Life in Virginia's Appalachia - Quilting

You might have a cherished one on your bed or know someone who’s made one or maybe made one yourself- it’s all about quilting: quilting bees, meetings, shows, and talking with a quilt historian along with other local quilters about the art of quilt making.
Bridging the past to present, the show celebrates the rich culture and history of Virginia’s Appalachia by seeing how treasured traditions are kept alive and are thriving today. This six part mini-series takes you on a journey exploring the intricacies of making moonshine, experiencing different Appalachian cuisine, watching logging first hand, and putting needles to fabric with quilting, successfully canning, and even going on a turkey hunt. @PBSAppalachia @BlueRidgeStreaming @BlueRidgePBSEchoTV

[@celiaambrose9008]

My paternal grandmother had a frame that she would lower from the ceiling to do her quilting. This was in far west Texas, in the oilfield country. Ranchers had their cattle, and farmers grew cotton.

[@IRISHLASS273]

I wish people would stop nitpicking and enjoy the video. Showing the poverty in which people lived yet had the patiences and intellegences to be so creative is something to be admired. These quilts show there's nothing new in quilt making despite "modern"quilters claiming their blocks are original. I enjoy videos like these. The ladies in these videos were THE ORIGINAL EMPOWERERS OF WOMEN.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thank you for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the show!

[@user-bk8kv4ui6b]

Amen!

[@user-zp9iw1wi8d]

This video is perfect timing. I teach a class for home-schoolers in high school about the lost of arts in America. We are covering quilting for the next 3 weeks. My grandmother is an avid quilter, even at age 94. She has made quilts for all 9 of her children and their spouses, all 27 grandchildren and all the great and great great grands. What amazing treasures! All were pieced by hand and most were quilted with a hoop while she sat and visited with family. The others were bound with her old treddle machine. It is an amazing art!

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Wow that sounds like an incredible class! I'm sure those quilts your grandmother made are all very cherished

[@marciaclark7619]

I have to comment about the quilt frame on a pully system from the ceiling. It wasn't just in the south. My Dad, who would have been 101 this year, told me that his aunt Ina had one of those in her living room, and ladies would come to her home once and week and work on a quilt. This was when he was 14 years old. He lived with her for a year, after her husband died, to help her on the farm, in Lapeer, Michigan. He told me about it when I began quilting.

[@phronsieone]

Same here- Arkansas family.

[@michelletaney1514]

I also visited an old farm home in Ohio that had the suspendable quilting frame in what I would call a living room.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Truly incredible, thank you for sharing!

[@danagaedtke9573]

Both of my grandmothers used a pulley-type quilting frame; they were from Kansas. Nice video.

[@dixieberryman833]

My family came to the Missouri Ozark Mts in the 1800’s. They were Scot-Irish. I remember people having a quilt frame hanging from the ceiling. My mother-in-law’s family settled in SE MO lead mining area early 1800’s. She and her sisters gathered once a week to piece and quilt. Dried beans with ham was put on the stove to feed husbands when they got home from work.

[@user-bk8kv4ui6b]

Likewise in the Texas hill country I learned to quilt on a frame which dropped down from the ceiling. We quilted and ate homemade oatmeal raisin cookies with a good fire going in the wood stove. We made beautiful quilts. I learned from a lady who was in my church. She taught a lot of us as young women. A wonderful memory.

[@julietheis1468]

I remember my mother telling me, this was how my grandmother made quilts with a frame. I loved sleeping on her quilts when I was a child. ❤

[@phronsieone]

I wish I could still hand quilt, but severe arthritis prevents it. I’m thankful for machine quilters with their multitude of patterns.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Yes! The technology for quilting today is phenomenal.

[@sandramaiden4707]

From Australia. I developed severe arthritis after a marathon pruning job. Luckily a young doctor also did acupuncture, cured my crippled hands after 2 visits, continued having treatment another couple of days. At 80, still have very flexable hands, thanks to her treatment. Try it!

[@phronsieone]

@@sandramaiden4707 unfortunately I am poly arthritic. I have RA plus osteoarthritis. It took 12 years to get a diagnosis due to nothing being textbook. Meanwhile, I had 12 years of degeneration before being treated with neds that slow or halt the disease progression. Thanks though.

