Pattern for the Civil War Stars Quilt

I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but story research is so much fun!

Visiting a story setting, yes. But so is the nose-in-books research, which is what led me to The CIVIL WAR Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy. Kathy’s book is full of quilts, patterns, and sewing accessories from the era of the American Civil War. Letters and stories, too! Such yummy stuff, and an important resource for this writer of Historical Fiction.

The CIVIL WAR Sewing Circle also proved to be a valuable resource for my Sis Linda, a quilter.

Linda used the pattern from Kathleen Tracy’s book when she made a Civil War Stars doll quilt. She also used the Civil War Stars block pattern to make hotpads for me to use in various giveaways to celebrate the release of The Quilted Heart omnibus.

Civil War Stars hotpad made by Linda Gansberg Smith

Kathleen Tracy has graciously granted me permission to share her Civil War Stars Block pattern with you. I know, fun, isn’t it!?

Civil War Stars Block*

Block:  Little Star Block  (4″  X  4″)

Suggested Fabric Colors: Red, Blue and Gold (or Tan)




For each block, cut:

16  squares,   1 ½”   x   1 ½”  of assorted colors to suit your block design
4  rectangles,  1 ½”  x  2 ½”  of one of the  specified colors,  or try assorted colors for a true scrappy look

(Another  option—If you prefer to make the center of your star plain, choose  1  square,  2 ½”   x   2 ½”  for the center instead of a 4-patch.)



Make the block:

1. Combine 2 squares to make a unit, then sew 2 units together to make a four-patch unit for the center of the star.



2. Choose the  8 squares for your star points (for a really scrappy look, cut each square from a different fabric). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each square. Layer a marked 1 ½”   x   1 ½”  square on one end of a 1 ½”  x  2 ½”  rectangle. Stitch on the diagonal line as shown.  Flip and press open to the corner. Place another marked square on the other end of the rectangle and repeat.

Make 4 of these flying geese units. Trim to a 1/4 inch seam.



3. Sew a 1 ½”  square to the ends of 2 of the flying geese units. Sew the other 2 flying geese units to the sides of the 4-patch  unit from step 1. Combine the rows as shown.                              

Civil War Stars by Kathleen Tracy, www.CountryLaneQuilts.com

* Copyright 2014, Kathleen Tracy. Do not reproduce or distribute without permission.

Click here to visit Kathy’s super fun website, www.CountryLaneQuilts.com!

Click here to order your signed copy of The Civil War Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy.

Do you have a favorite quilt pattern?

NOW AVAILABLE!
Paperback and eBook

How Do You Like to Read?

Happy Summer, friends! Mona from Arizona, here.

These days, in the age of technology, a question like "How do you like to read?" probably raises the expectation of the familiar question about paperback-or-eBook. But that's not what I'm curious about today.

Instead, I'm wondering if you're the kind of reader who prefers stand-alone stories, or digging into a series? Going even deeper, the kind of reader who likes a series for it's main setting (a trilogy set in Saint Charles or the Grand Canyon), or for it's community feel--the ensemble cast.

I credit the Seasons Under Heaven Series by Terri Blackstock and Gloria Gaither and The Mitford Series by Jan Karon with opening my heart to community-driven stories. It's no wonder that those are the general style of books I'm writing. Set in a historical place and time.

In The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, the four Sinclair Sisters all end up in Cripple Creek, Colorado, in the late 1890's. A gold mining camp replete with a boardinghouse proprietor, a mysterious miner, and other folks in an eclectic cast of characters.

The Quilted Heart novellas feature three women from the Saint Charles Quilting Circle, a cast of characters who are dividing their post-Civil War sorrows and bolstering one another's faith as they each seek to rebuild their war-torn lives.

Prairie Song is a sequel to The Quilted Heart, taking some of those quilting circle and St. Charles community characters and folding them into a new community--The Boone's Lick Wagon Train Company.

Each of those two series (including Prairie Song) offer an ensemble cast, but that's not all. The boardinghouse proprietor and the mysterious miner were too hard to say goodbye to after Twice a Bride, the final novel in The Sinclair Sisters stories. They both serve as a bridge. In Cripple Creek in the late 1890's, they are older adults. Going backwards in time to the mid-860's in Saint Charles allowed me to feature those two characters in their youth.

Will I bridge all of my novels? It's doubtful. But one new series I'm working on as we chat, follows a similar pattern to The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek books--family members transplanted into an established community.

Will I always write ensemble casts that span a series of three or four stories? I think not. I'm entertaining a series idea that focuses on a setting rather than a consistent cast.

But for now, I'm enjoying the fact that I can visit Miss Hattie and Boney Hughes in any and all of my published Historical Fiction. :)

So, how do you like to read? 
Series or Stand Alone books? If a series, is it for a compelling setting, or with a focus on a community cast of characters?

If you haven't yet, I hope you'll connect with me at www.monahodgson.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Skillet Apple Crisp

The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek novels and Prairie Song, Book 1 in the Hearts Seeking Home Series all feature fun foods and inspire recipes. The novellas, Dandelions on the Wind, Bending Toward the Sun, and Ripples Along the Shore are no different. 

