We know from visitors in our shop and messages from Facebook that many of you pick Civil War quilts as your favorite. We recently had a new quilter in the store who was asking about the significance of quilting in the Civil War era - so today we are sharing just a few tidbits about the era. (...and the history is SO vast that we just picked a few basic facts...)
Many of you know that quilts were used as maps and/or messages for those traveling north for freedom. Quilts were displayed in strategic places along the Underground Railroad so that travelers knew they were still on the right track.
Quilts were also one of the first ways women in America created income for their families! They would take large quilts and cut them apart so they could be resewn or quilted into several smaller cot-sized quilts and sold at local fairs. This provided quilts for soldiers who were lacking necessary supplies while the women were able to earn money so they could provide food, shelter, and protection for their children and loved ones.
One website we visited mentioned that this experience of making quilts in order to earn money was one of the greatest confidence builders that eventually gave women the courage to stand up for their right to vote!
If you do a quick google search you will come across so many great websites that provide more facts and stories about the significance of quilts during the Civil War.
In the meantime here are some beautiful kits so you can make your own little piece of history!
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| Amalie Crosses and Losses Quilt Kit |
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| Amalie Log Cabin Quilt Kit |
What is your favorite Civil War Quilt Story? Have you made a Civil War Quilt?
~QBTB
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