Civil War Army Cot Quilt by tlcquiltnut

Title: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on March 21, 2008, 12:53:51 PM
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I thought I would just start an new thead on this....as several are interested in it....I made a block today as an experiment....first I made a paper pattern....then went on to fabric....the picture showed 8 blocks down and 3 across....the blocks turned out to be 10 1/2 inches .....so in a quilt what would that be a 10" block....the pattern said 7 feet long which is 84"...so there would be a 2 inch border top and bottom...
It said the width should be 4 1/2 feet so that means (as the picture showed 3 blocks across) 2- 6" sashings between the rows and a 6 " border both sides....That is what I calculated....am going to try it that way BUT may make the top and bottom borders larger (say 6" like the side border....)
Here is the trial block....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on March 21, 2008, 01:01:33 PM
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Great thread! I have plenty of pre-civil war fabric repros that might be like those that were used, and it is going into a cot quilt.

Yes, those were quilts to pack in a bedroll, and they needed to skimp on fabric probably, to save space and because fabric might have been scarce. You could put a border that looks more attractive to you. It is your quilt.

I am going to make one, too, but not right now. I have deadlines looming at the moment. :coolsmiley:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on March 21, 2008, 01:05:50 PM
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I pattern said to use plaids, but I don't have many and haven't found any I like so am sticking with the fabric I bought.... :afro: :1245: Just always nice to get new stash....




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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on March 21, 2008, 01:07:25 PM
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Thanks for sharing that. I knew my GGGrandmother made army cot quilts during the civil war, but, of course, I don't know what hers looked like. I read somewhere that almost all of that sort of quilt were destroyed in heavy usage. An uneven 9 patch does seem like a good pattern for that purpose.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltbrain on March 21, 2008, 02:17:06 PM
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Great block TLC! Can't wait to see the finished project.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on March 21, 2008, 02:48:56 PM
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Thanks Quiltbrain...
Marynel, I think you are right....but it is interesting to learn about the dimentions and such....
I do not think alot of the quilts did survive....I heard of one man cut a hole in the middle of it and wore it like a poncho...when he arrived home the womenfolk repaired it....
I will get a bette start on the quilt after Easter.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Schnookie on April 04, 2008, 09:55:32 PM
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I like the block a lot; if I was that womenfolk at home and my man came home with a hole in the middle of the quilt, I might have just got out my peashooter and put a hole in him too. However, I guess she was happy to see he did not freeze to death.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 05, 2008, 05:55:23 PM
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I forgot to tell you the womenfolk did repair the quilt....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 07, 2008, 05:47:05 PM
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Well here is one of the quilts for those of you who don't go to sew and show...


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on April 07, 2008, 05:48:44 PM
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Nice! :afro: :rockon:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 07, 2008, 05:51:08 PM
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The border fabric washed out in the picture....I will tie it with black thread that I bought at the yarn shop.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: abertquiltmom9 AQM9 on April 07, 2008, 06:04:15 PM
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I like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 08, 2008, 06:04:28 PM
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I am thinking of embriodering on the border .....on the top UNION and on the sides my last name....Calvert. NOt sure yet...


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: TxMaryQuilts on April 08, 2008, 06:10:21 PM
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Well that be one way no one could claim it!

Did they put names on the original ones to ID them? (I don't know much about the history.) I do think it is a neat idea. Would of been a good way for a soldier to keep track of his quilt.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on April 08, 2008, 10:35:45 PM
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I do machine quilting in cursive rather frequently. Embroidered messages and names in quilts of that era were fairly common.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on April 09, 2008, 08:47:20 AM
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Do you remember writing names in "balloon" letters? I wrote Anexander's name in the clouds of his baby quilt in puffy letters, free motioning. I think he will like that when he is old enough to read. I made a large, crib sized quilt for him in bright colors, so he can use it until he is a very big boy.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Schnookie on April 13, 2008, 06:28:01 PM
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Your quilt is turning out so very nice TLC...now were most cot quilts the same type of block that you are showing us today?

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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 14, 2008, 11:13:15 AM
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I would venture to guess they were anything the person making them wanted ....if they were made for the soldiers or hospitals had to be this regulation size....I bet there were many different kinds...and another guess is that they were embellished too...you would want to sent you man off with something made from the heart...that is just my opinion...if it weren't a personal quilt then maybe not so particular on the pattern....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 14, 2008, 04:07:09 PM
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It is done....the last arm cot quilt...that is the good news... :afro:
The bad news is...........my camera batteries are dead, :tickedoff: I think I turned the dial the wrong way! :1087:
I like the way it turned out...will post pictures as soon as I get batteries.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 16, 2008, 04:46:06 PM
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Batteries loaded and picture taken...so heeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeee's the quilt!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on April 16, 2008, 05:25:08 PM
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Beautiful! Love the tan and green borders with your blocks. The white centers just pop out so cute, too.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Schnookie on April 16, 2008, 07:06:45 PM
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Wowza, that turned out Beautiful! Now what will you be moving on to? I just love the colors in the quilt, rich and warm looking such a nice job!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on April 16, 2008, 07:47:08 PM
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Tammy..that was worth the wait! I just love it!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 17, 2008, 01:01:30 AM
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Thank you for you comments , I like it too...will look nice in the camper or wrapped around me on a cool evening. Moving on to CWACQ 3 now....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 21, 2008, 06:19:02 AM
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I have been thinking of machine quilting in the ditch on these quilts...it would be historically correct as the sewing machine was invented in 1837...What do you think.
SID or Tied?


