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United States

Quilt making was common in the late 17th century and early years of the 18th. Most people were busy in their day to day, working, farming, and tending to their families. Most could not afford to purchase cloth and spun and wove their own for all clothes and material used by the family. Very little time was left over for recreational quilting, as a result commercial blankets or woven coverlets, also known as whole-cloth quilts, were a more economical bedcovering for most people.

Wholecloth quilts

Wholecloth quilt featuring hand quilting

Seen in the states as early as the 1660's, early quilts that feature the same fabric for the entire quilt top, whether that top is made of dyed wool or pieces of (the same) printed cotton fabric, are referred to as wholecloth quilts. Early wholecloth quilts have three layers: a quilt top, a filling or batting that in early quilts was often wool, and a backing. The three layers were held together via quilting stitches worked by hand, in an age before sewing machines were marketed. In wholecloth quilts, the quilting stitches themselves serve as the only decoration. Many wholecloth bed quilts, which may appear to be a solid piece of fabric were often actually composed of strips of fabric, inasmuch as early looms could not produce cloth large enough to cover an entire bed surface. The earliest wholecloth quilts found in America were brought from Europe. Initially, quilts were owned by the wealthy in America who had the means to purchase imported quilts.

For a time, the trend in wholecloth quilting was a preference for all-cotton white quilts, this sets off the quilting more dramatically. Quilting on wholecloth quilts ranges from the most simple and economical to intricate and elaborate. Many of the beautiful surviving wholecloth quilts feature feather designs, outlines of flowers, or are based on other designs taken from nature motifs. Some quilts were made even more dynamic by the use of stuffed and corded quilting. This method, is called Trapunto, an Italian word used to describe the technique of slipping extra stuffing into certain areas of a quilt to create areas of raised motifs that stand in relief. For example, stuffing placed inside the quilted outline of a feather or flower makes the design stand out. Quality of craftmanship can be seen in the spacing and evenness of the stitches.

Many early quilts did not survive the test of time, were discarded, or lost. For many of those that survived the name of the quilter is lost to history.

Changes came about as progress in technology deeply affected the number and styles of quilts made during the middle years of the 19th century.

The industrial revolution brought about the most dramatic change as textiles came to be manufactured on a broad scale. This meant women no longer had to spend time spinning and weaving to provide fabric for their family’s needs. By the 1840s the textile industry had grown to the point that commercial fabrics were affordable to almost every family. As a result, quilt making became widespread.

A great variety of cotton prints could be bought to make clothing and even specifically for making a quilt. Although scraps left over from dressmaking and other sewing projects were used in quilt making, it is a myth that quilts were always made from scraps and worn out clothing. Examining pictures of quilts found in museums we quickly see that many quilts were made with fabric bought specifically for that quilt.

Another major shift was in the style of quilts made. Although a few earlier quilts were made in the block style, quilts made up of blocks were uncommon until around the 1840s. With so many fabrics being manufactured quilters could create their blocks with a delightful variety of fabrics.

Some block style quilts were made of a set of identical pieced blocks while others contained a variety of blocks made with different patterns. The blocks were sewn together and a border may or may not have been added.

During this period the invention and availability of the sewing machine contributed to quilt making. In 1856 The Singer company started the installment plan so that more families could afford a sewing machine. By the 1870s a good many households owned a sewing machine.

This affected quilt making in two ways. First of all women could make clothing for their family in much less time leaving more time for quilt making and secondly they could use their sewing machines to make all or part of their quilts. More often the sewing machine was used to piece quilts but occasionally the quilting itself was done with the sewing machine.

As technology evolved and people had more free time, quilting became more popular and new styles of quilting emerged. Now a popular pastime and hobby quilters According to the Wall Street Journal there are currently an estimated twenty-one million quilters in the United States.

Broderie perse quilts

Broderie Perse quilt circa 1846

Mainly the wealthy had leisure time for quilt making, due to this, quilts were not made of left over scraps or worn clothing during this period. Instead they were made of decorative items that displayed the fine needlework of the maker. Broderie perse, French for Persian embroidery, is the method of cutting out motifs, such as flowers, from printed fabric and appliqueing them onto a solid background. The popular printed fabric during this period was chintz calico imported from India. By cutting out birds, flowers and other motifs from printed fabric and sewing them onto a large homespun cloth a beautiful bedspread could be made. The technique was also used on some early medallion quilts as in the example. Printed fabric was expensive even for those who were well off and cutting a design out of a piece of material can cause a lot of waste, making them a luxury to both create and own. Broderie Perse bedcoverings were usually reserved for special use and as a result would have typically been seen on the best bed or when guests were staying in the home.

