In 2016 we are going to feature a Block of the Month here for 12 months called Westering Women, celebrating the women who walked west on the overland trails in the 19th century.
Photo of family and an oxen-pulled wagon, about 1900
On the last Wednesday of each month beginning January 27, 2016, I'll post a free pattern and history lesson about America's western migration. Westering Women will have patterns for 12" block designs, each chosen for a traditional name that recalls a location along the old trails from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast.
Amelia Stewart Knight left a diary of her 1853 trip
You'll get a monthly view of the history of the western migration through the eyes of the women who kept diaries and wrote letters home a century and a half ago.
Wagon train from Harper's Weekly in 1858
I'll post the monthly lessons here at the Civil War Quilts blog on Wednesdays (along with regular Saturday posts about Civil War quilts.)
Independence, Missouri published by Herrmann J. Meyer
in 1854
So get your gear ready and meet us in a few weeks at the jumping off point on the Missouri River in Independence.
What should you pack in your small valise? Any kind of fabric you like. We'll be using Civil-War era reproductions prints such as my Old Cambridge Pike and Alice's Scrapbag lines, but you might want to use solids or brights..
Here's a bunch of new Moda fabrics to think about. The colors are perfect for a mid-19th-century theme.
UPDATE: It's 2017 and we've trekked to California. I will leave the Westering Women links with free patterns uo through 2017 but you may prefer another pattern format. If you would like to have the patterns as PDF's you can download and print the set of 12 blocks. I also can mail paper patterns to you (U.S. Postage included). Here are links to buy the patterns in my Etsy Shop:
Instant Download PDF $15
https://www.etsy.com/listing/491388846/westering-women-historic-quilt-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_3
Paper Patterns Through the Mail $22.50.
Even if I don't make the blocks I am looking forward to the journey. Thank you so much for all you do for us out here in blog land.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
I'm ready to play again! Surely I can manage 1 block a month. Maybe I can find a cast iron pot to store my work.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and new Project
I am in
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun project and I love the fabrics on the left. All of our good stores have closed so I will have to get up to the quilted crow and see the new store, but I think I have enough stash to keep me busy through the winter.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I have just finished my stars'top but ...one block a month, what a nice idea !
ReplyDeleteWoop ! I'm in again !
Thank you and happy new year Barbara !
I'm really looking forward to this new series! Already have my eye on both fabric lines too :)
ReplyDeleteYum! can't wait.
ReplyDeleteCount me in, Barbara! I have the perfect fabrics :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read this. Love the idea of the Westering Women history lessons. Now to find some fabrics -- I'm loving several fabric lines in the pictures you shared.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait! Some of my ancestors were among these women in the last half of the 19th century. Those fabrics are just right!
ReplyDeleteMy Pioneer Ancestor Patty Barlett Sessions wrote a Journal of her Midwifery across the plains to Utah. I wonder what Block would go with her adventure? Narcissa Whitman is another one I have interest in. Living near the Whitman Mission here in Walla Walla. The Oregon Trail pioneers are prevalent. Not just Sacajawea. I'll be watching for now.
ReplyDeleteThis the kind of wagon I want to get on! I'm a very petite woman, I won't take much room, I promise lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. ;^)
Looking forward to this westerly journey. We visited the Applegate Trail museum this summer and have followed some of the Oregon trail in the past. Such interesting history of amazing adventurers.
ReplyDeleteI told myself no new starts until I finish my 20+ UFOs. But I will definitely enjoy the history you share I love it. Will save the patterns and will enjoy later. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis will be so interesting! Hope there are not too many flying geese. I'm willing to give it a whirl. I have a beautiful bundle of Harper's Ferry.
ReplyDeleteI told myself that I would do a civil war repo quilt this year! I have been collecting and am so looking forward to this!
