March is National Quilting Month. I love old quilts and some of my most treasured keepsakes are quilts. Quilts are works of art, family heirlooms and for many of us, are full of memories, love and sentiment.
This flour sack quilt was pieced by my Grandma Davitt, I just love it. When I see it, I think of all the good times we had visiting her and Grandpa Davitt and playing with the cousins. I remember my Grandma Steinhauser using my Grandpa’s old suits to make comforters. They used what they had on hand to create necessary items, and now they are part of our family history.
I want to continue that tradition, and this past year I have learned so much about piecing and quilting. During the pandemic I participated in a couple of quilt-a-longs and read about old techniques and new methods. I have pieced several quilts this past year and have learned so much! Now I am getting ready to take another class, where we will do the background quilting on a embroidery machine.
My sister, Laurie, makes a rag quilt to welcome all of her grandchildren.
Now quilting has become a popular hobby. The repetitive motion of quilting and sewing helps relax the brain and feel less stressed. I also enjoy the creative process of cutting up the fabric and arranging it to create a special quilt. Baby quilts are an easy way to ease into quilting.
How will you celebrate National Quilting Month? Get out treasured keepsake quilts and enjoy them! Create a record of your keepsake quilts so future generations will know who made them. Start a simple quilting project, such a wall hanging, table runner or Christmas stocking. Get out that quilting project you started earlier and work on it.
Enjoy these facts about quilting from HolidaysCalendars.com
- Quilting goes back to Ancient Egypt—approximately 5,400+ years ago.
- The word quilt comes from the Latin world “Culcita”, which means stuffed sack or bag.
- Medieval knights used quilted pads under their armor to protect against chaffing and to prevent the armor from rusting from sweat.
- The earliest American quilt made is from 1704.
- During the 19th century, it was customary for girls to make quilts to show off her quilting skills to her new husband.
- Quilting was popular 100-years after the sewing machine was invented at the end of the 18th century.
- There are three basic quilt types. These include Plain Quilts, Applique Quilts, and Patchwork Quilts.
- The most expensive historic quilt ever sold was a Civil War-era quilt that was sold in 1991 for $254,000.
- The average quilter is 63-years old. (I am guessing that this average age is lower now.)
- In 2017, the quilting industry was worth over $3.5 billion dollars.
- During the 1960s, quilting became popular again after interest had waned in it during the early part of the 20th century.
- Patchwork quilts became extremely popular in areas that only had leftover fabrics for people to quilt
Enjoy today!
