Fourth Grade
Worksheets
Comforting, Cozy Quilts
Hot tea, soup, and a comforting quilt are often a part of a homemade cure for the common cold. Making tea is easy. Making soup is a little bit harder. But making a quilt is a lot of work!
Many people think that colonial women sat around quilting for hours at a time. However, this serene image of women sewing by the fireside is a myth. Colonial women did not often have time to sit around and quilt. Colonial ladies had to sew clothes, cook food, do laundry, and take care of their large families. Colonial families were grateful for plain blankets. And few people had extra material to use for quilts.
By 1840, families had more fabrics available to them because the textile industry had grown. Women enjoyed quilting as a creative outlet. They only created things that were useful. Women often quilted in a group. These gatherings were called "quilting bees." The ladies sewed and chatted. Sometimes at quilting bees, the quilters shared a grand meal. Quilting was a great excuse to visit with friends, have some fun, and get work done at the same time.
