The Evolution of Quilting

Hobbies have served as an activity for many centuries. These hobbies represent the personality of the people involved in them. Quilting is one such activity that has been a growing trend among women throughout the years. A noted author of quilting articles states, "Come with me on this journey as we explore the history of quilts and the lives of the women who made them" (Breneman 1). This paper will seek to inform the reader of this extraordinary activity and how it has served as a necessity through times of hardship in American history and how the aspects of art continue to be displayed in a new way through art quilting.

Pioneer women in America assumed a number of responsibilities as their husbands blazed the trail westward. During the migration to the West, guides were published and sold to families preparing to move. Items that were listed included things such as food for roughly six months, guns and other weapons, and bedding for all members of the family, lasting for a few years. Quilting materials would be few, so the sewing took place before the journey had even begun. These young, adventurous men were all very eager about the upcoming migration. However, they knew not of the many dangers and hardships that lay ahead. The women thought much about the possibilities of loss of friendship and the fear of never seeing their close friends again (Breneman 1,2).

During this mass migration, it did not take long for the women to realize that quilts could be used in a number of ways. Folded quilts comforted the driver on the bumpy ride. They were also useful for covering the tears on the wagon cover as protection from the blowing dust. During the journey, women were expected to gather wood for the fire at night, drive the livestock at times, and even pitch a tent for a semi-comfortable shelter in which to sleep. During what breaks women were given on this pioneer journey, little time was spent quilting. However, women may have made a few blocks for a quilt top, but never an entire quilt. Much of any sewing consisted of mending old clothing or knitting items for the family (Breneman 2).

As time passed, quilts became an absolute necessity. They were used for more serious purposes than just for comfort. They were often hung on the backs of wagons for the protection of penetrating arrows from the angry Indians. Quilts also offered some protection against some hard rains, but eventually the storms were so fierce that the quilts were of no use (Breneman 2,3). As one would assume, death was all too often during this migration to the West. Since wood was so scarce along the way, it was nearly impossible to have a proper casket built. The burial of these men, women, and children was most of the time being wrapped up tightly within a quilt. This procedure gave the family comfort, knowing their loved one was wrapped in a family quilt, symbolizing the family's surrounding the deceased loved one (3).

During the Civil War, much focus was on quilting. Since many women had husbands fighting, they became very anxious to help their soldier husbands in any fashion. In the New England states, large fairs and church bazaars were held quite often. Some quilts were handmade and sold for a high price. All of the money that was earned funded the troops for whatever their needs were. The quilts that were crafted and sold during this time were extremely unique. These gorgeous creations were made of fine materials like silk. Popular styles included album and flag quilts. Silk Log Cabin quilts, crafted for this cause, brought in much money (Breneman 1). This type of pattern is not only popular, but it is also practical and quite simple to construct. This pattern inspires many young stitchers to quilt because of its simplicity (Knox, 81). Susan Briggs, a Burke county quilter, states: "Usually, quilters use 100% cotton when they make quilts because it is easier to sew on and quilt through" (Briggs). Gunboats were needed tremendously during this period. The women did all they were capable of doing to help this cause. They started making magnificent "Gunboat quilts," displaying medallion style floral arrangements. The printed fabric was cut and then appliquÐ"©d to a darker solid fabric. This style of quilting, which was extremely difficult, required above average skills. Through bazaars and fairs, women of the South raised enough money to purchase three of the boats (Breneman 2).

Buying equipment for the soldiers was very important, but it was soon decided that these funds would be used for medical supplies because more and more of the soldiers were being wounded. This war that lasted over four years did much damage to the soldiers. Blood was all over everything, and infection was spreading. The need for new clothes and blankets was almost a never ending one. Since the need for bedding kept demanding more quilts to be donated, many societies for soldiers' aid evolved. A fairly large one called the Sanitary Commission did everything possible to help these courageous men. Since this need was so apparent, the distribution of quilts rose higher. Soldiers came in all shapes and sizes, so quilts were sometimes not big enough. The military soon informed the aid societies and women that these quilts had to be seven feet long and four feet wide, the size of a standard cot. Southern women were somewhat naÐ"Їve about quilting because they had never sewn for any cause before. The wealthier of these women had slaves to do the work of sewing. Even so, they learned to stitch for the love of their soldiers away at war. After four long years, an estimated 250,000 quilts were made for this cause (Breneman 2).

Near the end of the war, fabric prices went sky high as they went up to twenty-five dollars per yard. Women started to make homespun fabric which took a very long time. Old mattress fibers were used and even carpets were cut apart to make these soldiers a warm blanket. Many of these quilts were used to bury the deceased soldiers, and the rest of the quilts had been drenched in blood and had received a great deal of wear. These quilts did not appear to be worth saving so many of them were not. Very few of them have survived up until today (Breneman 3).