1. A brief history of an American Tradition
Class Quilt
A brief history of an American Tradition

2. In the Beginning
Quilting has been a part of American traditions since colonial times
Because cloth was so scarce every scrape was used and recycled
Quilts therefore became a part of the family history; “there is part of Dad’s pants, and there a piece of Mom’s dress…”

3. Whole communities would gather around and help sew a quilt so that it became a way for people to bond
There would be quilting parties and quilts were even sometimes used as currency

4. The traditional quilt form is a series of very ridged geometric patterns.

5. However there was also a kind of quilt made that didn’t have any pattern to it. These were called “Crazy Quilts.”

6. Quilts played a critical role in the Underground Railroad
People would put out certain quilts out in a certain way that that would tell people using the underground railroad that they could ask for food, water, lodging and directions at that house.
So the quilts were used as a secret code

7. Quilting is still used as an artistic expression by contemporary artist.
Faith Ringgold is a very famous artist who uses quilting instead of paints to make here images

8. Quilting is NOT a girly art!
Professor of art at Emporia University is one of many male artist who use quilting as their form of expression
As he says “A sewing machine is just another power tool!”