| If you think you would like to take up the hobby of | | | | American women started to make sampler blocks of |
| quilting, having a good quilting book will make it much | | | | their quilting patterns. Sometimes these blocks were |
| more enjoyable. A quilting book will give you the | | | | meant to be sewn together as a sampler quilt, but it is |
| guidelines that you need to understand the techniques | | | | also believed that many of the blocks were made as |
| and patterns in this beautiful art form. | | | | a way to remember, and share, their patterns. Some |
| Quilting has been a favorite pastime of American | | | | of these sample blocks were made in sets of varying |
| women, and some men, since the late 1700's. Over the | | | | numbers and tied together with ribbon or string. These |
| years quilting techniques have changed drastically, | | | | sample blocks were actually some of the very early |
| from hand quilting to using modern quilting and sewing | | | | quilting books that were made. Some women made |
| machines. | | | | labels for each block, giving credit to the name of the |
| In the early years of quilting in America, many of the | | | | person who made it. |
| styles were those that were used in the European | | | | Magazines, such as Godey's Lady's Book, began to |
| countries. These styles are very different from what | | | | publish quilt patterns as early as the 1830s. Throughout |
| we think of as the early patchwork quilt styles. A | | | | the years that followed more and more magazines |
| popular quilting method of this time was called broderie | | | | published quilting patterns and articles. During the Great |
| perse. The quilters would cut out flowers and other | | | | Depression, many magazines had articles telling people |
| designs from imported fabrics and carefully | | | | how they could make warm bedding by quilting |
| appliqué them onto a large piece of solid fabric, | | | | together fabric scraps from outgrown clothing. |
| and then make their quilt. Another early quilting method | | | | Quilting has continued to grow in popularity through the |
| is called whole cloth quilting. If you would like to learn | | | | last century and into this one. Libraries and bookstores |
| more about either of these beautiful, early American | | | | are full of quilting books and magazines. Many quilters |
| quilting techniques, there are many quilting books sold | | | | of today like to follow patterns in a quilting book to |
| on the subject. | | | | replicate a quilt from years gone by, while others look |
| As time went on, more and more American women | | | | for quilting books that offer instructions on new |
| came to enjoy the hobby of quilting. Often groups of | | | | patterns and techniques. |
| women would get together and all quilt in the same | | | | Whether you are interested in learning about the |
| place. These quilting sessions came to be known | | | | history of quilting, a beginner that needs to learn basic |
| quilting parties or quilting bees. Many times, a group of | | | | techniques and stitches, or an experienced crafter |
| women would all work together to help one person | | | | wanting to learn an intricate pattern, it is easy to find a |
| finish their quilt. | | | | quilting book to meet your needs. |
| Once textiles began to be produced in factories, | | | | |