Thursday, January 22, 2009

OBAMA - OUR PATCHWORK HERITAGE


Wasn't it nice to hear President Obama mention quilters in his inaugural address on Tuesday? His exact words were, "America has a patchwork heritage". Being a quilter, of course I picked right up on that! It even got me a chuckle from a group I was speaking to on Wednesday. Well, you know how I like to play with words, and he gave me a perfect opening. Of course we do have a patchwork heritage, and as quilters we are still trying to keep the quilts coming. We also love to bring new quilters into our midst. I asked this group of non-quilters how many of them had a homemade quilt in their home. Do you know I think every single woman raised her hand! Isn't that amazing! I also asked who wanted to learn to make a quilt and NO ONE raised their hand. Oh well, they don't know what they are missing! And we don't all need to like the same things, do we.

Here is what I find interesting though, everyone had a quilt in their home that was made by their mother or grandmother. And they hold those quilts dear, as mementos of another time, and as a treasure made by someone they love.
Each quilt is as distinctive as the person who made it, and each is a patchwork of love! America does, indeed have a patchwork heritage. A heritage in which we are happy to contribute!



15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post!

I've been thinking of you and was glad to see a new post this evening. Our internet was down for two days...DH to the rescue!

Michele Bilyeu said...

Great post, Marcie! What a wonderful opportunity we are all being given to take a look at the pachwork pieces of ALL of our lives, and put them together and let each of us fit with the other in new and exciting colors, patterns, designs and textures! I've had new opportunities to 'meet' online bloggers who have never quilted, either. But found my blog on other searches and it has opened up and enriched us all. We have more in common than our differences that we 'think' keep us apart!!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I've made a lot of quilts but the ones I treasure the most are the ones made by my mother and my grandmothers and even the old ones that I've bought at garages sales and junk stores made by unknown women. Every one makes me wonder about their lives and the things they loved and the places they lived. blessings, marlene

merrily row said...

Lovely thoughts. And open mind. Thank you.

Kim said...

I picked up on that part of the speech too, Marcie! I was listening in the car on my way to work, and when I got to the office, I found about 20 of us were in the conference room, watching the inaugeration on TV, so I joined them. It was a great way to experience it! What group of non-quilters were you speaking to, and were you speaking on the subject of quilting or did patchwork just sneak into the talk?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post, Marcie ! I've heard the speech of your new president, but didn't pay attention to his mention of patchwork (maybe because the speech was translated in French) all our lifes are a patchwork heritage and it is a real wealth.

Carol said...

Great post Marcie...I picked up on that also and was just so excited to hear him say that.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Well presented, Marcie! We do indeed have a patchwork heritage... music to my ears as well. Great post today.

*karendianne. said...

Thoughful post, Marcie. A lot of observation, life-watching, awareness and appreciation for the full circle. You pulled it all together deftly my friend.

(...and see really I'm so glad I brought my coffee with me. What a nice visit this was. Next time, make some scones or cookies though, would ya? sheesh!)

Elaine Adair said...

I caught it also - very warm phrase.

Karen said...

I did not get to hear the whole speech and missed the "patchwork" part. I enjoyed reading your post today.
I really like the Table Scraps quilt you show on the side bar!

Gretchen said...

I heayrd the reference to patchwork too!

Dionne said...

Great Post!! I didn't listen to the whole speech. I missed out on all the pomp and circumstance, but I'm glad to hear that reference. I think everyone I know has their own hand-made quilt, but people just seem to think it's such a hard thing! Too bad.
I love my quilts, those I've made, those from my childhood, and the ones my children have as well!
Cheers,
Dionne

*karendianne. said...

By the way, after this posting I heard this phrase used more and more. I'm so glad you pointed it out!

Lady of the Cloth said...

Congratulations, the quilt is beautiful. I'm glad I found your blog while surfing. I will now go visit your web site. Thanks for sharing.