Quilting

When two or more layers of fabric are sewn together to make the end product thicker, a quilt is underway. Quilters come from all walks of life these days, but that was not the case in years gone by. Only the affluent had access to fabrics that were suitable to create magnificently patterned quilts. The ordinary women of early American history did well to keep their families in clothing by purchasing lesser quality linen and wool. It was not until about 1840 that textile mills were up and running to provide nicer fabrics at affordable prices. Of course, the pioneer women had to fit in the time for quilt making, but as other advances lessened the time required for chores, the creation of beautiful quilts by anyone that chose to make one became common.

The patterns that are plentiful in books, magazines, and the internet today are a far cry from the methods by which patterns were exchanged in the past. Many an estate sale of older family members found trunks with quilt squares sewn into creative patterns. Each square had been created or given to the older family member at some time in the past to use as a reference to make her own quilt with that pattern.

Quilts make wonderful bedding because of the multiple layers that were used to create it. Not only do quilts keep a family warm, they are also used as wall hangings to decorate and insulate the home. To keep drafts from robbing people’s homes of heat in the winter thick quilts were also hung over doorways and windows to keep the warm heat in and the cold air out.