[@user-ic5xu4jh6z]

I wish you good luck, sad to hhear about your poly athritis. Take care of what you eat, some things will make inflamations worser, maybe you've e perienced this? Akupunct can help to minimise symptoms but the reason must be found why the body is iritated and answers with inflamation attacks- shool medicine is not interested in these things, thats sad. I would say it's all a prolbem of energy flow so i tried qi gong too, it helps to relax. If we always say, we are ill, so it will be. I have big problems with my lungs, allergies so i have to find a way to weak my inflammations too and it works if i do daily. Also my fingers started one day wo swell and hurt, i was'nt able to play guitar or piano but it dissapeared on day, now i'm fine with that. There are alaso herbs that are helpful against pain form inflammation and even because of nerves but it will work different for every person, recipes are not easy to give which will work 100% because we are all different- even if they told us contrary. Best wishes to you from Austria🍀🍀🍀

[@mary-chiltonvanhees1201]

I love hand sewing and hand quilting. I will machine sew strips and pieces that will be trimmed to smaller pieces for “disappearing” patterns. But! When corners need to line up…hand sewing is the only way for me. I love the pucker that hand stitching creates much more than machine stitches.

[@lauraoneal5146]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I live in eastern KY on the OH River. My family came through the mountains of VA by wagon, horseback and walking. My great great grandmother was a girl at the time between the ages of 9-12. They had loaded the wagon with a much as it could handle. She had said she wanted to a cast iron kettle. I was told that her Pa told her she couldn’t take it because there was absolutely no room. She pouted around and insisted that it came here to KY with them. He finally broke over and said she could bring it but the only way was if SHE carried it the whole way. It would not be on the wagon, someone’s horse or carried by anyone else. If she asked for help or couldn’t carry it they would leave it where it was on the trial. I truly know where I get my grit and determination. She DID carry it the entire way to Elliott County KY. Many meals, clothes washed and foods canned by her and future generations. It is still in the family with a cousin I have never met. Proud to be from a tough Appalachian family!! I have my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine and her hanging quilt frame. I didn’t get to meet Ma as she passed in the mid 1960’s. She had 11 living children. At 4’ 11” I’m told I am a lot like Ma. ♥️♥️ Thanks again for this beautifully done show. Laura O’Neal

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Wow! What an incredible story. I can picture all of that. That is truly amazing what your great great Grandma did, and absolutely amazing that y'all still have it in the family. I'm sure it's a treasured piece. Thanks for sharing your story and watching the show!️ ♥️

[@phronsieone]

You most certainly DO find quilt frames on pulleys in other parts of the country. My grandmother, born in 1896 d. 1975., had a frame like that in their farmhouse in Arkansas. The frame was built by my grandfather and travelled with her wherever they lived. 😊All of her sisters had similar ones in the states where they lived, all the way over to California.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

That is so incredible! I found them to be so fascinating when I first heard about them in Neva's interview. Love that your grandfather built the frame too!

[@dianesanford5609]

My grandmother had a quilt frame hanging from the bedroom ceiling. I was too young at the time to appreciate what they were doing.

[@echtersellerie8276]

Make room for Quilts! Greetings from Germany.

[@marybeard243]

excellent and entertaining. I also make quilts by hand. It is a very addictive hobby. Mary in Texas

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thank you! And wow! Hand quilting is such a beautiful art form. From what I learned while filming this, it requires lots of talent, hard work and patience. Thanks for watching!

[@Autumn74]

I’m in awe if the sheer talent, history and creativity. I’m hoping to venture into beginners quilting soon. Love from the Uk ❤

[@lindseyingoldby532]

Very enjoyable and interesting as it brought back memories of a visit to that museum. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes from a quilter in Northern Ireland.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@jayneterry8701]

Watching from Ontario, Canada 🍁. This video has expanded my knowledge of Virginia quilters. Ty. I learned about the Virginia Quilt Museum from watching Pat Sloans utube channel. 💞👍

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching :)

[@gardengaga322]

I have seen the same ceiling quilt frames in homes in Oklahoma. Also attended quilting gatherings as a little girl there in the early 1950’s.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

This was a piece of information that I found to be quite incredible. I learned so much while filming this topic!

