WE THE PEOPLE

Some months back I thought "I want to make a semiquincentennial quilt." That date celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city of my birth. Every Philadelphia school kid goes to Independence Hall at least once--we used to be able to touch the Liberty Bell--not any more, it's in a big glass case so many can see it at once and no one can touch it.

I needed a design and the time to make whatever I came up with. In March I was at a quilt shop in Shiner Texas: The Square Quilt Shop. Read about that trip here: Texas Tour 2026. I found a great panel and a pattern that used it--not too big, very graphic, the perfect project that I was sure I could finish by July 4, 2026.

The pattern is called "Stars Around 1776". I named this "We the People". YES, I know those are the words to the Preamble to the Constitution, written in 1787. They are still words that mean a lot to many of us: 

We the People, about 48" x 55" 

This week I finished it and hung it in the living room. It will be the Summer quilt for this spot. 

My grandkids saw it the other day and loved it. Sam, 7, said "How long did it take you to make that eagle?" Stella, 11, said "Make me one of those!" 

The stars I made are different from those in the pattern. The Borders are slightly different too. It was easy to assemble the top and I got to play with machine quilting designs. Quilting panels is a good way to practice, not much piecing, not a lot of time invested in making the top, and you can often "follow the lines" on the printed panel for much of the quilting. Fast and Fun.

Here are some detail shots of the quilting:

The back

The back

For the back I used the colored version of the text print. It includes lots of words from the Declaration of Independence, the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner, and other United States of America patriotic phrases. The black and white version I used on the front. I only had 1 yard of the colored version--the store clerk mixed up my order as I kept shopping and I didn't notice. So I added enough of the Black and White text version to the 1 yard of the Colored version to do the job for the back:

The pattern is from Pine Tree Country Quilts. The panel is part of the 1776 Collection from QT Fabrics. 1776 Fabrics from QT Fabrics That eagle panel may be hard to find this close to July 4. 

I am so glad I went to Shiner Texas and found this panel and pattern. It will be my Summer quilt on the living room wall from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year in the future:

And as a fun little aside: Today is FLAG DAY in the USA. We proudly fly our flag on this day and think of Betsy Ross. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara