Ever since the days of the early quilting bees, we seem to associate quilting and cooking as related arts.  The ladies who gathered to help one another on their quilting projects usually enjoyed eating together, too.  Then in the evening their families might join for a social evening.

When my daughter’s fabric arts group meets, they sometimes gather for lunch.  They at least have snacks at these gatherings and often exchange recipes.

Quilters also post recipes in their newsletters, such as Deb and Jill do at Fat Quarter Quilters.  In fact, when I checked out their latest newsletter this morning, I found a recipe for Vegetable Beef Soup. Here’s where you sign up for their free newsletter which contains all their latest quilting news, as well as a recipe in each edition.

Joyce of J’s Quilting Blog has started a family recipe cookbook blog The Debreuil Family Cookbook.  Quilters still like to share recipes as they did years ago. 

  Quilters as a group often compile cookbooks, sometimes as fund raisers, sometimes simply as a fun project.  One I acquired several years ago, when I taught workshops at their quilt show, has served my daughter Beth and me well.  It’s Stitch ‘n Stir compiled by The Quilters’ Guild of Dallas. 

Beth uses regularly Favorite Recipes from Quilters. There also are other Favorite Recipes from Quilters cookbooks, such as one for breads and another for main dishes.

*Do you have some favorite recipes you’d like to share? 

*What’s your favorite cookbook, even if it hasn’t been compiled by quilters? 

*Is there a favorite blog or web site where you get your recipes?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting and Cooking Often Go Hand-in-Hand

Just as the pioneer ladies at quilting bees gathered around the frame, enjoyed food and stories…and shared quilt patterns, you can mingle with the other guests at Tottie’s party.

Incidentally, Noreen has created a whole world around Tottie, the doll she designed and made.  Maybe you have a patchwork doll you’ve created who would like to meet Tottie!

Noreen even has a gift for some lucky guest…read more about it at her blog.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters Love Tea Parties, Too!

*Plan a round robin with Halloween theme.

*Each one of you dress in costume for your get-together or quilting bee.

*Tell or read Halloween tales.

*Reminisce about Halloween when you were children.

*Refreshments could have a orange and chocolate color and flavor scheme.

*Make gifts for your guests with a Halloween theme….pumpkins, ghosts, goblins, apples, and autumn leaves.

*Learn a new quilting technique for Halloween projects, such as fabric folding. 

*Host a Halloween party for youngsters…your own or some who might not have the opportunity to attend one.

*Organize a festive occasion at the senior center using a quilting and Halloween theme.  Go in costume and provide entertainment.

Let your imagine take over and see what ideas you can come up with.

Post from: Blisstree

Plan a Halloween or “Spooky” Quilting Bee

 Instead, this exploration has evolved from reading The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills.  (The illustrations are so beautiful that I simply had to post a large version of the cover.)

  In The Rag Coat, Minna doesn’t have a coat to wear to school when the weather is cold.  Therefore, the ladies in her mother’s quilting group create one of the scraps left over from their quilting projects.

Quilts Tell a Story

As they make the coat, the ladies relate stories about their family members who wore each piece of clothing.  They also mentioned various events the scraps of fabric brought to mind.  The other children at school make fun of Minna’s coat until they learn their stories are interwoven into it.

Your quilts and patchwork clothing can tell stories, too, if you use leftovers from items you’ve made.  Also, you can include good fabric from an outgrown dress, worn jacket, blanket, tablecloth or other items that have meaning in your family.

Incorporating Quilting With History

Fourth graders in New Hampshire, where I live, also study the history of the state, so I could tie quiltmaking in with the students’ social studies lessons.   I shared with the children the quilt I made with my grandmother, many years ago when I was eight years old.  Then they began telling of baby quilts their moms or grandmothers made for them.

I also read them my story, “Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed,” from the Tales of Adventure & Discovery anthology consisting of my stories, poetry, and illustrations.   This led into discussions of pioneer living and quilting.  For a writing workshop, some of them wrote about additional adventures Sarah Jane and her new friend, Little Fawn, encountered. 

In my story, Father and Sarah Jane’s brother, Stephen, were away at the nearest settlement, a couple days ride away, purchasing or bartering supplies they couldn’t acquire or produce at their homestead.  Mother, Sarah Jane and her little sister Lucy were all alone at their home in the wilderness.  That’s when Sarah Jane’s adventure begins.

