The Moon Quilt--Quilting in Children's Literature

 Quiltmakers put memories and dreams into their work. This story celebrates that creative element.

 

Warner, Sunny. The Moon Quilt. Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

Organized around the waxing and waning of the moon, this book tells the story of an old woman who puts her dreams and her everyday life into her quilts.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

When she dreams of her old man, who was lost at sea, she adds the dream to a quilt she is making.

 

She gardens in the morning and stitches at night. When she plants pumpkins, they also go into the quilt . . .

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

 

. . . as do the children who trick-or-treat at her house and who are treated to pumpkin pie.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

Finally, she puts herself and her cat into the quilt, and with the last stitch, the quilt is done.

The Moon Quilt (illustration)

The old woman and her cat have earned a rest--and with that rest, more dreams come.

The illustrations include quilt pieces and collage. This book highlights the beauty of little things and the power of imaginative creativity in a completely charming way.

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

 

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.

A Bit More Retrospection (Bonnie Hunter Designs)

As I was looking back at my Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts (see previous post), I thought it would be interesting to remind myself of the other BH patterns I have made. I have included  Bonnie's name for the pattern and my name for individual quilts [in brackets], if they differed. The year indicated was the year that I completed the project.

Carolina Chain (2015)

Patches and Pinwheels (2015)

 

Bricks and Stepping Stones [AKA Autumn Path] (2015)

 

These were three of my first efforts. I was afraid of the small pieces, so I made the units a bit bigger than the pattern indicated.

 

 

Spiderweb [AKA Flowing Flowers] (2015)

 

This was not a BH pattern--I've done several Spiderweb-type quilts; however, the idea for the offset blocks came from Bonnie's blog as she was constructing her own version.

Random Ohio Stars (2015)

This was a favorite of mine--the little stars were just SO CUTE! 😸

 

Jamestown Landing (2016)

Jamestown Landing (in red rather than blue) was my first complex BH pattern--lots of little pieces. It took me quite a long time to make the millions of HSTs required (okay, not really millions, but it seemed like it!). Finishing this one felt like an enormous accomplishment. 

 

Pfeffernüse (2016)

This is still one of my favorites--so warm and cozy in brown and red with its flannel backing.

 

Carolina Chain (2016)

Another Carolina Chain, but this time I made it in Christmas fabrics. This is a great pattern to show off fabric prints.

 

Twirl Around (2017)

As soon as I saw this quilt pattern, I knew it would be my next project! I switched out the colors, making mine green and rust.

 

Sand Castles (2019)

This was the most fun I've ever had making a quilt. Sand Castles went together so well that I felt like an expert. I love the way it turned out.

 

Winter Blues [AKA Summer Sunshine] (2021)

When I saw the pattern for Winter Blues, nothing would do but that I make it in yellows. I don't know why--yellow isn't my favorite color, but I'm so pleased that I went with my impulse. This quilt is on my bed now, and it simply brightens my day every time I look at it! 😎

So, in looking back, I find that, including the mysteries, I have completed twenty-one Bonnie Hunter patterns! Wow--I wouldn't have believed that possible when I began. 😺

I'm not sure what my next BH project will be (other than this year's mystery), but I'm ready to make another quilt. Stay tuned!

 

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

The Promise Quilt--Quilting in Children's Literature

The Promise Quilt is a picture book set in Virginia during and just after the American Civil War. 

Ransom, Candice F. The Promise Quilt. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Walker, 1999.

Addie's Papa promised: "When you are bigger, Addie, I'll take you to school on the other side of the ridge . . . You'll learn to read and write and make your mark in this life." But then the War came, and like so many others, Addie's father never returned home. A lady from Pennsylvania, where Papa had died in a hospital, sent the family his red flannel shirt, and Mama gave it to Addie. 

 

The school had been burned during the War, so education seemed impossible. However, Mama was determined to find a way, for the children to learn. She arranged for a building to temporarily house the school, but there were no books or slates for the children to use. Could Papa's promise ever come true?

The Promise Quilt (illustration)

The Promise Quilt (illustration)

Ellen Beier's soft watercolors set just the right mood for this story. They are simple and clear, yet full of detail.

This book uses a quilt to represent hope and healing in the face of personal and national loss. The book also illustrates the importance of education in the face of hardship.

Happy Quilting! 😺

A reminder--you can find my posts on Quilts in Children's Literature by clicking "Children's Literature" in the list of labels on the right-hand pane of this blog.

NOTE: I found my books used from BetterWorldBooks.com. I can highly recommend this site. Not only do they always have free shipping, but they also contribute a book to someone in need for every book you buy. I was not compensated for this recommendation--I just love doing business with them.