Civil War Era

Designed by:  Sara Morgan

With the war effort in full swing in the early 1860s, both Union and Confederate women were busy sewing for their soldiers. In the North, craft fairs and bazaars were  common fundraisers and Album quilts, Flag quilts, even Log Cabin quilts fetched a  pretty penny for the effort. As the war dragged on, women shifted their sewing focus - it became apparent that soldiers needed blankets and clothing.

The outhern women, early on in the war, raised money selling “Gunboat Quilts”, many of which featured appliqué and medallion motifs. Later on, they used the money from selling their beautiful wares to buy medical supplies for their troops instead, and  also began sewing blankets for their men.

By the war’s end, it was estimated that over 250,000 quilts and comforters had been made for the Union soldiers. Confederate women, not having the luxury of an abundance of fabric that their Northern counterparts had, began to make homespun fabric out of torn-apart mattresses and even carpets. The process was slow and tedious, but they persevered.

Because of the rigorous routines of the soldiers and the fact that many were buried in their quilts, few of these treasures survived.

Sara’s Civil War Era collection commemorates the plight of both the Union and Confederate soldiers, as well as the women that sewed for them.

Free projects:

SKUs:  7486_1, 7486_14, 7486_3, 7487_14, 7487_3, 7487_8, 7488_1, 7488_3, 7488_8, 7489_1, 7489_4, 7489_14, 7490_14, 7490_3, 7490_4, 7491_1, 7491_14, 7491_5, 7492_1, 7492_14, 7492_3

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2 comments

  • Comment Link Joanne Owens Tuesday, 17 April 2012 16:38 posted by Joanne Owens

    Is there a kit with all of the fabrics for the Civil War quilt with the Jacob's Ladder blocks and the Churn Dash blocks? This is by Karen Witt. Reproduction Quilts. Joanne

  • Comment Link Patricia Lundervold Monday, 21 November 2011 16:22 posted by Patricia Lundervold

    Need Blue Hill 7121 in Blue from the Old Glory . Can you help?

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