My favorite museum exhibit at the Smithsonian is the Star-Spangled Banner -- the absolutely humungous flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. When visiting the exhibit, you approach the flag via a hallway, turn the corner into a darkened room, and there she is in all her glory. The size of it is heart-stopping, and knowing it was completely hand-sewn by Mary Pickersgill, her daughter, two nieces, and two servants in just five weeks is breathtaking. Each stripe is two feet wide! Mary used more than 400 yards of wool and cotton to create the flag. It is battered and bruised but it is still quite remarkable and great effort has gone into its conservation.
As an homage to Mary and her assistants, and to George Armistead,the commander of Fort McHenry who ordered a flag "so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance," I have designed a new pattern called "Long May It Wave." It is hand-drawn on premium Dorr Linen and will measure a mere 8 inches by 28 inches when completed and YOU can win it and hook it yourself! Leave a patriotic comment below and in the evening on Memorial Day, I will randomly draw the name of the winner.
Good Luck and enjoy the holiday weekend!
10 comments:
Wow, the original size was said to have been 30 x 42 feet. That is pretty impressive. It must have weight a lot.
Have a great weekend and a happy Memorial Day on Monday.
Hugs,
JB
400 hundred yards of wool and cotton! Wow in this day and age that would cost a fortune! Love of country and the star spangled banner...long may she wave!
Happy Memorial Day Sarah!
I love your flag design and thank-you for the chance to win one!!
Hugs!
Cathy G
Thanks for the opportunity!
Happy Memorial Day to everyone , expecially our troops wherever they may be Thanks for the chance
Happy Memorial Day to everyone , expecially our troops wherever they may be Thanks for the chance
Ooohh - I LOVE Americana projects - this long skinny rug looks like it would be so fun to hook! Years ago we visited the Smithsonion for the very first time and my favorite part was watching through the window while the staff worked to repair the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner so it could be displayed - gave me goosebumps!
God Bless America. God Bless our troops and all who have served to protect our flag and our freedom. A special blessing to the mothers and families who lost loved ones.
Thank you for such an interesting history on one special flag. So many people, one goal.
The next time I say the Pledge of Allegiance I will think of that flag and all the work put into it! Happy Memorial Day!
The flag always brings the heart home...USA<USA<USA
Blessings to all the families who shared their family members with us to protect and serve this great flag.
MaryD
www.stitchesonmyneedle.blogspot.com
God bless America! Impressive I love your rug design and would love to hook it!
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