Some more history on Quilting for those who like it the last time i posted..... Quilt making was common in the late 18th century and early years of the 19th. Most women were busy spinning, weaving and sewing in order to clothe their family. Commercial blankets or woven coverlets were a more economical bedcovering for most people. Only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilt making so Colonial quilting was done by only a few. Obviously quilts were not made of left over scraps or worn clothing as a humble bedcovering during this period. Instead they were decorative items that displayed the fine needlework of the maker such as the Baltimore album quilts. Whole cloth quilts, broderie perse and medallion quilts were the styles of quilts made during the early 19th century. Whole cloth quilts Quilts made of a solid piece of fabric as the top layer are referred to as Whole Cloth Quilts. The three layers of top, batting and backing were quilted together, and the quilting itself became the decoration. Both wool and cotton solid color quilts and white quilts were made during this period. The white ones are sometimes called "whitework". A few were made with a simple overall quilting design but many were works of art, with beautiful quilting including feathers, flowers and other natural motifs. Some were made even more exquisite by a method called trapunto. Trapunto is the technique of slipping extra stuffing into certain areas of a quilt to bring out the quilting in that area. For example trapunto stuffing inside a feather or flower makes that part of the quilt a little thicker, so the design stands out. Women were proud of fine and even quilt stitches in these quilts. Broderie perse quilts Broderie perse refers to the applique of cut out motifs from printed fabric onto a solid background. This form of quilt making has been done since the 18th century. The popular printed fabric during this period was chintz imported from India. Printed fabric was expensive even for those who were well off. By cutting out birds, flowers and other motifs from printed fabric and sewing them onto a large homespun cloth a beautiful bedspread could be made. The technique was also used on some early medallion quilts as in the example. Broderie Perse bedcoverings were usually used on the best bed or sometimes only when guests were staying in the home. Example of a medallion quilt with applique. Medallion quilts Medallion quilts are made around a center. The center was sometimes a solid piece of large scale fabric like a toile or a Tree of Life, an appliqued motif or a large pieced star or other pieced pattern. The central area was surrounded by two or more borders. Although some borders were solid, many were pieced or appliqued.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 02:34:09 +0000
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