1930’s Quilt and the Heritage of Quilting

Finished 1930’s quilt.

This past weekend my cousin and I had the opportunity to finished a quilt that was begun in the 1930s. We purchased the quilt blocks at an antique shop  and determined it would be an interesting challenge to finished the project. The quilt blocks were accompanied by a newspaper clipping that contained a pattern. The quilter who had begun the quilt had finished the pieced blocks but had not gotten around to the embroidery portion of the quilt. After we embroidery the quilts blocks I pieced the remainder of the quilt on my treadle showing machine. The final step was to tie the quilt and that was finished this last weekend. The project got me thinking a little bit about the history and legacy of quilt making…

Quilts have a long and fascinating part of American history. Families have snuggled beneath quilts as they read inspiring stories of adventure, risk, and kingdom building. Quilts traveled in covered wagons as the pioneer families settled the frontiers. Every little scrap of fabric to be found was sewn into quilts and blankets by the resourceful women during the War Between the States. Quilts also were sewn from scraps left over from the famed “Flower Sack” dresses of the Depression era of the 1930’s. Quilts express the wonderful ideas of multigenerational thinking and  resourcefulness. Therefore, they can remind us of our tasks of dominion under Jesus Christ and our heritage as Christians. They also brighten our home and serve the practical purposes of warmth and comfort.

I have quilts that were made for me by my great-grandmother and my grandmother. They remind me of my own heritage, and remind me of the Providence of God, and His kindness towards me. I’d like leave a similar legacy for my own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (should the Lord bless me with them): I’d like to pass down to them a legacy of resourcefulness and Christ-centered womanhood.

 

3 thoughts on “1930’s Quilt and the Heritage of Quilting

  1. Kurtis

    What a great reminder that the work we set our hands to should always be promoting the construction of an epistemologically self-conscious society which seeks to communicate the glory of God in all things—even quilting!

    Reply
  2. Bonnie Erickson

    Great article, Koleesa. Quilting also expresses our creative side. I notice that even “plain folk”, though they dress simply, make beautiful quilts. I don’t know what is so pleasurable about cutting fabric apart in tiny pieces and sewing them back together, but it is creative, relaxing, purposeful and gives a great feeling of accomplishment.

    Reply
  3. Allison

    Oh! What a lovely project! How long did the embroidery take?

    Now I’ll be on the lookout for unfinished work 🙂

    Reply

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