Old Fashioned Bed Turning

Last night at guild, we did a Bed Turning. It was really fun, and quilts that wouldn't get entered to our show got to be viewed and the story shared. To me, it seemed to go right back to the roots of this craft. Mostly women ( the custodian at the school was the only man in the room - but he was amazed at the work ) getting together to show off the work of their hands, and share their heirlooms. There was a quilt made from the husband's ties after he passed away, another that was found in a barn keeping hay off equipment that turned out to be a treasure, several accomplished quilters shared their very first quilt and how they came to make it, every single quilt shared had a great story. We viewed over fifty quilts, and could have taken a whole night on any one of them to hear about conception, fabric decisions, construction, finishing and history.

The enjoyment of these quilts was enhanced by hearing the story of it, which is why it is so important to label your quilts with at least the date, better to include your name and town and if you are ambitious a bit about its origin. Some day, some total stranger may have it, and be thankful for and value it more for knowing it's story.

Another way to help preserve the story is to begin and keep a quilt journal - A central place to record each project as it is being made. You can include pattern sources, fabric swatches, technical notes on batting and thread choices, even the actual templates if used. Each step of the wedding quilt I am making for my sister is in the Quilt Journal Altered Book that began as a sample for Art Camp this summer. I have posted about this project before, Altering books is fun, and keeping it as a quilt journal is fantastic. Some day I will share the whole process with my sister so she can see how much work goes into a quilt. She is an athlete, who insists that I got all the sewing ability in the family. For now I need to concentrate on getting the quilt itself done. Last night's bed turning at guild has me all primed and ready to go sew.