Post from: Blisstree

The Joys of Introducing Youngsters to Quilting

Also, wedding quilts have been popular throughout the ages.  They consist of many types:

*One of the most popular that comes to mind is the Wedding Ring and Double Wedding Ring, a pattern dating back to the 1800s.

This charming quilt, consisting of many pieces, depicts wedding rings entertwined.

*Ladies gathered at quilting bees to make wedding quilts for friends who were getting married.  Often a different quilter supplied a block, sometimes with her name embroidered on.  Then they got together to stitch it for the bride-to-be.

*For one wedding custom years ago, young girls were supposed to make 12 quilts for their hope chest.  Then she and her friends made a thirtheenth for her after her betrothal was announced. 

*Often couples received quilts as wedding gifts.  The one most memorable to me wasn’t a quilt Jim and I received, but one given to my mom and dad when they married in 1934.  The quilt is worn and torn, but I still have pieces from it.  I’ve written about this quilt in the post, Searching for Old Fabric.

In addition to quilts, you can make wall hangings, memory collages with flowers from the wedding, postcards and other quilt and fabric art with a wedding theme.

I’d love to have you share your wedding quilt and art with us.

Post from: Blisstree

Wedding Quilts & More

This is a fascinating painting depicting the social activities typical of the old fashioned quilting bee, from the ladies quilting to the families eating and playing games.

A couple of books with featuring her work include Designs on the Heart:The Homemade Art of Grandma Moses and A Year With Grandma Moses.

Post from: Blisstree

Grandma Moses’ “Quilting Bee” Painting

As I’ve mentioned before, this idea must date back to the old time quilting bees when the ladies contributed food for lunch at their get togethers.  Then the menfolk, and sometimes children, too, joined them in the evening in the evening for a social affair.

As I think of quilting at my grandmother’s when I was eight-years old, helping her make quilts for my sister, brothers and me, I also recall Auntie’s cooking.  At that stage in her life, my aunt lived with my invalid grandmother and cared for her.  Auntie was a wonderful cook and her kitchen always smelled so good as Nanny and I sewed.

I was fortunate that another aunt saved Auntie’s handwritten notebook with recipes she used and others she acquired from her mother, grandmothers, relatives and friends.  My daughter and I are in the process of compiling this as part of our family history.

Perhaps I should share a recipe occasionally from my quilting heritage.

RAISIN MUFFINS – Mix ingredients together until slightly lumpy:  1 tablespoon sugar, 1 egg, 4 tablespoons shortening, 1 cup sour milk, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 3/4 cup flour.   (Auntie’s recipe called for 1 cup graham flour and 3/4 cup white flour.)

Spoon into greased muffin tins.  Cook at 400 degrees F. for 12-20 minutes, depending on size of muffin tins. 

Post from: Blisstree

Auntie’s Quilting Recipes

Nowadays, ladies still gather for quilting bees but more and more quilting get-togethers are online affairs.  Quilters and fabric artists from around the world join online groups to share their quilting news and patterns. 

They often conduct round-robins, where they mail quilting projects to one another for the additional embellishing.  There are contests and challenges with the submissions sent by mail.

These quilters correspond through e-mail, online groups, online chats and message boards, occasionally podcasts.  Sometimes they manage to get together in person at regional meetings, quilt exhibits, or someone’s home. 

Do you have a favorite online quilting group you belong to and would like to share with us?

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The Modern Quilting Bee

For many years I’ve written a “Country Kitchen” column for print newspapers.  Nowadays some of the columns also appear online.  If you’d like to browse through some of the columns and recipes, you’ll find a collection at Old Fashioned Living (www.oldfashionedliving.com/recipes.html ).  Scroll down until you come to the listing for “The Country Kitchen.”  Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite recipe you make when you’re busy quilting or when your group gets together?

Post from: Blisstree

Recipes for Quilters

Quilters around the country will meet at participating quilt shops, make a pink and white block for a quilt.  This quilt will be sent to American Patchwork & Quilting.  There will be an online auction in May, 2007.

Participation is open to quilters of all skill levels, from beginners to professional quiltmakers.  A list of quilt shops around the country participating in this event is available at the Quilt Pink site.  This event could be compared to a country wide quilting bee!

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Quilt Pink Day Coming Soon