The Fleur-de-Lis

The Fleur-de-Lis

In French, fleur de lis literally means "lily flower".

The fleur-de-lis carries religious and political symbolism, standing for the Trinity and the Virgin Mary; as the emblem of “Light, Life, and Power,” it is the national emblem of France. Might Baltimorean women, either those old enough to span the Revolutionary years, or younger ones kept close to the struggle against tyranny by the recent War of 1812, have wanted to memorialize the famed Frenchman Marquis de Lafayette in their quilts?

One specific reason for the popular inclusion of the fleur-de-lis could be what can be called non other than love for the gallant Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution.

With wild enthusiasm, the American populace welcomed him back on his 1784 visit to the United States. The citizens of Maryland bestowed permanent citizenship upon him, making him one of their own.

Taken from Elly Sienkiewicz, “The Best of Baltimore Beauties”

While the fleur-de-lis has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy in a historical context, and continues to appear in the arms of the King of Spain and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, members of the House of Bourbon. It remains an enduring symbol of France that appears on French postage stamps, although it has never been adopted officially by any of the French republics. In North America, the fleur-de-lis is often associated with areas formerly settled by France, such as Quebec and Louisiana, and with French-speaking people in other Canadian provinces.

Fleurs-de-lis appear on military insignia and the logos of many organizations. During the 20th century the symbol was adopted by various Scouting organizations worldwide for their badges. Architects and designers use it alone and as a repeated motif in a wide range of contexts, from ironwork to bookbinding, especially where a French context is implied. As a religious symbol it may represent the Trinity, or be an iconographic attribute of the archangel Gabriel, notably in representations of the Annunciation.[2] In such contexts, the fleur-de-lis is associated with the Virgin Mary.

“From Wikipedia”

Today was our first class. It went fairly well. We had a class of 15. Only two of us had never appliqued before, myself being one of them. We are starting with a relatively easy pattern to start with. We'll see how fast I can get this done. Apparently I take small stitches. The goal is to take 10 stitches to every 1 inches. I have done 2 inches and I am averaging 20 right now but they will probably get bigger as I move along. 

Here is the start of the first one. Let's see how fast it goes. 

The Carrier

Okay. So today I was going to make to carrier for the blocks. Right. Wrong. Mom made it first and she corrected the measurements in the book and told me it would only take an hour. Great!!!

So I got up and around 10 I started this hour long project. Around 11 I realized this was taking longing with two little ones that would continuously come up and ask you question and then I found that my one very long piece had narrowed in the middle. Oops. Okay. First call to mom.

Now it's 12 mom shows up to assess the damage to the cutting and yup, need more fabric. So mom and dad go and get me another yard and half to cut from. Now it's almost 1

Okay. Next problem. I start to make the ties. I am suppose to SIMPLE sew them inside out. Calmly slip a safety pin in the middle and pull it right side out. Never trust anything that sounds that easy. An hour and a half later a glance up at the clock and see that it's 3:30 and I am late for dog lessons and I am still trying to prod a safety pin through this very narrow opening. And I still have another one to do.

So, off to dog class and another call to mom on the way, while driving a bit to fast. I think the dog was a little scared. Mom graciously offered to come over and help after dinner. (sigh) Did you ever have one of those days like throwing your hands up and saying "why did I start this?"

It is now 6. Mom is here and we are going to finish this in 30 minutes. "Because everything is cut out." Long story short. Mom left at 7:30.

So my 1 hour project took 9 and half hours to complete but I have to admit, it is adorable. I definitely will be using this. I even took pictures.

Tomorrow starts this first block, lets hope I don't have a repeat of today. Applique, here I come.

The Beginning

And so it begins. Today I went to the quilt store. We were looking through all the bolts of fabrics and, of course, I can't get out of there without buying something. My mom says that I always talk her into doing some new project.
This project is going to take 25 months. Each month we are going to do a new block. Now, I have never appliqued before and I am a lefty. That being said. Oh, boy!!!
I got the idea to blog my journey from another website and from the movie "Julie and Julia" which I loved.
What a great idea. I will, of course, be adding pictures as the blocks are finished.
The first step is to make a carrying case for the blocks. We got the idea out of Elly Sienkiewicz, "Papercuts and Plenty." That's this week.

HERE WE GO!!!