The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
Old-Time Parties.

New York Commercial Advertiser.
In one of the towns of central Missouri
the other day seventy prominent ladies
gave an old-style quilting party, in which
the proceedings closely followed an after
noon entertainment of former days in man.
ners. dress, ornaments and the main bust
ness in hand, which was, of course, the
evolution of quilt by quadrangle Of skill
full sewers and animated takers. A dinner
was served with the old hearty hospitality
and all present declared that pink tea is
tame, indeed, compared with a quilting of
the pioneers, says the st. Louis Globe
Democrat In this fashion the women of
fifty years ago enjoyed themselves, carry
ing on a club system without knowing it,
and gratifying the art instinct which is q
part of feminine nature. All the flowers of
the field and stars of the armament have
entered into the making of quilts; geometry
has been ransacked for designs. and every
discoverable tint has been employed in in
Vulnerable quilting combinations. Quilts
were the tapestries of the pioneer mothers
as well their chief social Commemorative
magnet. A fine quilt is beautiful, and 1T is
Useful 1t smacks of home and family
gathered around an open country fireplace.
The quilt in log cabin is what armor is in
a baronial hall, quite as interesting in its
way. but of better import in the proportion
that the kindly equipment of peace is SUI
periOr to the paraphernala of war;
For pleasurable. friendly excitement the
how or pleasant converse the flash of wit
and the glow of sympathetic neighboriness,
the old-time quilting never had an equal.
The arrangement of guests, facing each
other squarely, was more. inspiring than
the curves of Arthur's table. The knights
could think of nothing better than to drink
The quilting party piled the shining needle
and added to the household comfort and
loneliness. No man could possibly fit into
quilting party. Though the sewers would
not pause to point their needles at him in
Jennie Wren style, they asserted the sense
of being in their own sovereign domain,
and If wise he beat hasty retreat without
trying to dazzle in repartee. Within their
own circle the company quietly noted each
others degree of skill in making the
stitches that brought out the all-important
pattern, and many a maiden was shamed
into learning to sew we'll by watching the
glanced back and forth with unerring
swiftness and dizziness.
There are grander entertainments in these
days, but none more enjoyable than the
quilting parties of half century ago. The
majestic old forests that furnished the
background of happy afternoons have re-
coded. MilliOnaires have taken the place
of the local magnate with good farm and
several thousand dollars in bank. Women
have many organizations and forms of So
cial gathering. Yet nothing remains that
quite fills the place of the quilting party.
The women who wrought there in joyous
the worlds greatest nation. Let us hope
that their virtues and strength of charac-
ter have been passed along to the later
generation. The old-fashioned quilt was
the emblem of marvellous progress to come.
Luxury and wealth may be dangerous gifts