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