Blanket America: Bringing Back an American Tradition

When our ancestors crossed the oceans to reach the new land, they brought with them not just their families and a few meager possessions. They brought with them their own unique languages, styles and traditions. One tradition nearly every woman from every country brought with her was her own unique quilting pattern, fabric and color preferences. Eventually those traditions, patterns and preferences melded together and evolved into a truly American style of quilt called patchwork.

Soon, commemorative patchwork quilts became a new tradition. Major life events, such as engagements, were memorialized with quilts. With westward expansion came the advent of the state quilt. Political affiliations, union preferences and even wars were memorialized through statement blankets. Before women's suffrage gave women the right to vote in elections, their preferences were stated through fabric, needle and thread.

Through high times and low times, our nation's history can be tracked through quilts. During war time, patchwork colors tended to be duller and fabric quality lower. During times of peace and prosperity fabrics were brighter, patterns more intricate, quality of fabrics higher and richer and variety of fabrics greater. During the Roaring 20's fine linen and silks were used to make crazy quilts. When the Great Depression stuck ten years later, old flour sacks became the only fabrics available for making quilts.

During political strife, strong statements were made. When labor unions became legal in the United States, many women made use of red, white and blue fabrics to show their support. During times of war nearly all women used red, white and blue fabrics when they were available in order to show their patriotic pride, appreciation and support of our troops. Today that tradition is no different.

The Patchwork Heritage quilt brings back many old American traditions from bygone eras. The face of the quilt is comprised of 13 different fabrics in hues of red, white and blue which represent our 13 original colonies. The reverse of the quilt is a subdued creamy beige color and features lady liberty standing proudly in the background. President Barak Obama's inaugural address is printed on the foreground, with the now famous words "we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness" highlighted prominently. The Patchwork Heritage quilt benefits charity through a buy one, give one program. To learn more, visit patchwork.

The Patchwork Heritage quilt is bringing back an old American tradition of commemorative quilting. Blanket America is a new charitable organization who is implementing an innovative new concept of giving: buy one, give one. http://www.blanketamerica.com