C-2 Liberty Tree Month 6

B-3 Liberty Tree Month 6

History and Details of the Original Block

Sew Along Block 6

"The Liberty Tree was a popular symbol during the American Revolution. Esther’s tree has 36 circles made from cotton dress fabrics dating circa 1830s to 1850s. The script in this block is her political statement about preserving the Union." ... Neva Hart

Inked:  "Tree of Liberty - United States"

Dawn's Liberty Tree Block - 9" Block

I finished my block when this project was still in the planning stages.  If I had the detailed photo of the block, I might have chosen different fabrics, but I am pleased with my results.
I stitched the trunk and branches first, adding a few circles here and there as I went.  After a few branches were down,  I rewarded myself with a few colorful circles.
I back baste my circles.  I know there are many, many popular tools and techniques for circles.  Enjoy your process!  There is no one single right  technique.  If you want to read more or try something new, you might like to start HERE on our Blog Tutorial Tab.
We will be sharing your blocks mid month with a linkup here.
Our Facebook Page is another place to share:  https://www.facebook.com/shenvalleybotanicalquiltsewalong/

Happy Stitching,
Dawn and Doreen 

End of month 5 Progress Report

Thank you all for sharing your beautiful February stitch work with us!














Here are a few more lovely tulip blocks:

In addition to those working on February's block - the Yellow Pink Tulip, We have some quilter's just beginning their journey, and other's working at their own pace.

Laura from New England has just started her block journey - Thank you for joining us!

In addition to completing her Yellow Pink Tulip block, Nancy also completed her Star in the East block earlier this month.








  Here in northern Virginia, I know of several little Bee groups and guild related friendship circles that meet on a monthly basis to stitch their Botanical Blocks.  

Annie Mitchell and Susie Corrao

Here is a picture that shows just how fun it can be when friends get together each month to sit, sew and share their journey.













If you're getting together with a friend or a group to work on your blocks we'd love to hear about your sewing days and see pictures.  And remember.... it's never too late to join in.  The next block will be revealed on March 1st so please check back then to see which one Dawn has chosen.

Happy Stitching!
Doreen & Dawn

Mid Month Show & Tell month 5

Beautiful Tulips already in bloom!
Some of our sew along friends have already completed their Yellow Pink Tulip assignment.

We are just at the half way point for the month of February, so there is still plenty of time for you to complete your block and send us a picture for our end of month post.  If you are just beginning, and/or working on a different block (that we've already assigned) we hope you will consider sharing those block pictures with us as well.

You can post them on our facebook page found HERE or send them to us via an email link.  We will share them in a post at the end of this month.

Be sure to visit our Blogging Friends that are also participation in the Sew Along!
Click on the pictures of their blocks below to take you to their blog pages.
Check back often, we will be adding more links over the next week or so.


Happy Stitching!
Doreen & Dawn

No need to create a new blog post if you've already posted your block. Simply add the url address of that post where indicated when you click the link above.

A-5 Yellow/Pink Tulip Month Five

"This block has the traditional crossed stems seen in many quilts with the Laurel Leaves design, lending a more formal rendition of the Valley tulip motif. Different from the Pennsylvania tulip, this floral element has three segments, sometimes called "trinity." ...Neva Hart

I’ve treated and sewn all of my leaf “pairs” as though they were one single piece/shape. I think the stem work lays smoother on top of these joined pieces and eliminates the potential for excess bulk due to overlapping seam allowances.                                           (This is a personal preference of course)

Once I completed all of the leaf sets, I added the first of the 2 crossing stems.

I created the stems for this block using a ¼” bias tape maker, 1” strips of fabric (cut on the bias) spray starch & and an iron. This is just one of several techniques I like to use for making bias stems.



Next I added the center portion of the Tulip, turning under just the tips.

 The side petals were added and then the leaf cups to finish the block.

                                   ...Doreen


Some Tulip Trivia by Dawn Cook - Ronningen
Do you grow tulips in your garden?  Esther may have, or at least she saw some colorful tulip prints.

Tulips originated in Turkey and were brought to Europe.  The saturated rich colors were very popular.  Tulip mania reached it's peak in the Netherlands in about 1637.  A single tulip bulb could sell for 10x the annual salary of a skilled craftsman.
Since it takes 7-12 years to grow a tulip from seed, the most expensive multi colored bulbs could not be rapidly grown.  The solid color flower bulbs produce 2 or 3 'daughter' clones that mature about the time the mother bulb no longer flowers.  You can read more about tulip mania HERE.
One newspaper account cites the first tulips in America were grown on the estate of lawyer, Richard Sullivan. He had a 500 acre estate near Lynn and Salem Massachusetts from 1847-1865.  He gardened plants from all over the world.  If this is true, Esther may have seen tulips in botanical prints.
I'll never look at my tulips the same.

Please stop back on the 15th as we begin Show & Tell.... our favorite time of the month where we feature blocks made by quilting and blogging friends participating in this sew along.  You can submit pictures of your blocks to us via email or post them to us on facebook HERE.
We look forward to seeing your Tulips Bloom!

Happy Stitching!

Doreen & Dawn