[@ThirdStoryThreads]

Wow! We recently moved to VA and are quilters ourselves so now i'm a little more interested in the history of what we've been doing!

[@seleneyue]

Nancy Perry's wholecloth quilt with the mandala-like motif... just wow. I love every aspect of it.

[@peggygonzales6907]

Quilt frames with pulleys was also used in southeastern Colorado. I went to an elderly lady in the early 70's at an old ranch house to learn about this.

[@ArtemisSilverBow]

I lived in southeastern Colorado for a time and know exactly what you're talking about! 😊

[@Cumairas]

Thank you for sharing it’s beautiful. I started quilting for the first time during the pandemic. I started watching videos bought a sewing machine and love it.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

That's amazing! Thanks for watching :)

[@katehenry2718]

Champaign County Historical Museum in Champaign Illinois has an origianal ceiling frame that is used for classes of quilting.... set up in the 90's. Ceiling central light fixtures make those impractical, but if there is no ceiling light, they work great. Spinning and weaving classes are taught under the raised quilt.

[@user-eq9ob8xn5y]

The frame from the ceiling was done in southern Illinois. My mother and the church did this. Betty from Illinois.

[@lcarolynghearing854]

This brought all the marvelous love feelings for my Appalachian family to the forefront today! I LOVE Virginia and West Virginia…quilting is quite prominent in these areas. I am extraordinarily blessed to have quilts from my great grandmothers, grandmothers and my mother. Gorgeous areas to visit and learn the cultures and “the old ways”.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

So happy to hear that! Yes, quilts are some of the most precious gifts you can receive/ have passed down to you. Thanks for watching!

[@GCBGIRL]

Thank you very much for showing that there are still people who do hand quilting, of course I know there still are hand quilters. For example my native country Japan, still majority of quote are hand quilters. I now live in Australia n get my inspirations through KZbin. Mammy of them are finish by machin. It was very encouraging to watch this documentary, thank you once again.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thank you for sharing! We felt it was important to highlight hand quilting. Thank you so much for watching!

[@lizreynolds4554]

Beautiful. Fascinating and charming. Thank you for sharing this with us.❤😊

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patsyowens7365]

What wonderful quilts and artists represented. I was raised in Oregon and still live here. But learned quilting from mother in law, hand piecing and quilting she was from Kentucky. A fantastic art!

[@elaineenstone6834]

Very interesting. A beautiful tradition. 🇬🇧

[@janinec1396]

Wow. I think I held my breath thorugh that - the music was great too. Well done Dave. I look foward to your shows.

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Delightful...thanks❤❤

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@susanwiggins1298]

Love it!

[@user-su4lb9gv8m]

Most excellent!!!❣️

[@lorriheffner2747]

omg these quilts are amazing

[@kdh027]

Thank you for sharing this program!

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Our pleasure!

[@user-eq9ob8xn5y]

These quilts are magnificent 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

They sure are!

[@Kathleen58]

I used to live in Roanoke when I was a kid.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Roanoke is a wonderful area. So beautiful and lots to do here!

[@kathydexter4557]

The Seaside Sumdress by We all Sew is a great dress. I have made them for my granddaughters. It is also fun to play with the contrast band, possibly to replace with a ruffle.

[@kimhannah1632]

Thank you!!

[@user-eq9ob8xn5y]

Love this video ❤ Betty

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks for watching Betty!

[@deb1120]

A lovely video! thank you :)

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@lance3665]

Loved the video.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcellarodriguez7955]

Very informative and enjoyable

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@miavandijk8033]

wat een prachtig filmpje ,,groet Mia from the Nederlands

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Dankjewel!

[@kathymorgan8453]

The first moderator is no expert. “Probably woven…probably wool.” An appraiser would know what the fabric is. Also, quilting frames on ropes, raised to the ceiling is NOT only in Appalachia , that was a common solution for quilters throughout the country during certain time periods.

