Your Quilting Hobby

Quilts are traditionally used as bed coverings because of their warmth and comfort. Today, they are also used in clothing, upholstery, wall hangings and home decorations. Quilting is truly the craft that makes memories as many quilters pass down their quilting treasures from generation to generation.

Quilting: The History of Quilting

Quilting is an ageless craft that originated in ancient times. Early Mid-Easterners, Chinese, Russians and Native Americans of Mesoamerica often wore three-layered garments for warmth and protection. The Knights in the Holy Land during the First and Second Crusade wore quilted garments and decorated their armor with this sewing technique that they learned from their enemies, the Muslims.

Holy Land Muslims used quilting as an alternate means of protection when metal for armor was in short supply. The Crusaders took this textile art back to Europe where it was used for sleepwear and undergarments during the cold winters of Mideaval Europe.

Written records and early designs of the quilting craft as it was known in the 12th century have survived through to today. But since the actual garments were made of perishable cloth, very few early specimens have survived. The earliest quilting example known is from the 15th century and was constructed of coarse linen and decorated with embroidery. It was from this early era that the still-used today, “quilting stitch” was derived.

The earliest intact bed covering type quilt is from the English 17th century. The famous Levens Hall specimen is made of imported Indian chintzes. This specimen is of high quality and design considering its antiquity. This indicates that it was not the first of its type but rather an example of the sewing craft of that period.

Quilting History in America

The first quilting specimens were brought to America by the early Dutch and English colonists. These were usually patchwork quilting examples. The craft of quilting achieved its highest artistic development in America through patchwork quilts.

Sewing materials were scarce in the new world, but a need for artistic expression drove pioneer women to create intricate geometrical designs that were often signed and dated by the maker(s). Quilting also became part of the social fabric of the pioneer society through “quilting bees” and quilting societies. By the 1880's, quilting had become an essential part of local fairs and competitions.

In the 20th century, sewing and quilting machines brought a temporary decline in this ancient craft. Inexpensive, mass-produced garments and bed coverings took the place of the 'quilting bees' so beloved of early women colonists and western pioneers.