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