Quilt History

Katrina Simon History of Quilts People: • people use to use padded fabrics for clothing, bedding, armor… • English and Dutch settlers brought quilting to North America • Used as hangings for doors and windows that were not sealed well enough to keep out cold • Early settlers in America reused resources- when blankets became worn, they were patched combined with other blankets or used as filler between other blankets • When fabrics were manufactured in america and were more affordable, this allowed women to be more artistic in quiliting because they didn’t need to make their own yarns and fabric • Earliest settlers had had no materials to spare so they the block style pieced quilt was a functional design for them • Custom- mothers make quilts for children to have when leave; heirloom quilts General: • “quilt” comes from the Latin word “culcita” meaning a stuffed sack o 2 meanings- 1. three layer stitched bedcovering 2. act of stitching through the three layers to hold them together • made up of a top, back, and filler • Quilt blocks- patterned square of fabric that is repeated or alternated with plain blocks to form overall design on the top of a quilt • History of America seen thru history of quilts 3 different types of quilts- i. the plain or whole cloth quilt = made of single pieces of material on the top and back, and the decoration is obtained by means of padded or corded quilting ii. applique quilts = top made of whole cloth with smaller pieces of fabric cut into shapes or forms that are applied or stitched down, “show” or “best” quilt iii. pieced or patchwork quilts =”utility” quilt a. tufted quilt- tied through in enough places to keep filling in place, no stitching holding the layers together, it has 3 layers b. “summer” quilt- no middle filling o Medallion quilt- brought to America from colonists, central motif surrounded by multiple borders- endless designs for quilters, who could use patchwork, applique, embroidery alone or all together History by Date/Year • 1800s styles- whole cloth quilts, broderie perse, and medallion quilts • 1800s- intro of sewing machine, quilting machine attachment didn’t become used, hand quilting remained popular • 1825-1875- handwork =relaxation for pioneer women, fine handwork shows status/pride • after front conquered, living conditions improved- more time, more creative • quilting bee- women bring quilt tops that were already pieced and work together to quilt the top- chance to socialize • WW1- quiltmaking for fundraising and awareness • Great Depression- saving pieces of material, no money • WWII- raise money to support Red Cross- signature quilt became popular o Signature quilt- businesses, stores, people would pay to have name embroidered on a quilt block, the blocks were sewn together and quilted and the finish quilt was raffled and proceeds go to Red Cross • 1950s-1960s- less interest in quilting, viewed as dated, old fashion, and lean times • 1970s-1980s- granddaughters of older women began to revive quiltmaking, back to the land movement denerated desire to learn hand skill • 1976- bicentennial-quilts meant national pride and achievement and reminder of past • early 2000s- relaxation, artistic medium, now a renewed interest http://www.quilting-in-america.com/History-of-Quilts.html http://www.emporia.edu/cgps/tales/quilte~1.html .

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