Blanket America Continues Tradition of Patriotic Symbolism

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} Showing patriotic pride has been a part ofAmerican tradition since our country was founded. American pride has beenexpressed through music, quilting, style of dress and even through food. Ournational monuments, like Lady Liberty, the Washington Monument and dozens of war memorials all express pride and support for our nation. Duringwar time Americans express an especially fervent national pride. Tough economictimes also garner much support and patriotism by the people. When MarthaWashington created our first flag in red, white and blue with 13 stars and 13stripes to represent the 13 original colonies, she began a tradition that isstill going strong today. Before women were given the right to vote, sewing wastheir political platform.   Before the industrial revolution, fabrics wereconsidered precious and no scraps were wasted. From women's scrap bins,patchwork quilts were born. During war times, red, white and blue scraps weresewn together in order to show national pride. For wealthy families who couldafford to buy fabric in bulk, their quilts were sometimes exact replicas of theAmerican flag. It is incredibly symbolic that, during times of war, peoplewrapped themselves in American flags for warmth and comfort.   When pioneers began westward expansion andstates were added to the union, women began designing and creating a quilt foreach state. Much like state flags, state quilts became a part of the nationalconversation. Colors of the state flag were used and an appliqué of the statecould be sewn onto the face of the quilt. Sometimes appliqués of state birdsand state flowers, monuments and animals, such as horses and buffalo, have beenadded to blocks for added flair.   Political movements were also reflected throughneedle and thread. Quilts with national maps showing red and blue states werecreated. Political polarization can be tracked through some quilts. When laborlaws were finally enacted in America ,union members wives sewed hundreds of red, white and blue quilts in celebrationof such an important event.   The Patchwork Heritage quilt commemorates ournational unity. Barak Obama's presidential inaugural address is printed on thebacking while lady liberty stands proudly in the background. The words "weknow that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness" arehighlighted. The face of the quilt is comprised of 13 different fabrics whichrepresent our 13 original colonies. In true American wartime tradition, thequilt colors feature hues of red, white and blue. The quilt is being sold aspart of a buy one, give one charitable project whose goal is to donate onemillion warm blankets to charity. To learn more, visit charity .  

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