Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Quilt Challenge

The Union Jack Flag is Coming Across the Border

2012-02-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

The Union Jack flag is coming across the border to be hung proudly in Sackets Harbor as a reminder of the battles of the War of 1812.

Sheila Cornett, a member of the Limestone Quilters’ Guild, is driving over with the quilts.

This historic British Union Jack flag won’t be at the head of a marching army, but it will be part of a display of Canadian quilts that will be part of the commemorative Quilt Show to mark the bicentennial of the conflict and the ensuing 200 years of peace between the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

Three Historic Buildings for Quilt Show Venue this Year!

2012-02-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

The Great Lakes Seaway Trail 2012 Quilt Show, scheduled for March 17 and 18, 2012, promises to be our best show yet – a real quilting event! Interpreters dressed in historically-correct 1800’s period fashions will welcome you to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Due to the number of quilt entries this year we’re expanding our show venue to include the Seaway Trail Discovery Center – built in 1817 - plus two additional historic buildings all on West Main Street in Sackets Harbor, NY.

The historic 1817 Union Hotel building is the location of the Seaway Trail Discovery Center, Sackets Harbor, NY. Quilts will be on display here for the 12th Annual Quilt Show.

The 1808 Samuel Hooker house is now the galleries of the Sackets Harbor Arts Center and will display our quilts during the show. Watercolor by Anitol Mickle.

The Augustus Sacket Mansion was built by the founder of the village in 1802. Today it houses the Sackets Harbor Visitors' Center and during the show our quilts will be on display here.

The three sites will feature 1812 style quilts, vendors and demonstrators both days. Admission can be purchased at all sites and will include admission to all three buildings. All buildings are accessible and parking is free.

A Documented Hewson Printed Fabric Used in a Center Medallion Quilt

2012-02-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

During the Revolutionary War period, John Hewson, an English textile printer, challenged the authority of the British Empire over colonial America through the simple act of printing on fabric. In defiance of the British ban on the importation of printing equipment and technology, Hewson, highly trained in textile work, crossed the ocean with his family, his own proficiency in the textile printing trades, and smuggled contraband printing equipment.

Hewson is best known for block-printed squares featuring an elaborate vase overflowing with flowers and sheaves of wheat and surrounded by motifs of butterflies and birds. These squares were used as the center medallions of quilts—as seen in this example—pieced together from a variety of eighteenth-century block-printed linens and cottons, some or all of which may have been printed in Hewson’s shop as well. It has a typical early quilt construction of a center medallion surrounded by multiple borders or frames. The highly complex appearance is deceiving, as the left side of the quilt is a virtual mirror image of the right.

From the collection of the American Folk Art Museum: Hewson Printed Center Medallion Quilt. Quilt maker unidentified; center block printed by John Hewson in the United States between 1790–1810. Cotton and possibly linen; 85 1⁄2 × 76"

Jane Austen was a Quilter.

2012-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Novelist Jane Austen was a quilter. Jane, her sister Cassandra and their mother used 64 different fabrics to make a quilt that still exists today as part of the Jane Austen House Museum collection at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, England. In May 1811, Jane asked her sister Cassandra, “have you remembered to collect pieces for the Patchwork? — we are now at a standstill.”

The medallion pattern quilt that Jane made is on display at Chawton Cottage and features a total of 64 different patterns of chintz fabric cut into several hundred diamond shaped, fussy-cut patches framing a central medallion – a motif cut out of a larger piece of floral chintz in a wicker basket.

I wonder where each of the 64 different chintz prints came from. From friends, family or perhaps the leftover fabrics from Jane and Cassandra’s own gowns?

Planning to visit Sackets Harbor for the 1812 Quilt Challenge?

2012-02-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

Planning to visit Sackets Harbor for the 1812 Quilt Challenge? You may find the map below useful. The buildings that will have quilts exhibited in them are indicated on the map as Building # 1 Visitor Center Sackett Mansion, Building #2 Seaway Trail Discovery Center Union Hotel and Building B - Art Center. You may purchase your admission ticket and start at any of the locations on Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18. The parking is plentiful and free and historic re-enactors from Forsyths Rifles of St. Lawrence County will be on hand to patrol the streets.

A Preview of Some of the Quilts Entered in the 1812 Quilt Challenge

2012-02-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

DeAnne from Lawrence, Kansas has titled her quilt: To Those Who Fought. She writes to tell us of her inspiration: "When visiting museums I have always been moved when I saw a piece that had a dedication on it. I decided to make a dedication quilt to those who fought in the War of 1812. In the dedication I included the names and ranks of my two 3rd great grandfathers and my two 3rd great uncles who fought in the War of 1812. Around my dedication I put Broderie Perse. Above and below the Broderie Perse I put applique. I surrounded the quilt with a patchwork border. Since this was a quilt intended for men I chose a patchwork that was masculine. I created the Broderie Perse using Barbara Brackman’s Lately Arrived from London Seaflower Muslin. I chose an applique design that I had seen on several quilts in the Victoria & Albert Museum from that time period. All of the fabric that I used for the applique and the border was from Barbara Brackman’s Lately Arrived from London line for Moda fabrics."

Betty Anne of Markham Ontario is completing this quilt titled 1812 Rememberance and she tells us of her inspiration: "This started out as a historical challenge for the members of the Markham Towne Quilters Guild. Mary Mullen was in charge of presenting us with blocks that would represent the 1812 period in time. We were also challenged to find fabric that would have been available during this time period. The fact that black was not a possible dye colour ruled out a lot of the civil war fabrics available. I travelled from quilt store to quilt store to find fabrics that meet the requirement of 2-3 colour dots on the fabric selvedge, but that was very limiting but also very interesting to research colours that were prevalent during 1812.I found a cream & brown toile fabric that would let me try my hand at some Broderie Perse of 2 birds (male & female), also flowers, leaves and a butterfly for the centre. Pinwheels of browns, reds and blues surround the centre. I used a few of the blocks presented by Mary Mullen of MTQG and put my own spin on the design by using pinwheels, stars and connecting blocks. I've also used a fabric that I would call a cheddar colour which would have been popular during this time. I decided to frame the quilt in red around the border and binding."

