Walking through your living room or bedroom you may notice antiques or hand-me-downs from a by-gone era. It seems like everyone has something that they cherish that was given from parents, grandparents, or even older still. One such article that often handed down is also something practical and many times, hand-made – quilts. Perhaps as a child you watched your grandmother or aunt painstakingly stitching one of these fabric works of art. Quilts are not just patchwork blankets; they are ways of celebrating milestones in the life of families and even passing down history.
Quilting: Basic to Elaborate
The earliest examples of quilting date back to ancient times. There are quilts that originated in ancient Egypt, Russia and even a quilt that is still in existence in Sicily from 1360. Although many people associate quilting with scraps of leftover fabric, quilts were first made by the very wealthy women of gentility. The pieces of fabric were chosen with great care, and they were definitely not hand-me-down odds and ends. Because of their status, the wealthy young ladies of that day were able to spend copious amounts of time on their quilts. Quilts were a way to show off your sewing skills, and the more complicated the design, the more valuable the quilt. As fashion gave way to function, quilts of course were made to keep people warm, and in the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, basic block quilts were being made to warm soldiers in the various war efforts of the day. These sturdy quilts were made for the basic human need for survival. Upon the invention of the sewing machine, women found quilting to be an accessible craft again, with the bulk of the time needing to be invested taken away with the ease of the sewing machine.
Modern Quilting
In modern times, many women are finding quilting to be a rewarding experience once again. Easy quilt patterns, free and otherwise are readily available. No more making quilting patterns free-hand, it is easy to download all the exact patterns you need. Of course some of the easy designs like block quilt patterns are simple to put together even without a standard pattern. These traditional quilt block patterns are anything but boring, but if you are looking for some variety in the design, machine quilting patterns for beginners allow you to experiment with different patterns and designs. Watching a “how to machine quilt video” is a great way to get started making your own work of art or future family heirloom.
Quilting: Basic to Elaborate
The earliest examples of quilting date back to ancient times. There are quilts that originated in ancient Egypt, Russia and even a quilt that is still in existence in Sicily from 1360. Although many people associate quilting with scraps of leftover fabric, quilts were first made by the very wealthy women of gentility. The pieces of fabric were chosen with great care, and they were definitely not hand-me-down odds and ends. Because of their status, the wealthy young ladies of that day were able to spend copious amounts of time on their quilts. Quilts were a way to show off your sewing skills, and the more complicated the design, the more valuable the quilt. As fashion gave way to function, quilts of course were made to keep people warm, and in the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, basic block quilts were being made to warm soldiers in the various war efforts of the day. These sturdy quilts were made for the basic human need for survival. Upon the invention of the sewing machine, women found quilting to be an accessible craft again, with the bulk of the time needing to be invested taken away with the ease of the sewing machine.
Modern Quilting
In modern times, many women are finding quilting to be a rewarding experience once again. Easy quilt patterns, free and otherwise are readily available. No more making quilting patterns free-hand, it is easy to download all the exact patterns you need. Of course some of the easy designs like block quilt patterns are simple to put together even without a standard pattern. These traditional quilt block patterns are anything but boring, but if you are looking for some variety in the design, machine quilting patterns for beginners allow you to experiment with different patterns and designs. Watching a “how to machine quilt video” is a great way to get started making your own work of art or future family heirloom.
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