Quilting is a traditional skill that came over on the Mayflower and all the other boats that brought settlers from Europe. The oldest surviving quilt is not a bed covering but a rug found in a Mongolian cave, but historians believe that quilting was done even earlier in ancient Egypt. Apparently quilted vests were part of early armor worn by knights and crusaders. However, most people who want to know how to make a quilt are thinking of a bedspread or a wall hanging.
Quilts are basically three layers of material, a top (which is often decorative), a bottom, and a padded layer in between to add weight and warmth. Quilts can be fairly solid, like the ones lined with wool, or puffy, as when polyester fill is used for the middle layer. The three layers are bound together around the edges by stitching or binding, and the center portion is 'quilted' - either stitched in geometric or decorative patterns or tied with some sort of string at regular intervals. This keeps the middle padding from shifting or bunching, causing lumps and thin spots.
All quilts were made by hand until people discovered the sewing machine, which works as well and is much faster. The history of quilts is fascinating; historians believe the Egyptians quilted, and Russia has the distinction of owning the oldest surviving piece, a rug. Slaves on plantations made quilts for their masters in the days when most women had no time for the task.
The late 1800s saw a rise in this handicraft, which is practical and can be among the most beautiful of domestic arts. Women became proud of their skill, and social gatherings called quilting bees brought many together to work on communal projects. Many patterns became traditional, as mothers taught daughters the skill.
A pieced quilt is made of many small patches of fabric. The small pieces are joined together in strips or blocks, which are then combined in any design the workers choose. A whole-cloth spread is made from large sections of fabric joined together; usually in these quilts the only decoration comes from the stitching. This can be quite intricate. Some of the most beautiful work is white-on-white, with no color but beautiful designs that catch the light.
Today many people still make quilts by hand, although most have been seduced by the speed of machine quilting. People who work with a needle and thread enjoy the process and refuse to be hurried. The resulting masterpiece can become a family heirloom. Few people can tell the difference between handwork and machine stitching, anyway.
Another fairly quick method - and one used for thicker quilts made for warmth - is 'tying'. In this method, knots are tied with thread, yarn, or string at regular intervals to keep the inner layer in place. Buttons can be used instead of knots. The effect is very decorative, and the results are durable if knots are tied securely.
Taking a class or working with an experienced quilter is best when starting out. The basic concept is simple but a lot of time and material can be wasted when mistakes are made. There are many, many sites online that give tips, as well as instructional videos. Searchers will quickly find that hundreds of people love making quilts.
Quilts are basically three layers of material, a top (which is often decorative), a bottom, and a padded layer in between to add weight and warmth. Quilts can be fairly solid, like the ones lined with wool, or puffy, as when polyester fill is used for the middle layer. The three layers are bound together around the edges by stitching or binding, and the center portion is 'quilted' - either stitched in geometric or decorative patterns or tied with some sort of string at regular intervals. This keeps the middle padding from shifting or bunching, causing lumps and thin spots.
All quilts were made by hand until people discovered the sewing machine, which works as well and is much faster. The history of quilts is fascinating; historians believe the Egyptians quilted, and Russia has the distinction of owning the oldest surviving piece, a rug. Slaves on plantations made quilts for their masters in the days when most women had no time for the task.
The late 1800s saw a rise in this handicraft, which is practical and can be among the most beautiful of domestic arts. Women became proud of their skill, and social gatherings called quilting bees brought many together to work on communal projects. Many patterns became traditional, as mothers taught daughters the skill.
A pieced quilt is made of many small patches of fabric. The small pieces are joined together in strips or blocks, which are then combined in any design the workers choose. A whole-cloth spread is made from large sections of fabric joined together; usually in these quilts the only decoration comes from the stitching. This can be quite intricate. Some of the most beautiful work is white-on-white, with no color but beautiful designs that catch the light.
Today many people still make quilts by hand, although most have been seduced by the speed of machine quilting. People who work with a needle and thread enjoy the process and refuse to be hurried. The resulting masterpiece can become a family heirloom. Few people can tell the difference between handwork and machine stitching, anyway.
Another fairly quick method - and one used for thicker quilts made for warmth - is 'tying'. In this method, knots are tied with thread, yarn, or string at regular intervals to keep the inner layer in place. Buttons can be used instead of knots. The effect is very decorative, and the results are durable if knots are tied securely.
Taking a class or working with an experienced quilter is best when starting out. The basic concept is simple but a lot of time and material can be wasted when mistakes are made. There are many, many sites online that give tips, as well as instructional videos. Searchers will quickly find that hundreds of people love making quilts.
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