Part 10: Log Cabin and the Yukon block The Log Cabin design has been popular since the 1850’s reflecting the log cabin structure and its central importance to home on the frontier. The design represented the struggle of conquering the wilderness. The small central typically red square symbolized the stove or fireplace of the home. Yellow… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Edmonton Festival of Quilts
Part 9: Patchwork the Northwest Territories block Quilt blocks typically contained geometric shapes such as squares, triangles, or rectangles. In turn these blocks were than sewed into strips. Strips were than sewn into a quilt top. Almost all geometric designs use an underlying gird that make up a certain number of equal sized squares. Some patterns… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival of Quilts
Part 8: Quilt block designs and the Quebec block Quilts before 1800 typically had a central motif but after 1800 the block style became more popular mainly using squares and triangles. In fact most patchwork patterns that exist today existed in the 1800’s. The older the pattern the more variety of names it is likely… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival of Quilts
Part 7: Patterns and survival, Nova Scotia block. In the new world resources were scare, there was little free time for women to pursue non-essential activities and quilts were needed for survival. Unlike England where quilting was mainly an upper and middle class activity, in North America during the 1800s’s quilting was a necessity for… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival of Quilts
Part 6 : Social Class , Quilting Styles and the Manitoba block Quilts whether essential for warmth or more decorative purposes were part of an English marriage tradition. Eligible girls had to have 12 quilts in their dowry with the 13th quilt made after she was married. Superstition also demanded it was important that there… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival Of Quilts
Part 5 – Politics in the New World – more English Laws and the PEI block If the textile politics in England were not bad enough for quilters, the colonies in the new world had additional problems obtaining textiles. Settlers in North America were expected to be exporters of raw goods to England and import… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival Of Quilts
Part 4 : Politics and Textiles – Challenges for Stitchers , British Columbia block Today I take it for granted where and what type of fabrics I use in a quilt. From the comfort of my home I can order what I want from anywhere in the world. I might have to pay customs charges… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Festival of Quilts
Part 3: Beliefs and Meanings, Ontario block By choice, or forced, the immigration of people to North America has left a rich legacy of quilt patterns that reflect the old world and new world. They are a record of beliefs and hopes. This next blog is about one such group. Various symbols from secret African… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Edmonton Festival of Quilts
In Part 1 I discussed quilt blocks and designs as being symbols of repurpose, rebirth, preserving memories and recording a life. Patterns and meaning in textile and quilted items go far back in human history. I wouldn’t be surprised that the same depictions on cave walls also used these symbols on skin cloth and fibre… Continue reading Getting Ready for the Edmonton Festival of Quilts – Part 2: Symbolism in Textiles and Quilts and Nunavut Block
Part One of a Traditional Canada 150 Quilt
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