Most people are familiar with quilts created in Lancaster County, which are often handmade by skilled Amish and Mennonite crafters that can be used as bedspreads or wall hangings. However, history shows that quilting actually dates back to ancient times, when evidence of quilting was found in Europe and China.

Interesting facts about quilts were featured during a program titled "The History of Quilting" presented on March 14 by Becky Hughes of the Hopewell Quilters, a group of quilting enthusiasts who meet at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson. The PowerPoint program, sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, was held virtually via Zoom.

"Quilting dates way back in time. In 770 to 221 B.C., (there is evidence of) Chinese quilts in tombs," Hughes said. "(In Europe) they used to quilt on suits of armor." She explained that quilting was used under the armor to keep it from rusting and for comfort.

European settlers brought quilting to America, and quilting bees became popular in the 19th century.

A quilt includes three main parts - a top, backing and batting in between. Quilters make stitches that hold all three layers together. "Today, quilting can be done on machines and it goes a lot faster than quilting by hand," Hughes noted.

Hughes displayed photos of several types of quilts, including a Sunbonnet Sue quilt, which features a girl named Sue in a sunbonnet hat made in the 1920s, and crazy quilts, which do not have a specific pattern. There are also art quilts, which are designed specifically as wall hangings, as well as yo-yo quilts, which are made from scrap pieces of fabric that can be pulled into circular rosettes. Hughes displayed a quilt made from a feed sack that she purchased at a flea market.

All quilts should be kept from direct sun to prevent fading. "If it is a newer quilt and it won't fall apart, you can wash it in a machine but don't put it in the dryer," Hughes advised. "Older quilts can be washed in the bathtub and laid out flat to dry so that they do not stretch."

The Hopewell Quilters, who make a quilt each year, are currently working on a quilt for the 250th anniversary of Hopewell Furnace. It features photos of Hopewell on fabric.

Hughes, who has been a member of the Hopewell Quilters for 14 years, pointed out that the group was able to make a quilt in 2020 despite the pandemic. "(In a typical year), we would get together on Fridays in the boarding house in the nice weather months because the buildings don't have heat," she said. "We would quilt and talk to visitors. (In 2020), we worked on a quilt for a seasonal (park) ranger and we were able to finish the quilt by quilting at home and passing it from person to person."

When Hopewell opens once again for programming without restrictions, the quilters will be back in the park. "If you happen to be in the park, you are welcome to (stop by) and we will talk to you about quilting or sewing," Hughes noted. "We will have a quilt there that you can add stitches to."

For more information, including a sneak peek of the 250th anniversary quilt, readers may search for "Hopewell Quilters" on Facebook.