Evening star., 1938-01-25

they acquitted themselves at their
first quilting party.
Sometimes, neighbors would conf
bine activities and have q community
quilting bee. They held 1t either in
the largest house available or in the
village church. The women came
early in the morning and worked furi-
ously all day. All the news and gos-
sip of the countryside was discussed
over the frames. Toward evening the
husbands would arrive for the huge
supper prepared by the hostess and
her assistants. After supper there
would be dancing and games and the
party would break up merrily. to meet
again the next month. These festivi.
ties were an important part of the
social life OF New England, in the lat
ter part Of the eighteen hundreds and
still exist in certain sections today, In
spite Of modern distractions.
**+
THERE were hundreds of patchwork
patterns. Some of them are still
used. They vary considerably, accord
ing to the ability of the person making
them. One with exquisite needlework
may be ruined because the color COM
olnatlonS are harsh and unpleasing.
Others fail because after careful piec-
ing, stitching and color planning, the
quilting was coarsely done, or the
quilt was not carefully stretched on
the frame. 50 that it will never lie nat
or straight on the bed. But among
these will be many exquisite in color
and pattern and at the same time
perfect examples Of needlework and
patience.
AS the art Of quilt-making -four.
shed. women made strict regulations
to govern 1t, and at the same time
stimulated the trade in cloth, dyes.
weaving and kindred arts. They de-
manded new and different materials.
fine dyes that would not run and in
teresting designs and colors. They in
sisted on cotton for filling that was
properly cleaned so that their quilts
would not be full of hard cotton seeds
They took great pride in the creation
on which they had put in so many
hours. At their request, fashion mag
azlnes OF the day offered new Quilt.
ing designs and suggestions. At
county fairs and church bazaars
quilts were put on exhibition, and
prizes were given for the best design
and workmanship.
No nice young woman in those days
would dream of getting married with
out a dozen fine quilts. In addition
to these. she made her brides piece"
which was the finest Of the collection
and usually made after her engage
ment was announced. Invitations to q
large quilting bee at the home of .
young lady Of marriageable age was
an announcement Of her engagement,
and all the countryside would joyfully
come to help.
since 1920, with q growing appre-
ciation Of Americana. has come q new
interest In old quilts and quilt-mak-
Ing. The Metropolitan Museum in
New York and the Brooklyn Museum
have permanent collections of the
best Of the art. We saw some beau-
tiful quilts at the Rural Arts Show
at the Agriculture Department .
month ago. There are now some
splendid ones at the National Mu-
scum. Young people are beginning
to take an interest in this fine art
and are studying the old designs, rs
we'll as working out new ones. In its
simplest form 1t is . handcraft that
the 5-year-old child may understand
and enjoy. In its more intricate and
elaborate aspects it Is worthy Of the
greatest textile artists Of all time!
Margaret NOVEL; will be glad to
answer questions on furnishing and
decorating Of homes in her Saturday
columns II you will write to her In
care Of The Evening Star.