Patchwork Quilts Carry On A Tradition   by Rebecca McKeich

in Home / Interior Design    (submitted 2011-12-16)

Since the earliest settlers started inhabiting our lands, quilting has been present. Steeped in tradition and technique, this interest was deeply needed due to the bitter winters, particularly the northeast United States. To keep warm folks needed to contrive new and innovative ways to keep a family healthy. Patchwork quilts were the answer.

The cold, damp nights were particularly tough to get through with any kind of true rest. The warm patchwork quilts became a welcome protection and security from the drafty old colonial houses and they quickly became popular.

In the beginning though, fabric was very difficult to come by and very expensive. Adequate materials needed to be imported. Homemade hand spun fabric posed many problems in constructing and often the cost highly outweighed the worth of the finish product.

This caused most families to start saving bits and pieces of scrap material. It was not uncommon to see bins of random materials scattered in small piles of the early colonial homes as they hoped to gather enough to eventually construct a quilt.

When enough material had been collected it was connected with needle and thread to form larger and larger pieces. And it couldn't have come soon enough as there was often a new baby or elderly person living in households who were in desperate need of added warmth. If neither of these conditions existed the quilt was than given to the youngest child in the home.

Women were the historical quilters of the home but they were often communal events. Women of all ages would gather in a centralized meeting place and make the act a social event. Families would often exchange them as a measure of good neighboring.

Later, quilts were often created to make note of significant life event; such as marriage. Wedding quilts continue to be made today. These are often given to newly married couples as bridal shower or wedding gifts.

Other events included births and when people left communities. Clergy men and newly arriving members of the communities were often given as acceptance gifts and to make them feel more comfortable. These new arrivals were grateful for the gifts, as the aided in comfort when coming to a new place. Patchwork quilts were an ideal gift for many different events.

Quilts are often passed down through generations. Some have been in families for a hundred years with the signatures of the creators and anyone who contributed to the quilt making process.

About the Author

Quilting has long been a part of history. Stamped in history providing long, warm comfort, patchwork quilt bedding can be seen as still very strong in the communities of today for the benefit of many. Head over to Atlantic Linens to see a variety of quilt bedding.