| Heirloom quilts are another item that you see passed | | | | popular in the late 19th century in America. Today |
| from generation to generation. What once was made | | | | hundreds of vintage designs are being reproduced. It is |
| out of necessity and used until they fell apart are now | | | | said to have started in England at the Royal School of |
| becoming cherished keepsakes and collectibles for | | | | Art Needlework in Kensington. Typical stitches used |
| some. With modern technology playing a role in the | | | | were the backstitch, colonial knots and the stem stitch. |
| household women don't have to sew out of necessity | | | | As more colors of thread became available the name |
| any more. Their homes are heated well so the days | | | | would change. If a woman used the color purple she |
| of layers of quilts adorning beds are long gone. The | | | | would call it purplework. |
| quilts that are handed down now from generation to | | | | Baltimore Album and Signature Quilts |
| generation are beautifully handcrafted and have more | | | | These quilts originated in Baltimore, Maryland in the |
| than likely been made for beauty rather than need. | | | | 1840s. Each block is appliqued with a different design |
| Here some examples of heirlooms that you can find | | | | usually of florals, but might also include eagles or |
| today. | | | | landmarks. They were made with new fabrics to |
| Crazy Quilts | | | | reflect the prosperous community. Poetry, sayings or |
| Crazyquilts are of Victorian times that are not made | | | | the signature of the block maker could be found on |
| like other quilts. There are no quilting stitches or batting | | | | each block. These were made for certain occasions |
| used in these quilts. All sorts of materials were | | | | by many women who made a block to incorporate |
| incorporated into these quilts with embroidered | | | | into one quilt. Today these quilts are also known as |
| embellishments. Randomly placed pieces of material | | | | friendship quilts. If a friend or family member was |
| were sewn together into crazy designs to make | | | | moving a quilt would be made to give to them as a |
| unique coverlets. There was no planned design like | | | | remembrance of the loved ones at home. They were |
| most quilts so you would never find two quilts alike. | | | | also given for marriage as a wedding gift. "Freedom" |
| There wasn't designs to hand down from generation | | | | quilts as they were called, were given to men upon |
| to generation as in most quilts. Instead women would | | | | their 21st birthday. This was to help signify their |
| use small pieces of material that they saved from | | | | reaching of majority and that he was ready to leave |
| worn clothing to incorporate into their quilts. Linen, wool, | | | | his family and become and independent man. |
| chintes and calicoes were the most commonly used. | | | | Pieced Quilts |
| These quilts typically wouldn't survive long enough to | | | | Quilt blocks can be considered heirlooms in that the |
| be used as heirlooms. As times got better, however, | | | | same designs are being made today. Some of the |
| women were able to purchase materials for the sole | | | | most popular blocks are the Log cabin, Flying geese, |
| purpose of making wonderful works of art. These | | | | Bear's paw, Mariner's compass, Irish chain, monkey |
| have been handed down as treasured heirlooms from | | | | wrench and the Wedding ring to name a few. You |
| generation to generation. Women would practice their | | | | might find the same block has a different name but the |
| fancy needlework skills on these types of quilts until | | | | design is still the same. Before quilt blocks were put out |
| they mastered their craft. At this time they would | | | | in print women would name a block anything that she |
| produce a "masterpiece". This would have been made | | | | wanted to. So if one woman in one part of the |
| from silks, velvets and other fine materials. | | | | country made a quilt block and at the same time |
| Redwork Quilting | | | | another woman from another part of the country |
| Redwork quilting consists of both needlework and | | | | made a block they might name their blocks the same |
| quilting. Red stitches used of thread that was dyed by | | | | name. You can find quilt blocks at estate sales in |
| a natural dye called "turkey red" was used to outline | | | | which you might believe that they were being made to |
| designs on a white or off white background. "Penny | | | | be put into the same quilt. When in all actuality some |
| Squares" which were white cotton squares with a | | | | women would sew a block to keep as a template for |
| stamp on it could be purchased for a penny along with | | | | the future. |
| a skein of floss that cost a penny. This was most | | | | |