Let us know how your quilt is coming along and please send some photos even if it is still under construction! We would love to see what you've been doing.

Toiles de Jouy - French Printed Cottons

2012-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

Toiles de Jouy, the distinctive wood block and copper-plate printed textiles manufactured between 1760 and 1843 in Jouy-en-Josas, a small village between Paris and Versailles, are some of the most easily identifiable 18th and early 19th century textiles.

Swatches from a textile sample book, dating to around about 1810 in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Albums of textile samples, bound in gilt embossed leather wallets, were the marketing tool of the fabric sales representative. The French fabric mills produced thousands of different fabric motifs in the 18^th and 19^th century.

It is the extraordinary freshness of the colour that enthralls us and the perfect state of preservation of the fabric - just as it came from the factory!

Seeing these pristine textile sample swatches challenges us to imagine that the dresses in old black and white daguerreotypes can be scarlet, red or russet!

The early quilts now faded to brown, tan and grey were once vibrant with madder reds, violets and oranges.

And we can once again see all the beautiful fabrics, long ago eaten by moths, but now returned in contemporary fabric collections - after more than 200 years, the toiles printed in Jouy continue to inspire designers.

Paris Green, the Fashionable but Deadly Regency Colour

2012-01-23T20:38:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time a highly fashionable green fabric dye literally killed people.

In the early 1800’s a pigment and dye made with copper arsenite was developed. The beautiful bright green color became an instant favorite with painters, wallpaper designers and fabric dyers.

It was also used in other industries such as candy making, cake decorations, soaps, wallpaper, children’s toys and of course it was a highly effective rat poison!

Yes, its main ingredient was arsenic! This highly toxic pigment came to be called Paris green for it’s popular use in the French city to kill rats.

Because it was cheap to manufacture, Paris green was used not only as a fabric dye and an artist’s paint but also as a household paint and it was widely used on wallpaper. This made damp rooms death traps.

When Napoleon died in 1821, his doctors recorded the official cause of death as stomach cancer but trace amounts of arsenic were found in Napoleon's hair. Could this arsenic have been absorbed naturally or was he intentionally poisoned? Towards the end of Napoleon's life, he spent increasing amounts of time indoors, where his home was decorated with Paris Green wallpaper.

The French painter Cezanne had an affinity for using paris green pigments in his oil paintings, and it might have been no coincidence that he suffered from severe health problems.

Even with scientific evidence of its highly toxic nature, production of Paris green paint was not banned until the 1960’s.

Same Center Panel Medallion in Another Quilt

2012-01-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

This very early, 1820's quilt is documented as being made in Vermont and is in mint condition including the original fringe. This is a generous quilt sized 121 x 120 inches and is not quilted, nor does it have batting.

What is most amazing is that in the center of the very early, splendid fabrics is the exact same center medallion panel that is used in the quilt in the previous post from the Victoria and Albert Museum of London.

Center Medallion Panel Quilts

2012-01-23T18:04:00.000-08:00

Early in the nineteenth century printed center medallion panels for quilts became popular. These were manufactured throughout the first few decades of the century, and were widely used in quilts and other needlework projects. Some of the medallion panels celebrated military victories and America's newfound Liberty, but others were ornate decorative designs of fruit and flowers often in vases or urns that fitted with the trend for dense fabric patterns and bright colours.

The particularly large example at the center of this quilt was probably printed in England the 1800's at a time when the surrounding prints would also have been highly fashionable in middle class homes.

Quilt of printed cottons with center medallion square. Circa 1830s. In the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The center medallion panel shows a basket of fruit on a white ground. This is surroundedby nine patchwork borders of varying widths, including a border of hexagon rosettes, and a border in the design now known as 'flying geese'. Most of the printed cottons date to the second quarter of the nineteenth century. The quilt which was most likely made in England has a reverse of hand-woven white linen and is quilted in a herringbone pattern. The initials 'A.E.W' are worked in cross stitch in the upper left-hand corner, and the initials 'I.K' in the lower right - were these the women who worked on the quilt or was this a Mother's gift for a daughter who had married and moved away?

"Bed Runners" = Easy 1812 Quilts!

2012-01-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

Are you still undecided about how to design your Cot to Coffin size War of 1812 period quilt for the upcoming 12th annual Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show? Looking for an easy pattern idea? Need a little help from precut fabrics? Then you need to seriously consider checking out this book at your local library or quilt store: "Bed Runners Using Precut Fabrics" by Kathy Brown published by the well known House of White Birches.

In case you have not seen them yet, bed runners are a rather new concept in the world of quilting. Decorative and functional, bed runner quilts have a range of uses. When stretched across the end of the bed in winter, a bed runner can give an added bit of warmth to cold feet. In the summer, when the weight of a quilt is too much, a bed runner placed over the sheets at the end of the bed will keep feet and toes just warm enough! If you have the habit of sitting on the end of the bed when putting on your socks, a bed runner will provide an extra protection for the beautiful quilt it covers.

All of the bed runner quilts in this book are quick and easy to construct using the popular precuts found in all the quilt shops today. Whether using Fat Quarters, Layer Cakes, Turnovers, Jelly Rolls or Charm Squares,

The book includes patterns for ten different bed runner quilts and every one of them can easily be customized to fit the needs of the beds in your home or (…drum roll please) to the size requirements of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Quilt Challenge – 30” by 70”.

Each quilt pattern in this nifty little book is totally appropriate to the 1812 time period and all but a couple are even pictured in the correct 1812 colour-ways! One quilter even said she made her bed runner (minus quilting) in an afternoon! Talk about easy!

