Quilt Notes: Independence 250, Summer Memories, and My Favorite Iced Tea - 017 0626

Hello Friends -

Have I ever mentioned that I love summer quilts. They are typically bright and airy and they just feel fresh. And they are quilts that we use in many ways, picnics, table cloths, home decor. And they're the kind of quilts that don't take themselves too seriously. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the farm in full bloom, or maybe it’s just the rhythm of summer settling in — but this year, something feels different. I found myself thinking about a summer quilt that I've never made before. A quilt for the Fourth of July.

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love having seasonal wall quilts. Those 30–40 inch squares are my sweet spot — big enough to make a statement, small enough to hang anywhere, and easy to swap out throughout the year. I’ve made plenty of them over time, but somehow I’ve never made one specifically for the Fourth of July. I usually hang any old summer quilt and call it good.

But this year… this year tugged at me.

We’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and that milestone stirred up a memory I haven’t thought about in ages.

I remember the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 so clearly. I helped make parade floats, went to barbecues all summer long, and felt that big, joyful sense of pride that seemed to fill every neighborhood. It was one of those once‑in‑a‑lifetime summers — the kind that sticks with you.

And that memory is what nudged me toward this quilt.

I thought, If I’m ever going to make a patriotic wall quilt, this is the year. Something that feels celebratory, meaningful, and timeless. Something that could come out every July, not just this one.

And that’s how the Independence: A Celebration of 250 Years as a Nation quilt was born.

The Quilt

Here’s the quilt fabrics that I’m using — crisp, classic, and just a little bit nostalgic. Each has that Americana feel.

Fabric Selection

And here’s the full graphic of the design so you can see the whole vision.

Independence

I’ll be releasing the pattern latter this week, but I wanted to share the heart of it today — the story, the memory, and the beginning of the making.

I’ll also be taking process photos over the next couple of days as I sew, and I’ll show you those on Instagram. This quilt will be hanging in my booth at the Wisconsin Quilt Show in September, and I can already picture how beautifully it’s going to stand out.

Summer Sewing + My Favorite Iced Tea

And because it’s June — and because the humidity has already decided to show off — I’ve been keeping a tall glass of my favorite iced tea next to my sewing machine. It’s simple, refreshing, and has just enough citrus to feel like summer in a glass.

Here’s the recipe in case you want to sip along with me while you sew.

Diana’s Summer Earl Grey Iced Tea

Makes: 2‑quart pitcher

Ingredients

• 6 Earl Grey tea bags — any brand

• ½ large orange

• Hot water (enough to fill half the pitcher)

• Cold water (to top off the pitcher)

• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Add the 6 Earl Grey tea bags to a 2‑quart pitcher.

2. Fill the pitcher halfway with hot water.

3. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes.

4. Remove the tea bags, squeezing them gently to get every bit of flavor, then discard.

5. Squeeze the juice of ½ a large orange directly into the warm tea.

6. Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water.

7. Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

8. When you’re ready to enjoy, fill a tall glass with a few ice cubes, pour the tea over the top, and sip away.

Wrapping Up

Wherever you are this week, I hope you’re finding a little cool shade, a little creativity, and something refreshing in your glass. I can’t wait to share more of the Independence quilt with you — and the full pattern later in the week.

Happy stitching, happy summer, and cheers to celebrating this special anniversary in our own handmade way.

Quilt Life Beautiful

Diana