Quilting: a very brief history.

Quilting: what’s it all about?

When beginning this project not many of us girls really knew a great deal about quilting, after a few wise words from Penny our knowledge deepened, but I have found myself wanting to learn more. So I decided to pop into Hereford College of Arts Library and get some books out!

These are the two I selected and have been flicking through this evening: one with a more comprehensive history of quilting, and another with culturally diverse quilts.

The first thing that astounded me was the length of time quilting has been in existence- records indicate the foundations of the technique started in the Orient over 1000 years ago. The skills then travelled Westwards and was utilised in European lands and then into colonial America. It was in North America that social significance became entwined with the quilting.

English, Irish and Scottish immigrants who settled in the new lands in the beginning of the 19^th century began to form parties, and as part of these women would gather to quilt until the dark came and stopped their efforts. Quilts were made for communally for special occasions to show their significance in the society.

It draws a nice parallel to the Red Suitcase Project how the act of quilting builds a community. The project is seeing the breaching of two parts of society who often do not cross paths. It is a way of communication between generations and a way to build a sense of community within Herefordshire. Because at the end of the day that is one of the most brilliant aspects of this project- not the finished quilts, not the exhibition at the Courtyard, but the building of a community and the impact it will have on both generations.