Every Thursday, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle on her farm, which includes an apple orchard. It's no wonder then that Elsa is known for her apple recipes. The good news is that she shared one with me.

Click here to enjoy this applicious dessert inspired by The Quilted Heart omnibus.

Do you have a favorite apple dish and/or recipe?

Redwork

One of the many endearing traits of the women of yesteryear is their handiwork. Whether it was in quilting, embroidery, cross stitching, tatting, or crocheting, the women of the 1800s (the time period in which I place my Historical Fiction), crafted works of warmth and beauty for their families, neighbors, communities, and soldiers off to war.

This trait inspired me to write about a quilting circle—women bonding in the shadow of the Civil War and sharing a common goal. . .companionship and survival.

But Mother Brantenberg’s handiwork was not limited to quilting. She also embroidered, and redwork was a favorite pastime in the evenings when the kitchen had been scoured, the animals had been fed, and Gabi tucked into bed. You’re going to read about Elsa Brantenberg’s redwork embroidery in Dandelions on the Wind—the first novella in The Quilted Heart omnibus.

Dorris Keeven-Franke, archivist for the Saint Charles County Historical Society during my 2012 research trip, taught me about redwork. Made me wish Elsa Brantenberg had done redwork on a book sack for me.

Country Sampler (Redwork), Embroidery Library Inc. Love it!

Some of the women from the quilting circle will choose to rebuild their lives in Saint Charles, while others will head west with The Boone's Lick Wagon Train Company in Prairie Song.

Did you know about Redwork? Have you or someone in your family done redwork embroidery?

Sweepstakes for a Trip to Saint Charles, Missouri!

I’m still celebrating the recent release of my 6th full-length work of Historical Fiction with WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing. This time, the celebration gives you an opportunity to win a trip to the setting for The Quilted Heart and Prairie Song –Saint Charles!

In 2013, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing released my three Saint Charles novellas as individual eBooks. Dandelions on the Wind, Bending Toward the Sun, and Ripples Along the Shore are now also available in paperback and as one eBook–3 stories in 1 as The Quilted Heart omnibus. Join the Saint Charles Quilting Circle in these intertwined stories set just after the Civil War. I have been told they are a must-read for anyone interested in Civil War history, romance, quilting, and historical romance fiction. (Not to mention anyone interested in entering this sweepstakes!)

If you love history, you will want to visit Saint Charles, Missouri. And thanks to WaterBrook Mulnomah, you have a chance to win a trip for two to join me in Saint Charles for the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days in May.

Enter for a chance to win a trip for two to meet me  and celebrate the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days along the banks of the Missouri River in St. Charles! You and a guest will get to enjoy the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days Celebration May 16-18, 2014, starting with a reception Friday night.

PRIZE:

• One Grand Prize Winner will receive a 3 day/2 night trip for two to St. Charles, Missouri, on May 16 – 18, 2014 during the St.  Charles Heritage Days Celebration.

• One First Place Winner will receive one gift basket filled with assorted quilting items.

• Five  Second Place Winners will each receive one signed copy of The Quilted Heart omnibus.

Read the St. Charles Sweepstakes Official Rules.

TO ENTER:

CLICK HERE AND COMPLETE THE FORM TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES!

I wish you all could win the trip, but whether you do or not, I hope to see you in Saint Charles in May!

Quilting Circle Wisdom

Put yourself in the 1800's. Let's get more specific--let's say you're a woman living in the 1860s. Why might you join a quilting circle?

1. To support the war effort, making quilts for the soldiers. During the Civil War in 1861-1865, women in quilting and sewing circles where among the many who joined forces with various aid societies to help provide for the needs of soldiers on the battlefields and in hospitals, many of them converted homes and schools.

2. To keep your hands and mind busy. My Sis Linda calls quilting her therapy. Quilting is comfort food for her spirit. Quilting was an opportunity to make some beautiful in turbulent times.  

3. To hear and share news. No telephones, Facebook, or Twitter--word of mouth was the most consistent source of news for most women left behind in the war.

4. To learn the craft of quilting and to share your own skill with others. 

5. To participate in a sisterhood that shares joys and sorrows, doubts and faith...with one another.

Did you come up with other reasons to partake in a sewing or quilting circle?

Meet the Saint Charles Quilting Circle in my new book, The Quilted Heart omnibus--3 Novellas in 1.

Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace? 

Click here to order your copy of The Quilted Heart omnibus, the prequel to Prairie Song, Book 1 in the Hearts Seeking Home Series.

What would be your reason for joining a quilting guild, sewing circle, or knitting klatch? Are you part of a group of women who lend each other spiritual and emotional support?    

Please save the date for THE QUILTED HEART release party! When: Friday, January 24th from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. (Mountain Time) Where: My Facebook Mona Hodgson Author Page / Notes Section As we mingle to celebrate this new release, I will answer questions, give away prizes, share behind-the-scenes stories, and more! Please plan now to join me for this great time of fun and fellowship! If you haven't already "liked" my page, you'll need to like it to participate.

RSVP for the Facebook Release Party for The Quilted Heart