Sewing the Threads of Time
Quilts Through the Generations
Such a fun morning! Two quilts above showing our Directors skills and an antique wall hanging. Learn more below. . .
14th Ward Quilt What a great event the “Sewing the Threads of Time” was! We are very grateful that Fora Gillman, Gail Berry and Janice Mickelson were able to address us. Gail Berry gave a beautiful history of quilting, with some images of one of the oldest quilts full of family history. Some of those quilts were made to hang on the walls of castles for insulation as well as used on beds for warmth. Quilts were originally called “stuffing in a bag”. Ms Berry also showed and told some history on the 14th Ward Quilt Created in 1857 by the women of the Salt Lake City LDS 14th Ward, the quilt was raffled off to raise money for the poor, the Perpetual Immigrating Fund, and for various Mormon charitable enterprises. Each block was designed and signed by one of the women. The quilt had been handed down several generation’s where it wound up with a man who had two daughters. Rather than deciding which daughter would inherit the family heirloom, the man very carefully cut the quilt in two and gave each girl half a quilt. . . .
Fast forward many years a couple who inherited half the quilt, and her husband, called on another couple. During their visit, they noticed a quilt hanging on the wall; sure enough it was the bottom half to her quilt.
Fast forward many years a couple who inherited half the quilt, and her husband, called on another couple. During their visit, they noticed a quilt hanging on the wall; sure enough it was the bottom half to her quilt.
Every Quilt tells a story. If quilts could speak, they would tell detailed stories of the past; tears, laughter, happiness, pain and sorrow
Below are some quotes taken from some quilts made in 1900. The wording and spelling alone tells a story about the authors and what they say is a special part of the past.
Below are some quotes taken from some quilts made in 1900. The wording and spelling alone tells a story about the authors and what they say is a special part of the past.
Flora Gillman spoke about how quilts will always endure. There are the utilitarian quilts, pretty quilts and heirloom quilts. She spoke on how to clean, display and preserve quilts. Where and how to use hand quilted quilts, versus machined quilted quilts.
Flora spoke of the “dreaded fold”. She said, “Once folds are there, you might as well name them.” Folding along the straight of the edge where one or two of the threads take the brunt of the strain will lean to a permanent fold. She showed us how to fold a quilt on the bias by folding into the triangle first, where many threads take the strain of the fold, then folding until you fold into a square.
Label your quilts. If you use a pigment pen to write on it, make sure you set the ink. Also, put washing instructions on the labels.
As far as storing, plastic boxes and bags are damaging to quilts, they don’t allow the fabric to breath. Keep quilts out of attics and basements where moisture could be a problem. Cedar chests will leave yellow edges on your quilts from the oil from the cedar.
Quilts should be rested and rotated. They are precious parts of our history. Fabric has a longer lifespan that we do. We will be leaving a legacy behind in our quilts. Display, use them and love them. Put them on the bed. Hang them on the wall. Make a quilt for fun- once done it has served its purpose.
Flora spoke of the “dreaded fold”. She said, “Once folds are there, you might as well name them.” Folding along the straight of the edge where one or two of the threads take the brunt of the strain will lean to a permanent fold. She showed us how to fold a quilt on the bias by folding into the triangle first, where many threads take the strain of the fold, then folding until you fold into a square.
Label your quilts. If you use a pigment pen to write on it, make sure you set the ink. Also, put washing instructions on the labels.
As far as storing, plastic boxes and bags are damaging to quilts, they don’t allow the fabric to breath. Keep quilts out of attics and basements where moisture could be a problem. Cedar chests will leave yellow edges on your quilts from the oil from the cedar.
Quilts should be rested and rotated. They are precious parts of our history. Fabric has a longer lifespan that we do. We will be leaving a legacy behind in our quilts. Display, use them and love them. Put them on the bed. Hang them on the wall. Make a quilt for fun- once done it has served its purpose.