Quilts : The Fabric of Friendship

Quilting history encompasses much more than the final product--it is also the story of the people (women, men, girls, and boys) who lovingly stitched these beautiful and intricate objects. Just as a quilt is multi-layered, so too is the story each quilt tells. Featuring nearly 200 exquisite quilts--plus family stories and local history--this book provides a fascinating look at quilting traditions in York County, Pennsylvania, from 1790 to 1950. Included are appliqué, pieced, and signature quilts, fads and novelties (including crazy), crib and doll quilts, and a special chapter on quilt construction. York County’s 250-year history is reflected in the quilting styles of those times. The quilts featured in this book include one made by the women of Bryansville for a young Civil War soldier, a highly original one made for a soldier returning from World War I, and an unusual one that includes fabric recycled from a lady’s bustle. They are among those identified in the 1998-99 York County Quilt Documentation Project, which recorded nearly 1,600 quilts. This exceptional book will have immense appeal to all who appreciate the arts, history, and the creative expression stemming from generations of talented quilters.