{"id":526,"date":"2012-05-12T19:05:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-12T23:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/valeriewalawender.wordpress.com\/?page_id=526"},"modified":"2012-06-06T00:50:57","modified_gmt":"2012-06-06T04:50:57","slug":"quilting-traditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/?page_id=526","title":{"rendered":"Quilting Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0American Quilting
\n<\/strong>\u00a0The earliest recorded American quilt was made by Sarah Sedgwick Leverett in 1704. The oldest surviving North American quilt is dated 1726. Early American quilts were made from one cloth or wide columns of alternating fabric. These quilts were luxury items, as all cloth was shipped from Europe at great cost. Because most colonial women were too busy cooking, cleaning, spinning and tending to their large families, only women who could afford household help had time to quilt. These women used techniques they brought from their homelands inEurope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After the war of 1812, trade resumed with England and printed fabric became available and affordable. Patchwork quilts became widespread, as whole cloth quilts had as well. Except for just a handful of special occasion quilts, few early American examples survive. By 1840 the textile industry boomed and most families could afford to buy cloth. Sometimes small groups of women gathered in \u201cquilting bees,\u201d but most \u201cbees\u201d consisted of a neighbor dropping in to help a friend finish her quilt.<\/p>\n

The Amish, a religious group who migrated toAmericain the 1800\u2019s, learned quilting from their neighbors in the new land. Though they didn\u2019t begin making quilts until around 1870, within a few years, quilting became a common Amish practice. Since they believe in a simple life without modern machines, the Amish make their quilts with treadle sewing machines and hand sewing, even today. Traditional Amish quilts have borders, two or three deep hued fabrics (such as black, mauve, and blue), and use scraps from clothes and recycled fabrics. They do not use printed fabric for personal use. During the Civil War, over 250 quilts and comforts were made for Union soldiers. Because of the blockades, fabric was scarce in the south, and fewer Secession quilts were made. Scholars of the Underground Railroad have shown that the idea that quilts were made with special designs to guide escaped slaves to freedom is a myth.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>When the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition featured crazed ceramics and asymmetrical art of Japan, women wanted this new look in their quilts. Victorian women sewed \u201cCrazy\u201d quilts with different fabrics such as velvet, silk, and brocade, cut into random shapes and held together with decorative stitches. Magazines promoted the \u201ccraze\u201d with embroidery patterns and women had \u201ccrazy tea parties\u201d with mismatched invitations and decorations. The American Victorian era lased until around 1914.<\/p>\n

The booming twenties magazines romanticized colonial times and quilting became popular again. People searched their attics and trunks for colonial quilts, but most found were only from the mid-19th<\/sup> century. Quilts were a creative outlet for women of the Depression. They used whatever material was on hand.<\/p>\n

World War II was a period when people focused more on the war, and less on activities like quilting. Quilt-like blue banners were hung in windows to show that the family had someone in the service. A star sewn onto the banner signaled that a soldier from the family had lost his life.<\/p>\n

After the war, many quilters made heavy wool quilts for destitute European survivors of the war. However, quilting was now seen as something poor people did because they couldn\u2019t afford modern bed covers. Since sewing clothes at home declined, there was less scrap fabric around. Women who still quilted started buying fabric to make their quilts. Country folk still quilted and showed their quilts in local and state fairs. Few new styles emerged until the 1970\u2019s when art quilts and other styles came into vogue.<\/p>\n

The Bicentennial of theU.S.A.in 1976 started a renewed interest in quilting. More recently, quilts have been made for various causes: the giant AIDS Memorial Quilt first displayed in 1987; Gulf War Quilts in 1991; and quilts commemorating the 9-11 tragedy of 2001.<\/p>\n

Quilting History
\n<\/strong>The fragility of fabric makes it vulnerable to disintegration, whether from human hands, pollutants, wear and tear, or accidents like fire and flood. Few ancient quilting examples survive. The earliest sign, an Egyptian ivory carving of a pharaoh wearing what appears to be a quilted cloak or mantle, is dated in the 35th<\/sup> century B.C. The oldest actual surviving patchwork is a dyed canopy quilt, decorated with symbols, and made of gazelle leather rectangles sewn together. The quilt was used in celebrations by an Egyptian queen about 980 B.C.<\/p>\n

