I've been doing a lot of reading about women settling in the West and had focused on some articles about the importance of quilting bees to women settlers. The fact that we are somewhat isolated from each other right now has had me thinking even more about the importance of connection and how crafting can often provide the path to that connection. We are lucky that technology provides us with methods to stay virtually connected to each other, but there is nothing quite like being in the same room with the people you are close to: looking them in the eye, seeing their faces change and hearing them laugh. While it’s not the same as the kind of isolation that was facing women on the frontier it just feels more relevant right now.
Right before the request came that we all stay home and self distance. I had met a group of girl friends for brunch. It felt so good to be able to talk to these ladies, share issues we’re having at work, talk about family, plans for the future; happy items like an upcoming wedding and frustrations like a bad boss. And while we’ve checked in on each other via text since that brunch to make sure we’re all doing ok while self distancing, it doesn’t provide the same comfort as sitting across from these ladies, sharing laughter, giving a hug hello and goodbye. How much more difficult would it be if your life style required you to be isolated for weeks or even months at a time, away from friends or any kind of society. No telephone or regular mail or other method to stay in contact. It must have felt so great for these women when they were finally able to get together.
The quilting bee seems to have been a particularly useful tool for women to get together and socialize while still being productive which was clearly crucial since there was so much work to be done, these women really couldn't just sit around and chat: the socializing had to come with a shared effort. But I imagine it was just as comforting to be chatting while sewing as chatting over a long brunch.
According to Stuart Kallen, author of Women of the American Frontier, a quilt began with a pieced quilt top that women would put together on their own throughout the winter months. In the warm months these quilt tops were brought together at a quilting bee. This was a major social occasion for the whole community but especially for the women who might only see others every few months and not at all in the winter.
In Women of the Frontier, Brandon Marie Miller wrote that women on farms and ranches created reasons to visit far-flung neighbors, helping one another with chores, joining in quilting bees and wool-carding parties, or establishing sewing circles. Betty J Mills wrote in Calico Chronicles that the various types of “bees” also became popular ways to make newcomers feel welcome. Women would exchange recipes and fashion news and soak up any information that newcomers could provide. In addition to providing the opportunity to socialize, quilting bees helped many young woman to fill their hope chests in readiness for an upcoming wedding. Three or four quilts might be completed in a day. Not only was this gathering productive, but it offered an interval of respite from routine.
In addition to a much needed opportunity to socialize, according to Gender and Generation on the Far Western Frontier by Cynthia Culver Prescott the quilting bees also worked as a way to teach the younger generation necessary sewing skills. "[Q]uilting helped to initiate second generation girls into the informal network of trade, friendship, and mutual assistance that their mothers and sisters had built on the frontier. Quiltings...provided opportunities for women of different ages and generations to share their labor and their lives.” Settlers’ daughters first learned to sew by piecing quilt tops and completing one’s first quilt was a highlight of a young lady’s youth. Gaining a seat at the quilt frame indicated acceptance as an equal member into the adult female community and attending one’s first quilting party marked a woman’s inclusion in a common female bonding ritual.
What types of quilts did these ladies make? In The American Quilt by author Roderick Kiracofe the patterns and fabrics were just as artistic and imaginative as anything we are making today. One of the patterns highlighted in the book is the Friendship or Album quilt. These were popular gifts to women who were leaving their family and friends to strike out to the west. They were made up of squares with messages to the woman headed to the frontier from friends and loved ones who would be left behind. Friends would also send blocks by mail to ladies on the frontier, to be made into a quilt.
The book Wisconsin Quilts by Ellen Kort highlights a variety of quilts made by women who migrated to Wisconsin during the mid to late 1800s. The patterns include tumbling blocks, log cabin, mariners compass, basket weave, pineapple and some truly beautiful appliqué patterns. The book includes a heart breaking story of a family who emigrated from Germany in 1849 and made their way to Wisconsin, suffering illness and loss along the way. The wife - Eva Kraus - made a beautiful “Folk Animals and Flowers” wedding quilt for her daughter that the entire family contributed to and was reminiscent of the German folk art of Eva’s childhood.
Although we can’t be physically together right now, I’m seeing a lot of online quilt and other craft a-longs providing online community similar to the community sought by women on the frontier. The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts is asking people to contribute a 12x12 block that will be incorporated into a collaborative “Quarantine Quilt” which I think will be pretty cool to see when it’s finished. Fabric and Flowers blog is doing a “mindful sewing” quilt along aimed at providing an outlet to help people stay calm and grounded during this time. And SO many quilt groups, churches, women clubs and others are providing free patterns to create face masks for local healthcare workers.
I think this really is the constant that runs through crafting throughout the decades. The way it encourages fellowship and caring for loved ones and neighbors. It’s one of those art forms that is also utilitarian. People want to wrap their loved ones in something warm as well as beautiful, they want to make face masks that may save lives and also maybe provide a little whimsy for the people who are working in such difficult conditions; and while they are working on these treasures, they want to share techniques, gossip, hurts, triumphs, jokes, life lessons and just connect to each other through a medium that brings them joy.
I am thinking of all the crafters out there and hoping that you are finding calm and community through your projects.
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