Medieval Quilting

When many people think about quilting they envision colonial wives sitting in log cabins sewing squares of cloth together to make covers for their beds to keep them warm on the cold winter nights. To find the real history of quilting you would have to search earlier times, as many articles of clothing shows sign of medieval quilting methods.

Quilting is simply the sewing together of two separate pieces of cloth with a padding between them. Although there are different sewing techniques and different patterns with which to line the materials, medieval quilting shows there has not been a lot of change throughout the centuries. Many garments were crafted of cloth of several layers in a quilt-like pattern, usually with raw cotton layered by silk. This gave the appearance of more flowing clothing and offered better protection from the elements.

Linens seemed to be the fabric of choice when medieval quilting was popular for covers for armor. Typically, it was filled with cotton as wool or other materials caused the fighter to overheat. Additionally, clothing made in the medieval quilting style was often used in pageantry as well as in court settings by royalty.

Royalty Gravitated To Quilted Fabric

During the 15th century, royalty was appreciative of quilting allowing queens and their maidens usually three quilted blankets as well as pillows. This medieval quilting allowed them to stay warm in winter and comfortable throughout the remainder of the year. Many historical digs have discovered that medieval quilting was popular even through the dark ages.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, court rules dictated that visiting dignitaries were gifted with quilts or quilted afghans and it was not unusual for returning ambassadors to find medieval quilting in their suitcases. Many surviving items testify to the types of stitches used at the time, many of which are still in use today, such as the back stitch, running stitch and double running stitch.

During the 17th and 18th century in Europe, quilting became wildly popular with quilted petticoats, bed linens, hats and even doll clothes. During the 19th century quilting was established as a true art form in the United States. Many decorative quilts often told a story behind the makers of the quilt through its pattern or colors.

While many styles, especially patchwork, came into being once quilting arrived in American, medieval quilting was the foundation for layering fabrics together with a padded filler in the middle.