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on April 21, 2008, 06:52:07 AM
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Personally, I like the Stitch in the ditch better than tied. I think the quilt would hold up better? It shouldn't be too hard. You have nice long straight seams and the quilt is sort of narrow, so not too much wrestling?


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 21, 2008, 07:29:05 AM
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Thanks finisher, here are the before and after pictures...I an soooo glad I redid it...


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Schnookie on April 21, 2008, 07:50:58 AM
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I love the look of tied quilts but I also like the look and durability of SID. I am doing a quilt and asked the same question to a good quilter friend of mine lately, she said you know you could do the SID and than put ties in also. My thought was how would it hold up...what did the batting call for
and would it hold as well with just tying it. Or would it have more coveage if you SID it. Of course if you wanted you could always add some tying.

What does your heart tell you? Now go with that...the heart is always right.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on April 21, 2008, 08:27:34 AM
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Tammy..I really like it both ways! With the lighter version a dark binding would be a nice finish and pull it all together? I guess the darker version would be more appropriate if the quilt will be used outside at events? It just goes to show.. you don't need elaborate designs to make a striking quilt!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 21, 2008, 08:28:34 AM
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Funny you mention that Schnookie as I was thinking the same thing....so guess what...that is what I will do.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: golo on April 21, 2008, 08:29:17 AM
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very nice tlc.... you are doing great work... :afro:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 21, 2008, 08:30:34 AM
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Finisher that is my thoughts too.. darker fabrics for the outdoor life... guess I am not a light type of person...I have a dark side..... :coolsmiley:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: TxMaryQuilts on April 21, 2008, 09:53:14 AM
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Quote from: tlcquiltnut on April 21, 2008, 08:30:34 AM
...I have a dark side..... :coolsmiley:


:2funny:

Oldest DD has a bumper sticker:
"Come to the dark side--We have cookies...."

I love that saying. We use it a lot when we are joking around.
So welcome to the dark side TLC, have a cookie.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Schnookie on April 21, 2008, 11:19:29 AM
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Yippee, :afro: a decision has been made. I must say, I also like both light and dark, but I feel the dark brings it to a warm feeling quilt one that anyone would love to cuddle up in.

If you are handing out cookies make mine Chocolate Chip please!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on April 21, 2008, 06:49:53 PM
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I love the dark border version! Just L O V E it. No comparison, IMHO. You got it right.

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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on April 22, 2008, 11:40:34 AM
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I have it all sandwiched and pinned ready to machine quilt....yeah!! My legs are shot from scooting around on the floor..... :tickedoff: I have to work tomorrow all day...so may not get to it today...or maybe I will later...
Right now have to go and check on the new cat in the barn...he was pretty scared this morning..


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: charalquilts on April 22, 2008, 12:20:09 PM
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TLC....I love the darker version too.....hope kitty is okay!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on April 22, 2008, 05:59:49 PM
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Around here, SID quilts hold up better than tied. Of course, it would help if the parrots weren't determined to untie all knots.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Pawstoquilt on April 22, 2008, 06:33:49 PM
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Tammy, I like the dark, I really like the dark!!!!!
Guess I have a dark side too :2funny:.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: abertquiltmom9 AQM9 on April 23, 2008, 07:25:00 PM
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LOVE THE DARK VERSION!!!!!!!!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on May 04, 2008, 06:19:15 AM
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It is done go to sew and show to see it....yeah....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on May 07, 2008, 11:33:53 AM
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Just got me second CWACQ pin basted...going to start quilting on it later....have to have a coke break and a QS break....lol


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on May 07, 2008, 01:26:26 PM
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I look forward to seeing #2. You did such a great job on #1. Are you going to machine quilt this one..tie it..or try big stitch hand quilting?

I spent a large part of the day basting too. :sad: I'll sure be glad when I can move on to the quilting!


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on May 07, 2008, 01:48:29 PM
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Meeeee Tooo finisher. So nice to get the the next step isn't it.
Yes I will machine quilt it like the other one and I haven't decided if I will tie or big stitch but leaning towards big stitch. I have alot of crochet thread. On site mentioned using that...since I am a crocheter, lots of that stuff ..... :1087:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on May 07, 2008, 02:17:04 PM
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I plan on doing something in the primitive style with big stitch quilting in the near future and I plan on using crochet thread too. I have it here on hand and it will work..so why buy something else? I have a container of thread heaven I thought maybe I should use that with the larger thread. I will use cotton batting and I thought it might make the thread glide through better? I'm not that far along yet.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on May 08, 2008, 11:15:40 AM
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I am not sure what the big stitch technique is. Is it purely decorative, or it it supposed to actually work as a construction method in place of nice little tiny stitches?


