| The patchwork quilting has been around in | | | | for the contrasting colors and large |
| America since the colonial times. It used to | | | | appealing patterns. Hawaiian patchwork |
| be that patchwork quilting was made from | | | | quilting stands out because of its classical |
| leftover fabric or was taken from clothes | | | | pattern of a circular repeated sequence. This |
| that were no longer usable. Now people are | | | | type of quilting is called the "Snowflake" |
| doing patchwork quilting for fun and have | | | | and it consists of only two or three colors. |
| made it into a form of art. People like to | | | | |
| use fine fabrics, and create detailed | | | | Western patchwork quilting presents a look |
| stitching and beautiful designs on their | | | | that seems to embody ranching life. You can |
| patchwork quilting. | | | | find fabric for western quilts that have |
| | | | horses, cowboy boots, cacti, and even cowboys |
| There are three layers of fabric in patchwork | | | | on them. This fabric makes it easy to portray |
| quilts. The top layer is considered the | | | | life on a ranch. Over time we are beginning |
| patchwork layer. The middle layer is used as | | | | to see more personal style in each persons |
| insulation and is called batting or wadding. | | | | patchwork quilting, making quilting even more |
| The third layer is the backing. All three | | | | of an art. |
| layers are stitched together to make the | | | | |
| patchwork quilt. | | | | If you want your new quilt to have an older |
| | | | look, there are fabrics available with civil |
| Patchwork quilting has nearly always been | | | | war prints or even designs of the 30s and |
| used to make money at different charity | | | | 40s. These types of fabrics are called |
| events. When quilting first began, it was | | | | reproduction fabrics. |
| used in a fund raiser during the civil war. | | | | |
| Now we see them in fund raisers for people, | | | | Find New Uses for Your Patchwork Quilts |
| like leukemia patients. | | | | |
| | | | Although you often see patchwork quilting |
| The Diversity of American Patchwork Quilting | | | | used as bedspreads and throws, quilting is |
| | | | finding a lot more uses these days. By |
| When looking at American patchwork quilting, | | | | downsizing or just changing the shape of the |
| you will see that there is great variety in | | | | patchwork quilting, it can be used as a |
| the types of quilting. Different ethnicities | | | | potholder, table runner, wall hanging, or |
| prefer different fabrics and designs for | | | | even a baby quilt. The possibilities are |
| their patchwork quilting. Native American | | | | endless if you use your creativity. Because |
| patchwork quilting is unique because of how | | | | of its classic look, patchwork quilting |
| it incorporates so much of the Native | | | | continues to fill American homes. |
| American culture in its style. The Morning | | | | |
| Star quilts are well known for their eight | | | | When patchwork quilting is used in charity |
| pointed star design that covers the quilts. | | | | events, you will see a number of skilled |
| | | | women quilters get together to prepare for |
| The Amish patchwork quilting is known for the | | | | the event. These quilters are known as |
| beautiful geometric designs, whereas the | | | | Quilting Bees and the group meeting together |
| African American patchwork quilting is known | | | | is called a Quilting Guild. |