Short Stories » The Lost Art of Patchwork

The Lost Art of Patchwork

I HAVE been led to think (from my observations among my young acquaintances) that one of the pretty domestic arts is going out altogether. There is such a spirit of buying things ready-made, to save work and time. I never see a home-woven bed-spread or pretty patchwork quilt but that I have a kindly feeling for the maker. I know some gentlemen, sensible ones, who feel the same way.

I remember how sweet and attractive looked a bevy of tidy, happy girls ; they had done up all the forenoon's work, and left a quiet, cool house for mother, and were spending their spare afternoon in industriously putting together fanciful blocks, comparing, and learning patterns from each other, some- one now and then enlivening the rest by a sweet or merry song, and all enjoying themselves the while they accomplished something useful.

Once I saw a lady buying calico in short lengths, and she explained to the clerk that they were for patchwork. "Who is going to make patchwork?" he inquired. "My daughters." "Is it possible! I did not know of any girls that did that kind of work nowadays. I thought that was one of the lost arts. I'd like to get acquainted with girls of that kind."

I remember a very rich gentleman who paid a high price for a quilt of the " Irish chain " pattern. When I expressed my surprise, he said: "Not all the silk and velvet curtains or the upholstered furniture in my residence can call up such beautiful thoughts for me as when I enter my room I see that red and white quilt, and my rest is all the sweeter when I know this is over me. I see and hear many things that were once long ago in my own country, and I will keep this so long as I live."

Another gentleman, sick for many months, one day asked if he could have a patchwork quilt on his bed, he was so tired of a white one. So when it was brought, he smiled and wanted us to "tell him all the pieces." Said he, " My mother once made a patch-work quilt just for me, and I knew all the pieces by heart." I am quite sure that the study of that quilt did much to take his mind from his sickness, and when he was well again he regretted parting with it, so the quilt became his property.

Now, girls, take any patchwork quilt you have, the older it is the better, and look back to the time you made it, and who was at the quilting. Who made the pies and cake? Who got the " wish-bones "? Did you gather up the quilt and throw it over somebody's head, saying, " It's your turn next," creating confusion and fun ? Did you clear everything away after supper and have a little dancing? Do you remember who of the beaux came to take the girls home? Are the pretty fingers that quilted it still warm and quick in life? or are some of those friendly hands whiter than ever before, and still?

Pleasure and industry, usefulness and comfort, the past and the present, all are stitched in and folded up into that precious patchwork quilt.

The Lost Art Of Patchwork - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Making patchwork quilts is like creating a special blanket using love, patience, and lots of colorful pieces.

The Lost Art Of Patchwork - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Even something as lost and forgotten as patchwork can bring people together and help preserve beautiful memories.

The Lost Art Of Patchwork - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Even old skills like patchwork, which may seem outdated, can bring people together and become a meaningful way to create something beautiful and special.

3 Fun Facts

• Patchwork is an art form where small pieces of fabric are sewn together to make a larger design or quilt.
• Mrs. Wu taught the children in the village about patchwork, creating beautiful quilts that told stories and brought the community together.
• The children in the story discovered that patchwork was not only a fun activity but also a way to learn about recycling and preserving the environment by using leftover fabric scraps.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What did Grandma teach Lily to make with different pieces of cloth?
• Why was the patchwork quilt special to Lily?
• How did Lily feel after making the patchwork quilt with her Grandma?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What inspires Emily to start learning the art of patchwork?
• How do Emily's friends initially react when she shares her interest in patchwork?
• What special event does Mrs. Thompson announce that encourages the students to show their patchwork skills?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What motivated Emily to learn the art of patchwork in the story?
• How did the patchwork quilt become significant in reviving a sense of community in Emily's town?
• Describe the transformation in Emily's perspective on art and heritage by the end of the story.