Black Butte Ranch Blog
Quilting is a Reflection of Life
When you look at the amazing quilts that the Black Butte Ranch Quilters have on display this month at the Lodge Gallery, you can see a reflection of their lives and an expression of their artistry. It takes a tremendous amount of creativity and patience to make a quilt. Quilts are heirlooms passed down from generation to generation; they are cherished as a pieces of family history; they represent their own unique place and time that they were made as well as representing different cultures and mores. A quilt could even be compared to a letter from a loved one – a personal, handmade expression of love and caring. Some quilts have been “loved” to shreds and others are carefully preserved and tucked away.
Over the centuries, quilts have told many stories. Quilts played important roles in American History as well. They were made to raise funds for the abolitionist movement and then also during the Civil War quilts were made to earn money for the war effort and to give warmth and comfort to the soldiers. There are stories that the Underground Railroad used certain quilts as signals to help slaves in their fight for freedom. One such example was the practice of using a “log cabin” quilt hung on a clothes line to indicate that a house was a safe place for slave. Women sometimes even put anti-slavery poems and saying on the quilts they made to sell at fairs.
In more modern times quilts were made for Aids patients by their friends and family as a way to show their support and love. Simple quilts and blankets are given to victims of tragedy to help comfort them. Quilting, which has traditionally been a women’s craft, has also seen an increase in interest by many men.
Most recently a dear friend of quilters and founder of Peggy’s Pin Pals passed away. As a gesture to honor their friend Peggy Click-Taylor, the
Quilt honoring Peggy Click-Taylor
Black Butte Ranch quilters collaborated and each made a quilt square, from which a quilt was made and presented to Al Taylor in loving memory of his wife. The quilters always felt that Al was their “teddy bear” and appreciated the support his gave to his wife and the group. The quilters have continued on with their craft, meeting every week to quilt, or just to talk about quilting and dispensing a little advice along the way.
This week we celebrate the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, in it’s 35th year. I know the BBR quilters will be busy this week attending classes and events surrounding the quilt show, and our hats go off to you and thank you for your amazing handiwork.
See ya around the Ranch!
Katie
