Quilted comfort and beauty
Time was, you’d have been hard pressed to find a home without at least one good quilt in every bedroom, either on a bed in cooler months or in a cedar chest during warm months. Reliance on year-round climate control in homes changed that. Open windows and ceiling fans don’t suffice anymore when temperatures warm up. Neither does putting on warmer clothing or having a fire to heat one or two rooms, when temperatures begin to chill. Our comfort range has narrowed, and we look to HVAC appliances to ward off any discomfort.
Quilts are making a comeback, however. People are rediscovering the pleasure of opening bedroom windows a bit and snuggling under a quilt. Rising heating costs may have prompted some to adopt the practice, but others simply find more restful sleep with cool, fresh air and a comfortable quilt over them. Artistry, heritage, and memories have also played a role in the renewed interest in quilts.
Beautiful quilts are often used as functional décor in homes. Some quilts, however, are meant to be admired but not used — like certain guest towels. To be on the safe side, guys who find only dainty towels beside a bathroom sink should dry their hands on their pants. And if you see a cozy quilt displayed on a rack and you think it would be comfortable to have over you on the couch or in bed, think again.
As older relatives move from homes they’ve lived in for decades, and in estate sales, family heirloom quilts are coming to light for the first time in a long time. This handiwork from branches of our family trees can connect us in a tangible way to people and to a time that has passed.
Whereas leftover pieces of material from homemade clothes were used in the past, a relatively new type of quilt utilizes themed shirts (think sports teams, schools, concerts, vacation spots, and other events or places). It can be a comfortable way to recall fond memories while relaxing.
If you are interested in making a quilt, but don’t have the equipment needed, you can find businesses and individuals near you that can assist you or even do the work for you. If you want to view interesting pieces that are already completed, check out estate sales, antique stores and quilt shops near you. And if you’re ready for the Disney World of quilting, remember… what Orlando, Florida, is to Mickey enthusiasts, Hamilton, Missouri, is to quilt lovers.
Note: Handmade quilts will be a featured part of the annual Amish consignment sale at the Hickory Hill School in Jamesport, Missouri, on Saturday, May 3.
