Sarah's Story by Betsy Chutchian for Moda Fabrics
Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879).
Sarah was a poet, an author, and editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book for 40 years. It was in
Godey’s that the hexagon design first appeared in an American periodical in 1835. In her
day, Sarah was the leading influencer of fashion and all matters concerning the keeping
of a home. Everything from furnishings to cooking, sewing the latest fashions, hand-crafts,
sheet music and more were part of each issue. Sarah advocated
the values of education and women in the workforce, and Godey’s
published original works by American authors, including Sarah’s poem
“Mary Had a Little Lamb”. She was largely responsible for President
Lincoln proclaiming Thanksgiving a national holiday.
While Sarah’s influences and trend setting ideas offer inspiration for
the line, it is the wide range of prints found in my antique quilts that
complete Sarah’s Story.
