Written by Pat M., Sprout Contributor
Source: Wikipedia.org
Women have been making quilts for hundreds of years for warmth, for pleasure. as a gift, a memorial or an art form.
Quilting is a sewing method done to join two or more layers of material together to make a thicker padded material. A quilter is the name given to someone who works at quilting. There are as many quilt patterns, fabrics, methods, and ideas as there are quilters. It has served as an outlet for women to express their joys, sorrows, hopes and dreams. It can be a social event when done by several women together, called a "Quilting Bee" or a solitary activity of one woman.
In ancient Egypt there are statues that appear to be wearing quilted clothing. In Europe quilted bedding became evident in the 12th century after the men came back from the Crusades. Quilted clothing was generally used for males after the 14th century. It was mainly a sewing method used by the wealthier population. In America in Colonial times, most women were busy spinning, weaving, and making clothing. Meanwhile, women of the wealthier classes prided themselves on their fine quilting of wholecloth quilts with fine needlework. Quilts made during the early 19th century were not constructed of pieced blocks but were instead whole cloth quilts. Broderie perse quilts and medallion quilts were made. Some antique quilts made in North America have worn-out blankets or older quilts as the internal batting layer, quilted between new layers of fabric and thereby extending the usefulness of old material.
Traditional quilting is a six-step process that includes:
selecting a pattern, fabrics and batting
measuring and cutting fabrics to the correct size to make blocks from the pattern
piecing (sewing cut pieces of fabric together using a sewing machine or by hand to make blocks) blocks
together to make a finished "top"
layering the quilt top with batting and backing, to make a "quilt sandwich"
quilting by hand or machine through all layers of the quilt sandwich
squaring up and trimming excess batting from the edges, machine sewing the binding to the front edges of the quilt and then hand-stitching the binding to the quilt backing.
Note: If the quilt will be hung on the wall, there is an additional step: making and attaching the hanging sleeve.
My personal favorite step is the first. I love to look at patterns and fabrics and visualize what it will look like done up. Sometimes I draw the quilt and color it with colored pencils to see how it would look. There are many many sites on the internet that provide free patterns and advice. Some that I use are:
I hope this might peak your interest in quilt making and start a rewarding and useful hobby.
Men also are doing more quilting than ever before so maybe you can interest your spouse or friend to join you in this pleasant activity. Happy Quilting!!