ReplyDeleteExcited about this, can hardly wait to see. Years ago I did Butternut and blue, have it on one of my beds and love it so much..thanks
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ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad to see another block of the month! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteCookie
http://cookiescreek.com
The collection displayed is beautiful. Do you have a "guestament" of how much fabric we will need for the whole quilt? Thank you! I can't wait
ReplyDeleteI already love this project. The history of the trails going West is one of my favorites! We like to travel the West and crossed the Oregon trail many times. We followed the trail at several places and visited many sites along the trail. In the spring of 2015 we were in Casper and visited the National Historic Interpretive Center. They show a wagon ride across the North Platte with al the activities people had to do every day and al the risks and dangers. I loved it. I am looking forward to your posts!
ReplyDeleteI am going to give this a try. Love the history posts. Being from Independence originally it will mean even more to me.
ReplyDeleteI will be using fabric from my inheritance from my sister, Linda Brannock.
Excited to get started.
Can't wait to get started. Already have Alice's scrapbag and 2 yards of coordinating fabric from the line that I was wondering what pattern to use so I am ready!!
ReplyDeleteI'm ready! Looking forward to another historic adventure with you.
ReplyDeleteDeseando empezar, me entusiasma el proyecto. Intentare conseguir las telas en España.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo
Cristina
I am looking forward to joining your latest quilt-long. I haven't sewn in two years as I lost my quiltIng mojo. I so enjoyed following and making all the blocks for your Civil War blocks several years ago. Love reading the stories that you share.
ReplyDeleteStill trying to get my "Time Warp" stars together, but I think I can keep up one block a month. (at least I hope I can).
ReplyDeleteI am in! I will try to keep up! :) Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteIm in but will be using brights - because I believe that these gutsy women would have used them if they had a choice:)
ReplyDeleteI am super excited to read this news! Dena told me about it today when we were hanging a quilt exhibit that includess my Threads of Memory and Grandmothers Choice quilts. Hope I have time to have a grand tidy up in my sewing room first before we set out on the wagon trail. Yipee!
ReplyDeleteI am so in...I have been waiting for something to cheer me and get me going..
ReplyDeleteI am so happy I didn't miss the first block! I look forward to this. I wonder if I can use hst's instead of flying geese. I think you will let us know. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Looking forward to this, too! As Dorry mentioned, we were discussing it! And now to play with fabric to decide what inspires me with the Westering Women theme. I'll enjoy getting back into this group of fabulous quilters.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! So looking forward to this BOM. The fabrics - Alice's Scrapbag and Old Cambridge Pike are just gorgeous. I work in a small quilt shop in Viginia (The Quiltery) and we have both lines. People are loving them as are all the employees! Would love to have you visit our shop someday.... We are housed in a Civil War era log cabin and attached general store.
ReplyDeleteKim from Fairfield, Virginia
I am looking forward to participating in this project. Thank you for leading and inspiring us.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to participating in this project. Thank you for leading and inspiring us.
ReplyDeleteHow do I join, I'm new to this?
ReplyDeleteLove reading about early history in the US? From down under. Will follow with interest.
ReplyDeleteDo I have to sign in?
ReplyDeleteWould love to.
Janny Schoneveld
No signing in. Just check this blog on the last Wednesday of every month in 2016. Or subscribe by email so the info goes into your mail box.
ReplyDeleteIs it still possible to get the patterns and history? If so, where and how?
DeleteI am looking forward to this one - surely I can do one block a month.
ReplyDeleteI think I will join. Sounds so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI'm on board! My great-great-grandmother, Laura Kincaid, traveled on the Oregon Trail with her family in 1853. She was 7 years old at the time. Near Ft. Laramie she was run over by a wagon, but survived. Her older brother wrote about the journey. There is also a letter that her father wrote to relatives back in Missouri while traveling on the trail.
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara for your wonderful patterns. I finished my Grandmother's Choice summer 2015 and started the Jane Austen. I have plans to use either your civil war patterns from 2011 or these Westering Women with a medallion center embroidered with the Nebraska state seal for a quilt to honor Nebraska's 150th birthday in 2017. I printed the seal from the internet and enlarged it a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be following along on this journey! Thank You!
