The Richness Of History And Culture Found In Quilt Museums

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.

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.

As the years passed by, quilting became a hobby. It became a skill that became prominent among women of any age. So prominent, that it became a custom for young females to make 12 quilts that are pieced and 1 quilt that is an applique for the bridal bed. When it is decided that the couple is to be married, all thirteen quilts are sewn together to make one masterpiece quilt.

Mothers also give quilts to their children as heirlooms. As their children enter adulthood, the quilt will be given as a token of their family history. This quilt will be passed on to the next generations which will bring the future generations a peek at their family history.

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.

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.

Tourists should not limit their itineraries on places that will give them goosebumps on a rollercoaster. Consider those spots that will give you goosebumps because of feelings of awe and gratitude to the heroes of the past. The clothing that those heroes wore to liberate people from the cruelty of war might be seen on one of the pieces. The hero that served the past, the present, and the future with braveness, and heart.




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