In India, altar hangings (6th<\/sup> to the 9th<\/sup> century B.C.) of patterned rectangular pieces sewn in patchwork style were found in the Cave of a Thousand Buddha\u2019s. Travelers tore off pieces of their own clothing for votive offerings.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The appliqu\u00e9d saddle bags of Altai Mountaintribal chiefs from the 6th<\/sup> to the 4th<\/sup> century B.C. were found in Central Asia. A carpet created between the 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> century A.D. was found on the old Silk Road near Lake Baikal in Russia. A quilted slipper from the 8th<\/sup> century was also found near the Sino-Russian border.<\/p>\n

During the 11th<\/sup> century, soldiers wore quilted padding for armor. This practice evolved and the quilted padding was later worn under chain and plate armor. Ornamental quilting probably began in the Near East orChina and spread along the trade routes established by Marco Polo and others.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The 14th<\/sup> century experienced unprecedented bitter cold winters. Quilted garments became common. Quilted bed furnishings, including curtains, canopies, pillows, and coverings were stuffed with lambs wool, feathers, moss and even grass. Caps, gloves and shoes were quilted with ornamental scrolls. The quilt frame came into use at this time. By the 15th<\/sup> century, women wore quilted petticoats for warmth. The trade from the east brought new fabrics, including Persian silk, lusting, taffeta and satin. French women applied appliqu\u00e9d ornaments with varied colored satins and velvets to their quilted creations. Cotton did not come into common use until the end of the 18th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Types of Quilts
\n<\/strong>Album quilt<\/em> \u2013 assembled from individual blocks made and signed by different people, often to commemorate a special occasion. Baltimore Album quilts displayed floral motifs, patriotic images and fine needlework.<\/p>\n

Amish<\/em> \u2013 created by Amish, with geometric patterns, solid colored deep-hued fabrics, and often heavy quilting, scrolls and cables. Abstract shapes and solid colors. \u201cLone Star\u201d and \u201cPennsylvania Dutch Lily\u201d are two types. Quilts made for home use are often just a couple colors with no prints, while ones with prints are made for sale to the public.<\/p>\n

Appliqu\u00e9<\/em> \u2013 A French term, signifying the sewing of one textile over another, derived from the Latin appliquer<\/em>, to put on. The sewing of smaller pieces of fabric to a ground fabric so that it forms a pattern.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Art quilts<\/em> \u2013 grew out of the 1970\u2019s after the 1960\u2019s quilting revival. Quilter expresses his or her own personal experiences or vision with fabric and color. Often displayed on walls.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Bargello quilt <\/em>\u2013 made of offset colored squares in rising and falling wavelike pattern, usually with strip piecing.<\/p>\n

Broderie Perse<\/em> \u2013 floral pieces were cut from printed fabrics and appliqu\u00e9d to a plain background.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Calimanco quilts <\/em>\u2013 popular during the early eighteenth century, used finer wool fabric which was rubbed with a stone until shiny.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Charm quilt <\/em>\u2013 made of same sized or shaped blocks of all different fabrics, popular for fabric swaps.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Corded quilt<\/em> \u2013 believed to have originated inItaly, and is therefore sometimes referred to as Italian quilting; To emphasize motifs, a cord is inserted between a channel of two lines of stitching on fabric layers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Crazy Quilt<\/em> \u2013 made of irregular shaped pieces or scraps sewn onto a background fabric with decorative stitches or embroidery. Popular in the Victorian age, often made of silks and velvets.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Embroidered<\/em> \u2013 Victorian era, seam lines embroidered with a wide variety of stitches; many types of fabrics used, cut in random shapes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Feed-sack quilt <\/em>\u2013 made from feed-sack pieces<\/p>\n

