Sometimes as American quilters, we forget that other countries and cultures have their own quilting traditions. I found this article while looking through old quilting magazines. Historical quilts, especially those made before 1825, are very interesting to me. I thought it would be fun to share this patchwork from Finland with you.

The article is “Humble Treasures” from Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine Dec. 1997 page 26 – 27.

All four of the patchwork examples in the article are from the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Karelia region of Finland. These are dated 1700 to 1800. This area shares 190 miles of border with Russia. I imagine there is also some sharing of culture and language as well.

The article goes on to say that Finland does not really have a quilt culture as we in the US know it. However, these items are made from scraps by village women for the protection of items such as Bibles and icons within the churches and monasteries.

I have to wonder where these village women got silk and other “fancy” fabrics? Obviously, wherever the fabric came from, nothing was wasted. Quilters the world over are great recyclers. They are also beautifying the world around them.

Quilting has a rich and long history. Enjoy being a small part of generations of other quilters. Aren’t we amazing people? Pass the skills on so that the chain is never broken.

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

FB 01 04 2023/P 01 04 2023/I 12-27-22