Pat L. Nickols with RJR Fabrics has done it again! She’s put together a reproduction collection with splendid colors of the era and added a few new twists to make the collection truly her own. We are so excited that Pat agreed to write about her newest collection, Civil War Ladies!
Civil War Ladies started with a photograph of a young couple, framed in a daguerreotype, possibly taken for their wedding. This gave me a romantic settling as I started gathering antique fabric swatches for this line from my extensive collection of authentic fabric. The name Civil War Ladies was chosen to illustrate the supportive role women played during the war and after as we put our young country together. The young woman in the photo has a paisley shawl over her shoulders that would have been a prize possession in the Civil War era. The paisley stripe and paisley medallion were chosen to illustrate the popularity of the paisley shawl, which might have been woven of fine wool in Scotland and exported to this country.
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| Paisley Medallion |
I strive to get the exact reproduction prints as close to the original fabric as possible. In most cases there is a document or original color-way that is engraved and printed. In addition, we alter colors in some of the prints to cover as many original and popular colors of the period.
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| Paisley Stripe |
When selecting prints to use for a collection I like to have a variety of scale and pattern. In this line the paisley stripe was my starting point, then the paisley medallion was a good support. I followed the paisley with the ribbon stripe and the next three medium prints, some dense with patterns and some open with widely scattered figures. Small scale prints are very important for quilt composition and the four stars prints will be welcome additions for quilters. I like to offer quilt makers, re-enactors or museums the colors and patterns that are true to the period . When choosing a project I try to be as true to the period as I can. Does that mean I feel these can only be used for antique reproduction pieces, no, not at all. These patterns and colors can be grouped to work very well in today’s contemporary settings.
Another of my Civil War Ladies lines is coming later this fall. I really do like the wonderful prints and colors in the 1860s and 1870s and will do more lines if they remain popular. Another time period I really like is the 1840s, I have done several collections and would like to do more, if public interest calls for it.
Pat L. Nickols
We are excited to offer two quilt kits using the Civil War Ladies fabric! Show your patriotism year-round with the Stars and Stripes Table Runner Kit. Our kit includes the table runner pattern by RJR Fabrics and Civil War Ladies fabric for the 25″ x 60″ quilt top and binding.
In the mood for a larger project? We are also offering the Jacob’s Ladder Kit. Our kit includes the quilt pattern by RJR Fabrics and Civil War Ladies fabric for the 67″ x 74″ quilt top and binding. Reserve your kit today, and we’ll email you when they’re here!
31 comments
Wow I just love Civil War fabrics! These look beautiful 🙂
These are lovely fabrics!
I'm commenting on the "PURE" line, how nice! Thanks for sharing,love,Linda
jldouglas@wispwest.net
Very romantic background, thanks for sharing the story of this line.
Visiting from Jaybird. Love the pure line of fabric. This Civil War fabric is lovely too!
Interesting! (another visitor from Jaybird quilts)
Leaving a comment per Jaybird's request.
Although, I've been a longtime subscriber of your blog.
Love the blog and your shop!!
always enjoy your blog-a subscriber! commenting per Jaybird's request.
Another visitor from Jaybird & the amazine Pure giveaway!
I'm a subscriber of yours, but I'm also visiting from Jaybird's blog. Thanks for sharing your fabric.
I'm also visiting from Jaybird's blog. I love the paisley prints.
Thanks for the giveaway on Jaybird Quilts!!
Came over from Jaybird's blog. I love all the Civil War fabrics you are picturing
Came over from Jaybird's blog. I love all the Civil War fabrics you are picturing
Wow, I'm just starting to look at Civil War fabrics, because my MIL loves them and I want to make something for her, so glad to see there's so many options and kits! 🙂
Civil War is a favorite of mine…your twisting my arm!
Lovely line of fabrics. CW fabrics are my favorites, and it's always nice to hear a little story to go along with the line. Thanks.
I usually like funkier and more colorful prints, but these are so pretty and look like they would make a quilt that SCREAMS "cuddle with me!"
I really like the Jacob's Ladder kit.
Really lovely, I am visting from Jaybird quilts. sang(at)gci(dot)net
I love looking at your blog. I'm visiting from Jaybird Quilts.
Visiting from Jaybird Quilts. Love receiving your newsletter and reading the blog updates via Google Reader AND the Facebook updates! Just can't get enough of FQS! 🙂
I love "Pure"
Gorgeous CW's! 🙂
Jaybird requests a comment… love your shop, beautiful fabric to dream about!
Thanks for sponsoring the Jaybird giveaway. I love PURE! : )
Beautiful!
Humm, I have a birthday arriving shortly 😉 I love reproductions, love fabric, quilting, hummmmm
Beautiful fabrics. I love the Jacob's ladder quilt kit.
I am coming from Jaybird's blog! I love your fabric,and I am thrilled with the giveaway!
Micki
I'm a novice quilter, but am a local historian and genealogist who greatly appreciates work like yours to preserve traditional prints and patterns. Thank you for that!
— Made by Colleen
I am in the process of making my first Civil War quilt & would like to keep it as authentic as possible. My question is: Can I mix this CW Ladies line with the CW reproductions & still stay true to my vision of a true CW quilt?
A lot of them would meet your criteria, but some are recolored. If you want to stay completely true to your vision you may need to contact the manufacturer or designer about specific lines or sku's. Hope this helps!