The Craft of Quilting
For hundreds if not thousands of years, the practice of quilting has served as a source of comfort and beauty. Though the exact origin of quilting is unknown, it likely began in the Middle East and Asia before spreading to Europe in the Middle Ages. Quilting gained popularity in America in the early 1800s, with women passing along their skills to the next generations and incorporating complex patterning and designs.
Today, Cashiers Quilters in nearby Sapphire is one of many quilting groups across the country where women share their skills and discuss the artform. At their weekly meetings, anywhere from a few members to twenty will gather at the Saint Jude Catholic Church to plan for upcoming quilt shows, learn techniques from other members or a visiting teacher, or do a “show and tell” of their current quilting project.
The quilts they make are both intricate and entirely unique to the artists’ own styles. They range from cool gray gradients to warm peach tones, squares with crochet stitching to hypnotizing kaleidoscope patterns.
According to Linda Maddox, a member and incoming leader of Cashiers Quilters, their membership includes new and experienced quilters alike. What’s most important is enthusiasm for the craft. “We support each other by sharing our love of quilting,” she says. “There are many different types of quilting and everyone might have a skill that we all would like to learn.”
In October of next year, the group will host their biennial quilt show. Through proceeds from this event, they’re able to fund their charitable giving to a local library, senior center, food pantry, and more. “There is also a small group called Mountain Valley Quilters consisting of mostly Cashiers Quilters,” Linda says. “The members donate money and their own fabrics to be able to make quilt donations. A lot of our quilts go to REACH, a Domestic Violence Center in Macon County.”
Just like in centuries’ past, quiltmakers continue to fill a need—bringing warmth and comfort to communities, while expressing themselves through this vivid, lasting artform.
To learn more about Cashiers Quilters and find quilt shows in the area, visit cashiersquilters.com.
