History
History
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Traditionally a quilt is a bedcover made of multiple layers of fabric sewn together, usually stitched in decorative patterns. It is usually composed of three textile layers: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding and a woven back combined using the technique of quilting, the process of sewing the three layers together. If a single piece of fabric is used for the top of a quilt (called a 'wholequilt), the pattern of stitching can be the key decorative element, but in many cases the top is pieced from a patchwork of smaller fabric pieces; and the pattern and colour of these pieces will be important to the design.
Traditionally a quilt is a bedcover made of multiple layers of fabric sewn together, usually stitched in decorative patterns. It is usually composed of three textile layers: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding and a woven back combined using the technique of quilting, the process of sewing the three layers together. If a single piece of fabric is used for the top of a quilt (called a 'wholequilt), the pattern of stitching can be the key decorative element, but in many cases the top is pieced from a patchwork of smaller fabric pieces; and the pattern and colour of these pieces will be important to the design.
There are many traditions regarding the uses of quilts; they may be made or given to mark important life events such as marriage, the birth of a child, a family member leaving home, or graduations.
There are many traditions regarding the uses of quilts; they may be made or given to mark important life events such as marriage, the birth of a child, a family member leaving home, or graduations.
Quilting techniques are often incorporated into garment design as well. Quilt shows and competitions are held locally, regionally and nationally, and there are international competitions too, particularly in the United States, Japan and Europe.
Quilting techniques are often incorporated into garment design as well. Quilt shows and competitions are held locally, regionally and nationally, and there are international competitions too, particularly in the United States, Japan and Europe.
Quilting traditions are particularly prominent in the United States, where the necessity of creating warm bedding met the paucity of local fabrics in the early days of the colonies. Imported fabric was very expensive, and local homespun fabric was labour-intensive to create and tended to wear out sooner than commercial fabric. It was essential for most families to use and preserve textiles efficiently.
Quilting traditions are particularly prominent in the United States, where the necessity of creating warm bedding met the paucity of local fabrics in the early days of the colonies. Imported fabric was very expensive, and local homespun fabric was labour-intensive to create and tended to wear out sooner than commercial fabric. It was essential for most families to use and preserve textiles efficiently.
Saving or salvaging small scraps of fabric was a part of life for all households. Small pieces of fabric were joined together to make larger pieces, in units called ' blocks'. Creativity was expressed in the block designs, or simple 'utility quilts', with minimal decorative value.
Saving or salvaging small scraps of fabric was a part of life for all households. Small pieces of fabric were joined together to make larger pieces, in units called ' blocks'. Creativity was expressed in the block designs, or simple 'utility quilts', with minimal decorative value.
Crib quilts for infants were needed in the cold of winter, but even early examples of baby quilts show the efforts that women made to welcome the new baby.
Crib quilts for infants were needed in the cold of winter, but even early examples of baby quilts show the efforts that women made to welcome the new baby.
Quilting was often a communal activity, involving all the women and girls in a family or in a larger community. There are also many historical examples of men participating in these quilting traditions. The quilt tops were prepared in advance and a quilting bee was arranged. These mainly American 'Quilting Bees' have, in this country, grown into quilting clubs such as our own 'Patchwork Pals' quilting club that meets monthly in Langham Village Hall near Colchester.
Quilting was often a communal activity, involving all the women and girls in a family or in a larger community. There are also many historical examples of men participating in these quilting traditions. The quilt tops were prepared in advance and a quilting bee was arranged. These mainly American 'Quilting Bees' have, in this country, grown into quilting clubs such as our own 'Patchwork Pals' quilting club that meets monthly in Langham Village Hall near Colchester.
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