| Americans have a tendency to make their history a bit | | | | late 1800s. By this time fabric was available to most |
| more colorful and happy than it probably was for | | | | families because the textile industry had grown. That is |
| those early settlers. Because of the lack of resources | | | | probably when quilting became more common among |
| it is likely that if one of the woman did make a quilt, it | | | | American women, thus the term American Quilters. |
| was probably a very simple quilt, because of the lack | | | | Somewhere around this time the quilting frame was |
| of fabric or even patterns. | | | | developed, which made for much easier quilting. It is |
| Thus, the quilters at that time were probably not really | | | | also probably when the real quilting bees began to |
| even quilters, rather just women who sewed out of | | | | take place. |
| necessity. But since they did sew, they still deserve to | | | | Today, quilting is not common in every house or even |
| be described as the first American quilters. | | | | every family, although there is probably a quilt in nearly |
| By the time the women had all of their chores and | | | | every home. Quilting in today's world is much easier |
| rearing duties finished, it was probably well after dark | | | | than it was in early times. There are quilting machines, |
| and the only light source would have been from a | | | | there are quilting books, and there are even quilting |
| candle or the fireplace, which would have been much | | | | sets and quilting kits. |
| too dim for stitching. So, this debunks the myth that the | | | | Most of the hard work is done for you. The quilting |
| beautiful quilting style we see today was started by | | | | that is done today is still very beautiful and elegant. We |
| quilters in the colonial days. | | | | often give baby quilts as gifts to a new baby. A |
| Besides, in those days there was very little fabric | | | | handmade quilt may be given as wedding gift to |
| available. It is a myth that quilting was a pastime in | | | | newlyweds and often, handmade quilts are passed on |
| colonial days. If there were quilts made, then they | | | | for generations. So, although the American Quilters and |
| were likely very simple quilts and were made out of | | | | their history may not be the image that we often have |
| necessity, not enjoyment. | | | | in our heads, they are still a very important part of our |
| It is more likely that the social gatherings that are | | | | culture. |
| referred to as "quilting bees" started occurring in the | | | | |