Baltimore Album Quilt circa 1847

Baltimore Album quilts

In the 1840's, as the method of applique evolved and grew in popularity a fresh take on quilting, originating in Baltimore, Maryland, was found in Baltimore album quilts. These quilts contained a series of blocks assembled in rows and were bordered with a motif echoing the main theme of the quilt. The blocks were generally designed by the maker at the time, many personal touches are sewn into each block giving the quilt an album or story-like effect.

Medallion quilts

Elizabeth Welsh. Medallion Quilt, c. 1830. Cotton. Brooklyn Museum

Example of a medallion quilt 1880

Medallion quilts are made around a center. The center was sometimes a solid piece of large-scale fabric like a toile or a Tree of Life, an appliqued motif or a large pieced star or other pieced pattern. The central area was surrounded by two or more borders. Although some borders were solid, many were pieced or appliqued.

Oak Leaf Variant applique quilt, c. 1860, cottons, made by Mrs. M.E. Poyner, Paducah, Kentucky, dimensions: 74" x 86". Included in "Kentucky Quilts, 1800-1900" and "Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War" traveling exhibitions and catalogues. Collection of Bill Volckening, Portland, Oregon.

Civil War era

Leading up to the American Civil War, quilts were made to raise funds to support the abolitionist movement then during the war, quilts were made to raise funds for the war effort and to give warmth and comfort to soldiers. The patterns were much like those made mid-century but the purpose was different. Quilts connected to the abolitionist movement and the Civil War were made for a cause, many representing the relevant flag.

Abolition and the role of quilts

Even before 1830, abolitionists were working hard to end slavery. One way they did this was to hold grand fairs to raise both awareness and money for the abolitionist cause. Quilts were one of many craft pieces sold at these fairs. These quilts were usually fine quilts often with beautiful appliqué. Women sometimes put anti-slavery poems and sayings on the quilts they made for fairs as well as for friends and family. The goal was to show the terrible plight of the slaves.

Some abolitionists were active in the Underground Railroad helping runaway slaves get to safety. There are stories that certain quilts were used as signals to help the slaves in their flight to freedom. The idea that a log cabin quilt would be hung on the line of a safe house was one. Stories tell of certain quilts being used to tell the slaves what they needed to do to get to safety. This all sounds quite romantic but historians are divided on the theory and legend.

For the troops

Women on both sides were very active in raising money for the war effort and making quilts and other bed coverings for soldiers.

In the North, quilts were still made for fairs but now these fairs earned money to support needs that came about because of the war. In the South lovely quilts called "gunboat" quilts were made to pay for much-needed gunboats.

It wasn't long before it was obvious that soldiers on both sides would need blankets and quilts for warmth. In the North, women either made quilts or remade quilts from bed coverings. Since the cots were narrow two bedspreads could be made into three quilts for soldiers. The United States Sanitary Commission was in charge of collecting distributing them.

In the South, it was more difficult because cotton was grown in the south but manufactured into fabric in the north. Before long, fabric was almost impossible to obtain so women had to spin and weave before they could sew a bed covering together. Needless to say most of the quilts made for soldiers on either side were made with practical patterns and fabric and due to heavy use, very few have survived to this day.

Technological advances

Changes came about as progress in technology deeply affected the number and styles of quilts made during the middle years of the 19th century.

The industrial revolution brought about the most dramatic change as textiles came to be manufactured on a broad scale. This meant women no longer had to spend time spinning and weaving to provide fabric for their family’s needs. By the 1840s the textile industry had grown to the point that commercial fabrics were affordable to almost every family. As a result, quilt making became widespread.

A great variety of cotton prints could be bought to make clothing and even specifically for making a quilt. Although scraps left over from dressmaking and other sewing projects were used in quilt making, it is a myth that quilts were always made from scraps and worn out clothing. Examining pictures of quilts found in museums we quickly see that many quilts were made with fabric bought specifically for that quilt.

