Customer Reviews

The Civil War Diary Quilt: 121 Stories and The Quilt Blocks They Inspired

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A few of the diary entries were interesting to read (I especially liked the story of the china doll), but the quilt blocks were a major disappointment. Each block was named after an entry in the corresponding diary entry rather than by its commonly used name. No patterns given for the blocks, only a line diagram and a small picture of an actual fabric block. Civil War Women by Barbara Brackman is a much better choice for historical background, diary entries and actual patterns.

Excellent book for quilters as well as those interested in history. Only disappointment was the patterns - difficult to copy.

If you love history and quilting then you'll love reading this book! The diary accounts are in great detail about life during the civil war. And they're in the writers own words which makes you feel like you're right there! I found myself picking up this book and reading it each night. Even up to the last story which stole my heart!! But this is not a book for a beginner quilter. You will find enough block patterns to keep you busy for years! Yet there are no instructions for making the six inch blocks. That you have to figure on your own. But I found the book worth reading anyway!

A wonderful book! Enjoyed reading the diaries of our quilting mothers! Sit down and pour a cup tea and enjoy going back in time! How brave these women were.

I bought this book not knowing what to expect, but the stories are riveting with the diary entries on the pages and the quilt blocks that match the stories are truly beautiful. If only the quilt blocks had the patterns with it!

This book is fascinating! If you enjoy civil war era history and like to make pieced quilt blocks, this is the book for you. Unlike the Dear Jane blocks, these are all pieced blocks or foundation paper piecing (no applique, thank goodness), and they are 6 1/2 inches instead of Jane's small 4 1/2 inches. Much easier to work with. Good photography, wonderful examples!

The thoughts and daily activities of several civil war era women both very young and very old of varring religious beliefs and backgrounds. This book is a nice read on a cold afternoon snuggling up on a couch or as a less time consuming interest book. I was personally surprised and delighted to hear of my old hometown mentioned within it;(Coldwater, Mi). Connections to your own past may be here and you may feel it is so to hear of one writer, a bridesmaid to General Custers wife or of a small child crying for her brother not to go off to war who was then lost, finding a link to her brother so many years later. Read how farmers' of many places were forced to take in soldiers first from one side, then from another to feed them and their animals and put them up for the night. (200 soldiers just popping in at dusk) and of their dangers they faced closer to Virginia that they were. Included in between the diary pages, seperating authors diary entry pages from each other are themed quilt pieces with instructions and templates on how to make them, including a doll dress design at the back.

This is a lovely book but not as good as i thought it would be. I have wanted it for over one year and now that I have it, realise I could live without it. The illustrations and overall appeal ie. colour, setout and feel are lacking. Not a really appealing book in my opinion. Overall it is a lack-lustre offering. Some good facts re: real life stories from the Civil War however.

If you enjoy history and quilts, this is an excellant book to combine both. Interesting reading and I'm anxious to start the quilt blocks. Pictures of the quilt blocks are very clear but do need to know the basics of quiltmaking to make the blocks as there are no instructions with the blocks.

This was a very interesting book. I find this time in our history rich. The stories are compelling and touching. I have become interested in quilts of this era and have began to do some piecing that reflect this period I was very excited to find this book for its patterns as well as it rich historical content.