Quilt making in America was a necessary skill for the earliest settlers. They did not have pattern books and fabric stores available to them in order to choose a lovely assortment of coordinating fabrics to make their patchwork quilts. They used whatever fabrics they had on hand or recycled old clothing. Women today have the luxury of a variety of beautiful fabrics and an endless supply of quilt patterns available to create beautiful works of art or just lovely home furnishings. This is one craft that has endured throughout American history.
Some needlework, such as lace making, was made popular by the work of nuns who evidently needed something proper to do and show for their time. During Victorian times, wealthy women needed an occupation. Since they stayed at home, needlework was a beautiful way to show off their skills and make something useful. Women typically have a natural desire to ornament and decorate their homes and clothing. They have turned necessary items into beautiful works of art.
In our fast-paced world of instant gratification, many of the old crafts have survived only because groups of dedicated crafters played an integral part in keeping our past arts and crafts alive. Now these crafts are available to everyone. Young people are now given opportunities to weave on small looms, knit, crochet, make old-fashioned lace or a quilted item, stitch a sampler, or learn an ancient technique in craftsmanship at museum workshops and education departments. Historical Folk Toys offers kits that young and old can feel good about doing and definitely want to keep these crafts alive. These kits teach age-old skills and let us feel good about crafting something well and saying, "I made it myself!"
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