Colonial households had many chores to preserve food through drying, salting, canning, smoking, and pickling methods so they had sustenance through the winter months. Quilts were made through piecing together thousands of tiny fabric pieces in layers with a plain bottom, wool middle, and decorated top, before being sewn together and celebrated with a party. Soap making was a dangerous and time-consuming process where lye and tallow were used to make soap only once or twice a year and sparingly.