02 juin 2018

Quilt Museums Giving The Old And The Young A Rich Peek On History

By Margaret Price


Tourist would likely visit place that showcase recreational activity were invented during the digital area. Museums that do not showcase the works of Leonardo Da Vinci or other famous painters are less likely to have visitors. Tourists lack interest going to quilt museums since this kind of museum would only display huge pieces of colorful fabrics. Not knowing that these fabrics serve as a reminder of the horrid past that was left behind, and the heroes that made the past a thing in the past.

During the colonial period, the living conditions are tough. Families are to live in houses made from light materials that are unable to protect them from harsh temperatures. Plus, having three meals a day was a luxury rather than a necessity. With a combination of those two, family members get sick easily and death looming in.

During that period, only men were recognized as fit to be employed by the government and private establishments. Women are considered to do the house chores alone. The house chores include taking care of the home and their meager belongings, preservation and preparation of food, and taking care of the wellbeing of all. However, the wages of men is not enough for their family to survive.

The salary is mostly used up in buying food. Seldom money is spent for the clothing, and spent on the purchase of dry goods that can help the family survive winter. With limited money on these things, housewives decided to wove pieces of cloths and fabrics together to warm them during the winter. The sewn fabrics are made into bed coverings, or are used to cover windows to prevent the cold from entering the house.

Throughout the years, making quilts has become a necessity to being a custom. During the 1800s, before an engagement, young girls will be required to show off their quilting skills by making 12 pieced utility quilts and 1 masterpiece quilt, that is either pieced or applique, for her bridal bed. After the engagement, all pieced quilts, and applique patches are woven together to make one finished 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.

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.

The purpose of a quilt is not just to keep the sickness and death at bay. They can be put onto walls and become decorative pieces in the household. This would also manifest the talent of the women in the household.

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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