\u00a0Friendship quilt<\/em> \u2013 blocks made of signatures of friends and sewn together.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Hawaiian appliqu\u00e9 quilts<\/em> \u2013 Hawaiian quilters made quilts with large floral solid color pieces, pinapple and leaf patterns stitched onto a white background.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Linsey-Woolsey quilt<\/em> \u2013 earliest form of quilted bed covers that have survived, made from coarse fabric, dyed with natural indigo dye. Weft was linen thread; warp was wool.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Log Cabin quilt<\/em> \u2013 traditional quilt, a center block surrounded by \u201clog\u201d blocks.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Medallion Quilt<\/em> \u2013 a large central block or pattern in the middle<\/p>\n

\u00a0Mystery quilt<\/em> \u2013 pattern released to quilters, piece by piece, to hid final appearance of quilt.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Patchwork quilt<\/em> \u2013 any quilt where pieces are combined to form a quilt top.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Postage Stamp quilt<\/em> \u2013 small quilt with fabric pieces the size of a postage stamp.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Rag Quilt<\/em> \u2013 quilt made of flannel with raveling, puffy seams left on front.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Sampler quilt<\/em> \u2013 made with pieced blocks, by individuals or community groups in remembrance of a person.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Scrap quilt<\/em> \u2013 composed of many leftover fabric scraps<\/p>\n

\u00a0Tied quilt<\/em> \u2013 held together with thread or yarn drawn through all layers and tied together.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Traditonal quilts<\/em> \u2013 often made of blocks. Some traditional patterns are \u201cThe Flying Geese,\u201d \u201cGrandmother\u2019s flower garden, \u201cLog Cabin\u201d; \u201cFive patch block\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Trapunto<\/em> \u2013 traditionally done after a quilt was finished, the quilt back was slashed or fibers teased apart so extra stuffing could be added. Slashes were hand stitched closed or fibers teased back.<\/p>\n

\u00a0White-work<\/em> \u2013 originated in Europe, became popular in America in early 18th<\/sup> century; usually did not have batting. Featured intricate designs where stipple quilting caused unstitched areas to appear puffed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Whole cloth quilts<\/em> \u2013 solid white or solid colored quilts with elaborate, closely quilted designs that bring texture and shadows to the piece. Often flora, feathered, or geometric patterns. Some included ships, animals and people.<\/p>\n

\u00a0References:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brackman, Barbara. The Quilt Detective: Clues in the Needlework<\/em>, 2005, digital newsletter.<\/p>\n

Brackman, Barbara. Quilts from the Civil War<\/em>. Lafayette, CA: C & T Publishing, 1997.<\/p>\n

Ducy, Carol. \u201cQuilt History Timeline, Pre-History \u2013 1800\u201d International<\/em> Quilt Study Center<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fox, Sandi. \u201cFor Purpose and Pleasure: quilting Together in Nineteenth-Century America\u201d<\/p>\n

Granick, Eve Wheatcroft. The Amish Quilt<\/span>.<\/em> Good Books, 1989.<\/p>\n

Gwinner, Schnuppe von, tr. Edward Force. The History of the Patchwork Quilt<\/em><\/span>. Schiffer Books, 1988.<\/p>\n

Horton, Laurel (ed.). \u201cQuiltmaking in America: Beyond the Myths\u201d<\/p>\n

Levins, Hoag. \u201cNew Jersey\u2019s Underground Railroad Myth-buster\u201d Historic Camden County.com News.
\n<\/em>http:\/\/historiccamdencounty.com\/ccnews11.shtml<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Lipsett, Linda Otto, \u201cRemember Me: Women and their Friendship Quilts\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Rothermel, Judy. Reproduction Quilts from the Civil War Period: 1850-1865<\/em>.North Canton,OH: School House Quilts, 2002.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Shaw, Robert. \u201cQuilts: A Living Tradition\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"\"\"<\/a>(site under construction)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0American Quilting \u00a0The earliest recorded American quilt was made by Sarah Sedgwick Leverett in 1704. The oldest surviving North American quilt is dated 1726. Early American quilts were made from one cloth or wide columns of alternating fabric. These quilts … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":53,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-526","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=526"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1051,"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526\/revisions\/1051"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valeriewalawender.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}