Pieces From The Past ~ Revisited Fabulous Finish

Here I am sliding into the weekend with a FINISH! Woohoo!

The quilting design matches many of the same angles and points that the blocks have, as well as the secondary design the two blocks made when placed next to each other.

I had fun adding stitching lines and watching a new pattern reveal itself.  I started with a printed photo of the blocks...

Once I had the initial lines sewn - the crossing lines in the reverse of the dragon fly blocks, I auditioned some other options using masking tape on the quilt.  You can see them below...

The border needed something a little less busy so some simple lines that ended up giving a "plaid-ish" look finished it off and I was ready for the binding.    I was limited in the fabric remaining for the binding and by using my reversed two-color (flange) binding technique, I had JUST enough purple.  

Once it was washed and dried and all softy, wrinkly and well-loved looking, it was time for a photo shoot.  Our iris beds have just started showing off their pretty purple petals... and with the beautiful blue skies offered the perfect back drop for the photos.  It was hard to choose just one photo to share...

As I recalled each of letters that the former POWs wrote to Phillip & Katie, so many of them mentioning the kindness shown to them when they were working on the Schleich farm, it makes me wonder...  No doubt, these men returned home and told of their experience to their family members and friends, offering hope to others, that kindheartedness still existed.  

It brought to mind a conversation with a friend that had served in the Army, stationed in Germany, in the 1980s.  He told me that there was a German gentleman that lived not far from the base he was on, that welcomed the US men whenever they stopped by for a visit.  

Our friend, Jack, had once asked the man why he did such a thing.  The man responded, "I was held as a POW in the United States during WWII and I always appreciated the kindness, generosity and hospitality extended to me whenever I was working on local farms.  Opening up my place here to you boys is a way for me to repay that same hospitality that I had been shown."

I got chills when Jack told me that story... I can't help but wonder... Was that man held at Camp Trinidad?  Had he worked with Phillip and Katie and their children on the Schleich farm?  

I am well aware that there were many POW camps throughout the United States... and, certainly, there were many farmers that extended hospitality to the workers from those camps.  But how interesting that there really is a chance that this gentleman may have been in Trinidad!  Jack couldn't remember the man's name... and all of those POWs are probably long gone from this earth... but... 

How many loved ones heard stories of the fine treatment that had been shown to them while held in POW camps in the US?  How many heard of the fine cooking that farm wives prepared for them?  How many heard of the delicious doughnuts Katie made?  How many heard of the unique landscape of Las Animas County, and of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that many of the artists tried to capture in artwork?  How many pieces of art were given as farewell gifts as a sign of appreciation for the kind treatment received on the farms? 

My questions go on and on... and on...

And my rambling has gone on long enough.

For those that are interested in the two Pieces From the Past block patterns used in this quilt ~ Our Country and Dragon Fly ~ you can find the patterns by following the links on the block names... 

Our Country needed to be resized to make it a 12" block. For those of you that don't do "quilt math", here are the details for that resizing...  Print the templates at 80%.  All 3-1/4" squares need to be cut to 2-3/4"; the 2-3/4" squares need to be cut to 2-1/4".  All of the HSTs need to be trimmed to 2-1/4".  And, FYI, a scant 1/4" is not important with this block.  Whew!

Quilt math can be a bit confusing, but once you understand it, you can resize any pattern!  And sometimes, it is a guess, and sheer luck!

Are you a quilt math-er? 

Or do you just avoid it like the plague?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

One Month Goal at Elm Street Quilts

Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup at Meadow Mist