Group projectsIt is believed that group quilting began as far back as 1761. Around the 1840s and '50s, men were invited to join the women after the quilting was finished for the day. Considered a festive occasion, food, fiddler music and dancing would round out the evening. Many met future spouses during such events.
Group projects were also encouraged woman to create different blocks or designs to later be incorporated into a quilt. Album patterns were often used. The earlier blocks were usually signed in ink with valuable information noted on the block (figure A). The embroidery on this block shows that the quilter was born in 1769 (figure B). Around the 1900s, embroidery floss was used to sign quilt blocks. This one, embroidered with the name Brother Fred, leads us to conclude that a man contributed to this group quilt (figure C).
Group projects are still going strong. Approximately 70 women contributed to this modern day friendship quilt, entitled Hands Working Together, during a quilting retreat in Point Bonita (figure D).
Quilting bees today
Today's quilting bees are not much different from those held years ago. The primary objective still remains, to gather friends and create a beautiful piece of handwork. Mini-quilting groups, similar to "The Sob Sisters," are made up of guild members, church members or friends with an interest in quilting. One project a mini-group might take on is known as a Round Robin (figure E). This particular project begins with a central block and is passed to the next person who adds what they think is appropriate to the quilt, then it's passed to a third person and so on. Surprisingly enough, color themes are not usually determined in advance for this type quilt.
National Quilting Association
When preparing to place a quilt in competition, judge Bonnie Browning suggests placing one's heart in a box with a bit of batting around it. Browning, a judge for the National Quilting Association Show in Riverside, Calif., shares a few quilts and points out what makes them prize winners.
- The Best of Show bed quilt (figure F) demonstrates an excellent use of color and value grade of color and design. The stippling is also done well.
- The original design work in this wall quilt awarded it the Best of Show (figure G). The judges admired the selection and layering of fabrics that created dimension. Wonderful quilting and use of space was also noted.
- Perfectly straight stitches and "no-see" applique stitches are techniques the judges look for. Don't be surprised is a magnifying glass is being used to see just how straight and small those quilting stitches truly are.
- Hand quilting as well as machine quilting criteria is the same. The stitches must be even; starts and stops must be hidden and should fill the space adequately.
- There's no telling what today's quilters will come up with. Many like to make two-sided quilts. The backside of this quilt shows a completed American Flag (figure H). Quilters are also showing more dimension by adding three-dimensional embroidery to their designs. The sky's the limit and the possibilities are endless.
Resources Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns
by Barbara Brackman (ISBN: 0891458158)
Click
here to order this title.
American Quilter's Society / Collector's Books
Website:
www.americanquilter.com
The National Quilting Association Inc.
The National Quilting Association Inc.
PO Box 393
Elliott City, MD 21041-0393
USA
Phone: 410-461-5733
Fax: 410-461-3693
URL:
www.nqaquilts.org/
Guests Bonnie Browning
Quilter, quilting competition judge and author
Website:
bonniebrowning.tripod.com
Also in this Episode
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