Underground Railroad, all done

I have finished the quilt finally. It turned out to be 85x103, more or less. I used all joined plaid for the backing. I am not buying any fabric for a long time, so I am using what I have, besides I like a patchy backing, makes it cozy. I also used two different plaids for the binding which is about one inch wide.

Here it is on the bed.

Here it is hanging on the design wall. It is  way too big for the wall.

Here is the back.

A closer view of the plaids.

I used a very nice soft poly batting as I want the quilt to be soft and cozy.

Underground Railroad

All the blocks, but not arranged as yet the way I want them.

All that is left to do now, is the sashings and the corner stones and then on to the quilting.

Beauregard Surrounded, a block to recall the civil war.

Birds in the air, a block to recall freedom.

Lincoln's Platform, a block to recall the Emancipation Proclamation.

Rocky Road to Kansas, a block to recall the Exodusters.

Here is a tutorial on doing the Bird in the Air block.

Trace all the bird parts onto very light interfacing (iron on type). Place right side of fabric to the glue side of the interfacing. Sew on line and cut out leaving  an 1/8 inch seam allowance.

Turning the birds. I used finger turning tools from my doll kit. Cut the interfacing down the middle but not all the way to the points of the birds. Place tube inside and poke the corresponding tube down into the other tube and press on the fabric side until it enters the tube, then just turn it out.

Here you see the hollow tube going up and the solid tube going down into it, poking the fabric in. Just doing the points, the rest is easy.

Here you can see them turned and pinned. Now I will steam press the birds onto the block and the glue side of the interfacing will stick in place. Then I topstitch all around the birds. Start in middle not at the point.

Underground Railroad

More Blocks. These two blocks were really easy, like beginner.

The one on the left. "Underground Railroad", a block to recall the network of help.

The block on the right, "Jocob's Ladder." A block to recall buying freedom.

Block on the right, "Trip around the world", a block to recall colonization. B.ock on the left with the Lincoln pic, "Quilt Box", a block to recall the Abolotionist Movement.  

Underground Railroad

More Blocks. Catch me if you can. A block to  recall escape.

Creole Puzzle. A block to recall free Blacks.

North Star. A block to recall abolitions Fairs.

Three rows. I change them around, once I finished them. I have 8 block to go to finish this quilt.

Underground Railroad

More Blocks.

North star and Aunt Dianah. I only managed half of the North Star. Aunt Dianah, a block to recall Americanization. North Star, A block to recall Abolition Fairs.

Cotton Boll, a block to recall the slave economy.

Underground Railroad

More blocks. "Charms," A block to recall African Traditions.

Slave Chain, a block to recall the slave's  clothing.

The blocks so far.

The UnderGround Railroad

I did four more blocks. This is "Cabin windows." A block to recall Plantation Housing.  Even tho I have the book. I use Block base and pull the patterns into EQ7 and print out paper pieced patterns. I can print on 11x17 paper. I delete parts I don't want or extra pages.

Christmas Star. A block to recall the Plantation Calendar.

Here are four blocks together. Lost Ships, a block to recall the Ocean Voyge.  Chained Star, Cabin Windows, Christmas Star.

Triple Link Chain. A block to recall family ties.

I love this block. I pulled the pattern into EQ and made a paper pieced patt with it and it went together so smooth. I can see this block made with all scraps for a whole quilt.

I only printed out the first quarter of this block as you only need a quarter of it to make all four sides. I deleted the extra pages and the extra pattern pieces.

I don't even do freezer paper. I print right on plain cheap paper and just pin my fabric pieces and use just  like  freezer paper.

On to more blocks, see you tomorrow.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

A block to recall capture in Africa

I know, I know. Lots of people say it's not true and yada, yada. But I choose to belive that some of it, is true. I wasn't there, so what can I say. I have always loved this quilt and have always wanted to do one for myself and the time is just right.

I purchased the book, Facts and Fabrication , Unraveling the History of Quilts and Slavery by Barbara Brackman. There are 20 blocks in the book, lots of stuff to read and pics etc.

I did a search and found some more blocks that were used in this particular quilt. Each block represents a message or so they say and it makes sense to me.

I have started the quilt with this first block, "Chained Star." It was a bit hairy but doeable. It was very enjoyable for me. I forgot to take pic of the work-up but try with the rest.

I pulled out some civil war fabrics, some Pat Sloane and some of my other stash . I will post some more tomorrow as it's a bit late now.....