Sense & Sensibility Patterns is a Great Source for your 1812 Quilt Show Dress

2011-12-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

Sense & Sensibility Patterns - which specializes in Regency Era (War of 1812) re-enactment fashion patterns is a great resource for 1812 era fashions, so if you've had your eye on something from there to stitch up and wear for the 1812 Quilt Show, you'd better get over there and check it out!

http://sensibility.com/category/patterns/regency-era/

The cottons of the1812 period were called muslin, but are actually much more light weight and more sheer than todayscottons and totally different from the utility fabric we call muslin. For the beautiful dresses pictured smooth cotton lawn, light batiste or fine silk are acceptable choices. Period silks were lightweight but stiff. Good quality dupioni or shantung can be a reasonable substitute, though they are more "slubby" and stiffer than period silks. I have had some success in gently laundering my silk to soften the hand. But the major difficulty is finding a period-equivalent 1812 fashion fabric at a reasonable price!

So many beautiful dresses to sew and quilts to make!

Thank you all for following my blog over the past few months, have a safe and healthy New Year! Chat more soon.

Would you like some Quilt Show Announcement Cards to pass around?

2011-12-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

We have a new supply of 1812 Quilt Challenge Announcement Cards in stock and if you would like a few or a handfull to distribute to your quilting or re-enactor friends please send an email to lynette@seawaytrail.com with a note about how many you need and we will mail them out to you. There is still time for others to also make a quilt for the March 17th and 18th show.

In Honour of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencible Regiment

2011-12-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Glengarry Highlanders arrived in Upper Canada with their families in 1802-03. This was a military emigration, sending men who had served as soldiers to Upper Canada for the dual purpose of internal defense and settling the country.

Below is a snapshot of the quilt that Sheila from Kingston, Ontario is entering in the War of 1812 Quilt Challenge, she just finished it yesterday. Her inspiration is the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencible Regiment.

MacDonnel of Glengarry is the clan tartan in the centre of the top half of her quilt. This was the tartan of many of the men of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencible Regiment (War of 1812.)

Shelia imagined a Scots woman starting her medallion quilt in the Highlands with a scrap of tartan cloth, bringing her work-in-progress to her new home, and hurriedly adding a lower section in 1811-12. She couldn't get tartan in Upper Canada, so she did her best (in the medallion style she knew) with what was available.

Markham Towne Quilters are entering TEN quilts!

2011-12-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

We recently chatted with Mary from the Markham Towne Quilters Guild near Toronto and are delighted to hear that they are entering ten (yes, TEN) 1812 style quilts!

Mary is just finishing up this quilt which contains 10 sampler blocks plus 11 Stepping Stone set-in blocks. So excited to see the others too! Thank you Mary for sharing!

Help us to get the word out on the War of 1812 Quilt Show!

2011-12-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

We currently have over 250 quilters and history buffs who sent in their Expression of Interest form, now it's time to start officially registering all those quilts.

I had a lovely chat this morning with Mary from the Markham (Ontario) Quilt Guild and she informed me that her group is entering ten (yes, TEN) 1812 style quilts! She promises to send photos soon (and I am "giddy" with anticipation) so keep watching this blog.

Please click on the ad below then you can print it to pass out to all your friends and family to let them know about the War of 1812 Quilt Challenge. Encourage them to make a quilt or just come spend the weekend!

War of 1812 Quilt Challenge Timeline

2011-11-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

War of 1812 Quilt Challenge Competition Timing:

· Now through February 19, 2012 – Fill out the Official Registration Form (click here for link to registration form)

· February 20 to March 2, 2012 – Deliver or mail your quilt(s) to Seaway Trail Discovery Center

· March 17-18, 2012 – Attend the 12th Annual Great Lakes Seaway Trail Bicentennial War of 1812 Quilt Show

One of the 30" by 70" cot to coffin size quilts was photographed on the door of the Discovery Center this autumn.

Official Registration Form Available Online!

2011-11-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

The historic 1817 Union Hotel building is the location of the Seaway Trail Discovery Center, Sackets Harbor, NY. Quilts will be on display here for the 12th Annual Quilt Show.

Due to the number of quilt entries this year we’re expanding our show venue to include the Seaway Trail Discovery Center – built in 1817 - plus two additional historic buildings on West Main Street in Sackets Harbor, NY.

The 1808 Samuel Hooker house is now the galleries of the Sackets Harbor Arts Center and will display our quilts during the show. Watercolor by Anitol Mickle.

The Augustus Sacket Mansion was built by the founder of the village in 1802. Today it houses the Sackets Harbor Visitors' Center and during the show our quilts will be on display here.

The three sites will feature your quilts, vendors and demonstrators both days. Admission can be purchased at all sites and will include admission to all three buildings. All buildings are accessible and parking is free.

Our Guest Blogger Mary Knapp on the Eight-pointed Star Pattern

2011-11-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

The iconic eight-pointed star quilt block is undoubtedly the most widespread pattern (other than simple nine-patches) seen in early American quilt making. Eight-pointed star quilts started appearing around 1780 and after 1830 countless variations of star patterns were being made. Indeed the graphic of an eight-pointed star is nearly synonymous with American folk-art.

Our guest blogger today is a professional quilter and author who is known for her innovative drafting techniques and creative use of the eight-pointed star - Mary Knapp.

Many of the block patterns used to create quilts today, were first developed many decades ago using very simple tools but accurate techniques. Consider this design process evolving in the early 1800’s, just prior to the War of 1812.

I have chosen the eight-pointed star pattern to explore and develop this concept into easily designed blocks. The tools I used are ones that were available to designers in the 1800’s. I used a straight-edge, a pencil and my imagination. My designs are all based on one commonality: the 45° diamond patch that is repeated and grows into symmetrical designs.

One to several of these blocks would serve as a focal point on a background of whole cloth or simple pieced blocks. The resulting patterns were pieced with combinations of plain color and print fabric.

The designers in earlier times named their blocks with the same serendipity that many of us use today. What they observed in nature and everyday life played a role in the creative process. It is possible that a piece of china or the design made by cracks in the mud evolved into a descriptive term for a quilt block. Birds, trees, and flowers figure prominently in the names of many blocks. Other sources could have come from a basket carried by a friend or viewing a formation of marching soldiers.

