Today my wife had on a television show that was all about the world of quilts. I saw what was on and at first I wasn’t paying too much attention and then I am not sure just why but I sat down and watched for a while. There was a section that featured some people who have dedicated their lives to admiring and collecting quilts. They also were very informative about the background of how and why each quilt was designed and made.
At first I thought this was a nice program and it drew my interest as I was raised by a mom who loved to make quilts and she did make very nice ones I must say. Until later in my life I took a quilt for granted and just assumed that everybody slept under a good warm quilt. That was all I had ever seen or used in our home. As time has passed I have developed a deeper appreciation for the quilt and their makers.
Quilt making goes way back to colonial times and probably even further. In those times and much longer we didn’t go to the mall and buy a quilt or a blanket as of course there weren’t any such things as Malls or department stores in that time. So as just about everything else if you wanted something you made it but here again they didn’t go to a store and buy the materials to make them with. No they would save clothing that had worn and used them by cutting them into squares and then depending on their talents and creative skills would lay out a design from the squares to create a pattern or scene that would be pleasant to the eye. This was the part that caused a quilt to become a special art form. Also it made a blanket that not only was attractive but kept you warm on those cold winter nights for sure.
What I noticed on that television show was not only some stellar designs but some of the quilts were made to tell the viewer a story. I know this is true as I have seen some that do just that. A lady I worked with brought a quilt she had made to work and ask if I would like to see it. I of course said yes and she then unfolded her quilt on a couch and there was a house on it. She pointed to it and the first part was a cabin that she and husband built when first married and all that they could afford to build. But she explained that as time passed and they made some money they added on and then it kind of had a stop point in the building. She pointed out that this was when they were having some pretty rough hard times… But the last part of the house was added to and it was the nicest part to her home. She explained that after the children were raised and married and she and her husband were both working they added the last part.
In fifteen minutes or so of explaining I saw her life laid out in front of me. Some of the house wasn’t so pretty but she explained that neither had life been for her at that time and you knew she wasn’t making it up. After taking a second deeper look I just couldn’t get over how in her basic approach to life by making what was a routine craft something that displayed a life time. I looked at the lady and said ”Juanita that quilt is awesome and you should be proud of it.” As she was folding it up she smiled at me and said very firmly that she was.
Quilts have more than one purpose you see. They are not only to use but also to appreciate. I know that in a trunk at my grandma Houser’s’ house we found a quilt that had been made by a church group of ladies. ((I always heard them referred to as a quilting bee.) The material was not of stellar quality but on the quilt were dates and initials. The date was 1908 and one set of initials was E.W… That stood for Eunice Wile who was my grandmother but these were her maiden initials as she was not married until 1911. I figure that since the materials were donated that none of the ladies were going to give their highest quality material but they did want to be included in the times when they gathered to sew on it. (Just imagine what the gossip was when they gathered in 1908? Whatever the topic I bet it was juicy.)
I have been blessed to have quilts that both of my grandmothers had made and they were remarkable in their skills at making them. Just imagine sewing an entire quilt square by square and keeping the sewing down to twelve stitches per inch! To me and my big clubby fingers that is beyond impossible. Also I have been able to keep a group of my mom’s quilt. I know her sister also quilted and was very exceptional at her talent. Here is where I come back to the fact that from my first recalls until some years after mom sewed her last quilt that I never slept under anything but a quilt. And again I must say I just thought it was the common practice to have a quilt with a design on it to help you sleep comfy.
My mom made a quilt for their fiftieth anniversary. In it she had made a square that had either a little boy in it or a little girl with a bonnet on her. Each square represented her and dad and then each of us and her grandchildren. In each square and under each person she stitched in our date of birth and name. It was a really good quilt but mom ran into a problem. Their big anniversary gathering was to be on September 29th. But my son had yet to be born and it was getting near to the date of the gathering and the closer to the big day the more worried she would have a blank space on her quilt. However on September 10th Brendan arrived and I heard my mom utter well finally he decided to get here.
So as it can be seen it is almost impossible to replicate a quilt. They have become so popular that these days as you drive across the countryside you will see barns displaying a huge quilt square for drivers by to see. Also a quilt can be bought at Walmart or just about any department store. The thing about these is the quality is not really there as since they are machine made the patterns are not unique in the least. Of course the cost is quite a bit lower and if you can’t find or afford the real thing I guess it to be acceptable so you have one to sleep under. Always look at the quilts and see what it might be telling you. To me there is nothing like a warm quilt! It wouldn’t be difficult to think that it took silver threads and golden needles to make these pieces of art.
Rick Houser grew up on a farm near Moscow in Clermont County and loves to share stories about his youth and other topics. If you are interested in reading more of his stories they can be found in his books ‘There are Places to Remember” and’ Memories ARE from the Heart.” He may be reached at houser734@yahoo.com or mail to P.O. Box 213 Bethel, Ohio 45106.