ReplyDeleteMe and my little Mother want to conquer the West!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Thanks Barbara!
Mamifleur
My wagon is packed and I am ready for the journey.
ReplyDeleteI just need to get some fabric but have a trip planned this weekend to 2 of my favourite quilt shops so that will be sorted. I really looking forward to this .
ReplyDeleteI'm ready. My ggm and ggf father both walked that trail on the way to Illinois in 1835. Looking forward to the journey
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ReplyDeleteBarbara This is a great idea. We'll be back in a time when fabric was previous. On the west track, women could not waste a piece. Back to the roots of american patchwork !
Catherine Paris France
I read my e-mail just in time! This is one of my particular interests, so I look forward to learning what you have to tell this year. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the research that you do for these quilt books. I am a great lover of history. You make the characters come alive making it even more exciting. Thank you for sharing so much information. We are all in your debt.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the days of teaching 5th grade back in the 1990's. We had a computer "game" called Oregon Trail. So here I go again but with quilt blocks! LOL
ReplyDeleteOh I just can't wait. I love history and I have lots of civil war fabrics that I have been waiting for the right project and this will be it. Thank you so much for sharing..
ReplyDeleteFor those of us following in the UK I can recommend a great supplier who offers Moda at very comptitive prices.
ReplyDeleteI can thoroughly recommend Shelagh Folgate.
The only thing you need do is be a member of the Facebook group she organises.
No fee involved but often free Moda patterns she unearths, as well advice on all manner of stitchy things.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/957257584341517/
This is dear to my heart. My grandparents traveled in a covered wagon from Missouri to homestead in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). They were both deaf and incredibly brave.
ReplyDeleteI am in Australia and am just fascinated by this history. I would love to be part of this journey if ok.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to fascinating journey! So glad to be part of it!
ReplyDeleteJ’adore l’idée et même si mon anglais laisse à désirer je la suivrai et je quilterai aussi bien évidemment……. Moi qui ai acheté de superbes tissus à Boston …. Je vais les utiliser !!!!! Y aura t’il un livre ?
ReplyDeleteBien cordialement et merci pour toutes les infos
Catherine
Did I miss it? Looking all over?
ReplyDeleteHello Barbara, I have been yearning for a block of the month.Perfect, a friend sent me some Reproduction fabrics in Christmas Colours. I have not made a Christmas Quilt since 2003.Looking forward to the coming months.Thank you. Regards Lyn
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteI needed something to jumpstart my quilting this year, I've sewn too many clothes lately.
Although all my stars are still packed in a box from moving, this I must do.
The mystical librarian of quilt history called, there is a vacant space waiting for your book on this topic
Thanks so much. I learn so much from you Barbara.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this good idea. I'm in.
My english is not very good but i am going to progress !
My first block is done in 6".
have a good day.
Greetings from Italy!
ReplyDeleteI'm in , I do love your history and how the expansion started.
I think I can do one block a month. Thank you!
Rina, from Catania, italy
I'm in please! Love the topic and eager to learn the history.
ReplyDeleteOh, just realized that I'm several months too late. This is the first time I've seen it. Maybe next time??
ReplyDeleteOh, just realized that I'm several months too late. This is the first time I've seen it. Maybe next time??
ReplyDeleteI'm in please! Love the topic and eager to learn the history.
ReplyDeleteI hand piece so am slow but got my top finished except for borders. I used flying geese for sashing as I live on the great plains and know that these women saw many migrations of flying geese while traversing the area. Turned out great.
ReplyDeleteالان لدى شركة البدر الاولى المتخصصة فى تركيب قرميد منازل وعمائر تقدم لكم افضل العروض والخصومات على كافة انواع القرميد تواصلوا معنا الان من خلال زيارة موقعنا الالكترونى
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brickksa.com/
اعلنت مراكز صيانة جولدي العاليمة انها اكبر مراكز صيانة للاجهزة الكهربائية باعلي جودة .
