If you are a history buff like some of us here, along with quilting, Barbara Brackman introduced the Civil War Sampler: 50 Quilt Blocks with Stories from History coming out from C&T. The blocks and possibilities are endless and have appear on her blog but you can get them and the history in her book. Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting, 11/15/12 Each week throughout 2011, renowned quilt historian Barbara Brackman posted instructions for making a patchwork block on her blog to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Although the blocks were traditional, most had been published in the 1930s in newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune and the Kansas City Star-not many actually dated from the Civil War era. But Barbara uses the symbolism of the block names and words taken from the diaries and journals of the time to acknowledge the war's events and honour those who lived through them. The series became extremely popular, and Barbara was encouraged to package them, along with a few new features, in this book. She provides instructions for cutting the fabric to make both 8 in and 12 in blocks, a diagram to help you construct it, photographs of the block made in two different colourways, and a historical note that explains the significance of its name. There aren't detailed step-by-step instructions for making a quilt from all 50 blocks-that's up to your imagination. Australian Homespun Magazine, April 2013 Here is an opportunity to learn more about the lives of Civil War women and travel through this period of American history with this special compilation of 50 quilt block patterns, combined with period photographs and first-person accounts. Choose from a variety of pieced or appliqued blocks, each shown in two colorways with instructions for assembling two sizes, 8" and 12" blocks. Look out for the display of Foxy Quilters, Barnsley, which are based on Barbara Brackman's Civil War Sampler. The quilts will be touring the quilt shows this autumn with Grosvenor Shows at Harrogate, Edinburgh, Malvern and Duxford. Fabrications Quilting For You, April/May 2013 This is another stunning book from quiltmaker and historian Barbara Brackman. The book is based on the blog she ran in 2011, publishing one quilt block a week and sharing one personal account linked to the American Civil War as 2011 was the 150th anniversary of the start of that conflict. The book contains 50 blocks and each one has a personal recount of an interesting historical piece or both, some relating to the blocks and all relating to the war. There are cutting and piecing instructions to make all of the blocks as either 8 in or 12 in and each block is shown in at least two colour variations. This is another lovely book of Barbara's to add to the collection. Australian Quilters Companion, July 2013
