American quilts designs have been closely intertwined with cultural, social, and political history but often go unrecognized as a form of artistic expression, or for their valuable documentation of American culture. The steady and increasing interest in sewing, sustainability, and textile and fiber crafts in recent years make it all the more important to understand the craft’s background. A recent survey found that there are currently between nine and eleven million active quilters in the U.S. and Canada, and the value of the quilting market is expected to reach $5,000,000,000 by 2027.

Of course, the reasons that women have chosen to quilt vary, but often fall into several common categories: economic need, wellbeing/creative expression, and community/social connection. In fact, studies have found that economics were the primary reason that women during the mid-twentieth century sewed at home. Additionally, studies have found that women in the mid-twentieth century who sewed at home for reasons other than absolute necessity perceived their work as a form of creative expression. Sewing not only gave women the chance to be productive and creative, but also allowed them to obtain items like clothing which they otherwise would not have been able to afford.

Historically, Quilting Bees are one example of the way that quilting enabled social interaction. These events were collaborative occasions where women would work together to assist a quilt maker in stitching her quilt. The activity allowed groups of women an opportunity to talk for hours while they worked, somewhat of a luxury in a time when they often went long periods without socializing.

Quilts are more than the sum of their parts; more than a collection of fabric pieces. They are windows into history, showing us how their makers lived, thought, and felt. Quilting allowed women to take ownership over something, and to pass on their knowledge to others. They provided for their families and, importantly, expressed their creativity when they might not otherwise have been able to. The social aspects of quilting gave women an outlet and improved their wellbeing. Most of all, quilts represent connection. Quilts are truly a patchwork of time, of knowledge, and of relationships, where each stitch is representative of a moment in the maker’s life.