Quilting is a simple technique that consists of joining two pieces of fabric with a filling in the middle. In this blog post, I will share with you some facts about the history and beauty of quilting to include the types, disadvantages, and advantages of quilts.
Background
A quilt is a type of cover composed of a soft cover traditionally filled with a synthetic material that is used in the bed as a blanket. Nowadays, quilts are also filled with wool or artificial fibers such as polyester.
Synthetic quilts are not hot, so they are recommended for rooms with heating or for half-time. Some quilts use feathers to keep the body heat. This type of natural quilts is recommended for cold rooms and hot climates.
In the beds equipped with quilts, the mattress is covered with a fitted sheet and the quilt is placed on top.
The quilts are a splendid addition to any house. If the quilts are treated properly, they are elements that can be transmitted from one generation to the next and, eventually, can become a true and original article of the family inheritance.
The art of quilting (or sewing fabrics together) with decorative stitches or straight lines, allows for the pieces to be sawn at the same time. It has be noted that during the history and beauty of quilting they are the most common to have this type of sewing.
Like any other form of crafting, quilting offer great benefits for adults. Please, consider reading my blog post on “10 Benefits of Crafting for Adults” for the details.
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Historical Facts
The history and beauty of quilting went from being utilitarian, to be a way of making art. Originally, its utility was to conserve the heat in the beds or wardrobe. Currently, quilts are also used as decorative elements on sofas, tables and even hang on the walls.
The quilts came out of rural Europe and were originally made from Eider feathers, a type of duck whose feathers are well known for their usefulness as insulators. Today, quilts are still used in Europe (especially in the north and Scandinavia where it is the most common form of bed cover) and have become popular throughout the world in the late twentieth century.
Its popularity in northern Europe is reflected in its Nordic or simply Nordic quilt naming. In Westphalia, an English travel writer observed different types of quilting with much surprise in 1749.
To explore this topic further, visit the Pottery Barn Kids website: www.potterybarnkids.com.
Learn more about The History of Quilting in the following video from Pottery Barn Kids:
Appreciating the history and beauty of quilting in the time of the pioneers, the covered wagons offer little protection against a bad wind or dust storm. Quilts made from old blankets, goose feather quilts and hung on the sides of the covered wagons to help keep dust and sun, especially if the fabric was torn.
A folded quilt was normally used behind the driver of the wagon. Thick quilts have also protected fine porcelain. Fortunately, today we only have quilts to keep us warm.
You can choose a goose down comforter to suit the season or region in which you live. For example, a summer fill quilt can be all that is needed to stay warm throughout an Atlanta winter.
The quilts have made an interesting story and developed first in the regions of Europe. There are several parts of Europe, where quilts serve more frequently as bedding types, quilts are the form of bedding that many Scandinavians and Canadians prefer. I recommend the following books that will give you excellent historical background about the art of quilting:
Why are quilts preferred over other forms of bedding? Truly, quilts offer their users simplicity, when using a quilt to make a bed, the consumer can make it attractive quickly there are fewer sheets and bedding to deal with quilts when used in other forms of comfort. the bedding.
During the history and beauty of quilting, comforters were made to be soft and affordable. Also, quilts proved to be particularly easy to care for and offer the user a dry and comfortable place to sleep no matter the environment.
The quilts also allow the user to breathe, in other words, the sleeper will receive adequate air circulation while maintaining comfort and sweating, cooling can easily be prevented with the use of a quilt.
The comforters are particularly revered because they are soft and allow you to get maximum comfort from your sleeping experience. Therefore, quilting has proven to be not only decorative, but also practical.
Classic quilts usually contain sponges under the feathers. Meanwhile, there are other quilts that contain a mixture of both: the percentage of the mixture varies according to the manufacturer of the quilt in question.
On the other hand, there are quilts that are full of synthetic insulators like polyester.
Below is a link for a video that could get you started appreciating the art of quilting in the form of a class that you can take at home. It is a novel concept that you can take on prior to working on an actual quilt:
Some people may be allergic to feathers and blends and synthetic quilts made with insulation can serve as an excellent substitute.
Consumers can still receive quality for the comfort that quilts offer without suffering an allergic reaction to the product. Finally, there are quilts that are manufactured only with natural hairs as a filler.
Goose comforters cost a little more than those made with synthetic insulation. If the consumer is looking, ultimately, in terms of softness and allergic reaction of any kind, hypoallergenic quilts are undoubtedly the right way.
Types of Quilt
There are different types of quilts, which are basically defined by their material, technique and also their origin. These quilts form a fundamental part of the history and beauty of quilting.
The normal thing when we talk about a quilt is to think about the classic piece of fabric stuffed with down or synthetic fiber. Although the traditional quilt is still the king of homes, today there are many varieties.
Adjustable Quilt
Quilting that is adjustable is usually designed for children. This is a type of quilt with a rubber on the feet, similar to a fitted sheet. This rubber band makes the quilt cling to the mattress, making it difficult for the child to move.