Another major shift was in the style of quilts made. Although a few earlier quilts were made in the block style, quilts made up of blocks were uncommon until around the 1840s. With so many fabrics being manufactured quilters could create their blocks with a delightful variety of fabrics.

Some block style quilts were made of a set of identical pieced blocks while others contained a variety of blocks made with different patterns. The blocks were sewn together and a border may or may not have been added.

During this period the invention and availability of the sewing machine contributed to quilt making. In 1856 The Singer company started the installment plan so that more families could afford a sewing machine. By the 1870s a good many households owned a sewing machine.

This affected quilt making in two ways. First of all women could make clothing for their family in much less time leaving more time for quilt making and secondly they could use their sewing machines to make all or part of their quilts. More often the sewing machine was used to piece quilts but occasionally the quilting itself was done with the sewing machine.

As technology evolved and people had more free time, quilting became more popular and new styles of quilting emerged. Now a popular pastime and hobby quilters According to the Wall Street Journal there are currently an estimated twenty-one million quilters in the United States.

Amish quilting

Amish quilts are appreciated for their bold graphic designs, distinctive colour combinations, and exceptional stitching. Quilting became a favoured activity of the Anabaptist sect after emigrating to the United States and Canada from Germany and Switzerland over 250 years ago. The earliest known Amish quilts, dating from 1849, are whole-cloth works in solid colours. Pattern-pieced bed coverings didn't appear until the 1870s. Particular patterns and fabrics are identified with specific Amish communities; for example, pre-1940s quilts from Lancaster County were almost always made of wool while those sewn in Ohio during the same period were commonly made of cotton.

Often these quilts provide the only decoration in a simply furnished home and they also were commonly used for company or to show wealth. Amish religion discourages individual expression but quiltmaking has allowed Amish women to express their creative natures without giving offence. The Amish communities have always encouraged activities that promote community and family closeness so quilting became a fundamental part of social life for the women of the community. Quilts are created for everyday use or to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, raising funds for the church or community cause. Since the “English” (the name for non-Amish people) discovered Amish work in the late 1960s, quilting has become a source of income for many. Their quilts have become collectors’ items all over the world.

Crazy quilting fad

In terms of quilts the latter years of the 19th century is best remembered for the "Crazy quilting" craze. Crazy quilts were made of abstract shapes sewn randomly together. Usually the quilt maker then used embroidery to embellish the quilt. Fancy stitches were sewn along the seams and often, embroidered motifs were added, including flowers, birds and sometimes a spider and web for good luck. Magazines encouraged making "crazies". These simple, organic quilts were seldom used as bed-coverings, instead they were made smaller and without batting to be used as decorative throws.

Traditional quilt survival

Because crazy quilting was so popular at the time, they tend to eclipse the fact that many traditional quilts were also made for bedding and commemoration. Utilitarian quilts were pieced and tied or simply quilted for everyday bed coverings while beautiful pieced and/or appliquéd quilts were created for special events like a wedding or when a beloved minister was transferred to a new location. These were more often elaborately quilted.

In the 1940s and 1950s many farm feeds were delivered in sacks. These Sacks were printed with all sorts of designs. Feed Sacks were used to make thousands of quilts.

Art quilts

Art quilts evolved from crazy quilt, where cloth and thread became the tools to create works of art.

I have chosen to add to the article titled, History of Quilting. There is certainly much that can be added. I noted that at one point in the article the topic is on whole cloth quilts, but the picture for whole cloth quilts is up in another section, I missed the connection between the topic and picture entirely the first time through. Certainly in this topic links to pictures and adding some in will be beneficial. The history given is spotty at best as it is an underdeveloped stub article. I will focus mainly on the history of quilting in the United States as that is what I am most familiar with, I see a gap in that there is nothing on the modern quilting movement, certainly history is a current topic as well as one of the past, so I will add that in. I also believe it relevant to add a portion on the world wide community of quilters. It is no longer restricted to a local community. The section on art quilts contains no pictures and a very brief description of what this would entail. Nothing is noted about the development of art quilts, where they come from, why they became a medium for art, what is being done currently with them. I believe adding these things will make this article at least a little more comprehensive and informative, especially for those unfamiliar with quilting.

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