Women & Quilts

Maryanne Szuck
May 10, 2009

A quilt is a work of art and heritage. There is a long history of hand - quilted quilts being made at Breslau Mennonite Church through the different women`s groups such as Charity Sewing Circle, Eventide Sewing Circle, WMSC and the Monday Night Quilters.

Many quilts have been made for relief and personal use over the years. This is a tradition here at BMC.

This quilt in front of us, named “Flower Garden” was pieced together by Eunice Burkhart`s mother Mary Ann Cressman approximately 75 years ago and never completed until this month.

As a young child, Eunice remembers helping her mother cut patches for this quilt.

Following Mary Ann Cressman`s death the pieced top of this quilt was passed on to Lloyd Cressman`s daughter Elizabeth. (a grand daughter)

Elizabeth never completed this quilt and finding it again after many years she gave the pieced quilt top to her aunt Eunice.

Eunice and the church women completed the quilt, Diane Burkhart bound the edging of this beautiful old quilt which now is in the ownership of Eunice`s son Dan Burkhart ... keeping it in the family.

This is a heritage treasure and a remembrance passed down through the Cressman Family.

Blessed are the quilters, for they are the piecemakers.
Blessed are the quilters, for they make ends meet.
Blessed are the quilters, for they know how to cut corners.
Blessed are the quilters, for they make great comforters.
Blessed are the quilters, for they patch things up.
Blessed are the quilters, for they cover you with warmth.
Blessed are the quilters, for they pick up the pieces.
Blessed are the quilters, for they save you energy.
Blessed are the quilters, for they put colour in your life.

What a tribute to a mother, grandmother, and women that helped make and complete this quilt.
Of all the earthly things God gives,
There`s one above all others:
It is the precious, priceless gift
Of loving Christian mothers.
Happy Mother`s Day!