Quilting is the term given to the process of joining a minimum of three layers of fabric together either through stitching manually using a needle and thread or mechanically with a sewing machine or specialised longarm quilting system. An array of stitches is passed through all layers of the fabric to create a three-dimensional padded surface. The three layers are typically the top fabric or quilt top, batting or insulating material and the backing.

The top layer is the decorative surface of the quilt, which can be made from a multitude of different fabrics. Examples are cotton prints, wools and other natural fibres. Finally, the batting or insulating layer provides the quilt with its loft and warmth-retaining properties. It also fully supports the stitching work holding it all together to form the quilt. It is made from natural materials such as cotton, wool and silk or synthetics like polyester or acrylic.

The backing provides the quilt with its strength and gives it a more luxurious look by contrast and is generally made of either cotton or satin. The backing can be plain or plaid, depending on the requirements of the surface layer. Plain fabric is generally better for creating a quilt that will last for many years, while plaid fabrics are more suitable for adding a splash of colour or pattern and therefore carry with them a lesser weighting when it comes to longevity.

Because quilts are often made as gifts or heirlooms, the quilting work is done with a lot of care. It usually takes as long to do the quilting work as it does to create the surface layer and batting together, meaning that quilts can take many months to complete from start to finish.

Quilting has been traced back for centuries, and in its most primitive incarnation, it was done to keep people warm using large pieces of material wrapped around the body. This early method has not been widely adopted but remains a popular form of quilting in areas where it is more convenient to simply wrap a blanket around your shoulders than wear clothing over it. In this instance, quilts are sewn and quilted in a similar way to those used today and are made from the same materials.

The main use of quilts in the early days was for everyday use; however, during the 16th-century, quilting became less common as people started to take up clothing more regularly, and there were fewer instances of quilts being used. The art of quilting then began to resurface again towards the end of the 18th century when it became popular with groups such as Amish, Quaker and Mennonite communities who needed warm but non-bulky bedding. However, even in these areas where particular religious beliefs made quilt making a necessity, it did not reach its peak until much later in time. It was not until 1895 that Maggie Barnard published her book ‘The American Patchwork Quilt’, which documented a way of modern quilting and brought it into the households of America. This simple but effective way of displaying quilts paved the way for others to follow her lead, and by 1910 quilting had become very popular in the United States of America.

The craft is now a worldwide phenomenon never far from the thoughts of seamstresses and quilters alike. The country that has taken the art to its highest level of skill is, without a doubt, India, where quilt making is an intricate and significant craft, which influenced the rest of the world. The techniques used by Indian quilters have made their mark on all other forms of quilting in that they are considered to be unique and complex when compared to others around the globe.

In America, quilts became popular among African-Americans in slavery and white women who made quilts for themselves or each other within their communities. Women would spend many hours together creating these beautiful works of art using fabrics that they either had to hand or chose because of their own personal design, such as paisley or floral patterns.

Like the materials used, the quilting techniques vary depending on the region. However, some of these traditional methods include:

– English paper piecing – this involves cutting fabric into small squares and then sewing them together using a grid pattern to form larger designs;

– Intarsia – this technique is linked to knitting but has been adapted for use in quilting. The process requires two different colours of thread, one of which is attached to the needle while the other remains unthreaded. The thread is then passed through the same hole when stitching, allowing vibrant colours to be created within a single block without having to change thread colour;

– Cross stitch quilting – also known as ‘X-stitch’ involves using a single needle and taking it through the same hole again and again to create intricate patterns;

– Satin stitch quilting – this type of quilting is done by machine rather than hand and uses a series of lines running in different directions across a block to create texture.

The most common form of quilting used around the world, however, is the free-motion style. This style was first discovered in America, although it now has gained popularity all over the globe. In this method, each individual creates unique designs that flow from left to right without following any particular pattern or design. So no matter where these craftsmen are from, they will have an idea about what they want to achieve before pick up their quilting tools and begin to work their magic. This is why quilting can be done by both men and women, unlike other forms of stitched textiles such as embroidery and knitting.

 

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