Quilts in Times of Disasters
As I’ve researched my children’s book, Papa Goes to War, concerning the Civil War era, I discovered that women then, as now, made quilts during times of disaster. Quilters have responded to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Iraq/Afghanistan War by providing quilts for bed coverings and comfort.
During the Civil War, women made various items for the soldiers away from home. Among these were quilts for the soldiers bed rolls. Chief among the organizations collecting quilts and distributing them to soldiers on the battlefield and in hospitals was the Unites States Sanitary Commission, somewhat like today’s Red Cross.
The Commission coordinated many of the clothing and bedding collection activities. This organization was begun in New York at Cooper Union or Cooper Institute. Their Soldiers Relief Circles met throughout the Union, generally once a week. Ladies also did this sewing at home, too.
(In my book, Papa Goes to War, Mandy, her grandmother, aunt, and several other ladies got together to work on quilts for their menfolk. A scene takes place at the sewing/quilting session.)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: , Civil War, Hurricane Katrina, quilters, quilting, quiltmaking, quiltsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Books and Magazines
13 opinions for Quilts in Times of Disasters
Artsy bloggers roundup April 25-2008
Apr 25, 2008 at 12:49 pm
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters [...]
Noreen Crone-Findlay
Apr 25, 2008 at 12:50 pm
This is heart wrenching, Mary Emma….
Artsy blogging round-up
Apr 25, 2008 at 12:55 pm
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters Quilters often turn to quiltmaking in times of stress, crisis and disaster. Mary Emma Allen, of Quilting and Patchwork, mentions a scene in one of her books about quilting during the Civil War. [...]
Mary Emma Allen
Apr 25, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Thank you for stopping by, Noreen. Throughout the ages, women seem to have found handwork comforting and often turned to this for their own need as well as to provide something of value for others.
Eileen
Apr 25, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Fascinating Mary Emma.
It brought to my mind the huge quilts that were made to help and to honor AIDS sufferers and their families.
You put it so well, “Throughout the ages, women seem to have found handwork comforting and often turned to this for their own need as well as to provide something of value for others.”
… and the value lives on, doesn’t it?
The Arts Bloggers Share Again at Quilting & Patchwork & More
Apr 25, 2008 at 3:46 pm
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters . Quilters often turn to quiltmaking in times of stress, crisis and disaster. Mary Emma Allen, of Quilting and Patchwork, mentions a scene in one of her books about quilting during the Civil War. [...]
Art Blog Explorations
Apr 25, 2008 at 4:29 pm
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters Quilters often turn to quiltmaking in times of stress, crisis and disaster. Mary Emma Allen, of Quilting and Patchwork, mentions a scene in one of her books about quilting during the Civil War. [...]
Peggy
Apr 25, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Nice post. Quilting is a great way to help others.
Mary Emma Allen
Apr 25, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Eileen, yes, quilting and fabric are provide comfort to the maker and the reciprients. They’re a way to share and to make memories.
Mary Emma Allen
Apr 25, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I agree, Peggy, quilting certainly can help others…as well as oneself. It can be a stress reliever, too, as my daughter found while working on small projects in doctors’ offices and hospital waiting rooms when her husband had cancer.
Artsy Bloggers Round-up #9
Apr 26, 2008 at 3:16 am
[...] Mary Emma shares about Quilts in Times of Disasters. [...]
So-Artsy Links from Lifestyles Channel and Beyond
Apr 26, 2008 at 9:03 am
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters Quilters often turn to quiltmaking in times of stress, crisis and disaster. Mary Emma Allen, of Quilting and Patchwork, mentions a scene in one of her books about quilting during the Civil War. [...]
Artsy bloggers roundup
Apr 26, 2008 at 10:48 am
[...] Quilts in Times of Disasters Quilters often turn to quiltmaking in times of stress, crisis and disaster. Mary Emma Allen, of Quilting and Patchwork, mentions a scene in one of her books about quilting during the Civil War. [...]
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