Blanket America- Patchwork Heritage Quilts

Since the days of mass immigration from Europe, the American quilting tradition has been a constantly evolving amalgam of color and texture, pattern and symbolism. Because immigrants from all over the world brought their quilts with them from their foreign lands, women of old began borrowing each others traditions. Eventually, these combinations of styles became known and the American Melting Pot quilts. In time, these quilts would become known as patchwork quilts.

Almost all women quilted, from farm wives to society matrons, young girls to young mothers. The only difference in their patchwork quilts was the quality, texture and colors of the fabrics used. Fabric society women used in patchwork quilts, such as linen and silk, where much more expensive and difficult to come by than cotton harvested from old shirts and sheets.

Young women aspired to have as many as 13 quilts in her possession as part of her dowry chest. When she became engaged a commemorative double wedding ring pattern quilt was usually added. As the years passed, important milestones such as marriages, births, current events and political affiliations were commemorated through quilts.

American history can be tracked through the American quilt. For example, it is easy to distinguish the difference between a Civil War Era quilt and a Spanish American War era quilt. As Americans moved westward, each state eventually had its own quilt. Economic times are reflected in the colors, fabric quality and fabric availability and pattern. During the Roaring 20’s crazy quilts made of satin or silk were popular. During the Great Depression sack cloth from old flour sacks was all that was available to women.

Today, the Patchwork Heritage quilt by Blanket America is commemorating and reflecting our nation’s current situation. Comprised of 13 different fabrics in red, white and blue that reflect current popular decorating hues, the Patchwork Heritage quilt represents the 13 original colonies. The reverse of the quilt features President Barak Obama’s inaugural address in entirety. The words “We know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness” are prominently displayed. To learn about the Patchwork Heritage quilt and how it helps America’s poor though the a buy one, give one charitable project, please visit Obama.

The Patchwork Heritage quilt by Blanket America enriches an old American tradition: commemorative quilting. From state quilts created by pioneers to the union quilts with red white and blue motifs, quilting has long since become a part of the fabric of our nation. Thanks to the Patchwork Heritage quilt, that fabric just got a little more interesting. http://www.blanketamerica.com