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on May 08, 2008, 02:21:09 PM
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Big stitch is more of a utility quilting. It's basically the same as regular quilting except a thicker thread is used and the stitches are larger. Sometimes they are close to 1/4" long. Generally a grid or fan design is done over the quilt surface rather than in the ditch or fancy designs. It's much faster to do than regular quilting and if your grid is a little "off" it adds to the casual look and charm. With this type of quilting you can pop your knots into the batting or have them visible on the back side of the quilt. Folks use Perle cotton or crochet thread for the stitching.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Pawstoquilt on May 08, 2008, 03:40:38 PM
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Ummmm...there are nights I do "big stitch" quilting without planning on it :tickedoff:.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on May 08, 2008, 06:14:42 PM
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Me too Paws, and to think we were stressed about it.....
Finisher, what kind of needle do you think will work best? I have been contemplating this for awhile now...and is the quilting technique like regular quilting or do you have to just push the needle through...? Well, guess we will have to learn by doing hereQ


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on May 09, 2008, 05:44:01 AM
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LOL..when I sat down to quilt last night my first few stitches looked like big stitch..but they weren't supposed to be. I think I shouldn't put a knot in my thread at first..just take a few stitches and pull the thread through until I get my rythym going?
The needle for big stitch..I know some folks get all fancy and can tell you "use a chenille #8"..or some such thing. I'm not that choosy. I have a lot of variety packs of needles..some are made for embroidery..some ..I dunno? I'm just going to pick one that has a nice slot in the top to put the thread through..and a nice sharp point to stab through the fabrics/batting. I don't like a real long needle..so I'll be grabbing a short one. I guess once we try it we'll know if it's best to use a hoop or quilt by just holding the quilt in our lap? I think at first the hardest part will be trying to make larger stitches after training our eyes to make short ones? Other than that..I think it should be the same as regular quilting..except faster?


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on May 09, 2008, 09:51:58 AM
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Sounds like something that would be fun. I am mostly a machine quilter, anyhow, so it would be nice to use this fast method. Maybe the old wools I have saved would be good to use this method on. I never have figured out what to do with those, some are older than I am....from the early 1940's.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: finisher on May 09, 2008, 01:32:04 PM
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I think big stitch would be perfect with your wools MerryBee!
I have a wool block of the month applique project and I think I'll quilt that with big stitch? I think it would be great with home spuns too...and that's the project I will try it on.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: tlcquiltnut on May 09, 2008, 04:08:35 PM
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MerryBee, k
I have 2 wool blankets of my Dads that he had in the Navy. I have been thinking , wouldn't it be nice to put them in a quilt sandwich? Just tie it...be kind of tough to actually quilt the thing I would think whether big or little stitch. That way they wouldn't be so itchy..... :huh:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: Merry Bee on May 10, 2008, 12:40:09 PM
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That's what our grandmothers did. Lots of my grans were made of menswear, filled with tattered blankets, and tied with red yarn. They were very heavy, almost smashed a kid, but I loved them. :1245:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on May 28, 2008, 03:43:14 PM
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I had 2 really old wool blankets when I was a kid. I know that some other old blankets were used for batting in my family.

My GGGM was part of the "Sanitary Commission" work in Springfield, Illinois, making lots of stuff for the Union soldiers. Another GGGm went to the front to help as a nurse. One leech, blood and mud covered near-corpse was brought in. She demanded that he be removed, because he was beyond her abilities. The man opened his eyes and said, "My darling, don't you know me?" Her brother in law, the doctor had sent GGGF to die in her arms. He lived to 104 years, thanks to her care.


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: golo on May 28, 2008, 05:32:30 PM
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Qm, how nice to know your history.. very interesting....


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on May 28, 2008, 07:09:59 PM
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My family considers history important. I am convinced every family really has fine tales, if only they are passed on. when i was a camp counselor, one parent told her son that he was a direct descendant of Vasco Da Gama, but only mentioned it to put ME down. What a shame if he had never been told that. These stories connect us with the past.



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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: golo on May 28, 2008, 08:43:25 PM
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My FIL is really into his family history and had told me a lot of stories... Dh and FIL just went back to the old home area and looked for old homesteads and graves...some graves are buried over with dirt and some have been farmed over... how sad... there will be no one after he goes.. DH isn't that interested nor is his brother and kids... :sad:


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Title: Re: Civil War Army Cot Quilt
Post by: quiltermarynel on May 28, 2008, 11:37:43 PM
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When I was a sophmore in college, my advisor informed me that he would not approve my class choices unless I at least looked at some classes out of my own field. He gave me a list of several suggestions. Those were some of the most interesting courses I ever took. One was in folklore. I collected "old stories" from friends and family. Some were CA mining camp legends. some were history. In all I collected about a hundred stories, my great grandfather's autobiography, which my great aunt intended to destroy, as well as several boxes of old lace and garments. I became the official family collector of old stuff overnight. Quite a few of the stories had to do with how family members, on both sides, acted during the Civil War. The one thing I would have most like to have was a ceramic wreath from Lincoln's casket, which another family member destroyed on purpose, "So we would not be reminded."!!!!!