National Quilting Day
The third Saturday in March is National Quilting Day, and after I finished shaking my head at yet another weird “holiday”, I realized that maybe these designated days are meant as reminders.
Just the word “quilt” brings up cozy memories and feelings of comfort. Quilts are made by sewing two or more layers of material together, usually there is a top, a backing and a middle that consists of batting, a thick insulating material. Often the basic tacking of the layers to hold them together is done by machine and the more intricate quilting stitches used are sewn by hand. As I grow wiser, many of my friends are starting to quilt, but now they do all of the work by a sewing machine known as a Longarm. This machine moves along the fabric rather than the fabric being fed to the traditional sewing machine. Even the fancy patterns sewn to keep the layers together are sewn by a computerized machine. Tying the layers together, is also a popular way to make a quilt without a machine.
While I would never attempt a quilt using some of the more complicated patterns I have seen, I have cut many squares over the years of my kids old t-shirts, baby blankets and other sentimental fabrics with the intentions of making each of my three children their own quilts.
Le Mariage d' Eryn
This quilt is called “Le Mariage d’ Eryn” which won 1st place in the Group Quilt category in the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas which was held on Nov 4 to 7, 2004.
Quilting dates back to the first century when this style of sewing was used to make items to keep you warm or made in layers for protection. Sculptures of ancient Egypt display quilted clothing and in medieval times the doublet was quilted and worn under armor. In current times, quilts have become works of art.
My grandmother on my mother’s side of the family was a quilter. She and some of the other local ladies would gather in Grandma’s living room with a quilt pulled tight in a quilting frame, they would stitch and gossip, stitch and gossip, and stitch and gossip.
My grandmother made beautiful quilts, but she would always add one lone piece of fabric that did not match the rest of the quilt. My aunt said this was her signature.
Quilts can be made simple or you can find quilts designed with each and every square telling its own story.
Making a finished quilt involves several steps:
-First you piecing together all of your squares or blocks by hand or by machine. Sometimes a single piece of fabric is sewn and not pieced together at all to make a quilt known as a whole clothe quilt.
-All of your layers of the quilt are placed together with the right sides facing out. Sew together all of the layers by hand or machine using large stitches to hold the layers in place, accomplishing this step could include tying the layers together.
-Then you can add borders and binding to your quilt if desired.
-Once the quilt is sandwiched together, you can add decorative stitches and sewing patterns to secure all of the layers and to add to the overall quality and beauty of the quilt.
Occasionally, I think fondly of how as a young girl I would enter the quilting circle to stitch and gossip; and then I remember how often I would prick my finger! I should get started on those three quilts soon, or else they will be gifts for my grandchildren!
