Patriotic Quilting

Patriotic Section

by Patricia L. Cummings
photos by James Cummings

We are dedicating this section to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and all the other brave men and women who keep us safe in our homes. Some of the quilts are old projects and some of the photos were taken prior to September 11, 2001.

flaf quilt

The "President's Wreath" quilt above is one of my "you've come a long way, baby" quilts. The photo flatters the workmanship in this quilt. In person, one can more readily see the uneven quilting stitches, and a bias vine that runs underneath the appliqués. Even though it is not perfect, I keep it around.

The quilt reminds me of my mother. You see, she ordered the pattern from an ad in her local newspaper, when she first knew that I was interested in quilting. With the surefooted approach of a beginner, I was convinced that I could make it. Even with its faults, the quilt represents the patriotic emblem of the United States, our flag. The quilt is an example of a material item that evokes strong feelings, just by association. So, with thoughts of my late mother, and thoughts of my country,
I share the quilt with you.

Abraham Lincoln quilt

"Tribute to Abraham Lincoln" is a quilt that I designed in 2000 and finished in 2001. The four embroidered blocks are rendered in Outline Stitch embroidered images in Bluework. The geometric blocks, designed circa 1860, are traditional block configurations, and the center is an appliquéd silhouette of Lincoln in black ultrasuede. I was striving to make a quilt with strong graphics, that would be visually appealing. The borders are quilted with a feather/cable combination and the entire project was hand quilted.

President Lincoln is perhaps our most well-known and most beloved presidents, rivaled in stature only by President George Washington.

God bless quilters, and God bless America.

Added in March 2009 - Song: "A Happy Song of Freedom" by Patricia Cummings, inspired by the announcement of a 17,000 troop increase in Afghanistan.

Letter to the Editor sent to the Concord Monitor, Concord, NH
(unpublished by the paper)
re: "Old Man meets Old Glory" Associated Press article
written October 3, 2001

Dear Editor:

On Sunday, September 30, my husband and I were heading south on I-93 through Franconia Notch when I caught sight of a most unusual sight. In fact, it was so compelling, I asked Jim to take the next exit, park, and grab his camera. On a pole extending out from above the Old Man of the Mountains, and flying freely, was the American flag. At 5:00 a.m. the next morning, this thrilling vision inspired me to write the following poem:

Freedom's Symbol

by Patricia L. Cummings

High atop a mountain
in New Hampshire's granite hills
there stands a symbol mighty
which beckons to us still.

The "Old Man" stirs our hearts with pride
as "Old Glory" from it waves.
So bold, aloft, of Freedom speaks,
from Tyranny, us saves.

Additional Poems by Patricia Cummings

Old Man of the Mountains

Old man of the mountains, Franconia Notch, NH

The following day, Tuesday, I read with interest the story generated by the Associated Press, entitled "'Old Man meets Old Glory." The article incorrectly reported that the flag was "draped over the forehead" of the Old Man of the Mountains. The hikers who placed it there are being sought by forest rangers for having broken laws that ban "defacing" the natural stone profile.

In my opinion, this was simply a gesture of patriotism. I am sure that no one intended to maliciously break any law. In this time of uncertainty and grief, Americans need to pull together. The flag is a symbol of that unity. For the record, I was not personally offended by the display of our flag in this manner, just worried about the danger that climbers would have faced in placing it there. May patriotism prevail.

Sincerely,

Patricia L. Cummings
Concord, New Hampshire

Post note 8/1/04: The Old Man of the Mountains, a natural rock formation resembling the profile of a man, was discovered by "white" men in 1805. After becoming a much loved symbol of the rugged "Granite State," New Hampshire, the Old Man toppled to the ground below on May 3, 2003.

The late John Edward Grace at Old Man of the Mountains site, NH

(The late) John Edward Grace (1911-1974) stands beside the former marker for the "Old Man of the Mountains" in the White Mountains. Date of photo unknown.

Update (2009): An Old Man of the Mountain museum has been set up. Visitors to the White Mountain National Park can look through a view finder to see a simulated replica of the image.

Free pattern for Sanitary Commission Block for the Home of the Brave Quilt Project, which is providing quilts to families of soldiers killed in the War on Terror.