Eagle Reverse Applique

Toward the end of the 18th century, eagles began showing up in almost all types of needle art including quilts, candlewick spreads, hooked rugs, wholecloth, stuffed work, wool embroidered spreads, woven wool coverlets and white work. Whether stately or very primitive, the image of the noble bird maintained its popularity throughout the 19th century. The pattern for Day of Independence quilt was adapted from a quilt made in Maryland, circa 1830. The maker, Catherine Garnhart, sewed her quilt in reverse applique, a technique used by many skilled quilters early in the 19th century, circa 1820 to 1840.

According to research by Nancy Gibson Tuckhorn in an article from A Maryland Album, Gloria Allen and Nancy Tuckhorn, seven eagle quilts made in Maryland are attributed to Catherine Garnhart (1773-1860). Another quilt maker, Susan Strong, is credited with making eagle quilts with similar characteristics found in Garnhart's quilts. Both women were from Frederick, Md., so it's believed that they knew each other and possibly shared patterns and ideas. Pattern sources for these quilts were found in decorative objects found in Garnhart and her neighbors' homes, such as furniture, plates and dishes and ads from the local newspaper. An inked inscription found on another patriotic eagle summer spread dated 1814 reads:

"Strong in thy strength we bend no knee,
to Monarchs or Tyranny
but borne upon thy ample opinion
We ride to freedom and dominion."

Similar quilts contain stars and stripes with inked inscriptions, chintz flower cutouts in vases, and wreaths of laurel leaves.

Day of Independence quilt

Finished size: 56 inches square

Materials:
Day of Independence pattern from Made in America 1776-1830 Quilts by the Daughters of Liberty book (see Resources)
Moda's Floral Trails fabric collection designed by Terry Clothier Thompson and Barbara Brackman:
 - center square - 3/4 yard "Bittersweet" #7804-5 (blue)
 - eagle - 1/2-yard "Teardrops" #7813-1- (red)
 - five stars and 80 Flying Geese triangles - one yard "Picotage" #7800-3 (natural)
 - Geese triangles - 1-1/4 yards divided between several Floral Trails collection red and blue designs
 - four, eight-inch Evening Star blocks - 1/4 yard each of four different Floral Trails reds for the stars and 1/4 yard each of four different blues for the background - "Picotage" #7800-9 (blue)
 - four large triangles around Eagle block- two squares each measuring 20-5/8" cut from 5/8 yard "Bird Toile" #7815-3 (teal/blue)
 - 52 two-inch Patchwork squares - use scraps from all fabrics after other pieces have been cut

Steps:

1. Cut a center square measuring 24-1/2 inches.

2. Applique shield to eagle breast. If desired, applique a stripe or bar across the top of the shield or leave it plain.

3. Fold the square in half on the diagonal and lightly press a fold line from corner to corner as a placement guideline for the eagle and stars. Make this fold on the bias, then handle gently to prevent stretching.

4. Trace eagle pattern (figure A) onto the right side of the fabric. For machine applique with freezer paper, reverse the image of the eagle, unless you're not concerned with the direction the bird faces.

5. Pin eagle applique to the center block, using the center fold as a guide in placement. Be sure to leave room at the top for the five stars. The eagle on the featured quilt measures 4-1/4 inches from the bottom corner of the diagonal square (figure B).

6. Pin the stars above the eagle starting with the third star directly above the eagle head, then place the others in an arc above the wings. Baste and applique in place (figure C).

7. Cut 52, 2-1/2-inch (two inches finished) squares for a patchwork border around the eagle square.

8. Sew two rows of 14 patchwork squares on opposite sides of the eagle block. Sew two rows of 12 for the remaining sides of block (figure D). After piecing squares, do not press the seams. Pin the rows onto the side of block, and sew. This helps in easing the row onto the block so it fits more accurately than if the row had been pressed first. Thanks to Cherie Ralston for this tip.

9. Cut four corner triangles from the two, 20-5/8-inch squares. Cut diagonally each way to make four triangles.

10. Find the centers of the sides of the eagle block. Pin and sew triangles to the square (figure E). The quilt should now measure 40 inches square.

11. Make a Flying Geese border using 40 flying geese blocks (figure F), with four, eight-inch Evening Star blocks in each corner.

12. Cut and piece the Flying Geese and Evening Star blocks. Sew 10 Geese blocks on the sides of the quilt. Press after each border is sewn in place.

13. Sew the top and bottom borders each with 10 geese and two star blocks on the sides. Attach to the top (figure G) and bottom of the quilt.

14. For an historical look, quilt in a traditional echo with stippling or an elbow style. Quilt over the applique seam lines. Some old quilts appear to be quilted from the back with no regard to the design on top.

15. Make binding either knife-edge whipped together, or a very narrow straight binding with a single fold of 1/8- to 1/4-inch finished binding. Cut this narrow binding 1/2-inch wide.

Applique Techniques

Reverse applique technique
1. Draw the shield shape onto eagle breast.

2. Cut around the shield with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. Cut a large "blob" of contrasting fabric and place it under the shield cutout.

4. Pin and baste the block to the eagle at least a 1/2-inch from the cut edge of eagle/shield, and sew eagle to "blob" in a running stitch.

5. Sew completed eagle to the background block.

Hand running stitch applique technique
The running stitch is the fastest and easiest applique stitch to use. Here's how:

1. Prepare the applique by pinning and basting it to the background block.

2. Finger press under the raw edge of the fabric, pressing 1/2 to one inch ahead of the needle.

3. Applique along the pressed edge of fabric cutouts, using the running stitch, which is also the quilting stitch. Use a 7 or 8 quilting needle. This flattens the edge, but you may take three to four stitches with each dip of the needle.