Heritage Moments

Coverlets and Quilts

Tuesday, 27 May 2008 20:01

"Quilts tell stories; they illustrate history; they express love and sorrow; they link generations together; they are community; people gather to make them and experience them; they are art; they teach. Quilts matter!” ~The Alliance for American Quilts."  

 

Few things warm the senses, mental or physical, like a handmade quilt. For hundreds of years, quilts have been crafted, treasured, snuggled, and displayed with dedication and devotion. A special quilt often symbolizes some of our earliest memories; either from the warmth it generated, or perhaps for the family or regional heritage it represents. Quilting has actually enjoyed two distinct lives: one originated several hundred years ago when sewing was as much a necessary survival tactic as growing crops and raising livestock; the other originated early in the 20th century when machine-made blankets began to replace handmade quilts. It was at that time that quilting became an art form rivaling and, many would argue, surpassing other heritage crafts..

Handmade quilts added comfort to pioneer life. A thick, warm quilt provided a gentle softness in a harsh, often difficult existence. However, beyond the essentialness of the task, quilting soon became a labor of love. For generations men and women shared various rural tasks like plowing and planting. In other parts of life distinct gender roles were more strictly defined--and assumed. Consequently, the responsibility of quilting and sewing often fell to women. Still, the task was far from an assignment; more frequently it was a choice. It actually provided a relaxing respite from a long day. It gave women a rare opportunity to get off their feet. While quilting could provide individual “down time,” frequently it played a much more social role. Family members often joined in. Friends would stop over and work on a quilt together. An active quilt frame was the perfect vehicle for social exchange. In such gatherings, it was common to hear singing, chatting, even spirited arguments about various topics--all while many hands were humming together in cooperative harmony. These quilting bees were important events bringing together community women to accomplish a goal while enjoying interaction and each others’ company