Civil War Legacies: Quilt Patterns for Reproduction Fabrics (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback]

Carol Hopkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2012

Step back in time with 15 favorite patchwork-quilt patterns from the Civil War Legacies collection by Carol Hopkins. Each pattern design features classic blocks evocative of the era, beautifully showcasing today's reproduction quilt fabrics.

* Wonderfully scrappy quilt patterns in sizes perfect for wall hangings and doll quilts
* Simple, step-by-step instructions with clear diagrams and pressing directions
* Value-packed collection with something for every skill level

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bright colors, bold prints and large pieces are all very well, but we agree with Carol Hopkins, who writes in the introduction to this book, "It's hard to ignore a vintage scrap quilt!" Like her, we're charmed by the variety of fabrics and fascinated by how some "weird and wonderful" combinations end up working so well together. Carol has created a collection of 15 quilt projects that provide you with an opportunity to use your own stash of reproduction fabric scraps to create quilts. They're all made from simple, traditional blocks arranged in a variety of settings. That said, there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't use Kaffe Fassetts, batiks or yardage to make your own versions--we're sure they'd look equally as pleasing. Our one--tiny--disappointment is that Carol only provides instructions for small quilts. (Most have edges that are 30" or less). Still, these are a good size to group as a feature on a wall in your home, gift to a fellow crafter who also loves "repros" or pop on the hall table with an elegant vase. --Australian Homespun Magazine

We are all drawn to a vintage scrap quilt whether it is to wonder about who owned the clothes prior to them becoming a quilt or just to marvel at the variety of fabrics used at a time when patchwork shops were unheard of! This book is a collection of 15 quilts, which provides an opportunity for you to use your own scraps of reproduction fabrics to create small quilts reminiscent of those from the mid-1860s. Each quilt allows you to showcase dozens of fabrics in simple blocks and arranged in a variety of settings. Small quilts are a perfect way to experiment with combinations of prints and colors without a large investment in time or fabric and, of course, the patterns are geared towards speed piecing and the use of a sewing machine. There are 15 traditionally inspired quilt patterns to choose from featuring classic blocks evocative of the era. --Fabrications Magazine

About the Author

Carol Hopkins' interests revolve around sharing her love of teaching and learning. In her daytime job as a professor of literacy and language education at Purdue University, she prepares future elementary teachers to teach struggling readers. During evenings and weekends, when she's not spending time with her husband, three adult children, and grandtwins, she pursues her 30-year passion for quiltmaking. Through her pattern business, Carol Hopkins Designs, she markets Civil War Legacies and Vintage Legacies quilt patterns that she has designed for eighteenth- and nineteenth century reproduction fabrics. Her quilts and patterns have been published in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Miniature Quilts, The Quilter, and the book Quick Quilts from the Heart by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter (Oxmoor House, 1995).

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: That Patchwork Place (March 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604680571
• ISBN-13: 978-1604680577
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Patchwork

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most-thumbed book of the year for me April 9, 2012

By S. L. Smith TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I might need to buy a second copy of Carol Hopkins' newest book Civil War Legacies; after just 10 days I have traversed back and forth through this book to cover more distance than when I was lost in the lower levels of Penn Station and could not find a street-level exit.

All of the quilts here are on the small side, with the largest being about 36 by 43 inches and the smallest being 20 by 22 inches. Many finished block sizes are a mere 3 inches square. Don't worry, despite the small size you will be using the familiar scant Ľ inch seam and not the 1/8 inch seam used in authentic miniatures. Some patterns are more beginner-friendly than others, but in all cases accuracy is crucial. Half-square triangles are abundant, and because they are so small you might want to forgo Ms. Hopkin's individual sewing approach and use a multiple-mark-and-sew first, cut second method. (Edit 5/1/2012 - The author let me know her reasoning for this: she has an ample enough collection of prints and did not want any duplicates.) A bias square ruler will be helpful to have in your tool supply. My favorite pattern is "Stars To Freedom" and it contains over 190 half-square triangles. (Here's a hint I use to keep those pesky little things flat before I am ready to piece them: I stack them with the seams alternating in different directions and weigh them down with one of my old pre-electric heavy flat irons.)

If you love Civil War color combos like blues-and-browns or pinks-and-browns, you'll have fun playing with Minnie's Moustache and Martin's Pennies; both are simple in structure yet grandly showcase all our favorite fabric lines, such as Marcus Brothers' "Charleston", any of Windham's "Colonies" lines, or those terrific Jo Mortons from Andover. All of Ms. Hopkin's fabric choices are scrappy, and you might discover that the smaller prints will perform best, given the very small finished block sizes. Even those difficult cheddars and poison greens will find a happy home and become endearing.

Never has any other repro book sparked my interest so keenly in shirtings and other backgrounds; I have been combing the internet non-stop for treasures to collect. I guarantee that Civil War Legacies will have you searching for your own gotta-haves and you too will be thumbing through this book repeatedly. Please feel free to email me or comment below to share some great repro fabric sources. Now I am off to search for a few striped prints, which I never thought I would need. And how could I not already have enough of those gorgeous sky blues?

P.S. If anyone can identify the fabric line used on the border of "Papa's Birds" (page 24), I will be eternally grateful. (Update: Thank you to the author for identifying this lovely fabric as one of Judie Rothermel's Sturbridge lines for Marcus Bros.)

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Wait To Start! April 13, 2012

By Miss Belgravia

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I won't be able to improve on S. L. Smith's thorough review, but I want to add my agreement. My copy of "Civil War Legacies" arrived yesterday, and I have already devoured every page at least twice. I showed my copy last night to a friend who is also a beginning quilter, and we're so excited to get started with these quilts.

I love the personal stories Ms. Hopkins tells about each of the quilts, and the lovely photographs that make the quilts come to life. Although they look intricate and difficult to a beginner like me, each quilt is actually composed of fairly simple elements.

I do agree about the half-square-triangle technique in the book being a bit more trouble than the sew-then-cut method, and will probably use the latter for all of those tiny blocks.

The pictures do a good job of showing the quilting patterns as well, so I may try my hand at machine quilting these, since they are relatively small.

I love all the patterns, and would be happy to make any of them. But I am particularly drawn to the Stars to Freedom, Papa's Birds (on the cover), and Miss Mary's Pinwheels. It will be a difficult decision as to which to try first.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book July 9, 2012

By Jennifer Kooy Zoeterman

Format:Paperback

I am pleased to see a new book on Repro quilts. I love the trend toward modern and colorful but still love my stash of reproduction fabrics. Fifteen charming, scrappy quilt patterns are included. Be aware that these are small quilts, most blocks are 4" x 4" or smaller. I think that fact should have been made clearer on the books covers. While I was deciding which one I wanted to do first, I finally noticed the sizes. It's been a while since I've sewed small blocks, but Carol's color and fabric choices are really lovely, so maybe it's time for me to get back to them!