ReplyDeletehttps://www.almyaa.com/Goldi-Maintenance/
تقدم لك شركة العنود الخدمات الكثيرة التي تعمل في عزل خزانات بمكة المكرمة ولذلك تعتبر هي اهم شركة غسيل خزانات بمكة المكرمة والمملكة العربية السعودية.
ReplyDeleteتمتع الان باقوي التخفيضات عند زيارة توكيل صيانة جولدى الذي يوفر احدث الانواع من الاجهزه الكهربائية المنزلية والتي يتم صناعتها علي ايدي خبراء وفنيين متخصصين .
ReplyDeleteتعرف الان علي عروض وخدمات شركة العنود اكبر شركة تنظيف خزانات بمكة تعمل باقل الاسعار وباعلي واجود الخامات والالات الحديثه في تنظيف خزانات بمكة وعلي ايدي متخصصين .
ReplyDeleteتعرف علي خدمات متمزيه من فريق عمل صيانة فريجيدير التي توفر فريق من الفنيين والمهندسيين لاصلاح جميع اعطال الاجهزه الكهربائية المنزلية والتي تحتاج الي تعامل خاص لضمان اصلاحها تحت اشراف صيانة جنرال اليكتريك بسبب خبرتها التكنولوجيه في مجال صيانة الاجهزه
ReplyDeleteسارع بالتواصل مع مقاول اسفلت متخصص يعمل في اكبر شركات المملكة العربية السعودية شركة اسفلت التي تسعي دائما للتميز من خلال فريق عملها المكون من مجموعه من مقاول اسفلت بالرياض المدربة علي احدث طرق سفلتة الطرق
ReplyDeleteيمكنك الان توفير خدمات ابادة حشرات من الشركة الفرنسية التي تسعي لخدمة عملائها في كل مكان وفي اي وقت حيث يمكنك الان الحصول علي مميزات مكافحة حشرات بجميع انواعها والتي تتسبب في انتشار الامراض والقلق بين العملاء لذلك يجب التعامل معها الان وباقل اسعار شركات مكافحة حشرات بمصر التي تقدمها شركتنا لجميع العملاء
ReplyDeleteيمكنك الان التواصل مه دار مسنين بمدينة نصر التي تسعي لرعاية كبار السن وتوفير لهم كل الاحتياجات التي يمكنهم طلبها في الوقت الحالي حيث تعمل دار مسنين بالمعادي علي توفير كل انواع الرعاية الصحية والنفسية من خلال فرق العمل المتخصصه في مصر والوطن العربي والتي تدرب فريق عمل دار مسنين بمصر الجديدة علي التعامل معهم بكل كفائه وخبرة .
ReplyDeleteيمكنك الان الحصول علي افضل الخدمات من شركه حراسات امنية متخصصه في مصر بحماية و تامين الاشخاص والممتلكات العامه بالاضافه الي اعمال تقدمها شركه امن وحراسة بمصر في تدريب افراد الامن المسؤلين عن حماية الافراد وباقل الاسعار الان في مصر .
ReplyDeleteافضل الاعمال المتطورة والمتميزه في شركة مكافحة حشرات بمكة علي اعلي مستوي استمتع بالكثير من الخدمات المتميزه والمتطورة في العمل علي اعلي جودة شركة مكافحة حشرات بمكة علي اعلي جودة في المملكة علي اعلي جودة .
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteتمتعوا الان بافضل خدمات رعايات كبار السن مع اكبر دار رعاية المسنين الذين يعملون علي توفير الكثير من خدمات دار مسنين بمصر الجديدة ويمكلنكم التمتع بافضل خدمات من دار مسنين بمدينة نصر وهنا يمكنكم الحصول علي جليسة مسنين باقل الاسعار المميزة
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