The Many Faces of American Patchwork Quilting

A long time ago, patchwork quilts were made out of scraps of left over fabric. Today patchwork quilting has emerged as a skilled art which involves fine fabrics, detailed stitch work and intricate designs.

Patchwork quilts are made up of three layers - the top most being the patchwork layer, then the insulating layer and finally, the backing. The insulating layer is known as batting in the US, while the British prefer to call it wadding. The three layers are then stitched together by hand or machine.

Quilting history in America began in colonial times. Since then quilting has come a long way, from being used for fund raising during the Civil War to being used for fundraising for leukemia patients.

Different Ethnicity of American Patchwork Quilting

American patchwork quilting is a diverse term comprising of several different types of quilting, distinct in fabric and design according to the different ethnicity of the American population. Native Americans have incorporated their culture into their designs. Made from patchwork diamonds, the Morning Star quilts have an eight pointed star which fills the quilt.

The Amish are famous for their geometric designs whereas African American quilters express their creativity by using strong contrasting colors and large scale patterns. Hawaiian patchwork patterns are also distinct from the other types of American patchwork quilting; the classical pattern is a circular repeated sequence, called the “Snowflake” where colors are usually restricted to two or three.

Quilters are now daring to defy the classical patterns and if latest work is studied, each quilter has his or her own style and taste. Western quilts are also very popular among Americans who identify with the ranching life. Not often in patchworks, but western quilting fabrics are widely available in patterns of wild horses, cowboy boots, cacti and the popular buckaroos and buckarettes.

Reproduction fabrics are also available, which can give your new quilt the look of an old one. Civil War prints and styles of the 30s and 40s are the patterns most suited for theses types of fabrics.

Other Uses of American Patchwork Quilting

American patchwork quilting has uses beyond bedspread and throws. These patchwork quilts can be used as potholders, table runners, wall hangings, baby quilts and much more. American patchwork quilting is rapidly gaining popularity all across the country.

Women skilled in quilting are called Quilting Bees and are members of Quilting Guilds which meet regularly and help each other design and stitch quilts of all sorts. These quilts often commemorate events and also given away for charity. Patchwork quilting is also appreciated by Americans as an educational tool as it teaches geometric art, manual stitching - and of course a lot of patience.