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