Soldier's Cot Quilt ~ A Question

[LoriAnn]

I've been reading a little about era quilt patterns, toying with the idea of making one. This pattern caught my eye, both for its symmetry and simplicity (my quilting skills are rusty). Found on PatternsFromHistory.com.

However, I've run into this pattern as well, also referred to as a cot quilt (via Pinterest):

I like both of them! My question: Are both true era patterns?

Quilters. Reenactors. Fabric Enthusiasts. Thoughts?

 

[donna]

very nice looking quilts. Don't know answer but maybe some do.

 

[Rebforever]

1860 quilt patterns.

https://www.google.com/search?q=186...X&ved=0ahUKEwjr_4nIkuHNAhXMdz4KHRFmC-oQsAQINQ

 

[LoriAnn]

1860 quilt patterns.

https://www.google.com/search?q=186...X&ved=0ahUKEwjr_4nIkuHNAhXMdz4KHRFmC-oQsAQINQ

Thank you, Sir. Wow. What a collection.

 

[LoriAnn]

@Rebforever, I followed your lead and Googled "1863 quilt patterns" (don't know why that didn't occur to me last night...I was just Googling "civil war quilt patterns") and found this blog post: A Little Quilt History from QuiltingQueenOnline.com that features reproduction quilt patterns.

Found this one!

I'm going to come back to this and read this blog post more carefully when I don't have two daughters giggling on either side of me.

 

[MaryDee]

I just looked up some quilt patterns by the US Sanitary Commission (which recommended patterns for soldiers' quilts) and found this touching story! http://www.vernonhistoricalsoc.org/Newsletter articles/Brought together by a Quilt.pdf

 

[LoriAnn]

I just looked up some quilt patterns by the US Sanitary Commission (which recommended patterns for soldiers' quilts) and found this touching story! http://www.vernonhistoricalsoc.org/Newsletter articles/Brought together by a Quilt.pdf

"I am proud to testify to the many sterling virtues of New England women; endowed, generally, with rarest gifts of
face and form, and educated in head and heart to adorn the loftiest sphere of the sex, the women of New England stand preeminent in the estimation of their countrymen as the truest sweethearts, the best wives, and most perfect mothers in the land." ~ R. Emmett Fisk

Well. Who wouldn't answer this letter? I'd be like, "Oh, go on." "No. Seriously. Go on."

Thank you for this link. I think that second quilt pattern I posted is appealing to me more and more.

 

[chellers]

You will find a lot of information and sources in the stickied Quilt Thread located at the top of the Ladies Tea Forum.

 

[LoriAnn]

You know, I was looking through that thread. I didn't find info on those two cot quilt patterns. However, given the size of the thread, it's possible I missed it the first time around.

 

[LoriAnn]

I think the pattern name for the quilt block in the second quilt is "Old Italian Block" via Ann Wasserman's site. (Funny side note: I think I knew Ann many years ago, back when we homeschooled.)

Here's an interesting way to cut pattern pieces for this block, thanks to Anita Grossman Solomon (video).

Here's a blog post about the above technique and the traditional method from blogger Terrie Sandeline.

And finally, here is Barbara Brackman's site that refers to this block as Kentucky Crossroads.

I think they are the same block. If you can see a difference between the two, let me know!

 

[chellers]

The link provided by @MaryDee suggests that your second pattern follows the pattern requested by the United States Sanitary Commission. The description can be found in the body of the article. You could check the sources cited at the bottom of the article for proof of authenticity.

Additionally, I've read of full size quilts being cut in half to form cot quilts, but I do not know the sources of such claims.

You'll probably have to do a little more research. Just my two cents.

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

@Rebforever, I followed your lead and Googled "1863 quilt patterns" (don't know why that didn't occur to me last night...I was just Googling "civil war quilt patterns") and found this blog post: A Little Quilt History from QuiltingQueenOnline.com that features reproduction quilt patterns.

Found this one!

I do really love that pattern, too! Why did the Sanitary Commission recommend particular quilt patterns? Seems like an unusual thing to do. Wouldn't they be grateful for any pattern made? Or would it be easier to keep track of quilts being theirs because of the set patterns?

@LoriAnn the x-ed pattern reminds me of the St. Andrew's Cross, but a much cheerier and colorful version!

 

[LoriAnn]

Here's another blog post about the Fisk Quilt, with some great close ups.

Why did the Sanitary Commission recommend particular quilt patterns?

That's a really good question. My first thought is they just put a pattern out mostly to encourage quilters. But your comment about keeping track of USSC quilts made me stop and think...did they want to make sure they knew the difference between a donor quilt and a more personal family quilt from home?

The first pattern I posted looks pretty easy, and I would imagine that would appeal to the average quilter who has plenty of fabric scraps. Perhaps the USSC tried to come up with scrap-friendly designs to make things easier.

 

[Rebforever]

You know something, I am kinda watering up over this!! You see, my mom was one of the best quilt makers around. All by hand. Before she passed, she worked desperately to make us 4 boys a quilt before she died and she did. Then she started on the Grand Children and Dementia reared it's ugly head and she slipped quietly into the arms of Jesus.

Sorry........I'll come back later!

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

I just looked up some quilt patterns by the US Sanitary Commission (which recommended patterns for soldiers' quilts) and found this touching story! http://www.vernonhistoricalsoc.org/Newsletter articles/Brought together by a Quilt.pdf

Great find for @LoriAnn
and all at CWT
I enjoyed the story and historical info

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

You know something, I am kinda watering up over this!! You see, my mom was one of the best quilt makers around. All by hand. Before she passed, she worked desperately to make us 4 boys a quilt before she died and she did. Then she started on the Grand Children and Dementia reared it's ugly head and she slipped quietly into the arms of Jesus.

Sorry........I'll come back later!

I can empathize
My mom has a daily crocheting routine at 95
She seems to be at peace with her knitting

Bless your Mom for quilting memories for all
Prayers and Blessings

 

[LoriAnn]

You see, my mom was one of the best quilt makers around. All by hand. Before she passed, she worked desperately to make us 4 boys a quilt before she died and she did.

I know she loved every minute of the time she spent making them. Gentle hugs to you. ♥ I'm so glad you have a quilt to snuggle up with.

 

[LoriAnn]

My mom has a daily crocheting routine at 95

Tell your mom I just started a crochet Granny Square blanket. I usually knit, but I'm falling back in love with my crochet stitches!

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

You know something, I am kinda watering up over this!! You see, my mom was one of the best quilt makers around. All by hand. Before she passed, she worked desperately to make us 4 boys a quilt before she died and she did. Then she started on the Grand Children and Dementia reared it's ugly head and she slipped quietly into the arms of Jesus.

Sorry........I'll come back later!

What a wonderful legacy she left! And she did it all by hand to boot! Keep those quilts safe!

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

That's a really good question. My first thought is they just put a pattern out mostly to encourage quilters. But your comment about keeping track of USSC quilts made me stop and think...did they want to make sure they knew the difference between a donor quilt and a more personal family quilt from home?

It could be for an ease of use situation or maybe just a mere suggestion to get beginners rolling with something on the easier side. I wonder if I could find out more about it...hmm...off to Google and Newspapers.com