Biblical Quilts... An old Traditon by Mary Louise Kitsen     Many of the early immigrants who came to America from across the sea tended to be strongly religious.  For the most part, they were sturdy people who endured the hardships of settling a new land, and the loneliness of having left loved ones behind.  It was through their faith that  they aqcquired the inner strength to tolerate the difficult conditions.
  For these people, quilts were a necessity.  Many of the earliest quilts made in the new land were without any real pattern or design.  What ever was too worn to retain as clothing was cut into blocks and put together to make the quilts which would keep the family warm at night.  These quilts often covered the doors and windows during harsh winters.  Oh yes, quilts were needed!
  But as the settlements becames more established, the women began the task of making their homes pleasant and attractive.  They began taking the time to turn out quilts of handsome designs and becoming colors.  If you stop to recall their strong religious backgrounds, you will not be surprised to discover that quilts with a Biblical connection became very popular indeed.
  Some of the history of early quilting with a Biblical theme I can relate from my own family records, letter and diaries.
  When I turned sisteen, I was given a quilt made by the older women of my family and some of their friends - a tradition of generations.  In our family, we present the "new woman" with a Scripture quilt.  The Scripture quils in the family from which I descended have a large white block in the center with either a Scripture quotation or an Old adage embroidered on it.  In the earlier days turgey red cotton was used for the embroidery since it did not fade when wet.  Today, many suitable brands of embbroidery thread will do.  The other blocks varied.  some of  Scripture quilts had different blocks, each the choice of the person making that block.  Other quilts have used one single pattern, usually one known to be a favorite of the young lady.
  My quilt had a adage, "Talent is a gift from God and should be used wisely." I had already been published sevdral timse and my family was concerned that I would not always use my ability as they believed I should.  My mother's quilt had a Scripture on it, "The Lord Is My Shepherd."  Many families have the tradition of giving a young lady a quilt on her sixteenth birthday (to start her hope chest).  Not all families used Scripture quilts, of courese.
  How many quilts I've seen in my family with Biblical names!  Some I remember are "Job's Tears," "Crown of Thorns," "Joseph's Coat," " Jacob's Ladder," "Garden of Eden," and "king David's Crown" to name a few.
  I might mention here that quilts are also connected with church activities, although they may or may not have Biblical names.  for example, it was a tradition in many churches for the Ladies' Aid Society to make an album quilt for the wife of a new pastor, each block being signed by one of the ladies.  This was their welcom tothe new "minister's wife"  and an opening for friendship between them and that lady.
  Many churches, especially in the past, have had a tradition of making a quilt for each new bride in the church.  (In those days, there were many smaller congregations and not to many brides in any given year).  Often this would be a Scripture quilt with a wise word of the young couple.
  the women's groups within churches have long made quilts for good use by less fortunate people  Since 1967, hundreds of thousands of quilts have been sent to nations in need by the women of Lutheran Churches in America through the Lutheran World Relif - and this is just one example.  While they may not be B8iblical themes, I think these quils fall into the general category of Bible-related quilts!
  While we are enjhoying the old patterns with Biblical names, it might also be a good idea to remember that new ideas are also important.  Some of these may well become the Biblical quilts  another writer and editor may present to their readers a hundred years from now.
  I think especially of a lady I know in Tennessee a few years ago.  She was elderly even then, but she still sewed a good hand and enjoyed making clothes, houlshold items and quilts.
  One of our mutual neighbors had a lovely little girl, age two or the Christmas of this story.  Jessie, my elderly friend, decided to make the tot a quilt for Christmas, and thought a manger scene would be perfect.
  Jessie purchased a cut-out-manger scene, cut out all the figures, then used a thin paper ot trace over them.  >From these homemade patterns she mad Mary, Joseph, the Baby, shepherds, the animals and so forth.  Then she appliqued them onto unbleached muslin.  Finally came the bat and then the quilting.  Jessie presented the newly-designed quilt to her little friend.  The mother allowed the child to use her quilt and enjoy it.  It wore-out in time but what a treasure it was whil it lasted!