Then as now, let your imagination should be your guide to produce a piece of work that will be cherished for decades.

Check out more of Mary's quilts at: http://maryknappquilts.wordpress.com

Great Examples of Early 1800's Quilts

2011-11-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Although quilting in one form or another has existed throughout history (knights during the crusades wore quilted layers under their armor,) quilts as we think of them didn't appear on the American scene until the late 18th century and the oldest quilts in the Smithsonian only date back to around 1780.

Quilting was generally done in straight lines, although flowers, baskets, feathers and wreathes were not uncommon.

We continue to research documented quilts from the 1812 era and present the following early quilts from the incredible online quilt reference "The Quilt Index"

Early 1800's quilts were often “whole-cloth” quilts (quilts made of whole panels of fabric, such as the fashionable toile prints.)

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=46-7A-BB

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=47-7B-59D

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=4D-85-238

Trapunto (stuffed work) and white-work quilts were made.

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=4D-85-20F

Bar and stripy quilts were popular too.

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=46-7A-48

Medallion quilts and Broderie Perse (or Persian Embroidery) were very fashionable in the early 1800's (you could even purchase fabric specifically designed to be cut out and appliquéd onto your quilt.)

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=46-7A-52

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=46-7A-64

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=46-7A-9A

Or how about this example - sort of a hybrid of a wholecloth and a medalion style!

http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=21-41-4

Click on the links under each quilt photo to read all the details

It’s hunting season! Antique hunting scene toile quilt circa 1815

2011-11-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

This beautiful wholecloth toile quilt dates to circa 1815. The quilt features a wonderful madder purple copper plate printed rare French hunting scene toile. The color of the printing is a wonderful eggplant purple. The backing is a traditional blue stripe ticking fabric. The front is made from two panels of the toile and the back is made from various panels of the ticking.

Most reproduction fabric collections have a toile or two in their line – what a relatively easy way to make your 1812 quilt!

This quilt has survived in amazingly wonderful condition considering it's age and is currently for sale on E-bay.

Another circa 1812 reproduction quilt blog to visit!

2011-10-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

Our favorite Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman reminds us to remember the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 through patchwork quilts. Check out her fabulous 1812 themed quilt blog for period techniques and quilt style ideas:

http://quilt1812warandpiecing.blogspot.com

1812 War & Piecing. I'm so jealous that I didn't think of the catchy title that she uses for her blog! War and Peace is the famously long novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. The novel begins in 1805 during the reign of Tsar Alexander I and leads up to the 1812 French invasion of Russia by Napoleon. Perfect timing!

An 1812 fashion accessory that's still in style!

2011-10-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

Perfect to thwart the cool breezes of Autumn - shawls were at the height of popularity throughout the War of 1812/Regency period, and have actually never gone out of fashion! Today’s fashion shawls are perfect to drape over your arms, add a light layer of warmth and complement any outfit, Regency or modern!

A fashion publication of the Regency era states: "Shawls are much worn; they are admirably adapted to the promenade, as they afford, in the throw and arrangement, such fine opportunities for the display of the wearer's taste." From Ackermann's Repository for June 1809.

A lithograph plate showing a variety of ways of wearing shawls in early 19th-century France (ca. 1802-1814); redrawn from various early 19th-century sources by Durin for Albert Charles Auguste Racinet's Le Costume Historique.
Click on the image to view it full size.

My favorite is the green triangular version - third from the right in the top row - perhaps made in hunter green camel hair? Toasty!

Why is the War of 1812 a big deal?

2011-10-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Why is the War of 1812 a big deal in the United States and Canada yet regarded as a minor period of annoyance by Great Britain?
Was the Anglo-American "War of 1812" simply one rather unimportant period in the much greater world-wide Napoleonic Wars from 1800-1815?
Was America just a “burr under the saddle” to Great Britain during the War of 1812?
And why was everyone so mad?

Decide for yourself when you click the link below and watch "The War of 1812" a 2-hour, online PBS presentation on the politics and battles that defined the war. http://video.pbs.org/video/2089393539#

This program was produced by WNED-TV of Buffalo/Toronto. Learn more at the PBS War of 1812 website at: http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812

1812 Wardrobe Project

2011-09-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard we are encouraging our attendees at the March 17 and 18 quilt show to dress in 1812 period fashions.

As a prelude to the quilt show a few of us dressed up for New York State's Official War of 1812 Commemoration Day on September 24th at the Seaway Trail Headquarters in Sackets Harbor.

The 1812 dressed re-enactors also helped to inaugurate our first-ever Great Lakes Seaway Trail Volkssport 5k and 10k walk events.

President James Monroe was also on hand to lobby for his Monroe Doctrine!

The gold and green ladies dresses were made from Simplicity pattern 4055 which was designed by Jennie Chancey. The dresses were made of basic quilting cotton and were extremely comfortable.

The pattern went together perfectly and each dress took about eight hours total sewing time. That time is including the stitching of all visable areas by hand and the creation of the chemisette undersleeves and cuffs. All-in-all it was a fun diversion and a rather quick project by quilt-making standards.

The little girl's white dress was constructed using techniques from the classic heirloom sewing book "French Handsewing by Machine" by Martha Pullen (I adore that lady.) It consists of cotton batiste with rows of twin needle pintucks and cotton lace insertion and was originally worn by the little girl's Aunt at her first communion. I'd love to share more details on that dress if you're interested.

Everyone needs to dress up like this occassionally! Hope to see many of you in costume too! In the interim feel free to contact us with any questions or comments - we love to hear from you!

"Lately Arrived from London" has arrived!

