About the Lonestar Quilt

Admittedly my favorite quilt pattern due to the vibrancy and history of borrowed culture that the story of quilting tangibly gives us. It offers a connectedness across different people that I simply think is pretty neat. 

Although there is a history of quilt styles from all over the world, when we consider quilted blankets, these designs were brought to America via Europe, and brought out west via missionaries, frontiersmen and homesteaders. The art of quilting was taught to Native American Tribes as people moved west and in particular the 8 point star pattern was adopted by the Lakota tribe. 

The Lakota used their traditional colors and dyes familiar and meaningful to them, while enhancing the size of the 8 point star to cover one entire quilted blanket. I have read that some tribes, the Lakota specifically, used the lonestar quilt as a burial blanket, to help guide in the afterlife or create a spiritual connection. I have also read of tribes using the lonestar quilt to replace buffalo robes due to over hunting. One thing that remains consistent is that the Lonestar Pattern is one of great meaning. 

To me, it is a story of the evolution of art and convergence of societies. How ideas are shared from one culture to another, made different or enhanced but also the same. Quilting does not belong to one culture or history, it is has multiple "personalities" of shapes and colors and textiles. All should be celebrated and learned.

The meaning behind the Lonestar speaks to me. Is there a specific pattern that speaks to you?

xoxo

Mallory