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The Art Of American Patchwork Quilting

The patchwork quilting has been around in America since the colonial times. It used to be that patchwork quilting was made from leftover fabric or was taken from clothes that were no longer usable. Now people are doing patchwork quilting for fun and have made it into a form of art. People like to use fine fabrics, and create detailed stitching and beautiful designs on their patchwork quilting.

There are three layers of fabric in patchwork quilts. The top layer is considered the patchwork layer. The middle layer is used as insulation and is called batting or wadding. The third layer is the backing. All three layers are stitched together to make the patchwork quilt.

Patchwork quilting has nearly always been used to make money at different charity events. When quilting first began, it was used in a fund raiser during the civil war. Now we see them in fund raisers for people, like leukemia patients.

The Diversity of American Patchwork Quilting

When looking at American patchwork quilting, you will see that there is great variety in the types of quilting. Different ethnicities prefer different fabrics and designs for their patchwork quilting. Native American patchwork quilting is unique because of how it incorporates so much of the Native American culture in its style. The Morning Star quilts are well known for their eight pointed star design that covers the quilts.

The Amish patchwork quilting is known for the beautiful geometric designs, whereas the African American patchwork quilting is known for the contrasting colors and large appealing patterns. Hawaiian patchwork quilting stands out because of its classical pattern of a circular repeated sequence. This type of quilting is called the “Snowflake” and it consists of only two or three colors.

Western patchwork quilting presents a look that seems to embody ranching life. You can find fabric for western quilts that have horses, cowboy boots, cacti, and even cowboys on them. This fabric makes it easy to portray life on a ranch. Over time we are beginning to see more personal style in each persons patchwork quilting, making quilting even more of an art.

If you want your new quilt to have an older look, there are fabrics available with civil war prints or even designs of the 30s and 40s. These types of fabrics are called reproduction fabrics.

Find New Uses for Your Patchwork Quilts

Although you often see patchwork quilting used as bedspreads and throws, quilting is finding a lot more uses these days. By downsizing or just changing the shape of the patchwork quilting, it can be used as a potholder, table runner, wall hanging, or even a baby quilt. The possibilities are endless if you use your creativity. Because of its classic look, patchwork quilting continues to fill American homes.

When patchwork quilting is used in charity events, you will see a number of skilled women quilters get together to prepare for the event. These quilters are known as Quilting Bees and the group meeting together is called a Quilting Guild.

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