2011-08-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

In early summer one of the quilters at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail pre-ordered the fat quarter sampler of Moda's "Lately Arrived from London" by Barbara Brackman. It was not expected to ship until mid-September but what a pleasant surprise she had when it arrived on Saturday! It is lovely and we are not aware of any other major fabric lines that accurately reflect the early 1800 era. You may want to ask for it at your favorite quilt shop. Here is the line's description from the Moda website:

"Lately Arrived from London” will delight fans of early calicoes and chintzes. The collection recreates fabrics from the turn of the 19th century when Americans imported their cottons. Traders brought the world’s luxury goods to wharves in Philadelphia, Boston and New York. Each piece is named for a trading ship that sailed into American harbors - the Charming Betsy, the Brigantine Sally, the Ship Surprise.

The reproductions are copied from Dutch, Indian, French and British document prints, the type advertised in 1771 by John Hunt of New York. “Fine sprig’d muslins for gowns, fine border'd India and other chintzes; … furniture calicoes.”

Colorways echo natural dyes with

colors named for the styles of

the times: China blue, India red,

Pompadour purple, Nankeen tan and Muslin white. The prints range from a neat geometric and leafy sprigs suitable for a lady’s dress to “furniture calicoes,” the chintz-scale fl orals. The furniture calicoes include a pillar print perfect for an 18th-century bed hanging or a 21st-century quilt border.

Double click the images to see a larger view.

Early 1800 Quilts from the Winterthur Collections

2011-07-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Get inspired with these great quilts from the first couple decades of the 1800's from the Winterthur Museum:

Silk, Wool and Cotton Quilt from the Winterthur collections

Provenance Pennsylvania made between 1817 and 1830

http://content.winterthur.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/quilts&CISOPTR=452&CISOBOX=1&REC=3

Wool Stripe Quilt from the Winterthur collections

Provenance Maine or Mass. between 1800 and 1830

http://content.winterthur.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/quilts&CISOPTR=325&CISOBOX=1&REC=3

Quilt made from Silk, Wool, Cotton, Linen and NEWSPAPER!

Provenance Hallowell, Maine made between 1795 and 1815

http://content.winterthur.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/quilts&CISOPTR=331&CISOBOX=1&REC=1

Broderie Perse applique quilts from the 1812 era

2011-07-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

French for Persian embroidery "broderie perse" came to refer to the applique of motifs cut from printed chintz onto a solid fabric. Popular in the late 1700s and into the 1800's broderie perse was generally for show with only the rich having the leisure time and access to the expensive English chintz prints needed to make them.

Quilt historian, Barbra Brackman, tells us: "Many were appliquéd with a tiny blanket stitch over raw edges. Rather than carefully cutting around each flower, most seamstresses cut a general shape. The secret is matching the background of the chintz to the appliqué background. From a distance the two blend and give the illusion of more detailed cutting."

Photo by Susan Laird

This beautiful “Broderie Perse” quilt created in 1820 from English chintz that was carefully cut out and appliquéd to the quilt surface. This quilt is unusual because of its excellent condition and was obviously well cared for the past two centuries. It is on display in Northern California at the Folsom History Museum's annual Antique Quilt and Vintage Fashion Exhibit through Sept. 5.

The 30" by 70" question!

2011-07-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

Determining the quilt size for the Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Quilt Challenge was a long thought out decision for us to make. This exhibit will be our 12th annual quilt show and we had the input and opinions of many quilters (including published quilters, quilt historians and historic re-enactors) as we planned this challenge. So with that being said, here are the reasons we decided the Cot to Coffin size (30” by 70”) would be the best choice for our quilt challenge:

Documentation verifies the making of Cot to Coffin size quilts for soldiers during the Civil War (1861 to 1865) and we are assuming that making quilts for soldiers during the War of 1812 may have happened also. However, in that earlier time period there is no documentation or standard size for us to replicate and 70 inches is about the size of a man (from cot to coffin.) This size would have been small enough to roll into a backpack while on the march (armies moved on foot) and may well have served as a burial shroud also.

This smaller size quilt is much less of a commitment for makers (and particularly new quilters) than a large piece. There are few opportunities for folks to participate in activities commemorating the War of 1812 and we thought this small size would encourage more people to participate. We hope to get at least 200 entries for the 200th bicentennial of the War of 1812.

More quilts will be able to be hung in our available space. Our headquarters are in an historic 1817 limestone building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has usage limitations. Therefore, with this smaller quilt size, we will be able to accommodate all entries in our building and two additional historic buildings from the 1812 period here in the village of Sackets Harbor (which was a headquarters of the Northern Army of the United States during the War of 1812.)

In our travels we have noticed many decorative pieces about 30” x 70” draped across the foot of beds in hotels so our 1812 reproduction quilts might be a good size for over the foot of our beds.

In summary we think this size quilt will make a very dramatic display. We picture the exhibit as soldiers’ standing at attention to commemorate those who fought in the War of 1812 and also honoring 200 years of peace between the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

This quilt-in-progress, which will be entered in our 1812 quilt challenge upon completion, has been designed to honor an ancestor who fought in the War of 1812.

The quilt measures 30" by 70" and was created using reproduction prints in indigos and browns.

The quilt artist selected 23 different fabrics and each fabric has no more than three colors in any print.

In discussing her design and choice of fabrics she said her regret is that she did not include more large-scale floral prints that would have been popular in 1812. She is also considering tea dying the quilt as she feels it has much higher contrast than would have been seen in quilts of the era. What say you?

Women's Fashion in the Era of the New Republic

2011-07-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Every era has its own individual sense of fashion style even when that style is clearly influenced by the past. One of the most unique eras in women's fashion occurred during the early years of the American republic and continued through the War of 1812 (and Regency) period. Elegant Grecian inspired gowns of gossamer silk, ethereal sheer cotton and linen, in white, creme and pastels were the height of sophisticated fashion.

Please enjoy these fashion plates from "Incroyables et merveilleuses de 1814." Truly the "Paris Vogue" of the day!

Will you be so bold as to join with the staff of the Great Lake Seaway Trail Discovery Center and dress in period correct fashion for our 1812 Quilt Challenge?

(Click on each fashion plate and then click again to see a super-high resolution image.)

What would your ideal 1812 / Regency era outfit look like?

