Keeping Quilt Traditions Alive

There are some traditions that I think are dieing out. One of these is Quilting, I grew up under Quilts. A quilt on the frames in a tent already made. We knew the rules, don't bump the quilt and no hanging "walls" off the edge. But many hours of my childhood were spent under quilts.

As I grew I started to help, first with tied quilts. My older brother and I had a system we could keep 2-3 needles going at the same time, I would push the needle down then he would lay under the quilt and push it back up while I was tying another one. We really were fast.

I remember at about 5 my grandmother giving me a needle and thread to help quilt a quilt. I am sure that she took my stitches out before giving the quilt to the recipient, but that is how I started quilting. As I grew my stitches started staying in the quilt and eventually I even learned to tie my own knots.

I moved on to the piecing of quilts. First I pressed for my mom. Then learned how to pin and sew them. My mother and I can piece a top in no time with one at the machine and the other pressing and pinning, throw in a sister and it is even faster. I loved going to a fabric store to help pick out the fabric for a new quilt.

Now I am the mother teaching my kids. Yesterday my 10 yr old pressed while I sewed. It brought back so many memories of quilts. I am excited to put this one up on the frames so that my girls, and boys if they want, can sit at the quilt, help, and talk.

I'm not sure If I should thank my mom for teaching me or her mother before her. I guess it is all the women in my family that have through the years come together like a quilt and made me who I am Thanks, I will keep the tradition of quilting alive.