Revival of the Quilting Bee

In the following article from the June 12, 1903 issue of The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.), the author tells us about the Quilting Bee.

 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064428/1903-06-12/ed-1/seq-3/

Revival of Quilting Bee;

Patterns New and Old.

The quilting bee is likely to become an accepted social function, not only of the rural districts, but among city dwellers. The advantages of the old-fashioned "pieced quilt" are again being recognized and the handiwork involved in the quilting is receiving ardent appreciation. Indeed it is the quilting rather than the piecing which is receiving marked attention, although the designer of log cabins and star patterns is perhaps only a step removed in popularity.

So widely spread is the interest in quilts that the art embroidery houses now issue perforated stamping, patterns of quilting designs and lists of several hundred patterns for piecing. Some of the modern designs for quilting are elaborate; others, no less so, are a return to the style of our grandmothers. Essentially new in effect are the Egyptian pattern and the ivy leaf,while among the old time patterns are the star and crescent and the shell.

ln our grandmothers' day, when there were no patterns to be purchased-and it is doubtful if our thrifty grandmothers would have bought them if there had been-designs were cut from cardboard and were loaned or exchanged in a spirit of mutual helpfulness. Many of the old quilts were made from white muslin. An elaborate pattern was drawn and the parts were stuffed as the work progressed, leaving the finished design in prominent relief. No outer spreads were used in those days, and the elaborate pattern of such a quilt was not hidden from view.

All sorts of devices were resorted to for designs. A flower center was encircled by rows of stitching marked by means of plates of various sizes.The shell pattern was made by using a piece of string doubled and tied with three knots at equal distances. Starting at one corner of the quilt, a pencil was placed in the end loop., the first knot was held firmly on the corner with the thumb, and a quarter circle marked. Then the second knot was held at the corner and a second quarter circle marked, and this was repeated with the third knot. The first knot was then placed at the upper edge of the third circle and the process repeated, continuing the entire length of one side and following one row with another.

The marking was usually done after the quilt was placed upon the frames, working a short distance ahead, as the quilt was rolled. At some of the modern bees, however, it has been found that more accurate marking can be done, and the time of the quilters saved, if the entire cover is marked before it is placed upon the frames. If one of the modern stamping patterns is used the same rule holds good, and the entire surface is stamped by repeating the pattern before the quilting is begun.

Patterns for piecing quilts, like those for quilting. are sometimes borrowed from old time models. The album pattern has been revived by church societies. This has a center piece of white in each block, on which the name of the maker is outlined or written. A member of a church or of a society will often pay a high price for one of these autograph quilts.They are also used for gifts or presentations.

Church societies find profitable employment for the weekly or fortnightly meetings in piecing or quilting, as well as in tying comforters. The quilts are usually individual orders, while the orders for comforters often come from large dry goods houses. One society has a record of tying 25 comforters in a day. To save time in marking each one, they bit upon an ingenious plan. An old sheet was marked in diagonal lines. At each intersection of these lines a hole as large around as a five-cent piece was cut up The sheet was then pinned on over a comforter and the tying was done through the holes thus prepared. The sheet could be used again and again.

Frequently a bride-elect holds a quilting bee. to which her intimate friends are invited. Each one writes her name in a block, and the quilting then proceeds. But it is the matrons who more frequently are found intent upon quilting, while the piecing is done by the younger folks, for quilting means work. even when done among friends and relieved by an occasional sip of Russian tea.-N. Y. Herald.