This is a repost from 2012. Always worth repeating. You will find the link to the free pattern below. You may already have it if you've been with me these years. I hope you enjoy it. Take some time today to REMEMBER those who gave everything so we could have the freedom to enjoy the simple things we seem to take for granted. We remember - and honor - those who gave their all for our freedom For we Americans, this weekend is for remembering our fallen heroes. A lot of shopping goes on, but hopefully the parades and events honoring all our veterans and those who lost their lives will take center stage. I made this quilt in 2005, using some Americana fabric resembling the stripes of our flag. I took a simple heart shape and divided it both vertically and horizontally and cut out appliqués. Just another project for me, published in one of our QUILT magazines that year. But then the nephew of our dear friends died in Afghanistan. He was so young and now he was gone. I knew this ...

Yes, this is a FREE block. Not just a reference to a "free quilt" in my May Blocks pdf from Sunday (sorry about that). When I was Special Projects Editor for Quilt Magazine, we had a feature for several years called Stash Blocks. I took the digital designs for a new fabric collection and created a block for our readers. We had this in every magazine we published. Stars and Stripes is 18" BIG and uses a combination of quick rotary cutting and easy appliqué (by machine). I even made a variation of this for my Block a Day Calendar. Let's see! Stars and Stripes block : 18" x 18" Here's my real block (in which I pieced the stars; the FREE pattern is a single piece appliqué). I also call it "Star Spangled Banner." My Star Spangled Banner Block : 18" x 18" And remember the block that Patricia Bryant made from my Block a Day Calendar last year? Star Spangled Banner by Patricia Bryant This block is FREE. It's als...

We remember - and honor - those who gave their all for our freedom For we Americans, this weekend is for remembering our fallen heroes. A lot of shopping goes on, but hopefully the parades and events honoring all our veterans and those who lost their lives will take center stage. I made this quilt in 2005, using some Americana fabric resembling the stripes of our flag. I took a simple heart shape and divided it both vertically and horizontally and cut out appliques. Just another project for me, published in one of our QUILT magazines that year. But then the nephew of our dear friends died in Afghanistan. He was so young and now he was gone. I knew this quilt needed to go to his parents and my husband and I drove to their house in Atlanta where we were able to meet the parents, share some tears, and then I gave them the quilt. I can never forget, and that's why we REMEMBER. I used this design for my 2010 calendar and I am featuring it here today, FREE, for all to enjoy. You ...