Star Spangled Banner Day 2

America's Star Spangled Story by Jane Hampton Cook
Welcome to Day 2 of my Star Spangled Banner Extravaganza. Remember, I'm NOT an historian; I'm a quilter. And I want to introduce you to someone who is an historian and also has a love for quilting. Her mother made hundreds of Americana/Patriotic quilts throughout her life and Jane Cook was greatly influenced by her mother's passion for all things American.

Quilt by Judith Travis Hampton
Jane Cook is an author. She brings history and biographies to life, making them memorable and relevant to today's news, current events, politics, issues of faith, and modern-day life. I asked her a few questions; I think you'll enjoy her answers.

Why you are so passionate about our history? 
 
Jane: 

Our nation has a special heritage, which deserves and needs to be remembered. During the American Revolution, thousands of men and women lived loudly for liberty. They traded royalty for representation so we could enjoy the blessings of liberty today.

George Washington told his men that they weren’t just fighting for their own homes and firesides, they were also fighting for the future, the “unborn millions” to come. That’s us. My passion is to find ways to bring history to life in ways that are real and relevant to modern-day readers, and occasionally, TV viewers.


And one more question (Jane comes back two more times) . . .
 

Tell us about your new book, America’s Star-Spangled Story.

America's Star-Spangled Story (June 2014) brings to life the story of Francis Scott Key, who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner 200 years ago. He was minding his own business when he answered a call to save a friend imprisoned by the British military after they burned the White House and U.S. Capitol. Finding the British fleet near Baltimore, he successfully negotiated the release of his friend. But the British admiral wouldn’t let him leave until after they attacked Baltimore. 
This battle went on through the night; was our flag still there?

This put him in the right place at the right time to write the lyrics for The Star-Spangled Banner. I used the phrases from the first verse as the titles for the chapters in the book. (You can peek inside the book by clicking the link above, which takes you to Amazon).

Well, can we see another of Jane's mom's quilts? Of course! Here is Uncle Sam (does anyone know his last name, hmmm?) holding REAL American flags. You know, I had an Uncle Jim who was in the Navy and I bet he waved American flags, too, after World War II was over. Do you think I should make an Uncle Jim quilt? Not the same, you say?

Uncle Sam quilt with REAL American flags
Well, how about one of your quilts, Debby? OK. So glad you asked. Here is an American flag quilt I made about 25 years ago. No date on it, but it is hand quilted!

From the days when I hand quilted!
Now, how about some freebies? I knew you were waiting for that. Here is a free pattern from Windham:    Uncle Sam I Am

Uncle Sam I Am by Larene Smith - 60" x 70"
And, of course, fabrics!

Day 2 fabric bundle courtesy of Windham Fabrics

DAY 2 CONTEST:

1. The contest is over at midnight tonight, September 8, 2014 (EST). I have another contest tomorrow, so come back and bring your friends.

2. Fabric can only be mailed in the United States.

3. If I randomly select someone from outside the United States, you can have ANY of my patterns from my Craftsy site. I will email them to you (obviously, the ones that are for sale).

4. If I don't have your email, I can't notify you! Anonymous bloggers can't win!

Leave me a message telling me if you've ever made an Americana quilt or table runner.

And come back tomorrow for more with Jane Cook, more quilt inspiration, and freebies!

Comments

  1. I just finished up a large Americana wallhanging last month that had the flag across the top.

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  2. I have 2 small flags similar to the one you showed, and I've made an Americana sampler quilt.

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  3. I've been wanting to, but the closet I've gotten is quilting and binding a panel I bought for cheap at Walmart. It did turn out cute and served to improve my FMQ. CDahlgren at live dot com

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  4. While in Baltimore over the July 4th weekend, we visited Ft McHenry. What a great experience.

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  5. My favorite Wedding present is 6 Table runners and I include an American one that can be out for the 4th of July or Memorial Day.

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  6. I have never made an Americana quilt. Have found a really cute flag I would like to do - have the perfect red gingham for the stripes.

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  7. I just finished making a wall hanging using the George Washington square that I got from you several months ago. I'll be posting it soon. Thanks for the giveaway....who doesn't love red, white, and blue!?

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  8. I've made several Americana quilts & table runners over the years. My son is in the military, as well as several other family members, so anything patriotic is very popular in our family.

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  9. You might be able to hear me laughing all the way from rural Oregon. The second quilty project I made was a flag wallhanging. My sweetheart saw it when I was watching Alex Anderson's Simply Quilts and commented that he'd like one, so I hurried up and bought the pattern and got to piecing. Back then I paid NO attention to dimensions on patterns. This baby is H-U-G-E. It is more a wall covering than a walhanging. We would use it as a bedspread except it would be disrespectful to the flag and as the daughter of a WWII and Korean War vet I can't do it. So, long answer short: Yes.

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  10. No, but with a son in the military I want to!

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  11. I planned to make one this 4th of July! I have some beautiful fabric and may get it done by next 4th!

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  12. I've made a patriotic themed quilt for my nephew and I have contributed several blocks for quilts of valor.

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  13. I made a wonky stars quilt runner for my chest in red, white and blue.

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  14. I've made an Americana tablerunner from a Patrick Lose pattern.

