Quilts from the Civil War: Nine Projects, Historic Notes, Diary Entries

These extraordinary quilt designs from the Civil War era, and modern techniques demonstrated for adapting them, will inspire contemporary quilters.

Quilts are an integral part of the picture of this tumultuous period of American history because they tell the story of the other half who lived through it: the women of the North and the South. Quilts from the Civil War combines intelligently written text and excerpts from diaries and letters with archival photos, engravings, and color photos of period quilts to offer new insight into both the quiltmaking of the time and the lives of the women. In addition to the engrossing historic angle, there are complete instructions for nine quilt projects adapted from original quilts of the era and tips on using reproduction fabrics. These projects--including "Underground Railroad," "Northern Lily and Southern Rose," and "Log Fence"--have a very authentic look to them and allow modern quiltmakers to enter into the spirit of history. --Amy Handy