Quilting History

If you have recently unearthed your grandma’s old patchwork quilt, then you may have been awestruck by the sheer creativity and skill the craft would normally require. So instead of just simply admiring and gushing over the ancient piece of cloth, while not go an extra mile and actually learn more about quilting?

So let’s polish up our history a little and know more about the almost forgotten art of quilting. The quilting history dates way back in the 17th century. Among the first recorded quilting materials were actually found in the mystical land of Egypt, statues of some Egyptian pharaoh were found to have worn some quilted clothing materials. There also some decorative quilting stitches in a number of medieval churches, even the Templar knights were to be wearing some quilted garments as part of their armors. It was reported that they actually got the idea of using quilts from the Muslim soldiers during those times.

According to the quilting history of the United States, it was the English and Dutch colonists who first introduced the three layered quilted clothing as the primary material used to effectively ward off cold during the tough winter season. Some of the excess quilts were used for bed coverings and there were even some preserved fabrics found that dates back in the 15th century. Initially, when the colonists brought in the idea of quilting, they didn’t know how the art would flourish like wildfire in the land of milk and honey. The quilting history have certainly taken an accelerated turn since a lot of American women apparently saw the great advantages of the craft, it’s functionality and aesthetic value as well. It later became very popular in the 1880’s especially in fairs, tournaments and competitions.

However, as evidenced in the quilting history when the modern techniques of sawing were introduced in the 20th century, there was a palpable decline in the interest in the quilting craft. Predictably so, since there are a number of more efficient and inexpensive ways to decorate and sew pieces of cloth together. In the 1960’s there was a renewed interest and appeal for the quilting materials. Today, although only a handful of women actually make quilts, the old worm charm has definitely not worn off over the years. There are actually some people out there who have continually appreciated the almost forgotten craft and handed their knowledge in quilting from one generation to another.