Handmade quilts are an artistic expression

In 1976 our 9-year-old son designed a quilt that was red, white and blue. He picked out the fabric and we cut the pieces and hand sewed them in a nine-patch pattern, which is a good beginner’s pattern.

The completed quilt top was folded in a bag and laid on a shelf for 39 years. I decided it was time to finish it so we folded up the dining room table and put it aside and set up a quilting frame. I was eight months getting it quilted by hand, by myself. I think that is called a single-needle process. I wasn't quite finished with the first quilt when I began planning a second and third quilt. I won't wait so many years this time.

The exact origins of quilting are not known, but quilting was first used for warmth and protection. Quilting was used under the armor of the crusaders to prevent chafing. Heavily padded quilted garments were used as protection against arrows. Quilted fabrics were used for warmth since the layers of cloth sewed together provided natural insulation. In the 15th century quilts began to be used as bed covers.

Quilting skills were brought to America by early European immigrants. Besides their practical uses, patchwork quilts were an outlet for artistic expression. Quilting bees, where groups of women gathered to work on quilts, were important in the social life of 19th century America. Every girl should have some quilts made in anticipation of her marriage.

I have a beautiful quilt, a green and red tulip pattern appliqued on white, made by my great-great Aunt Sarah Rian, who was a seamstress. She lived between 1820 and 1906, I believe. She made tiny stitches and my aspiration is to make tiny stitches similar to hers.

The full moon in December is the Full Cold Moon or the Full Long Nights Moon. The cold weather has started and nights are long. Early American women, especially rural women didn't have garden and food preservation work in the winter so they probably used this time for sewing and quilting. Quilting, today, for most of us is not out of necessity, but is an artistic expression and is just plain enjoyable.

Iris Eppley is a member of the Farm Bureau Council.