Each state has an official quilt block, much like a state bird or state flower. In 1907, the popular farm magazine Hearth & Home, kicked off its States-of-the-Union series of quilt patterns where readers from around the country were asked to contribute a quilt block representative of their state. The 48 best patterns, including original…
The name Log Cabin is likely related to Abraham Lincoln’s history of reportedly growing up in a log cabin, and his 1860 presidential campaign. Written mentions of a Log Cabin quilt date back to 1863 when an honorable award was given for a “log cabin quilt” at the Ohio State Fair. Later that year fundraisers…
The Shoo Fly is a 9 patch variation originating around 1850. It was named after a wild plant called Clover Broom or “Shoo-Fly”. Juices from the plant were mixed with milk to attract and kill flies. It’s reported the Shoo Fly was part of the Underground Railroad quilt code indicating people at that location could…
Though it’s possible it was earlier, definitive evidence indicates quilting was introduced to Europeans by the Crusaders
The oldest known surviving quilt is Russian, a quilted linen carpet found in a Mongolian cave