Rare 1812 era quilts

2011-07-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Quilts from the War of 1812 / Regency period are very rare finds indeed but we have located a few more quilts in various museum collections. We hope these images will inspire you in the design of your quilt for our 1812 Quilt Challenge at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center in Sackets Harbor next March.

The following quilts are from the collections of the Michigan State University Museum:

Photo by KEVA

Whitework Quilt
Circa 1810
86" x 88"

A whitework quilt with stuffed trapunto details, provenance unknown. The back is probably homespun. Incredible quilting!

Chintz counterpane

Circa 1820 New York State provenance
120" x 108"
This counterpane is made of five panels of fabric, each 24" wide. The four-poster flap is 32" long. The fabric is printed in a repeating floral print, within the window pane checks. Mostly brown with green and white. The fabric is still very shiny. The counterpane has a narrow hem all the way around.

Closeup detail of the fabric

Photo by Fumio Ichikawa

Bars circa 1800

Provenance unknown
73" x 89"

This bar quilt made from English chintz is one of the earliest quilts in the Michigan State University Museum collection. These fabrics, manufactured for home furnishings, have all the indicators of early block-printing techniques; poor registration, overlapping dyes, and pin registration marks. The large fabric pieces showcase floral, bird, and fruit designs. The quilt is tacked, not quilted.

War of 1812 / Regency Era Quilts from Museum Collections

2011-06-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

We have located a few more quilts from the War of 1812 / Regency Era in museum collections. Quilts from this period are very rare finds.  We hope these images will help you in the design of your quilt for our 1812 Quilt Challenge at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center in Sackets Harbor next March.

Michagan State University Museum Accession 1998:53.37. Photo by Pearl Yee Wong.

Four Patch
1800-1820
99 1/2" x 104" Cotton with cotton filling

This Massachusetts quilt contains copperplate prints, probably of English manufacture, some calicos, glazed chintz and India prints.

Michagan State University Museum Accession 1998:53.39. Photo by KEVA.

Framed Square
1800-1820
95" x 100" Cotton with cotton filling

This early New England quilt seems to have been made with random scraps, but, as can be seen here, was carefully organized. The cut-out corners indicate that it was made for a four poster bed.

Michagan State University Museum Accession 2007:107.1. Photo by Pearl Yee Wong,

Wholecloth
Provenance unknown - circa 1800
79 1/2" x 91" Cotton, wool filling

Very little is know about this wholecloth quilt but wouldn't it look great in some of the reproduction fabric lines coming out for the War of 1812 bicentennial like Moda's Lately Arrived from London by Barbara Brackman or some of the new Andover reproduction prints.

Michagan State University Museum Accession 1998:53.99. Photo by KEVA.

Sunburst with Mariner's Compass
Circa 1800-1830
86" x 86"

Within this New England quilt can be found a wonderful collection of early printed cotton fabrics.

Please feel free to email us and share any museum collection quilts or other quilts from the War of 1812 / Regency Era that you have researched.

Fashion Plates of the War of 1812 / Regency Era

2011-06-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

The fashion era spanning of the War of 1812 was also the Regency era of British novelist Jane Austen, it’s focus was on elegance and simplicity.

Women’s fashions of the period were inspired by the democratic ideals of the new French Republic - which in turn took it’s inspiration from classical Greece. Waists were high and diaphanous light coloured fabrics were at the height of fashion.

Such a contrast to fashions of the previous and following eras with their multiple layers of dark and heavy fabric.

The following fashion plates were published in Incroyables et merveilleuses de 1814. Click on the plate and then click again to see a high resolution large image.

Wonderful inspiration for the gowns we will all wear to the Seaway Trail 2012 Quilt Show in March. Hope you will plan to join us in costume too!

Our 1812 Quilt blog posted on Barbara Brackman's blog

2011-06-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Quilt Historiann Barbara Brackman has mentioned us on her blog!

Check it out at: http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2011/05/war-piecing-1812-2012.html.

In other news, while researching for our 1812 quilt challenge project I've come across some great quilts to use for inspiration for fabrics and patterns in various museum collections include this circa 1790-1810 Winterthur medallion quilt:

And this medallion quilt from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum:

Also from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum is this bar/stripey quilt with chintz and nine patch blocks circa 1800 to 1820.

Plus this double Irish chain possibly from Pennsylvania between 1800 - 1820 from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum

Or how about a circa 1800-1820 quilt possibly made in Eastern Pennsylvania also from the collections of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum.
So many quilts to use for reference to the 1812 era!

Playing "Dress-up" for the War of 1812 Quilt Show?

2011-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

War of 1812 Period Costume Dress Up

One of the things I love about the War of 1812 period as portrayed in classic films like Pride and Prejudice and Emma by Jane Austen are the gorgeous costumes! The ladies at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail will be attired in period correct fashions for the 2012 quilt show - and maybe even sooner! We’ve just ordered Regency Era patterns from one of my favorite re-enactor fashion designers Jennie Chancey.

(and undies too!)

Hope to see many of you dressed in period costume too, in the interim you can check out her patterns at: http://sensibility.com/about/

2011-06-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman has a new book coming out. Perfect timing to inspire our War of 1812 bicentennial quilts!

http://www.blurb.com/books/2106301

Click on the link to see a preview of the first few pages of Lately Arrived From London - Cotton Prints and Patchwork Before 1820, a companion to her early 19th century fabric reproduction collection from Moda that will be out in September, 2011. You can "View Fullscreen" by clicking the icon on the lower right of the page.

Museum quilts from the early 1800's for pattern inspiration

2011-05-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

For pattern inspiration we thought you would enjoy the following quilts from the collections of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tree of Life

Circa 1790-1810

In addition to the stylized tree of life and long-tailed birds featured in this quilt, the maker fashioned borders with fabric that depicts latticework gates and unusual vases and urns. Designs such as these were known as chinoiserie, from the French word ‘chinois,’ meaning Chinese. Images inspired by art & design from China, Japan & other Asian countries were freely re-interpreted through the addition of exaggerated, imaginary details. The style became popular during the mid-1700s.

