Quilts, Necktie, and kitsQuilting is practiced by many people throughout the world. It is the process of creating a quilt through sewing multiple layers of fabric together into one cohesive piece that is used to keep warm on cold nights. Quilts can be made from many different materials, and are almost always unique, although there are machine made quilts that are produced. Handmade quilts can have more intricate designs and sewing techniques and are often made from more interesting materials, such as a necktie quilt created from unused neckties.
In the past many materials were used, especially paper during pioneer times. Paper was so rare to early American settlers that each bit was saved, letters, newspaper clippings and articles which were then preserved in quilts which have inspired modern keepsake quilting which uses materials that have emotional value, such as pieces of a baby blanket, or a favorite shirt, even varsity letters. Antique quilts are actually one of the best archeological sources of life during the pioneer days when quilting was necessary and prolific. Amish quilts evoke the same styles and construction methods as those used by early settlers.
The easiest way to start quilting is with a quilting kit that contains all the basic quilting supplies, such as quilt batting for insulation, quilting patterns to help with the design and layout, different quilting fabric so individual designs and color schemes can be achieved and quilting frames or a quilt rack to allow it to be sewn together easier. Many quilts are made in smaller sections called quilt blocks which are then sewn together to create the larger design. This allows for less space to be devoted to the quilt, a quilting frame often takes up an entire room until it is completely finished.
Learning to quilt can be rewarding, meditative and even fun. Quilting circles are popular where many quilters will gather at the same place and gossip while creating a quilt for their loved ones. Quilting has always been a social event among quilters and many stories have been embellished at these mini-conventions. They are a great place to learn new evolving techniques which can be difficult or impossible to learn otherwise. Many stitches are adaptations of the strait, or running stitch which penetrates all layers of the quilt and can be simple or decorative. With the amount of people working on these quilts they can be finished up much quicker than by doing one completely alone.
Quilts make excellent gifts, especially baby quilts which can last for years and years. They can even be hung on walls as art pieces instead of bed coverings. The amount of time invested into many quilts makes them masterpieces indeed, and the patterns and stories that can be told are endless and constantly evolving with every new textile artist. They have evolved quite a bit over the years, but even the handmade quilts that the crusaders of old traveled with are unique and usable items, absolutely essential then, and just as useful now.
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