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  15. Great post! The closest I've come to an Americana quilt is a tumbler flag quilt I made - also working on 3 more! Thanks for another chance to win ;)
    Debby E
    samtaylorcjsmimi@yahoo.com

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  16. I have never made a quilted Americana piece. My brother is a Marine and my grandfathers were in the Navy and Air Force so I have made Americana scrapbooking pages.

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  17. I made a 4th of July table topper for a friend, but I need to make one for myself still!

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  18. Just made a fireworks patterned tote bag as a gift. I use red, white and blue a lot.

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  19. I've made 2 : a tiny wall-hanging of firecrackers & a medium-sized one with heart blocks & stripes.

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  20. I have made two lap quilts, a larger quilt, a flag wallhanging, and a couple of tablerunners.

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  21. I made some quilts out of red White and blue plaids I gave it to my daughter. I need to make another one as my son keeps asking for one.

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  22. I have not yet made an Americana quilt or table runner or wall hanging. In Home Ec class (when they still had that as a required subject in school) I mad a red, white and blue jumper.

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  23. I've made one flag table runner and a small 12" square wall hanging. I would love to make a large red, white and blue quilt.

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  24. I have not made a patriotic quilt, but I would really like to! This fabric is really neat! I really like that you are doing this series. I am a music educator, and I love sharing the origin of the anthem with my students.

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  25. I have a lap size Americana quilt I made about 12 years ago. I have a table runner I finished last fall and used this summer.

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  26. I never have, but this would be the perfect gift for my mother! Thanks for the chance! :)

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  27. I made a RWB table runner for a friend. Also made a baby quilt for a boy names Sam. I had some fabric with patriotic teddy bears. I appliqued a large bear dressed like Uncle Sam in the middle and put smaller ones trimmed in RWB around the outside.

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  28. Yes, I made a Americana lap quilt with blocks of an eagle, liberty bell, Uncle Sam, etc. and a table topper using red, white and blue star fabric. also pot holders and place mats.

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  29. No, I have never made one, but I love Americana anything and everything! We are decorating our den in all Navy & USA themed things in honor of my nephew currently deployed.

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  30. I made a 4th of July table runner for my daughter.

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  31. Love your Uncle Sam quilt. I have seen one like it before and have always thought I would like to create one.

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  32. I made 12 quilts for the guys who were deployed to Afghanistan with my daughter, with a great deal of help of quilting friends across America, the UK and Australia. I have a quilt top that I need to get quilted that I want to donate to some group that can raffle it off to benefit wounded warriors - the center of it is our flag waving.

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  33. First congratulations to yesterday's winner.

    I have made many, many, Americana items. From cross stitch to table-mats, to quilts, to a wall-hanging, to a hexie pillow. Thanks for this chance!

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  34. I have not yet made an Americana quilt or table runner. However, last month I purchased a bunch of red, white and blue fabric I'm going to use to make a quilt with paper-pieced stars.

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  35. I made a couple of Americana Wallhangings for Operation Homefront last winter. What fun it was working with the different tones of red, white, and blue.

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  36. I have never made an Americana quilt, but I am making a wall hanging right now! The center is a cross-stitched Uncle Sam, and I will be turning it into a quilted hanging. I already have the star-shaped wire hanger. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  37. Hooray for the flag waving! I have made a small lap quilt of Americana fabrics! Love to use them when I can!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  38. Haven't made any patriotic wall hangings or table runners but have made Americana quilts.

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  39. Never made a Americana quilt or table runner. Pretty bundle of fabrics. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  40. My very first quilt ended up being pretty much red, white and blue Irish Chain. I used polyester fabric and laugh when I look at it now. Thanks for the option to win.

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  41. I have made many, many things with the Red/White/Blue patriotic theme. Thanks again for sharing.
    jenellejb at aol dot com

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  42. I made a wonky star red/white/blue table runner for my quilt guild's silent auction. It was really cute, if I do say so myself and did quite well. I've also made several quilts of valor, my favorite was made for my son upon his return from Afghanistan last year.

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  44. I made a "welcome" wallhanging that includes an american flag.

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  45. I've made lots of red, white and blue quilts. Some were table runners and toppers, and others were lap quilts for QOV. Thanks for the info on the book.

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  46. I made a fons and porter series quilt thay had an America theme. Always have it out on the fourth.

    Drhodes9@cox.net

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  47. Nice of you to honor the Americana
    way. I made a 4th of July wall hanging. It's my favorite.
    Thanks.

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  48. I have not but have always wanted to. Love the giveaways!

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  49. Such cute projects. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  50. thanks for the chance to win this lovely red, white and blue bundle. I'm working on a patriotic quilt. It would come in nice. thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  51. I have a RWB quilt top ready for quilting. It is made from signature blocks from an online group I am part of. I haven't made anything else Americana, though!

    Sandy A

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  52. Nice post. I've made RWB blocks for QOV and I've quilted a QOV for our guild. I haven't made one for myself yet, but I hope to one day.

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  53. So often, I've tried to imagine being on that British ship in the harbor, praying through the night that my country would still stand in the morning. Lovely Americana pieces you've shown! I have made wall hangings, but nothing specifically for the table. I guess I need to change that!

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  54. I have made a couple of wee Americana Quilts as gifts. Loved them both. Loved today's post. Thanks for a chance to win.

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Thanks for stopping by Debby Kratovil Quilts! If you had a question and don't get an answer from me, please feel free to email me at: kratovil@his.com