[@sharontabor7718]

Go back and listen again. She said it was probably made from woven fabric - meaning it was woven on a loom rather than storebought machine woven "fancy cotton", and the "probably wool" comment means the batting inside the quilt was wool sheered from sheep on the farm, not cotton. The only way to know that answer would be to take it apart.

[@marilynnjefferson8525]

Love quilting. 🥰 What is the secular society?

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

It's a family foundation based in the New River Valley that supports the arts and civil discourse. Thanks for asking!

[@joybranham8250]

Oh, Neva, how could you? Appa-lay-shia? You've lived here long enough to know better than that!

[@yvonneallan1020]

TomAtoe...tomautoe.....its still a little red fruit

[@FleurdeLinda.Stitches]

Why do these presentations always have music over the speakers?

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

It is our way of storytelling and help bridge these individual stories together. Although they don't need music, it's an editors choice. Thanks for watching!

[@CharleneTaylor-kz8lz]

Hello

[@user-fd3vg6fs1t]

At 2:23 you show a picture that was used for Gees Bend quilts. 😢. Disappointed in you, PBS. Who has the time or inclination to verify the rest of this presentation?

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Hi there. This entire episode goes over quilting with a main focus on Virginia's Appalachian region. Although, these quilters/historians do go over other quilting practices and traditions that aren't solely unique to Virginia (hence the use of 2:23 image that isn't from Virginia). So not every single image used in this episode will 100% relate to Virginia quilts, but it helps tell the story. Thanks for watching.

[@mishkalarsoncreations]

More power to you. I could not get through the first five minutes. If someone else has been narrating, it would’ve been great.

[@eleanorwinters5200]

deejenkins8314 from Canada and have to agree with you. hard to listen to.

[@user-zb7uh2ob1r]

Ironic that the intro talks about a region largely misunderstood by outsiders and then has it narrated by someone who's an outsider who pronounces it oddly. Sorry, love quilts, and watch everything I can about them, but this seems a tad condescending.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Just to clarify - this episode is produced using the voices of the people we interviewed, with very little narration. The pronunciation everyone is commenting on was made by a person we interviewed, and while she uses the pronunciation that's more common in the north, we don't correct folks when interviewing.

[@katielin2379]

America is a melting pot.

[@lordylordy886]

All blankets first were made by the aboriginals of the lands from “ animals from that particular area” and Embellishing ideas came from those.let’s not spin the truth as to who created them “First” shall we.Although many like to make claim to it,let the truth be revealed.

[@SueP-jg9vx]

Is it just me or did many of those quilts look harder to do than actual brain surgery?

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

The time, effort, and talent are impeccable. I was truly amazed at all the quilts I filmed for this episode. All are works of art. Thanks for watching!

[@deejenkins8314]

The information was well done but PLEASE learn how to say Appalachia! It is pronounced like you say “apple-at-cha” anyone who was raised in that part of the country cringes every time someone pronounces it. incorrectly

[@zainylainy1]

I never knew it was pronounced like that!

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

If a guest on a program pronounces a word differently than we do, we'd never correct them - and while a majority of people raised in these parts DO say it like you do (and the way our announcers do as well), it does change the farther north you go. Thanks for watching!

[@joybranham8250]

@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV The correct way to pronounce a name is the way the LOCAL INHABITANTS pronounce it! If you live in the upper range of the Appalachians, then, yes, it's pronounced the way Neva pronounces it, but it is not respectful to not acknowledge the local pronunciation.

[@joybranham8250]

@@kdh027 I can't imagine where you heard it! I'm a Virginian and have always heard it in the south pronounced as "apple-at-cha." That's the way my family and all the people I've ever known from this part of America pronounce it. The way Neva pronounced it is from the north.

[@stephanielittle4695]

I agree. I live in Dickenson County, and we are not far from the town of Appalachia. I promise no one here says it Appa-lay-sha, we definitely say Apple-at-cha. In college in Kentucky, I worked for a while with the quarterly magazine then known as "Appalachian Heritage"... we also pronounced it without the long a sound.