quilting bible

Where in the bible does it talk about quilt? Many times, we feel guilty because we are guilty! See David’s description of guilt and its solution in Psalm 32:3-5.

The Quilting Bible, 3rd Edition: The Complete Photo Guide to Machine Quilting [Paperback] Ultimate Quilting Bible: A Complete Reference with Step-by-Step Techniques [Hardcover] The Quilting Bible: The Complete Photo Guide to Machine Quilting [QUILTING BIBLE REV/E 2/E] Sale Price: $999.99 The Quilting Bible (Singer Sewing Reference Library) [Paperback] The Quilting Bible: The Complete Photo Guide to Machine Quilting [Paperback] Quilting Flowers of the Bible [Paperback] The Quilter's Block Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference: 100 Traditional and Contemporary Block Designs List Price: $14.99 Patchworker's and Quilter's Stitch Bible « Previous12345Next »

Quilts Around the World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe List Price: $40.00 Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $15.01 (38%) Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them Sale Price: $29.99 Flynn Multi-Frame Quilting System Sale Price: $149.00 Crazy Quilting - The Complete Guide Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set List Price: $53.20 Sale Price: $33.63 You save: $19.57 (37%) The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4050 Pieced Blocks for Quilters List Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $32.97 You save: $16.98 (34%) Quilts Around the World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe List Price: $40.00 The Civil War Diary Quilt: 121 Stories and The Quilt Blocks They Inspired List Price: $22.99 Sale Price: $22.67 You save: $0.32 (1%) Brother SA129 Quilting Foot Sale Price: $29.99 « Previous12345Next »

Jeremiah 2911 God Bible Jesus Baby Blanket Quilt Nursery Bible Stories Quilt Blocks reproduced from Stampkraft Book c1915 Lot of 24 6x6 This I Accomplish Harriet Powers Bible Quilt and Othe VINTAGE FOLFK ART QUILT W BIBLE VERSES VERY NICE 64X80 NLT STUDY BIBLE CINNAMON AND QUILT LEATHERLIKE NEW Quilter Bible Indispensable Guide to Patchwork Quilting an Linda Clements Quilting Bible Complete Photo Guide to Machine Quilting Creative Publishing Ultimate Quilting Bible Complete Reference Step By Step Techni Marie Clayton Ultimate Quilting Bible A Complete Reference with Step Antique Bible Quilt 1930s BIBLE AND DOVES MACHINE EMBROIDERED QUILT BLOCKAZEB NLT Study Bible Cinnamon Quilt Design Duo Tone 2010 Red Letter NEW The Quilting Bible Singer Sewing Reference Library Singer Sewing Reference Li

Pennsylvania Dutch Hope Chests

The Dower Chest, better known as a Hope Chest or Blanket Chest in present time, is referred to by the Pennsylvania Dutch as Ausschteier Kischt. This piece of furniture is the most cherished and most representative of the Germanic Immigrants who came to live in Pennsylvania during the late 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.Young girls between the ages of eight to ten were given Hope Chests inscribed with their names and usually the date of presentation. This storage chest was filled with household items that the girl made, was given or purchased in anticipation of her future marriage. On her wedding day, this completely filled Hope Chest was proudly placed in the "Wedding Wagon" to be taken to her new home. Items would have included blankets, bed linens, baby clothes, quilts and some family heirlooms. These beautiful hardwood chests were then placed at the end of the bridal couples bed. In some homes, it was situated in a central area, such as the parlor, with the family bible resting on the top.

The design styles, dimensions and construction types differ among these Hope Chests which shows that the craftsmen did not copy each others work. The foot design changes from Dower Chest to Dower Chest with a large variety of ogee feet, bracket feet, rounded ball feet or no feet at all. Some Hope Chests had two or three drawers along the bottom, while others had none. Many of these wooden blanket chests had inlay designs or special painted designs.

The painted designs on some of these Hope Chests are very elaborate which has enabled historians to be able to categorize them by region and to recognize specific craftsmen. These Dower Chest designs included the use of inlaid leaf and flower motifs, unicorns, hearts, birds, hex designs to ward off evil spirits, flower designs mainly of roses or tulips, the name of the girl receiving the Hope Chest and the date that the Hope Chest was presented.

The two common elements of these Hope Chests are the top closing lid and the dark wood staining or paint. Dark coloring was necessary for the design elements to stand  out, especially for the inlaid motifs. Beautiful hardwoods of Walnut, Oak and Eastern Pine were mainly used in the construction of these finely crafted Blanket Chests during this early time period.

These  Early American Hope Chests were not made with cedar on the inside. Cedar linings and bottoms are the additions of present day craftsmen to their Blanket Chests. This is a favorite feature among buyers since cedar eliminates insect pests and releases a wonderful aroma every time the lid is opened. This fresh smell can be rejuvenated by simply roughing the cedar with small grit sandpaper.

Even though society in many regions has discontinued the tradition of giving  Dower Chests to their young daughters, beautifully constructed Hope Chests are still loving given as wedding presents or as a special gift.

About the Author

Charity Crouch is a student of Art History.
Find beautiful examples of Hope Chests made in Pennsylvania at Blanket Chest Heirlooms . These hardwood storage chests are created by master craftsmen using Old Traditional dovetail joinery and mortise and tenon joinery for lasting heirloom quality.