| Quilting was a common social activity in the past. | | | | creative outlet often find the process of making |
| During earlier times, quilting fabric was an activity which | | | | something soft and warm, like quilt, is more restorative |
| farm wives like to get together to do. These are | | | | than the usage of any kind of available drugs. |
| opportunities for them to retreat from their straining | | | | As quilts provide warm and comfort, they are used for |
| physical chores of farm life and do something light and | | | | clothing and bed coverings. There are those which are |
| useful together. At that time, quilts were an essential | | | | kept as attractive works of art. They have been |
| article in households, not only as bed coverings, but | | | | showcases for the talents and skills of their creators. |
| also as curtains, and petticoats and waistcoats to | | | | The range of quilted items, nowadays, has expanded |
| keep the body warm. In fact, patchwork quilting was | | | | to include placemats, wall hangings, cushion covers, |
| created by homemakers during the time when there | | | | table runners, bonnets, diaper totes, eyeglass cases, |
| was a shortage of fabric. Worn out sewn items were | | | | makeup bags and hanger covers. |
| often recycled into patches for quilts. | | | | Making quilts today is easier than you may have ever |
| Today, quilting is no longer practiced to satisfy | | | | imagined. The making of quilts does not require any |
| economic or social needs, but for expression and | | | | special skills, just a general knowledge of sewing. If you |
| enjoyment. Patchwork is not longer simply a form of | | | | can sew a button or mend a hem, you can certainly |
| frugality, but rather another form of art. Although quilts | | | | make a quilt. Quilting is simply using a technique to |
| are still sometimes made from fabric scraps, the quilt | | | | stitch together layers of fabric using a decorative |
| maker is more likely to use the scraps to recreate the | | | | pattern to create a variety of beautiful and practical |
| charming look of old quilts or to commemorate an | | | | objects. A completed quilt is actually a creatively |
| event, rather than out of necessity. Quilting is now | | | | stitched together sandwich of fabric and batting. The |
| used as a creative and inspirational form of craft. | | | | basic equipment for quilting include needles, pins, thread, |
| Having a long history, quilting has shown itself to be | | | | scissors, thimble, beeswax and a frame or hoop to |
| admirably versatile and its ability to change and adapt | | | | quilt on. Other necessities are a long ruler, masking |
| is a hallmark of a successful craft. | | | | tape, drawing paper and a marker for transferring quilt |
| Many people, today, used quilting as a hobby because | | | | patterns onto fabric. Although machine techniques may |
| they find it fun, gratifying and enriching. Quilting offers | | | | have replaced the tedious hand sewing one, modern |
| them an opportunity to express their creativity and | | | | quilt makers still take inspiration from old quilts and try |
| helps to enhance their lives. Most people enjoy the | | | | to adapt those designs and techniques to today's |
| process of choosing or designing a project, the | | | | lifestyles. |
| process of selecting the fabrics and the satisfaction of | | | | It is important that while working on selected quilting |
| creating something unique and special. It gives them an | | | | patterns, a quilt maker should not just replicate the |
| opportunity to experiment with color, design and | | | | patterns and colors shown in the samples but also to |
| texture. The completed piece of quilt gives the maker | | | | adapt the patterns to his or her own color preferences |
| a great sense of achievement and delight. Most | | | | and ideas. He or she should attempt to create his or |
| people engage in quilting because they want a | | | | her own unique designs and try out new techniques. In |
| creative experience and an emotional expression. It is | | | | this way, he or she can make progress by gaining |
| no wonder that some people find it healing. Stressed | | | | new technical skills as well as new insights into the |
| mothers of young children, exhausted caregivers of ill | | | | design process. |
| parents, wearied working women and men seeking a | | | | |