BEDDING — Inside the Home

Patchwork Quilted

History Of Patchwork Quilts

The article title inspires images of a gaggle of ladies companionably gathered around a patchwork quilt exchanging tidbits of gossip, usually called a quilting bee. Or maybe a housewife all alone, late at night in her pioneer home, laboring over clothing that has long been worn to pieces, sewing the different parts together with love into something that will keep the family warm during those cold winter nights by the fire. Conjured images like this are heartwarming, but the patchwork quilt is really not as old as you may think, in relative terms.

Records of estates reveal few patchwork quilts made before the 1800s, but those that are recorded are valued much more highly than other coverlets. Those made during the 1700s were made with leftover odds and ends.
Because of cheaper materials and fabrics, the Industrial Revolution largely used to promote quilting, playing a large role in promoting their creation. Patchwork quilting was revolutionized in the mid 1800s when the first sewing machine came into existence, exploding into virtually every home.

Pieced and appliquéd patchwork quilts were a focal point at social events, such as county fairs. Vines, flowers, stars and feathers of every conceivable design were lovingly shown, and prizes were hotly fought over during for quilting contests. The winners were highly revered in social circles.

The Comeback Quilt

Unfortunately handmade items were less popular in the late 1900s as many ladies were more impressed with the ease and convenience of manufactured quilts. However, they are experiencing a huge resurgence during the last few decades. At last, people are attending craft events and festivals, and magazines are dedicated to quilting patterns. Patchwork quilting blogs are all the rage while once again friends are joining to stitch and sew and gossip.

The Care of Your Patchwork Quilt

If you are one of the fortunate few that have had a patchwork quilt handed down to you, take care on storage and care. Never, ever place it in a plastic bag as the material will sweat and ruin. Instead, place tissue free (acid free) paper in between the folds, wrapping it with a cotton pillowcase or sheet. At least every other month take it out and refold it to keep it from getting permanent creases or coming apart, and always store your patchwork quilt away from sunlight in consideration of the dyes.

About the Author

Award winning online <a href="http://www.busythimbles.com.au/">patchwork</a> and quilting shop featuring quilts, patterns, fabrics, jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs products and materials.

Does anyone know of any poems that say 'How marriage is like a patchwork quilt'?

I am looking for a poem that says, How marriage is like a patchwork quilt'. Does anybody know one or where a could find one. Please help if you can. Thanks.

Quilt
By Grace V. Tidrow

Life is like a patchwork quilt
put together by time
part of yours is quilted
also part of mine.
The part we quilt together
will have beauty to behold
Fashioned with our love that's red
bound with a band of gold.
There will be many little patches
some gray and some blue
Bu the thread that binds them together
is the love I have for you.
So as you pledge your love to me
and I pledge mine to you
we'll be safe beneath this quilt of love
All our whole lives through.
-------

This one is nice -

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?id=116050

http://homepages.tesco.net/~derek.berger/quilt.html

Some of these are lovely -

http://www.prairienet.org/quilts/poems.html

From the book "Spouse" by Shobhaa De, published by Penguin. Maybe get the book from the library to see the rest of the quotation.
Marriage, writes De, "is like a patchwork quilt. Some patches are prettier than others".
----
"Like a patchwork quilt, this new and greater family is a thing of warmth and beauty, the glowing colours and golden threads of its diverse parts carefully stitched into patterns that create harmony and happiness for all who are part of it." By Isabel Bradley

Patchwork Quilt Projects

Tags: crafts, last-minute patchwork quilted gifts, patchwork, patchwork quilted bedspreads, patchwork quilted gifts, patchwork quilted handbags, quilting, sewing, tutorial

This entry was posted on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 5:54 am and is filed under bedding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.