Quilting - An Overview of Quilting

Quilting is a stitching technique which is done either by hand, sewing machine or a special Longarm quilting system. Each method utilizes a needle and thread to stick together two or more layers of material in order to make a quilt.

Classic quilting is completed with three layers - quilt top, insulating material and backing material. In the process of quilting, the quilter's hand or sewing machine passes the needle and thread through all layers and then brings the needle back up. This procedure is repeated crosswise over the whole piece where quilting is required. A running stitch is normally made use of in this process, and these stitches are useful, decorative and elaborate. Quilting is often put into use on bedspreads, art quilt wall hangings, clothing, and a variety of textile products. Special quilting techniques can be used in order to give the final product more dimension and depth.

History of Quilting

There is a widespread conviction that quilting came into the use for its value rather than ornamentation. The genesis of quilting is considered to have developed in times of war and battle, when militia desired warmth along with protection from the abrasion caused by heavy armor. Many ancient Egyptian sculptures feature figures wearing clothing that was quilted, providing another timestamp as to the history of quilting. In these instances, quilts were perhaps used for warmth in the chilly desert evenings. In American colonial times when the majority of women were busy spinning and weaving, quilting was a time-honored way of recycling scraps of material into something useful. Women of prestige prided themselves on their fine quilting of wholecloth quilts.

Classification of Quilting

There are currently numerous types of quilting used today, but the two most broadly used are hand quilting and machine quilting. Hand quilting describes the process of using a needle and thread to stitch a running-stitch by hand across the entire area to be quilted. It attaches the layers collectively, and a quilting frame or hoop is frequently used to assist in holding the piece being quilted. On the other hand, machine quilting refers to the method of using a home sewing machine or a long arm machine to seam the layers together. A home sewing machine is also used to tack the layers together before quilting.

The Basics of Quilting

Conventional quilting entails a course of action that follows four steps - piecing, layering, quilting and binding. Piecing is all about the sewing of the quilt top, which is made up of small pieces of fabric set in a pattern. A part of the pattern is called a block, and these blocks are sewn together. They follow either edge to edge, or by separator strips of cloth called sashing. In a few quilts where piecing is not done, a whole piece of cloth is used for the top layer. Quilting combines connecting the three layers simultaneously as well as including ornamental attributes. Frequently, binding completes the quilt by finishing the edges with a trim of fabric. However, occasionally borders are added earlier than the binding is done.

Quilting Fabric

In order to make a quilt of any substantial size, a large quantity of quilting fabric is required. Quality fabric is available in virtually any size, shape and color imaginable. A color wheel will, in fact, facilitate evaluation and distinguishing of diverse colors and comes in different sizes and displays different colors. Color wheels typically mark shades of just one or two colors. You may perhaps only need one or two color wheels if you know what color scheme you want to use. Out of the various quilting fabric, quilters can opt from velvet to cotton to polyester. Velvet or pure wool quilting fabric is quite costly, and those on a budget might pick cotton as an alternative.

Materials Needed for Quilting

For the purpose of hand quilting, you will need several materials in the form of frame or hoop, needles, thread and thimble. They relieve the pressure required to push a needle through several layers of fabric and batting. While, on the other hand, for machine quilting, you will need darning foot, safety pins, thread and walking foot.

A New Trend in Quilting

Quilting remains among the most admired leisure pursuits in the world today. Quilt making is a magnificent ability. And now a new form of quilt-making is gaining popularity in the form of the creative quilt. It has taken the process one step further as these designs often include landscapes, homes, and fields of flowers. These quilts make exceptional hangings to complement any decor. Creative quilting might test the imagination, but the end result will almost always be worth the effort.