April 2018 Challenge

According to Wikipedia, a quilt is a multi-layered textile, traditionally composed of three layers of fiber: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding, and a woven back combined using the technique of quilting, the process of sewing the three layers together.

The pattern of stitching can be the key decorative element if a single piece of fabric is used for the top of a quilt, (a “wholecloth quilt”), but in many cases the top is pieced from a patchwork of smaller fabric pieces; and the pattern and color of these pieces will be important to the design.

In the twenty-first century, quilts are frequently displayed as non-utilitarian works of art[1] but historically quilts were often used as bedcovers; and this use persists today.

But quilts are so much more.  They are a hug that can wrap around you anytime you need one.  They are warm, comforting, and they give support in times of trouble or need.

Many of us remember our grandmother’s handmade quilts while we were growing up.  I was not that fortunate.  Neither of my grandmother’s quilted.  My dad’s mom sewed beautifully and made me new dresses all through my teen years.  It wasn’t until after I met my husband and went with him to the Amish country in Lancaster that I discovered the beautiful quilts.  From that moment on I was hooked.

 

I have loved quilts for years and wanted to learn how to quilt.  Finally, after moving to North Carolina I found a quilt guild close by and joined.  I was fortunate enough to meet wonderful, talented women who taught me so much.

It wasn’t long till I was teaching others how to quilt. Well, how to piece.  The quilting part was difficult for me.  I was a poor hand quilter and just could not coordinate my hands and the motion to machine quilt on a domestic machine.

My husband got me a Grace frame with a larger necked domestic machine and I had a ball with it.  I was turning out quilts right and left.  However, I longed to have a Long Arm Quilting Machine.

My dream was realized.  I have an 18-inch Babylock Longarm machine.  I love how it stitches and have learned a lot of patterns that add both depth and interest to my quilts.

It amazes me that I have been quilting for 13 years already and still have so much to learn.

Many vintage/antique quilts were made using feed sacs in the 1930’s.  Civil War era quilts were made from fabric from the era of the war.  I have seen some beautiful vintage quilts and would dearly love to own one.  Maybe one day.

Grab a cuppa and wrap your self up in a quilt today!  There is nothing like it.  🙂

Wanda