The Richness Of History And Culture Found In Quilt Museums

By Margaret Price


A vacation, nowadays, is defined as going to museums that give people wonderment. Most museums being visited are space museums, or those who give people a peek on history, or aquatic museums that give land dwellers a peek on the life under the sea. However, quilt museums are deemed as boring due to its lack of high tech stuff. Vacationers are oblivious to the fact that these kinds of museums will give them a sense of pride for their country upon learning how and why quilts were made.

During the colonial times, the cost of living might be losing the life of a family member. Times were tough, houses were built with cheap materials which made its residents prone to the harshness of the elements, and the food is scarce. This resulted in sickness as being ever present in the household, and death waiting on the doorstep.

The male species were the only ones to seek and receive employment from the government, and factories. Their female partners were to stay in their houses to maintain the house, serve and prolong food, and to take care of the children. Yet, no matter how men try to earn more, the salary is never enough to help the family thrive.

Food is the number one priority of the household, their need of clothes, and other garments that will bring them warmth during the lowest temperatures are being put in the bottom of the list. This resulted to quilting. Housewives would then gather every available fabric there is just to keep their family warm, including used clothing. These fabrics are made into bedcovers, or place to cover the window, to stop the cold from coming in, or to use as blankets for children.

Over the years, the skill of quilting becomes a necessary skill to be learned by all females. That the women made it a custom for the bride to be to make a dozen pieced quilts and one applique quilt for a bridal bed. When both sides of the families have agreed on the marriage, the young woman will then sew together every quilt that was made and make it into a one huge 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.

There is also called a gathering called the quilting bee. This is where every female, who knows how to quilt, will be gathered in a venue where there would be a feast, and sharing of stories and ideas. The young will sing, dance, and court each other, bringing the community close.

Other than protection from the harsh elements, they were also used as a decorative piece to showcase in their homes. These quilts are more elaborate than those bedcovers. This will showcase, also, the skills of the housewife, and the creativity that result in a beautiful masterpiece.

When vacationing, widen your mind by visiting this kind of museum. One would never know that the piece one is looking at is from a uniform of war hero that helped the country bring freedom to the citizens. After all, the present is a result from the past that will be carried out to the future.




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