.

Quilt Museums Giving The Old And The Young A Rich Peek On History

By Margaret Price


Today, there are a lot of different kinds of museums that families can visit. There are botanic, space, and military museums to name a few. However, people tend to overlook one kind that is rich in history due to the people who made contributions in making it, and what they have done for the country and rich in culture due to how these people have lived during the trying times of the past. This has made quilt museums unique, and wonderful compared to the other museums.

Life during the colonial era was hard. Families lived in shabby houses that can be easily destroyed by harsh weathers, and can easily be penetrated by the cold during the winter. Also, people were finding it hard to put food on the table. With the cold, and no food in the stomach, families get weak and prone to illnesses that may result in death.

Men during those times were the only ones allowed to work for money. Women were left in the houses, they were to take care of their respective houses, food preparation and preservation, and taking care of the other family members. However, the salaries of their husbands are too meager to make all ends meet.

As food is being prioritized, other needs like clothing, and or garments that can protect them from the cold becomes neglected. This is why some housewives resulted to quilting the used clothes of their parents, grandparents, and the clothes of family members. The housewives make quilts as bedcovers, or put up into their windows to stop the freeze from coming in, or to serve as blankets for their children.

Throughout the years, making quilts has become a necessity to being a custom. During the 1800s, before an engagement, young girls will be required to show off their quilting skills by making 12 pieced utility quilts and 1 masterpiece quilt, that is either pieced or applique, for her bridal bed. After the engagement, all pieced quilts, and applique patches are woven together to make one finished quilt.

Another custom is for the mothers to make a quilt for each of the children. As each child starts life as an adult, the child is given a piece as a reminder of the history of their family. The child will, then, give it to their children, or grandchildren. In time, it has become an heirloom of their clan.

This, too, had helped communities in the past. Communities held quilting bees where they gather to quilt, sharing techniques, fabrics, stories, and food to one another. There would be singing, dancing, and courting among the young people.

Some women place their quilts in a prominent place in the wall. Those pieces are the more colorful and elaborate ones. By showing the piece they made, they are also showing just how sharp their skills in quilting has become.

The next time you visit a city with tons of museums available. Try going to quilt museum. There might a chance that the piece of cloth being used in a quilt might from be a uniform of a civil war hero. For people to enjoy the present, sacrifices were made in the past, which resulted to a better future.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment