Celebrate the Red, White and Blue! Two Patriotic Patterns!
I’m a simple girl at heart. Yes, I realize I’m a 64 year old woman now, but when it comes to the 4th of July I love the small town parades I grew up with complete with homemade floats, antique cars and fire engines all spiffed up with gold detailed tires, HS marching bands, fife & drum corps and smiling little kids dressed in red, white & blue on their bicycles. And don’t forget the local farmer proudly driving his new tractor.
The towns got decked out too, in patriotic buntings draped from balconies and windows, and flags were proudly displayed at everyone’s front door.
Main street, the parade route, was lined hours ahead of time for this “big” event and everyone came dressed in the colors of the day or waving a flag. In my childhood, and still to this day, the 4th of July festivities are held in Essex, NY alternated with neighboring Willsboro, NY. And when I’m back east on the 4th, that’s still where I go.
When darkness settled in there were fireworks! Always thrilling and beautiful with lots of oohs and ahhs!
And don’t forget the sparklers! Still my favorite personal fireworks.
All these memories are packed into the shooting star block that’s used to create our Shooting Stars table décor set and Americana Quilt patterns. The shooting star block (8” x 8”) is reverse applique for hand or machine with a star appliqued in the middle of the star with a tail.
Shooting Star block step 1 just as reverse applique. We made it by machine so top fabric is fused to background fabric.
Shooting Star block step 2, with the star appliqued inside the reverse applique star. we made it by machine so its fused at this stage.
The basic block is rotated in the table runner and in the Americana Quilt patterns to create the essence of exploding fireworks and sparklers.
Shooting Stars table decor set table runner (16” x 40”) for hand or machine reverse applique.
Americana Quilt (52” x 52”) for hand or machine reverse applique.
I was inspired by the classic red, white & blue batiks from the Sail Away collection by Island Batiks. I chose to use 1 blue, two whites and 4 reds.
Placemats (16” x 16”) from the Shooting Stars table decor set. Can be made by hand or machine reverse applique.
In the Shooting Stars table decor set the table runner is (16” x 40”) and each of the 4 placemats is (16” x 16”). They are framed by appliqued stars and swag buntings, like the houses in the small towns were decorated with for the 4th of July.
These patterns, like all Eye of the Beholder patterns, come with thorough step-by-step directions and full-size pattern pieces. They are also available in print and PDF downloads on our website for quilters to enjoy. (Check at the bottom of this blog for a 2022 4th of July special.) Shop owners may make wholesale purchases of print patterns with the appropriate resale tax information.
alternative fabrics, yet still red, white and blue.
alternative fabrics, yet still red, white and blue.
alternative fabrics, yet still red, white and blue.
alternative fabrics, yet still red, white and blue.
The Americana Quilt (52” x 52”) is the perfect size for a picnic blanket for wee grandchildren or as a wall-hanging. I have a two year old grandson, so I think about things like that now. Or grow it by 1 block wider and 2 blocks longer to make the quilt 64” x 76” and the quilt fits the parameters for a Quilt of Valor to honor a worthy veteran. According to the Quilts of Valor website, “The recommended size of a Quilt of Valor is 60″ x 80″; it must be a minimum of 55″ x 65″ and maximum of 72″ x 90.” It wouldn’t actually take that much extra fabric beyond what the pattern asks for. You would only need an additional 1 1/2 yards of the blue top fabric and an extra 3/4 of a yard of white background fabric to make these tops. What a cheerful patriotic quilt to gift for time served.
Americana Quilt expanded to Quilts of Valor size: 64” x 76”.
Americana Quilt at 64” x 76” for Quilts of Valor sizing in an alternative colorway.
I hope you will enjoy these patriotic quilted offerings to dress-up your home for all our American holidays…4th of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Have a Yankee Doodle Happy 4th of July! And light up a sparkler for me. I can’t, because here in Colorado of the fire hazard is too high.