| Think of the world quilting and your mind will draw up | | | | For example, the traditional "quilting bee" scenario |
| a number of stylized and romantic images of women | | | | with women gathered together to quilt was in fact a |
| in early America sitting around a quilting bee, or at | | | | rare occurrence and when it did take place, was less |
| least contemporary women sitting around their own | | | | a collaborative effort than is commonly thought. |
| quilting frame either using hand quilting or sewing | | | | Women gathered together in the bee would bring |
| machines to relax and complete their quilting projects. | | | | their own pieces to work on, using any available |
| However the fact is that quilting is a relaxing modern | | | | material to develop the quilt. Quilts were very rarely |
| day hobby that all can enjoy, women and men alike; | | | | sewn by firelight, despite the romanticized images |
| the most notable example of the latter being quilt | | | | that exist in contemporary paintings which promote |
| collector Jonathan Holstein who sparked American | | | | this idea. Rather women used available light in the |
| interest in quilting again with his 1971 art exhibition | | | | long summer evenings to get most of their work |
| "Abstract Design in American Quilts." Holstein's exhibit | | | | done. |
| redefined quilting as art, and paved the way for what | | | | Over time quilting however benefited from |
| is commonly called "quilt art" raising the practice to a | | | | industrialization. The invention of the sewing machine |
| whole new level of aesthetic appreciation and putting | | | | made quilting easier and more popular. Further, it |
| it within the reach of men, women and children | | | | helped to diminish and even eliminate some of the |
| everywhere. | | | | problems associated with traditional hand sewn quilts. |
| Before quilting appeared in contemporary history, it | | | | Seams and stitches did not appear in the quilts made |
| had actually been used for other purposes besides | | | | by these sewing machines, whereas these marks |
| creating luxury items or developing those materials | | | | were quite obvious in hand sewn quilts. Thus, it was |
| we might normally associate with quilting. In fact, the | | | | clearly easy to delineate the hand sewn quilts from |
| tightly knit quality of quilting made it uniquely | | | | those produced by sewing machines, and as only the |
| applicable to soldiers' armor in medieval times. A well | | | | wealthy owned the sewing machines, the invention |
| known quilted art piece appears in a British museum | | | | itself ultimately served as a status symbol. |
| depicting the legend of Tristan. | | | | In some circles today quilting continues to be |
| Quilting was indeed used in early America, but as with | | | | associated with affluence. For example, it's not |
| many ideas about America there are many myths | | | | uncommon to find investors bidding on antique quilts |
| and misconceptions which abound about quilting | | | | at auction sites for some outrageous prices. Some |
| among the pioneer women. Its prevalence was not | | | | examples of quilts which have been sold for high |
| as common a practice as we might be inclined to | | | | prices include the Jacob's Ladder quilt, a two-color |
| think, primarily because of the costs of the materials. | | | | calico pattern quilt which has fetched hundreds of |
| Quilting utilized silks and cottons in the days of early | | | | dollars. Other quilts include the Wedding Ring, which |
| America, and that put the work within the reach of | | | | include a patchwork style wedding ring look, the |
| the wealthiest alone. As time went on by the mid | | | | Bear's Paw quilt with it blue and red paw like pattern, |
| 19th century industrialization made cotton available on | | | | and the Irish Chain, which uses a nine patch pattern |
| a more mass market commercial basis, and its | | | | of white and blue blocks. |
| affordability lent itself to more women regardless of | | | | Quilting has come a long way since its ancient use as |
| their class or social status in society. Nonetheless, this | | | | body armor to its more common usage as both a |
| increased availability of the essential quilting material | | | | pastime for pioneer women and ultimately a piece of |
| did not immediately generate a quilting hobby craze. | | | | artwork to be admired in its own way. Quilting is a |
| While costs were reduced, time was still expensive. | | | | hobby to be enjoyed by everyone, male and female, |
| Most women focused their creative energies on | | | | young and old alike, with technology and the |
| clothing their own families rather than expending any | | | | prevalence of lower costs material making it all |
| available free spare time to quilt for luxury items. | | | | possible. |
| Other misconceptions need to be dispelled as well. | | | | |