Handmade Quilts

When I first moved back to the US, everything was a "quilt" because it was the one word my siblings and I learned to use for bedding. Some of our customers use other words to refer to quilts so here's the definition of some of the most-used words. According to Webster's Dictionary, a handmade quilt is a "bed cover made of two layers of cloth filled with down, wool and stitched together in lines or patterns."

Comforters are a "quilted bed covering," although some have told me it's a medium to heavy quilt that has been hand-tied instead of finished with machine or hand quilting.

Bedspreads are "a cover spread over the blanket on a bed mainly for ornament," which can also be a quilt.

Whatever you call them, handmade quilts are usually first thought of something that covers a bed, and can be much more!

What Makes Handmade Quilts Special

From who made the quilt to what fabrics and patterns are used, handmade quilts reflect the era in which they are made. They can also include the passion and artistry of the quilter as well as mark special occasions such as births, weddings and deaths. In Hawaii, quilts are cherished family heirlooms and rarely seen in public. Hawaiian families have their own unique family quilt designs, similar to coats of arms, and hand down both quilt patterns and quilts through generations. These stunning quilts, often in only two primary colors like red and white,  beautifully reflect unique floral designs, and colors, of those tropical islands.

Applique Handmade Quilts

One of the most beautiful handmade quilts are applique quilts. Applique is the process of cutting different fabrics into shapes, then sewing them into a pattern with even stitches either on the outside or invisibly. Applique is one of the most popular quilt designs second only to patchwork, which are geometric, repetitive designs out of a variety of fabric combinations. Applique takes patience, a lot of practice and is often used in floral quilts and throws.

Not All Handmade Quilts Sized the Same

For years, handmade quilts did not have standard sizes. Quilters made their bedding to use upall available fabric instead of trying to match a quilt to a bed size. That's why handmade vintage quilts don't fit today's standard beds. Even through vintage quilts may not cover modern bed sizes, they work wellas throwsover the back of sofas, at the foot of a bed and as a quilted wall hangings.

Handmade Quilts Can Be Finished Different Ways

After being quilted, handmade quilts are finished with binding to "seal" quilt layers around the edges. Handmade quilts may also be edged with more detailed edging such as scallops, sawtooth or other fabric pieces that make a complimentary pattern around the outside edge of the quilt. This additional edging may not be included in the original quilt size. Handmade quilts are finished by either and quilting or machine-stitched patterns to seal fabric layers together.

Reversible Handmade Quilts

Handmade quilts are not usually reversible but I make our reversible whenever I can. Adding a solid-colored fabric or putting a pattern on the back side of the quilt easily and quickly gives you a second home decor look and gives you extra space to preserve memories through clothing, photos and other mementos. I also recommend you look at the back side of the hand quilted quilt to see how even the stitching is. The more even and smaller the stitches, the more experienced the quilter!

Handmade Lap Quilts and Throws

Handmade lap quilts and throws are the same thing.

Standard throws and handmade lap quilts are 50x60-inch and can be smaller versions of larger handmade quilts, or unique designs all their own.

If your are starting to quilt, start with a throw size before tackling a larger bed size quilt. Throws and handmade lap quilts are also popular sizes for quilted wall hangings, lap wraps, car blankets and personalized gifts. Look for handmade throws and lap quilts with 3" flat sleeve on the back so they can easily be made into wall hangings. You can also add tabs or use quilt hangars to turn a quilt into a wall hanging.

Here's to Whatever You Call Quilts!

Charlotte

Victorian Crazy Quilts

According to quilting historians, crazy quilts were a money-saving habit in Colonial times that became family tree memory quilts at their height of popularity in the 1800s. When Colonists blankets and coverlets started to wear, they were "cut down" and used in other handmade quilts and children's clothing. These early crazy quilts with random-fabric pieces were serviceable but not necessarily pretty.

Affluence Changed Crazy Quilts

According to Betty Pillsbury in collaboration with Rita Vainius, several influences changed crazy quilts into the "masterpiece quilts" they became.  More affluent familiescould afford luxurious fabrics and had the time to embroider. TheJapanese Exposition of 1876seemed to assert the beauty of the randomness of the design. By the 1880s,  people were nostalgicfor things as they had been in the past andcrazy quilts became memory quilts:

"Many were made to record family histories and pieces were gathered from many family members. Each piece would be embroidered with the name, birth date, death date (if needed) and an appropriate sentiment of the donor. Incorporated into it might be such things as a man's hat band, a leather bow tie and a piece of corset cover complete with lace."

Source of Name

The "Cultivator and Country Gentleman"  first used the name"crazy quilt" in 1878. It referred to an embroidered canvas cushion to be passed among friends. Pillsbury said "each would invent and embroider her own design, and when finished it was returned to its owner."

As the article suggested, "You will think it a 'crazy" cushion indeed!"

Charlotte

Quilts as Collectibles

Like anything else, handmade quilts are collectible but how collectible, or valuable, depends on several factors.

Handmade quilts are collected for a variety of reasons including pattern, color, history, quilt maker, memories. Most private collectors save handmade quilts because of memories. They were made by a grandmother, mother, other special family member. Favorite handmade quilts include fabrics remnants from favorite clothes or each quilt block made by a different friend. Maybe the handmade quilt marked a special event, such as a wedding, anniversary, graduation. Bottom line is, looking at a handmade quilt brings back wonderful memories.

Handmade Quilt Patterns Can Be Collectibles

People also collect handmade quilts based on favorite quilt patterns and designs such as log cabin patchwork quilts and double wedding ring quilts. Some collectors specialize in fabrics. Handmade quilts made by a certain family, or areas of the country, can also be collectibles.

All-time favorite handmade quilt patterns over the years include crazy quilts, Baltimore Album quilts, and double wedding ring quilts followed by applique floral quilts.

Some Quilts Collected for Their History

Some focus on collecting handmade quiltsconnected with a major historic events or historic tie. Civil War era quiltsare highly valued because few survived. Handmade quilts usually associated with a family history are also collectible. When an interesting quilt design is added to the mix, along with who made it, the handmade quilt's value increases.

Feed sack quilts from the 1930s have become collectible because they were utilitarian quilts used every day so few survived. These practical handmade quilts made during the Depression were recycled flour, sugar and other "feed sack" materials made into handmade bedding, clothing and even underwear.

Charlotte