Medallion with pieced border

Dated 1809

Within the symmetrical wreath the name “Eliza Thompson” and the date“1809” are embroidered in red embroidery floss. Is Eliza the recipient or of the maker? An unusual pieced border, with two corners cut out to fit a four-poster bed, frames the center of the quilt. The white space between the borders is graced with exceptional quilting, including large flowers and undulating grapevines.

Medallion

Circa 1820-1840

Multiple symmetrical borders of chintz fabric frame a slender woven basket holding tulips, lilacs, and passion flowers in the elegant Medallion quilt. The quiltmaker used a stuffed work technique to add dimension to her quilting. The stuffed work, created by inserting extra cotton batting through the quilt’s backing fabric into channels formed by the quilting stitches, includes a flowing grapevine draped with ripe grapes and curling tendrils, overflowing cornucopias and a plump feathered plume.

Tracing Your War of 1812 Ancestors

2011-05-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Think you may have an ancestor who served in the War of 1812? The website of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 may help you find out.

For more than a century the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 , have dedicated themselves to patriotism, preservation of documents and relics, and education. Work of the Society includes promotion and education of the Star-Spangled Banner Museum, Old Fort Niagara, and Fort McHenry.

Check out their full website at: http://www.usdaughters1812.org/home.html

Fill in as much information as you have about your ancestor at: http://www.usdaughters1812.org/dbLaunch.html to search their Ancestor Database.

You just may be surprised – I was when I located my husband’s Great-Great-Great Grandfather!

"Lately Arrived from London" - a new line of 1812 era period fabrics

2011-05-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman will be introducing a new reproduction collection of fabric. The reproductions are copied from Dutch, Indian, French and British documented prints of the 1812 era.

Moda's "Lately Arrived from London" should be in quilt shops at the end of the summer 2011. We have posted a few samples she has shared with us to give you an idea of what fabrics from the 1812 era may have looked like.

You might also want to search your local quilt shops for her Moda collection from a couple of years ago titled: "Hartfield."

Fans of Jane Austen's novels will recognize Hartfield as the home of Emma Woodhouse, the matchmaking heroine of "Emma." Barbara Brackman's Hartfield collection from Moda reproduces early prints from the years when Jane Austen flourished which was also the time frame for our War of 1812 quilts.

Each print in the Hartfield collection was named for an English estate featured in Austen novels. Colorways echoed the natural dyes of the time. The prints ranged from the small florals that the Austen characters called sprigged or spotted muslins to a large scale chintz fabric perfect for a center medalion or "broderie perse" - the lovely technique for applique of printed chintz flowers and other motifs onto a solid fabric.

Links to museum quilts from the 1812 era

2011-05-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

In our continued correspondence with Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman she has kindly shared some links to museum collections of quilts that are attributed to the first and second decade of the 19th century - lots of great ideas on patterns, fabrics and colours - check out the details at the various museum websites listed below:

A strip quilt in the characteristic limited color scheme from Patricia Melton Smith's collection in the Smithsonian. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=36858

A Nine Patch by Anna Hixson in the collection of the DAR Museum in similar colors. Photo from the Quilt Index.

http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=46-7A-16

An embroidered quilt with a pieced wool (calimanco) border. It's hard to know from the digital catalog entry if this quilt is actually dated 1812, which would put it in the next decade, but it is certainly the kind of quilt we'd expect to see in the 1800-1809 era. The quilt is from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/18471?search_id=8

Historic New England has a cut-out chintz with a swag border that MAY be
dated 1815. It's hard to tell from their catalog, but it certainly looks
like this decade with its combination of chintz and blackbirds.

http://www.historicnewengland.org/collections-archives-exhibitions/collections-access/collection-object/capobject?gusn=GUSN-45010&searchterm=None

The Smithsonian's Hewson quilt: http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=36857

A medallion with a swag from the Winterthur http://content.winterthur.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/quilts&CISOPTR=340&CISOBOX=1&REC=11

And another from the Winterthur piecehttp://content.winterthur.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/quilts&CISOPTR=444&CISOBOX=1&REC=3

Dolley Madison and 1812-1814 time period fashions

2011-05-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

PBS's American Experience recently aired a program on Dolley Madison that included the 1812-1814 timeframe. She defined the role of the President's wife, became America's first First Lady, and in the process changed the face of the American presidency.

We really enjoyed it and thought you might too.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/dolley/player/

Keep an eye on the Empire period fashions and colours popular during that era to help you with your quilt fabric selection.

The bonus video that takes you behind the scenes with the costume designer is particularly interesting! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/bonus-video/dolley-costume-designer/

2011 Seaway Trail Foundation Quilt Show Video

2011-04-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it - click below to view a beautiful 12 minute video of the recent 2011 Seaway Trail Foundation Quilt Show! Thank you to Dick and Jo Belmont for sharing!

The 2011 Seaway Trail Foundation Quilt Show

Swatches of fabric appropriate for an 1812 quilt

2011-04-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

With some careful research you should be able to find a good selection of suitable fabrics either at your local quilt store or at one of the online sites selling reproduction fabrics.

We hope these swatches of fabric appropriate for an 1812 quilt will give you an idea of what to look for (click the image for a larger view.)

American & British War of 1812 Buttons

2011-04-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

American & British War of 1812 Buttons

An original strip of buff color wool cut from the cuff of an American army officer’s uniform coat, upon which are still sewn two beautifully patinated and preserved one-piece cuff-size silvered copper regimental type infantry buttons.

A pewter, one-piece coat-size British enlisted infantryman of the 89th Regiment of Foot button (Plowed up on the battlefields of Ft. Erie in June 1897.)

A one-piece copper cuff or vest-size Regiment of Riflemen button with blank back.
Property of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

“Attack of Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario, North America.”

2011-04-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

“Attack of Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario, North America.” May 6, 1814.

Drawn by Captain Steele and engraved by R. Havell & Sons, c. 1814 (click the image for a large, detailed view.)

