QUILTS HAVE PLAYED IMPORTANT ROLE IN U.S. HISTORY

American quilts have played an important role in the history of our country, documenting through blocks of colored cloth joined together into quilts, historical events. A display of quilts is now at Gallery 100, 100 Broadway.

During the early settlement of the country times were difficult for both men and women. Women worried and prayed when their loved ones were out in the woods and fields because of Indian raids and other mishaps that could occur. Keeping fingers and minds occupied was a way of relieving tension.

Girls were taught to sew when they were 6, usually, and by the time they were to be married their hope chests contained from 12 to 13 finished quilts. Bridal quilts were not quilted by the bride-to-be alone; instead, she invited her friends for a "quilting bee" to assist her.

The day was a social affair that could be extended into more than one day. Husband and beaux joined the ladies at night for dinner.

The patchwork quilt, using scraps of cloth, was a means of using both old and new material so nothing was wasted. The interest in the patchwork quilt that conveyed a story was from 1775 to 1875, which is called the "Patchwork Era."

Later, quilt blocks became fanciful land-appliqued blocks, or white on white, and even "shadow work" held the attention of quilters.

The present century has witnessed a revival of quilt-making. Beautiful quilts depict historical, family, or artistic interests and events. Something so beautiful can be used as a wall-hanging instead of a bed cover.

For the last five years Wal-Mart stores have held quilt-block contests beginning in January and continuing through March. One in progress is open to the public and entry blanks may be found in any Wal-Mart store. The blanks give instructions and answer questions. The blocks must be original in design. Prizes will be awarded.

Each year the list of persons interested in entering has grown.

The 1991 theme is "America the Beautiful." Emphasis is on the 500th anniversary of the landing of Christopher Columbus in 1492, and it honors our forefathers.

The outbreak of war in the Persian Gulf may affect some designs submitted on the contestants' blocks. In past years of this century when wars were being fought, quilt patterns often depicted some aspect of the conflicts. Some of the war quilts have been displayed in special gallery events, and later, pictures of the quilters were compiled in books.

Relieving worry and tension making a quilt may help many persons who sit for hours watching television war news or listening to it on the radio. Long before pharmaceutical firms developed pills for tension, our early American forefathers and mothers took up quilting.