About Quilting

Quilting is as old as the hills, and for many, has that wonderful combination of
domestic necessity, social cohesion, and craftwork and commemoration.

Quilting methods don’t vary enormously throughout the world, but the designs
are largely specific to a country, or a society, although the traditional American
patchwork designs have become loved world wide.

It is wonderful to have such a craft, which is a means of handing down traditions
amongst womenfolk mainly, and which has an end product that can both look
beautiful, and keep you warm at night.

An exception to this is of course the Hawaiian quilting tradition, which began
under the tutelage of the missionaries, and evolved into a means of recording
the Hawaiian beliefs and lives. Their quilts talk of their gods, their departed
spirits, the new members of their society yet to be born, and the main historical
and cultural events of their society. Their use of the beautiful flowers and the
love of their culture give Hawaiian quilting a truly magical and precious quality.
In colder climates, the quilting circle was an opportunity for the women to come
together, to talk over the major matters of the day and to provide invaluable
support for each other.

The new settlers in The United States of America were hardy and tough. Most of
them had to start from scratch. Homes had to be built, and furnished, and in
these days, nearly everything had to be grown or made.

Needlework was a very necessary skill for a woman. Without this, they would
not be able to make their clothes, and would not be able to make the soft
furnishings that not only ‘make a house into a home’, but are necessary for
keeping out draughts from windows and doors, and for keeping everyone warm
at night.

When societies became more established and there was money and time
available, the quilting circle would make quilts to commemorate certain events,
and together produce really large quilts that would adorn the walls of the
buildings that served as community centers.

And of course, the social network was invaluable. The older women would pass
on their skills as needlewomen, and designers of quilts and other crafts. More
importantly, they would pass on the invaluable knowledge about family life.
Childbirth, medicines for common ailments, cooking and how to grow herbs and
vegetables – this was the sub-text, and the very important function of the quilting circle.