| While the history of quilting is fraught | | | | This affected patchwork quilt making in |
| with many examples of possible origins | | | | two ways. First of all women could make |
| dating back as far as biblical times | | | | clothing for their family in much less |
| with the story of Josephs Coat of Many | | | | time, leaving more time for patchwork |
| Colors, it is generally agreed that the | | | | quilt making. Secondly they could use |
| more traditional American/European had | | | | their sewing machines to make all or |
| its start with the patchwork quilts in | | | | part of their patchwork quilts. More |
| the 1780s. Patchwork quilts in essence | | | | often the sewing machine was used to |
| were quilting for the beginner, in that | | | | piece quilts but occasionally the |
| scraps of cloth were sewn together to | | | | quilting was done with the sewing |
| provide clothing and blankets as a | | | | machine. |
| matter of scarcity and necessity. | | | | In 1979, rotary cutters came onto the |
| The very first patchwork quilts used for | | | | scene making it possible to cutting many |
| blankets were layers of cloth sewn | | | | pieces at the same time. In fact, when |
| together with a few strong running | | | | cutting concave or convex, it will cut |
| stitches. These primitive patchwork | | | | up to four (4) pieces of material |
| quilts according to the history of | | | | beautifully. Most quilters today have |
| quilting resembled the thick and | | | | more than one rotary cutter and in at |
| cumbersome pallets which were slept | | | | least two (2) sizes. Just like scissors |
| upon. Due to the difficulty in stitching | | | | they want every size and style. This |
| the many layers together the quilting | | | | simple convenience opened the doors to |
| frame was invented. | | | | resurgence in popularity in quilting |
| In 1793, Eli Whitney revolutionized the | | | | which now boasts a large percentage of |
| cotton industry with his invention the | | | | its dedicated enthusiasts as men. |
| Cotton Gin that automated the separation | | | | In 2000, Joan Gagne set the quilting |
| of the cottonseed from the short-staple | | | | world on fire with her book Unique |
| cotton fiber. Mr. Whitney was able to | | | | Quilting - Permanente Templates & |
| save thousands of man hours of tedious | | | | Quilting Patterns. This comprehensive |
| manual labor which brought the price of | | | | instruction manual gave step by step |
| cotton down, increased marketable | | | | techniques, handy hints, and rotary |
| production, and literally saved the | | | | cutting tips that slashed preparation |
| southern United States from financial | | | | time in half. Plus it illustrated the |
| ruin. The Cotton Gin created a paradigm | | | | discovery of a new quilting template |
| shift that changed the linen industry | | | | material that is sturdy enough to last |
| forever. | | | | forever, yet is pliable enough to cut |
| Progress in technology deeply affected | | | | with scissors. This made it possible |
| the number and styles of patchwork | | | | for beginner quilter to advance from |
| quilts made during the middle years of | | | | crude patchwork designs to the more |
| the 1800s. The industrial revolution, | | | | unique quilting block styles. The |
| the turning point in the history of | | | | information is available at and makes |
| quilting brought about the most dramatic | | | | this system easy enough for a beginner |
| change as textiles came to be | | | | to create their own blocks and quilting |
| manufactured on a broad scale. This | | | | patterns that would make an expert |
| meant women no longer had to spend time | | | | envious. |
| spinning and weaving to provide fabric | | | | For the expert quilter, this quilting |
| for their familys needs. By the 1840s, | | | | template material used is great for |
| the textile industry had grown to the | | | | making convex and concave curves which |
| point that commercial fabrics were | | | | makes it easy to cut any shape quilting |
| affordable to almost every family. As a | | | | pattern you need. Spending the time |
| result quilting for beginners became | | | | making endless throw away quilting |
| widespread. | | | | templates is time consuming, when they |
| Another major shift in the history of | | | | can be made once and forever. Cardboard |
| quilting was in the style of patchwork | | | | quilting templates require special |
| quilts made. Although a few earlier | | | | rulers and gadgets for shaping the |
| quilts were made in the block style, | | | | pieces, plastic quilting templates are |
| quilts made up of blocks were uncommon | | | | bulky and do not give the flexibility to |
| until around the 1840s. With so many | | | | have any size quilting pattern desired. |
| fabrics being manufactured quilters | | | | For the future of quilting, more |
| created their blocks with a delightful | | | | techniques will continue to make |
| variety of fabrics. | | | | quilting a fun and exciting hobby that |
| During this period the invention and | | | | more and more people will be attracted |
| availability of the sewing machine | | | | to. Regardless of whether you are a |
| contributed to the history of quilting. | | | | beginner or a savvy expert, with the |
| In 1856, The Singer Company started the | | | | endless possibilities of size and shape, |
| installment plan so that more families | | | | and making your own permanent templates, |
| could afford a sewing machine. Many | | | | the skys the limit to creating and |
| patterns were created with the beginning | | | | designing the pride of all Unique |
| quilter in mind. By the 1870s a good | | | | Quilters. |
| many households owned a sewing machine. | | | | |