest even more. Beautiful quilts! I have so many ideas running around in my poor little brain now! Thank you Nanette!

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing your pics with us. They're great! I'm Shop Hoppin' with my daughter this weekend and plan on buying at least one Civil War FQ at each shop to use in my Dear Jane Quilt.

Anonymous said...

I just love the old fashioned materials. I ordered a jelly roll of blue 'civil war era' fabrics off of e-bay last month, and made a simple patchwork throw with it. I love it!!

Elaine Adair said...

Thanks mucho for the quilt show. I don't know much about Civil War era fabrics, except that they are beautiful.

calicodaisy said...

Those are beautiful! I have always like the fabrics and colors of the Civil War era. -- Michele