Facts About Quilting

Whether it's freezing cold outside or a beautiful summer day, many people enjoy the beauty and functionality of a well-made quilt. Whether you use a quilt to snuggle beneath or to hang on a wall and admire as folk art, there are many facets behind the fascinating craftwork involved in a quilt.

Identification

A quilt is a blanket or cover that is made by stitching various types of fabric together in a series of patterns for the top and then attaching it to a layer of batting, which is used as filling. These are then attached to a bottom fabric layer. The three layers are then stitched together by using a variety of stitching techniques.

History

While many believe colonial women sat around quilting, other experts believe that the art didn't fully come into fashion until the early 1800s, when there was more fabric readily available and more time for women to work on "fancy work."

Types

Quilting is popular in many cultures, including African-American, Native American and Hawaiian. There are a variety of patterns that range from the intricate double wedding ring pattern to the patterns that tell a story.

Time Frame

That depends on how many people are working on the quilt and on how intricate the pattern is. In many areas of the United States, women still gather for "quilting bees" in which they all work on sections of the quilt and therefore finish it very quickly.

Hand-sewn or Machine-made?

Both. Most quilting enthusiasts, however, believe that hand-stitched quilts are of far better quality than those sewn on a sewing machine.

Care for a Quilt

Care depends on the age of a quilt and the materials used. You can machine wash a newer quilt, using the delicate cycle and a mild soap. However, vintage quilts, as well as those made of silk or wool, should be professionally cleaned. Additionally, don't hang a wet quilt up to dry; you risk ripping out the stitching. Lay it out flat, possibly on a sheet in the backyard. You can also tumble dry the quilt if you are careful.

Cost

You can purchase a quilt for very little money, sometimes, if you are lucky to find one at a thrift shop or yard sale. However, a quality-made quilt can go for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. The picture shown is a beautifully crafted patchwork quilt, hand-sewn by the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It sells for almost $1,000. Some vintage quilts might even go for more than that. Quilting is a skill that takes dedication and creating beautiful quilts takes many hours of painstaking work.