Quilts often meant much more to their creators than just their utilitarian purpose. It meant solace in time of sorrow, joy in time of celebration, quiet reflection while working alone, the amiable chatter of the communal quilting bee, the opportunity of airing religious or political views, an outlet for creative expression, and perhaps even some friendly competition over whose stitches were the tiniest.
Quilting has been practiced by more people than has any other craft in our history. The many names given to traditional quilt patterns often draw from the Bible (Jacob’s Ladder, Star of Bethlehem), farm and town life (Log Cabin, Grandmother’s Flower Garden), the natural world (Bear Paw, Birds in the Air) and historical events (Burgoyne Surrounded, Whig’s Defeat).
String Star variant, c. 1905, unknown maker
"Oblong (Poplar) Work Box," Mount Lebanon, New York, c. 1915, Courtesy of Shaker Museum and Library, Old Chatham and New Lebanon, New York
Some of the richest quilt traditions developed in self-contained communities united by religious belief and separation from the outside world. Swiss-German sects – Amish, Mennonites, Brethren, and others – produced quilts using unique designs and colors. Hawaiians learned from American missionaries and reflected their own lush landscape in large-scale appliqués of flowers and leaves. Many African American quilters have created quilts with a free-form lexicon all their own – bold, uneven stripes, more a visual representation of jazz than the traditional patterns found throughout our history.
In the last thirty years, fiber artists have turned to quilting, integrating the latest techniques of collage, photography, and computer graphics. These fiber artists and their sisters in church groups, plain societies, and all who keep a stash of “fat quarters” ready for the next project share in an unbroken tradition.
What’s past is prologue. The Ancients would be shocked – not just by the ingredients of today’s works – but the very works themselves. And that’s as it should be. It’s only fitting that the oldest craft finds new dimension in some of the most forward-looking ideas.
Maybe even yours!
Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, Skyscape No. 1, 1979, Tim Collins photograph
Hystercine Rankin talks about what quilting means to her, and how she gets ideas for quilting patterns.
Learn more about Rankin here
Gustine Atlas is one of the many talented needlework artists continuing the quilting tradition at Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, producing articles of historic and social significance - Learn more about them HERE
We filmed American Indian Pat Courtney Gold for the MEMORY episode. Purchase the DVDs or view the programs online
See objects from Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, a seven-city traveling exhibition that ran from 2007-2009, and other Virtual Exhibitions
Want to collaborate to make a quilt or mural? Download a lesson plan HERE
Important craft artists are featured in the Book. Learn more
Click to see a list of over 4 hours of video available online
