History of Quilting
So what is quilting? Definition - stitching together layers of padding and fabric. Quilting is as old as ancient Egypt if not older and whole cloth quilts were very common trade goods in wealthy circles in Europe and Asia going back as far as the 15th century.
Piecing fabric together is also very old. It was more often used for clothing but also occasionally for decorative objects. The making of pieced quilts made up of cut pieces of fabric sewn in block form with the blocks then sewn together to make the quilt is a more recent development.
"Piecing" refers to the sewing together of fabric to create the quilt top, while "quilting" refers to stitching the three layers of fabric together - the quilt top, batting in the center, and the fabric backing.
Quilt making was uncommon in America in the late eighteenth century and early years of the nineteenth. Most women were busy spinning, weaving and sewing in order to clothe their family. Today, quilting has become a popular leisure activity, with quilts becoming decorative items that display the fine needlework of the maker.
By the way, did you know there are an estimated 21 million quilters in the United States, and another 30 million worldwide. Are you one of them???