American Tradition
by Gail Lang
Part 2 of 5

While early quilters might have had no training, their inner talent and desire enabled them to create true works of art that to this day hang in museums across the southeast. If you should have the opportunity, you should visit Paducah, Kentucky as it hosts one of the most magnificent quilt museums you can imagine. They hold both old and new pieces of art representative of the quilts created throughout the ages. This is also an avenue for many quilters across the nation to sell their art. While I was still able to part with mine, I often submitted finished quilts for sale to them. I haven't sold a quilt for many years though, mostly because as my talent increased so did my involvement in my work. The later pieces I have created have become both a part of my soul and a permanent part of my home. I haven't been a member of the American Quilter's Society for a number of years, but know they are still strong.

Quilts are regarded as significant reflections of our country's history from the 1700's. While quilting may be found in many areas of the world, it is the American women who have developed the true patchwork quilt as an art form. The patterns, materials and subject matter evoke specific eras showing changes through time. Overall though, the traditional patterns created and stitched by our ancestors are still loved and created anew today. The wedding ring is a strong sample of such love and tradition. Made with the love of a mother for her daughter, interlinking rings were sewn together with love and given to the wedding couple on the day of their union. Today, across the south, many grandmothers and mothers still make this beautiful quilt design remembering it's warm beginnings and its meaning.

Generally, a quilt will have three layers, the decorative top, the lining and a backing. These three layers are joined by either stitching or tying. The stitching, if done by a master quilter, is an art in itself and can add an additional beauty to compliment the pieced top or can even be created as an art of its own by simply stitching the three layers with an intricate design. Generally though, only the most talented would attempt to create a quilt of stitch design alone. The quilt below, "Mystic Maze," is pictured front and back to show how wonderfully the stitching itself can create a beauty of its own.

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