Quilting A Keepsake

Keepsake quilting is a treasured activity, in many ways at risk of being a lost art.Quilting is still done, however, but not to the extent that it was in the past. Do you own a quilt? Or do you have special memories attached to a quilt?

Some of my favorite memories as a child was that of snuggling in a large comforter or quilt on a cold day or night. My grandmothers both had comforters, both comforters were made of satin, and they both had quilts, too. I loved the feel of the satin, but the weight and warmth of the quilts was just as soothing on those days.

I have one particularly vivid memory of quilts, but it is not from days with my grandparents. I remember being at a friend’s house after school one day and it was bitter cold outside. His mother had made fresh tortillas that day and she prepared for us refried pinto beans that she wrapped inside the warm tortillas. Flour tortillas and refried beans are foods served as a Mexican staple, and along with the after school treat she gave us each a large quilt for warmth. I remember sitting on the floor in their family room eating the great food, drinking cold milk and watching Superman on TV. It gave me some wonderful memories.

Quilts are typically used as bed coverings that are made in three layers. The top layer, appropriately called the “quilt top,” provides the design and distinct beauty of the item. A layer of batting is placed as the center layer for insulation, and then a layer of material is attached for the backing. The three layers are sewn together by a process called quilting. The quilting can be functional to hold the layers together as well as for artistic design.

 

Quilting as an Art

While originally quilts were constructed out of necessity, today quilting is a craft, an art form. It’s one that many enjoy singularly as a pastime, or quilting can be done as a group activity. My wife spent many evenings over a period of years by herself piecing together a quilt top in a kaleidoscope design, then attaching the layer of batting for the center and then she attached the backing, When it came time for the quilting step to sew all three layers together, she paid a women’s group of senior citizens who enjoyed hand quilting to do the task forher. The group enjoyed the time together while they raised money for their church.

Beautiful Quilting

The popularity of quilting as an art form today is not only for bedding, but for wall hangings and other decorative accessories such as this pillow, and clothing, too. You may find hand made quilts selling for hundreds of dollars; some quilts will be new, some antique. The combination of quilt designs, colors and fabric patterns can be as unique as fingerprints. The creative talent needed to construct original quilts can be immense, and consequently, quilts can be coveted items to inherit.

The care and love that goes into the making of a quilt leaves behind a message for the fortunate recipients of future generations.