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.
The basic concept is not difficult to understand. A quilt is usually made of three layers: a top, a middle layer that adds weight and warmth, and a bottom layer. The layers are held together around the edges with binding but also need to be secured at points throughout the whole to keep the inner layer from shifting around, causing lumpiness and thin spots.
During the early days of settlement in America, women didn't have the time to make quilts. The first quilts were brought over from Europe by wealthy people. Later, slaves made them as part of their labor for their masters.
In the late 1800s, women began the 'piecing' of bed coverings, using scraps, feed sacks, or worn-out clothing for the tops. Patterns became popular as women had more leisure and became proud of their handiwork. Groups of women would come together in 'quilting bees', which were popular frontier social gatherings.
There are many different types of quilts. Some are made of small pieces of cloth; each individual piece is joined to others in what is called 'patchwork'. Others have tops of one or more large pieces, usually one color, that are joined together and then quilted. In this 'whole-cloth' method, the stitching is the decorative element. There are many beautiful designs in white-on-white. The stitching would be the same on both the top and bottom, making the spread reversible if carefully finished.
People still like the slow, painstaking process of making quilts by hand, but the majority do at least the final quilting with a machine. Machine stitching is both strong and regular, giving a nice look to the finished piece. However, those who work with needle and thread love the process as much as the result.
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.
Anyone who wants to make a quilt can do it without instruction, but the best results are achieved by taking a class or working with an experienced quilter at first. There are thousands of sites online that give tips ranging from simple to esoteric. There are also instructional videos. Lots of people love this form of expression and are happy to share their knowledge.
The basic concept is not difficult to understand. A quilt is usually made of three layers: a top, a middle layer that adds weight and warmth, and a bottom layer. The layers are held together around the edges with binding but also need to be secured at points throughout the whole to keep the inner layer from shifting around, causing lumpiness and thin spots.
During the early days of settlement in America, women didn't have the time to make quilts. The first quilts were brought over from Europe by wealthy people. Later, slaves made them as part of their labor for their masters.
In the late 1800s, women began the 'piecing' of bed coverings, using scraps, feed sacks, or worn-out clothing for the tops. Patterns became popular as women had more leisure and became proud of their handiwork. Groups of women would come together in 'quilting bees', which were popular frontier social gatherings.
There are many different types of quilts. Some are made of small pieces of cloth; each individual piece is joined to others in what is called 'patchwork'. Others have tops of one or more large pieces, usually one color, that are joined together and then quilted. In this 'whole-cloth' method, the stitching is the decorative element. There are many beautiful designs in white-on-white. The stitching would be the same on both the top and bottom, making the spread reversible if carefully finished.
People still like the slow, painstaking process of making quilts by hand, but the majority do at least the final quilting with a machine. Machine stitching is both strong and regular, giving a nice look to the finished piece. However, those who work with needle and thread love the process as much as the result.
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.
Anyone who wants to make a quilt can do it without instruction, but the best results are achieved by taking a class or working with an experienced quilter at first. There are thousands of sites online that give tips ranging from simple to esoteric. There are also instructional videos. Lots of people love this form of expression and are happy to share their knowledge.
About the Author:
You can visit www.quiltaddict.com for more helpful information about Learn How To Make A Quilt.
No comments:
Post a Comment