Quilting, the layering and stitching of fabric to provide warmth and design, is an art form that dates back many centuries. Although today we tend to associate quilts with bedcovers made with a variety of patchwork, quilting tradition is both very broad and very old, and includes many different styles and techniques from around the globe.

Historical evidence suggests that quilted clothing was used in ancient China and ancient Egypt - dating back to 3500BC. Many examples of quilts made in ancient Asia are available to us today, and patchwork quilts occur frequently. In Europe, quilts started appearing during the Crusades, when soldiers wore quilted armour when they went to battle, and the popularity of quilted clothing rose in Europe at this time. It was during this period that quilted bedspreads also become popular in Europe. Quilts were decorated with beautiful and intricate needlework designs, and whole-cloth quilts show a rich repertoire of this work. As the name suggests, these quilts are made from one large piece of fabric, and are beautifully stitched with complex designs.

When the colonists moved to the new world, they took quilting traditions from throughout Europe with them. However, patchwork quilting was not widespread in America in the early years of colonisation, and only started appearing in the 18th century. It was after the Civil War however, when fabric became more readily available, that patchwork quilting become widespread in North America.

Block quilting, where a single pattern is repeated in blocks which are later joined together to form the quilt, became popular in the 19th century. These blocks made it easier for a quilter to carry her work around, as well as being easier to store until the blocks were ready to be joined together. It was during this time that "quilting bees" became popular social gatherings. Apart from the obvious benefit of meeting socially, these groups also provided a way for the dissemination of new ideas and patterns.

The 19th century also gave rise to album quilts. Blocks of different designs are pieced together, each containing a different pieced or appliqu�d pattern. These quilts often carried a message or commemorated an event. Often the making of these quilts was a communal affair, with different quilters each contributing blocks to the final quilt.

Another major impact on quilting during the 19th century was the invention of the sewing machine. Up until this time, quilts were painstakingly pieced together and intricately decorated by hand. Quilts could take years to complete as tiny stitches were used to create complicated designs on the quilts. However, with the advent of the sewing machine, quilts could be completed in weeks or even days. In recent years, companies manufacturing sewing machines have recognized the significance of quilting by developing special features utilised by quilters.

In the 1920's quilters started looking for inspiration in quilts made during the colonial period, which led to the Colonial Revival. This was closely followed by the depression era, which gave rise to new developments in quilting. Magazines and newspapers played a large role in these developments, publishing new patterns and even putting together quilt kits. Quilting allowed women a creative outlet during these very difficult years, while also allowing them to create something of practical use.

When World War II broke out, attention shifted to the tragedy of war. Women joined the workforce to fill the gaps left by men sent to war, and had little time to spend on quilt making and other crafts. When the war ended, women remained in the workforce, and during these years, store bought items were considered more desirable than homemade items.

However, this lull in quilting was shortlived, and America experienced a revival in quilting in the 1970's which is still ongoing. As America's bicentennial approached, people started to take a new interest in their cultural heritage and the role of quiltmaking in that heritage, which impacted quilting in America enormously. Patriotic quilts were made throughout the country to celebrate the bicentennial in local commemorations. Without previous generations to teach them, women began to learn quiltmaking skills on their own by studying how quilts had been made in the past and experimenting with new techniques, as well as finding contemporary resources, such as magazines and books.

New tools and techniques, developed in the last 30 years, have had a major impact on quilting. Rotary cutters and rulers are two tools that revolutionized the craft of quilting. Rotary cutters, like a pizza cutter, have a round blade that can cut the entire width of fabric in one action. Previously the cutting of fabric was accomplished using scissors, and the rotary cutter shortened the time it took to cut fabric considerably. Rulers, with measurements and angles marked onto them, make it even easier for quilters to cut their fabric into strips of varying widths, while self-healing mats provide an easy work surface.

The American revival in quilting also brought with it shops entirely devoted to quilting. These stores not only stock quality fabric and batting, books and magazines, but also pass along tried and tested quilting wisdom to a new generation of quilters through classes that deal with all aspects of quilting from the functional to the artistic.

Over the years, quilting has developed into an art form of its own, and the beautiful and intricate designs of antique quilts can be seen on display in museums. Magazines and newspapers played a large role in reviving an interest in quilting during the Depression era, publishing new patterns and even putting together quilt kits, and today there are many magazines and books devoted to quilting, and these publications share new developments and trends in quilting. Computers and the internet has also greatly impacted quilting around the world. Software geared towards quilting design is continually being developed and Online quilting bees and chat rooms have sprung up all around the world as quilters share ideas and information with quilters on the opposite side of the globe. International block swaps and quilted postcards are a result of the internet age of quilting, as quilters send their quilted blocks to someone they have never met so that they can also add a block to a growing quilt. For someone new to quilting, the internet provides a vast amount of resources and information.

Digital photography is also widely used in quilting today, as it provides new inspiration for quilters as pictures and photos are incorporated into quilts. The ability to print photos directly onto fabric has melded some aspects of quilting and scrapbooking together.

Quilting continues to evolve and expand further and further beyond the traditional borders of quilting as new techniques and designs are developed. Technology will continue to impact this diverse art form, and as ideas are shared around the globe, the appreciation for quilting will continue to grow.

Resources:

Eddy, Celia, "Quilted Planet: A Sourcebook of Quilts from Around the World", Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, 2005

Levie, Eleanor, "American Quiltmaking", American Quilter's Society, 2004

Walter, Cindy and Stevii Graves, "Contemporary Quilting: Exciting Techniques and Quilts from Award-Winning Quilters", KP Books, 2005

About the Author:

As a professional quilter, Linda Hopkins takes great interest in new quilting designs and techniques. Check out her quilting designs at http://www.photoquiltcreations.com

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