Home Style Decorating

A quilt is a type of bedding that is composed of three layers of fabrics; the quilt top were the design is made, a layer of batting (stuffing) and the fabric backing. Many quilts are made with decorative designs and some quilts are not used as bed covering at all, but are rather made to be hung on a wall as a decoration.

There are many types of quilts but the most prominent are:

Amish
Amish quilts shows their way of life, using solid colors only in their clothing and quilts. Although Amish quilts appear austere from a distance, the craftsmanship is often of the highest quality and the stitching forms vigorous patterns that contrast well with the plain background. These traits appeal to a modern esthetic with antique Amish quilts among the most highly prized among collectors and quilting enthusiasts.

Baltimore album quilts
This type of quilt originated in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore album quilts are made up of in blocks in which each block is appliquéd with a different design. In the beginning, these quilts of appliquéd blocks were often designed by the maker. In time, patterns by accomplished designers were used and reflected the prosperous community of Baltimore as most were made not with scraps, but with new fabric.

Hawaiian
Hawaiian quilts are whole-cloth (not pieced) quilts featuring large-scale symmetrical appliqué in solid colors on a solid color (usually white) ground fabric.

Ralli quilts
This type of quilt is traditionally made in Pakistan and India. Ralli quilts are used as blankets and bedspreads and make use of patchwork, applique and embroidery. Parents present rallis to their daughters on their weddings as a dowry.

Some uses of quilts are: bedding, decoration, armoury like gambeson, commemoration patchwork, campaigning, documenting events (social history) and artistic medium.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.