The Star’s 2014 quilt project, Block 10: A gold star for Almo
It’s time for Block 10 of The Star’s monthly quilt project, “Where Poppies Grow … Remembering Almo.”
The quilt honors those who served in World War I and tells the story of Almo Ebenezer O’Kell. O’Kell’s correspondence and photos have been preserved by his family and provide a rich history of his work as a medic with Field Hospital No. 3 and the First Division under Gen. John J. Pershing of Missouri.
Each month, along with a new quilt block, we’ll share a piece of Almo’s story.
Today, Block 10: “Dove in the Window”
Almo wrote a few letters home after the start of the new year of 1919 and said he was doing well. But his health quickly deteriorated when he fell ill with appendicitis. Even though his appendix was removed, Almo died of peritonitis on Jan. 12, 1919, in Koblenz, Germany.
Almo’s letters had often expressed his premonitions about never returning home and seeing his son, Townsend, again. Phrases such as “If I ever return home again …” and “It is doubtful I will come home but if I do …” were a constant refrain.
His final journey ended in his hometown of Quincy, Ill., just a little over a year after he had shipped out from Hoboken, N.J.
One of Almo’s death notices listed him as being from El Paso, Texas, with Tillie as his survivor. Missouri and Illinois death notices listed his survivors as “his wife and son who make their home in Hamilton, Mo.”
A letter written by Almo arrived posthumously at the Congregational Sunday School in Quincy thanking members for some gifts he had received. He was represented on the honor roll of the Sunday school, and after his death the blue star before his name was changed to gold.
BLOCK 10, ‘DOVE IN THE WINDOW’
Block size: 14 inches finished
Supply list
8-inch square red fabric
11 inches by 12 inches blue fabric
17 inches by 25 inches background fabric
10 inches by 8 inches green fabric
2-inch square gold fabric
10 inches by 8 inches fusible web
Black embroidery thread, optional
31 inches brown bias strip (previously made)
Cutting directions
From the red fabric, cut:
8 triangles using template (C)
From the blue fabric, cut:
2 (31/4 inch) squares (A)
1 diamond using template (E)
2 pieces using template (F)
1 (2 inch) square. Apply fusible web, and cut 1 circle using template 2
From the background fabric, cut:
2 (31/4-inch) squares (A)
8 triangles using template (B)
2 triangles using template (D)
2 triangles using template (Dr)
2 (31/2-inch by 91/2-inch) rectangles
2 (31/2-inch by 151/2-inch) rectangles
From the green fabric, apply fusible web and cut:
34 leaves using template 3
From the gold fabric, apply fusible web and cut:
1 star using template 1
Stitching directions
Stitch a Dr triangle to opposite sides of the E diamond. Press toward the diamond.
Stitch a D triangle to an F piece. Press toward piece F. Make two and stitch them to the top and bottom of the Dr/E unit as shown. See Fig. 1.
Stitch a background B triangle to a red C triangle. Make 8 and join two together as shown to create a rectangle. Make 4. See Fig. 2.
Draw a diagonal line on the back of each background A square. Layer it with a blue A square with right sides together. Stitch 1/4-inch on both sides of the line. Cut on the drawn line. Open and press toward the blue. Trim each square to measure 2 3/4 inches. You will have 4 half-square triangles.
Stitch a half-square triangle to both ends of the BC rectangle. Make 2 rows like this. See Fig. 3.
Stitch a BC rectangle to either side of the center square. See Fig. 4.
Sew the three rows together to complete the center of the block. See Fig. 5.
Sew a 3 1/2-inch by 9 1/2-inch background rectangle to the top and bottom of the center block. Press toward the background. Sew a 3 1/2-inch by 15 1/2-inch background rectangle to the sides and press toward the background.
DOWNLOADING THIS BLOCK ONLINE
This block will be available as a free download for one week at the online home of Kansas City Star Quilts, PickleDish.com. After that, the pattern will be available as a download for $3.95.
The supply list for the entire quilt and the pattern for the laurel wreath applique will be available as a free download at PickleDish.com throughout the year.
LOOK FOR BLOCK 11 IN H+H ON NOV. 16.
This story was originally published October 17, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "The Star’s 2014 quilt project, Block 10: A gold star for Almo."