Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's applique BOM sew-along

HOSPITAL SKETCHES

#9 - Star of the East

We've reached the final installment of the Hospital Sketches series.  This month's article describes Camp Letterman, a field hospital in Gettysburg PA, and the unimaginable number of casualties 

who were served there.

I'm pleased to have kept up with this series all year.  I think my soft pastel color scheme is very successful.  My individual blocks are done (!!!) and it is my plan to proceed with sashing and borders in the coming weeks.   

My skill with needle-turn applique has definitely improved during the course of this project .  Thanks, Barbara, for another rewarding BOM series!

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Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's BOM series

HOSPITAL SKETCHES

#8 Triple Tulips

This month, the medical care that was provided to wounded soldiers by smaller state relief agencies

 is discussed.

We are nearing the end of this BOM.  I have a plan for setting my blocks, but won't get to it until  October. 

We were fortunate to visit Orchard House, the Alcott family home, last week. While I was there I purchased a copy of Hospital Sketches, the Louisa May Alcott book that names this quilt.

It's a small book -- a quick read -- and some parts are very humorous and witty, while other chapters 

are poignant and touching.

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Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's monthly applique series

HOSPITAL SKETCHES

#7 - Tennessee Rose

Our block this month is the traditional Rose of Sharon.  The accompanying article introduces Annie Bell, the matron (director) of Nashville, Tennessee's
 Cumberland Hospital.

My block set continues to flourish.  The series will conclude at the end of September.

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Hospital Sketches

This month's HOSPITAL SKETCHES block was released today, and I was ready!

#6 - Mountain Laurel

The accompanying article discussed the Tishomingo Hotel in Corinth, Mississippi, which served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate wounded.  The volunteer nursing services of several Southern ladies was noted, as was the contribution of Negro workers, both slave and free.

I'm still enjoying my soft color scheme.

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On a side note, Tishomingo was the basis for a noteworthy line in 'O Brother Where Art Thou?,' my favorite movie:

"Hop on in while you give it a think ..."

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Hospital Sketches

I've been working along slowly on this month's 

HOSPITAL SKETCHES block.

#5 - Pineapple

Barbara Brackman's article gave us some interesting information about the poet Walt Whitman visiting Civil War hospital patients.

I'm starting to think about how I'd like to assemble these blocks.  I'd like my quilt to be somewhat larger, so I'm toying with the idea of sashing to expand things a bit before I start planning borders.

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Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's HOSPITAL SKETCHES

Cockscombs and Currants

The April block was released today.  Since I purchased the entire Hospital Sketches pattern set in January, I was able to work ahead on this month's block.  I maxed out at 28 berries.  It's all prepped and ready to be stitched. 

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Hospital Sketches

It's time for block #3 with
Barbara Brackman's applique BOM

HOSPITAL SKETCHES 

Love Apple

Love Apple, also known as Pomegranate, was a popular applique motif during the 1800s.  This month's article gives us a biographical profile of Georgeanna Woolsey, who was a nurse during the Civil War, and more generally describes relationships between nurses and patients at the time.  

I ordered the entire pattern set in advance from Barbara because I know how slow I am with applique.  Having the patterns in hand means I can just keep moving forward and not wait for each month's release. 

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Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's applique sew-along

HOSPITAL SKETCHES 

Block #2 - Virginia Cockscomb

I took some creative license with my block -- below is the actual block that this month's pattern depicts.  I chose to treat the weird shape in the center as a feather rather than a leaf.  I guess the other weird shape might be some sort of urn?  Hard to tell, although this was a very popular traditional applique block in the 1800s.

The corresponding article at Barbara's CIVIL WAR QUILTS blog discusses hospitals, both private and public, that were in operation in the Southern states during the Civil War.

I'm happy with my non-traditional color palette!  This style of formal turned-edge applique continues to be slow going for me.  I still have a few final leaves needing to be stitched down on last month's wreath.  Fewer and larger shapes this time, but soooo many 

wiggles and turns!

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Hospital Sketches

Barbara Brackman's applique sew-along

HOSPITAL SKETCHES

#1 - Periwinkle Wreath

This first block, named Periwinkle Wreath, is a variation on a classic applique design.  It was inspired by Louisa May Alcott's nursing work and subsequent writings regarding the Civil War, which she published under the pen name of Trib Periwinkle.   Lots of other interesting information presented in this month's article also -- Barbara always does such great research!

Here is the original version of Block #1.  I've stayed pretty true to the pattern.

I'll just start by saying that I'm not-great-at and very-sloooow-with prepared edge applique.  I've chosen to do this project using the freezer paper and starch method for turning the edges.  It gives a nice crisp edge to each shape, but takes a while.  (And that's in addition to my own slow pace.)  It's not likely that I'll keep up and have each block finished before the next one is presented.  I'm using the same soft tone-on-tone ivory for all the backgrounds.  The blocks will finish at 18" square.  My palette will be 'dusty/summery' which is a departure from the 1800s repros I usually use for Brackman projects.  Everything here is prepped, glued down and ready to be stitched.

I'm pleased -- I think this is a pretty block!

So far, so good …

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New for February

Now that I'm over the initial distraction of new granddaughter Rhiannon, I'm ready to start concentrating in my workroom again :)  I'm undertaking two new projects this month:

First up, Barbara Brackman has just kicked off her
2019 applique sew-along series,

 Hospital Sketches.  

This quilt will feature nine blocks plus
some border options.  

Barbara's version of Block 1:

So far I've pulled fabrics and started doing applique prep.  I've decided to go with more contemporary colors this time, instead of my usual 1800s repros.  Each of my nine blocks will have similar but unique fabric combos.  I'll be doing 'freezer paper and starch' turned edge hand applique for this project 

 

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