Georgia’s history is beautiful, complicated, and painful. It was the last of the original 13 colonies, founded as a haven for debtors and the “worthy poor” of England, giving people a fresh start in America. Originally slavery was banned and there was limited land ownership, but those ideals didn’t last—slavery was legalized by 1751.
Before European contact, Georgia was home to sophisticated Indigenous cultures, including the Mississippian mound builders. Later, the Cherokee Nation thrived in northern Georgia, then after gold was discovered on Cherokee land, the U.S. government forcibly removed the Cherokee and other tribes, marching them to Oklahoma. Thousands died along the way, making it the Trail of Tears, a heartbreaking route you can still follow along the highways.
The Civil War devastated Georgia. Atlanta fell in September 1864 (which makes me think of Gone with the Wind, when Scarlet flees the city). The war profoundly shaped Georgia’s history and identity.
But Georgia is also the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1929, and his childhood home and church are now National Historic Sites.
Another thing that started in Georgia (and still does)? The Appalachian Trail! I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of hiking this 2,200 mile trail, but the closest I’ve gotten is reading “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson.
Most of my time in Georgia has been driving from one place to another, but I was able to spend a little time in Atlanta, then teaching for Fabric.com (RIP) in Marietta. When we were on our quilt shop tour, Hawke and I visited Rock City, advertised for miles along the highway. It’s a fun little place built out of rocks, with winding passageways, foot bridges and a view that brags you can see seven states.
If I make it back over there, I’d love to get the chance to visit Savannah’s Historic District with its tree-lined streets and 18th century architecture. Have you been?
Quilt Block
The block for Georgia in the Quarter Millennial Quilt is known as the Georgia block, an obvious choice. The only variation I made is that the outside rows are half-size. It is traditionally made with five full rows, but that was hard to accommodate with an 8″ square. It has a couple different piecing techniques that I hope you’ll find useful, including spinning those seam allowances.
Quilt Shops
Tiny Stitches (Marietta, GA) has a fabulous selection of Cuddle® fabrics alongside their variety of quilting cottons. They offer classes (though I have yet to teach there) and lots of kits available.
Thread Bear Fabrics (Cumming, GA) has a couple of great collections of fabric that are befitting the quilt along, including America 250 from Northcott Fabrics and the 1776 collection from QT Fabrics.
I can’t wait to see what you make with the Georgia block! If you’ve been to or live in Georgia, tell me about your favorite quilt shops or places to visit there!
Happy sewing!
P.S. Here’s a great article about quilting in Georgia from one of my favorite magazines: Quiltfolk.