Capt. Steele was on board one of the British ships and an eyewitness to the attack.

Image is courtesy of the Collection of Paul Lear.

"Lately Arrived from London" - a new line of period fabrics

2011-04-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

"Lately Arrived from London" Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman has a new reproduction collection of prints from the 1812 era.

Moda's "Lately Arrived from London" should be in quilt shops at the end of the summer 2011. We will post samples if we are lucky enough to see some advance swatches.

Pattern and Color advice from Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman

2011-04-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Quilt historian Barbara Brackman suggests that a quilt in medallion or strip format would be a good patchwork design. "Patterns that were popular at the time were simple stars and basic nine-patch and four-patch variations. If you are thinking about domestic prints the best colors might be indigo blues, browns and a touch of pink. The War cut into our imports but well-to-do women at the time had their stashes of imported French, English and Indian chintzes and calicoes in a variety of colors. They loved to mix large-scale and small-scale prints."

Some great examples of circa 1812 quilts suggested by Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman

2011-04-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

We are so pleased to be corresponding with Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman with regards to our 1812 Quilt Challenge. She kindly has offered these links to museums with circa 1812 quilts in their collections to give you an idea of period colors and patterns. Check them out!

A strip quilt in the characteristic limited color scheme from Patricia Melton Smith's collection in the Smithsonian. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=36858

A Nine Patch by Anna Hixson in the collection of the DAR Museum in similar colors. Photo from the Quilt Index. http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?kid=46-7A-16

An embroidered quilt with a pieced wool (calimanco) border. It's hard to know from the digital catalog entry if this quilt is actually dated 1812, which would put it in the next decade, but it is certainly the kind of quilt we'd expect to see in the 1800-1809 era. The quilt is from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/18471?search_id=8

Quilters! This is a "once in 200 years" opportunity!

2011-03-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

A War of 1812 Commemorative Bicentennial Activity

We invite you to make an 1812 reproduction quilt for the 2012 Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show.

Please use the following guidelines:

Size:

30 inches wide by 70 inches high for “Cot to Coffin” size

(size may vary 2 inches either way)

Fabrics:

Use cotton, linen, silk, wool, linsey-woolsey fabric or combinations in appropriate color for top of quilt; no batiks

Design options:

Pieced
Whole Cloth
Appliqué

Fabric:

Choose fabric of one, two or no more than three colors in one fabric
Colors: keep in mind what might have been imported or what people had to make dyes in America in 1812, just the way we dye Easter Eggs with beet juice or onion skins. Few could afford or had access to new fabric to use for quilts. No true fast black existed at that time.
Fabric choices in print can be Chintz, Botanical, Toile, solids, plaid or strip

Construction:

Use three-layer traditional quilt building with batt, back and top
Sew top by hand or machine
Batt and back are your choice
Hand or machine quilt with thread of your choice in a design you feel is most appropriate. Please no tying - these are special quilts.
Binding could be whip stitch, knife edge tucked or bound
Finish including a 4 inch pocket on the top end for hanging the quilt and a label identifying the maker(s)

Timing:

Now: Register your "Expression of Interest" as soon as possible (see details below.)

Before January 15, 2012: Respond to Seaway Trail Foundation with complete details on your entry.

Before March 3, 2012: Mail or deliver your completed quilt to Seaway Trail Foundation, Inc., Box 660, Sackets Harbor, NY

March 17-18, 2012: Quilt Show dates at Seaway Trail Discovery Center

Notes:

Quilt historians Barbara Brackman and Anne Orr have suggested that a pieced quilt with an alternating star and 16-patch blocks made from clothing scraps might have been the kind of quilt made by Abraham Lincoln’s mother.

Barbara Brackman’s research indicates common choices were medallion format, simple pattern, complex fabric and low contrast.

Quilt Author Pepper Cory has written about the importance of using quality fabric when marking a design for a whole cloth quilt; fill the space with quilting; it does not have to be white, try a color.

Appliqué can tell life’s stories in pictures perhaps you had an ancestor who fought in the War of 1812. What a lovely way to honor their memory and your family.

1812 Challenge Sponsor:

This international quilt challenge is sponsored by the Seaway Trail Foundation, Inc. in commemoration of the military history of the 518-mile-wide Great Lakes Seaway Trail region and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Registration:

To register your "Expression of Interest" please send an email to: lynette@seawaytrail.com and we will send you a complete registration package with all the details and a sample fabric packet with historically correct swatches (while supplies last) to get you started.

In the interim for information on theme background, resource list, updates visit: www.seawaytrail.com/1812quiltchallenge.html

Or telephone: 315-646-1000 x202 or x203 with any questions

Check back often for updates on resources and to find out what is going on in the competition! As always, your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

The War of 1812 Along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail

2011-03-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

Other than the year it started or that it gave birth of the Star Spangled Banner, most Americans would be hard pressed to tell much more about this conflict that greatly affected the Empire and Keystone States.

The War of 1812 ranged along much on the Great Lakes’ coastline. From Plattsburgh, on Lake Champlain, to Presque Isle, on Lake Erie, American, British and Native American forces clashed for control of the heart of the continent.

Today, most Americans know little about this war because so little changed. The outcome was a return to the status quo, to the conditions before the fighting began. As a result, it has been said that this is the war that the Americans think they won and that the Canadians know they won…and in the end the ones who lost the most may have been the Native Americans.

Two centuries later, visitors from across the state and across the country will see a wide range of bicentennial events that will honor the heroes and heroines, sites and events of the War of 1812. Starting in 2012, the US, Canada, England and the First Nations will begin 1,000 days of celebration to mark the events of the War of 1812 and 200 years of peace that followed.

Here at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail we are very excited to present a "once in 200 years opportunity" for quilters!

Please follow this blog as we update and present details of our War of 1812 Quilt Challenge - a War of 1812 Commemorative Bicentennial Activity sponsored by the Seaway Trail Foundation.

Your comments, suggestions and most importantly - your quilts - will be appreciated as we embark on this historic international quilting adventure.