Quiltmaker Says “Happy Fourth of July”

Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty by Pam Spell from Tyler, Texas

How about some Fourth of July inspiration for those U.S. readers who are celebrating Independence Day this weekend? Pam Spell of Tyler, Texas sent us this photo of a quilt she made using QM’s Uncle Sam pattern.

My oldest daughter was “born on the 4th of July,” so naturally I’ve admired the Uncle Sam quilt since it first came out several years ago.

I stayed faithful to your pattern for Sam, the scrappy background, and the zigzag border. I added a row of pinwheels at the top and bottom…the navy middle border became the outer border to keep it a wall-sized quilt.

I decided Sam was lonely, so I got out graph paper to plan Lady Liberty to keep her proportions the same as Sam’s.  I love to paper-piece and have pieced several quilts this way in the past, but this was the first time I’d ever designed my own foundations. Let’s just say that I enjoyed creating the crown and torch so much that I got to do them twice, and I have a whole new respect for paper-piecing designers, but I’m pleased with the results.

Hope you enjoy my version of your delightful design.

What a great job she did! That Lady Liberty is adorable. Thanks for sharing it with us and QM readers, Pam.

Here’s a little freebie foundation-pieced flag for you. (It’s the July block of Seasons and Celebrations—and they’re all free, so click away!) Follow the link and then click on “January and July” to download the pdf.

I’ve been looking at all kinds of patriotic images lately. Here’s a little more eye candy for you.

Long may she wave!