Beginning Quilting - a New Hobby or Craft?
Like Many Other Crafts and Hobbies, Quilting Has Survived the Test of Time and You Can Create a Family Heirloom that Will Too
Like many other crafts and hobbies, quilting has survived the test of time. Some quilt historians date the beginning of quilting back to the middle ages, when quilted clothes were made for warriors sent to battle in cold climates. According to history, fabrics were layered and stitched in the same quilting method used today to keep the layers intact and keep the warriors warm.
You might note several differences:
- · The quilting was done by hand (as was the construction of the clothes)
- · There were no fancy designs of either the quilting pattern or the clothes
- · Probably this clothing was made by local tailors (who generally were men)
Quilting today is much more fun and includes both men and women! Because there are more than 20 million quilters in the , fabric stores have dedicated sections of their shops to quilting fabric. In many communities, it is easy to find a quilting store or two (or three) - a shop that caters just to quilters. And finding quilting fabric online is getting easier by the day.
With a wide selection of resources, the next question is whether you will enjoy quilting. The art of quilting has something for almost everyone.
Traditional patchwork quilts are still very popular. They provide a framework for design while allowing the quilter to use fabric selection to vary the overall look of the quilt. Contemporary quilts, or art quilts, are also popular, and provide a canvas for designing quilts that has no bounds.
Many quiltmakers still rely on hand sewing which makes quilts portable. Your quilt project easily goes into the waiting room of doctors and dance classes, travels with you in the car on long trips, and turns idle time into productive time.
Other quilters complete their entire quilt project on the machine - from piecing blocks to machine quilting and finishing the binding.
Whether your quilt is made by hand or machine, the sense of pride you feel when your quilt is finished is at least equal to the feeling of love, admiration and appreciation that the person who uses or receives the quilt feels.
And you become a thread in the history of time - linking past generations with the future.
Happy Quilting!
Published by Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 26 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful family heirloom quilts. View profile
The Many Uses of a Quilting Pen When I first bought a quilting pen about six years ago, I thought it would be just for quilting. Since then, I've used my quilting pen for many other artistic and crafty jobs...- Guide to Making a Beginner's QuiltStep-by-step guide to making a simple crib-size quilt
- Kids Artwork Patch Work Quilt This easy arts and raft project is a great way to create the look of a traditional homemade quilt that displays your child's art at the same time!
- Travel Through the Eastern Tennessee Countryside on the "Appalachian Quilt Trail"While driving along the back roads of eastern Tennessee you may spot painted quilt blocks on sides of barns or historic buildings, these painted quilts are part of the Appalachian Quilt Trail.
Five Ways to Sell Your Christmas Crafts This YearLots of people make crafts at Christmas but sometimes flea markets and yard sales bring in very little cash.
- How to Hand Quilt Without Using Quilting Frames
- Putting Together Masterpieces: Quilters Share Their Art at Quilt Show
- Avoid Quilting Mistakes : A Beginner's Top Flops and Solutions
- Creating Crafts with Gourds
- Vintage Quilting Fabric Online
- Clay's Quilt, Silas House's First Novel
- The Worst Patterns for Beginning Quilters
- www.How-to-Quilt.com Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts
- Reduce the stress in your life by learning how to quilt
- And you become a thread in the history of time � linking past generations with the future.