HISTORY OF QUILTING IN AMERICA AND MODERN QUILTS
PROGRAM AGENDA

I speak about the following eras in history that reflect the changes in regards to the quilting industry and how these changes affected women who enjoyed quilting for their entire life.

The Migration Westward from 1830 to 1860
Hear why specific designs were selected to sew patchwork blocks. The first cotton textile plant and where the first cotton batting was manufactured. Learn why the colonial women loved quilting bees and what they talked about.

The Civil War from 1860 to 1865
Hear how women on both sides raised money for the war. How exciting it was when the first sewing machine was patented. The availability of the first mail-order catalogs were important because this meant not having to buy all your fabric from the local store and sometimes it was cheaper.

The Great Depression 1930 to 1939 and World War II from 1939 to 1945
This was a very exciting time for women, but unfortunately things changed during the depression of the 1930s. Hear how the sewing machine was modernized and about the first publication of quilt patterns in the newspaper.

History of the Underground Railroad
Research was taken from a book called, “Hidden in Plain View” which explains how specific quilt blocks that were sewn into large quilts helped the slaves escape to freedom. Learn what the abolitionists did to help them and hear a few interesting stories about five quilt blocks that had an important purpose.

Hand Work Done By the Colonial Women
Hear about how the women weaved cotton, enjoyed doing hand applique and the button hole stitch to create lovely designs. An original wall hanging of designs using the button hole stitch will be shown.

My Unique Quilts
See several of my most unique and beautiful quilts as I explain the various techniques I’ve learned. Some of the quilts are, stain glass quilting, Asian fabric folding called origami and memory quilts.