They are recommended for children who get up or move a lot at night. These type of quilts are ideal, for example, for trundle beds. We could not use normal blankets with this type of beds since when putting in or taking out the bed they can get out or get hooked easily.
With the adjustable quilts, we will not have this problem as they allow the bed made to look very neat.
Nordic Sack
Quilting of this type is very similar to the adjustable quilt. The difference is that it is made up of three pieces: pillow case, bottom and bag, and these last two are joined by a zipper that fulfills the function that had the adjustable, that does not undo the bed.
They are also very comfortable since they do not allow the child to uncover themselves by not falling down the sides or disengaging. Again, it is recommended for restless children.
Boutis
They are the natural evolution of quilts. They are more cushioned and lighter, so they are recommended for the summer, although combined with blankets or sheets, we can use them throughout the year.
Currently, it is one of the flagship products in homes so we can find endless prints.
Others
Patchwork
This is an English word that means patch. It is the simple version of a quilt, that is, only the top layer whose quality is that it is made of pieces or patches of geometric shapes (squares, triangles, diamonds, rectangles, etc.) that have a unit in color.
These pieces are then sewn together to form blocks, with great precision, since being symmetrical should be seen perfect.
The blocks are sewn together to form strips, which are then joined to form the top layer.
Appliqué
This technique has been used effectively during the history of quilting. This word is of French origin and it means application. It is used to describe the technique as decorative figures. On a quilt, appliqué designs are cut from one or more fabrics and placed on the background fabric, which is a larger piece of another fabric.
The edges are turned inwards so that the fabric does not fray and are thus sewn to the bottom fabric. The sewing is by hand with small invisible stitches.
From these two techniques arise other variants in their form of expression, in the designs and colors and in their geographical location. These other variants are Crazy Quilt, Album Quilt, Commemorative Quilts, Amish Quilt, and Hawaiian Quilt.
Contemporary Quilt
This technique is characterized by a basic chronology and a style since it can be elaborated in any of the mentioned techniques and design.
In essence, artistic quilting is not classified into categories because it uses free forms. It does not have classic designs. Instead, it can use diverse materials such as metals, seeds, wool, textiles, paint, plastic pieces, etc. Interestingly enough, the fabric before being used can be dyed, with visible stitching, with appliqué that is stuck and not stitched.
Although early on in history this incredible textile art was circumscribed to a part of the world, today there is interest in it in the whole world.
Quilt: Disadvantages And Advantages
Disadvantages
Quilts are often loose on the bed, so they can slip during the night and its cleaning can be complex. Since the feathers can get wet, they usually agglomerate and it is difficult to return the quilt to its normal state.
Apart from that it takes a long time to dry.
Advantages
The quilts are a good insulator and do not let the temperature of the body escape in the bed. In addition, depending on the temperature of each geographical area, to stay warm at night you just need a piece of fabric.
With the quilts, it is much more comfortable and quick to make the bed. Any member of the family including the little ones will take a few seconds to have the bed fixed.
Quilts reduce the complexity of making the bed, as it is a single cover instead of the combination of two sheets, blankets and bedspreads or other covers, as is usual in many parts of the world.
Additionally, the quilts are lighter than blankets, they can be washed. Also, they have a long life allowing your to change the cover as many times as needed.
The quilts are very resistant and durable. Buying or creating a quilt will provide you a textile piece for practically a lifetime. This is because you do not need to put in the washing machine, as long as the sheet is used.
You just have to be careful to aerate it from time to time.
As mentioned earlier, quilts stand out for their lightness, weigh much less than traditional blankets. With the quilts, and especially with the quilts for children and youth can be quiet because the youngest of the house will not open up with the consequent risk of catching a cold.
We are talking about the adjustable quilt. This type of children’s comforter, as its name suggests, fits much better than blankets and quilts.
These textile pieces are very decorative. There is a wide range of quilts. These padded covers can be plain or patterned.
There is a quilt for each room because it is logical that the consumer chooses the one that best fits the rest of the furniture in the room and the color of the walls. By their composition, they are much more pleasant to the touch and comfortable than blankets.
Conclusion
Quilting is a beautiful art form full of history. There are different types of quilts that can be adapted to their intended use and skill level of the designer.
The quilt has two functions: coat/protection and decoration. From these two premises, there are numerous variants of the comforter: quilted, adjustable, comforter quilts. However, all have to preserve the body temperature in the bed and blend with the design of the room.
To fulfill this second objective, that is, the decorative one, there are also numerous accessories such as cushions, curtains or sofa covers. The duvet quilt also fulfills both missions, but its difference is that it is filled, either with down or feather, synthetic fibers or wool.
I will love to hear about your experience in designing and creating a quilt. Have you done one? How difficult was to create it? In case that you are considering embarking on your first quilt project, please, make sure to check out my blog post “Quilting for Beginners: 14 Basic Steps”. This article goes into the details of what equipment, tools, materials, and supplies I recommend to get started on your project today. Also, I recommend you take a look at the web page “Quilting in America”. Here you will find additional historical details and other information you will find useful. Drop me a line with your thoughts and let me know what you think.
