Research Post: Why Did People Begin Quilting?

Today's post is a bit different than the usual posts I've been doing - it's time for research post number one! The question today is...

When did the social features of quilting surpass the functional aspects, and why?

(A piece of one of the Tristan Quilts)

The definition of a quilt comes from the Latin root of its name: culcita, meaning "a stuffed sack." (1) That is, essentially, what a quilt is. A quilt is a cloth sandwich, with filling sandwiched between a quilt top and the quilt backing, with all three layers sewn together.

Quilting apparently dates back to Egyptian times (3400 B.C), as shown by a statue of an Egyptian pharaoh wearing what seems to a quilted piece of clothing. (5) However, no actual pieces of Egyptian quilting have ever been found, which brings the history of quilts up to the 12th century, when soldiers would wear quilted garments under their armor. This clothing would eventually evolve into doublets, a "man's buttoned snug fitting jacket" worn under armor to prevent chafing. However, the quilting was not for decoration; it was to ensure that the doublet stayed intact for a long time. (3)

One of the earliest known quilts were the Tristan quilts, made around 1360, and depicting scenes from the medieval tale of Tristan and Iseult. (3) Not much else is known about these quilts, but they are the only known examples of medieval quilts.

(A wholecloth quilt)

Quilts that came after the Tristan quilts, however, were not quite as decorative. Early American colonists, for example, did not have quilts that were as intricately stitched. Their quilts were made for warmth, and made out of necessity. Because early settlers could not afford to throw things out, all fabric scraps went into these quilts. When clothing was worn out, it would be stuffed between two sheets and sewn. Although not carefully constructed, their weight made them ideal for warm bed coverings, as well as for sealing doors to keep drafts out.

In 1794, the cotton gin was invented, which helped cotton works sort through the cotton more quickly. The invention of the cotton gin increased textile production. Because cloth was less expensive to buy, women began quilting for pleasure. (4) Most quilts made at the time were wholecloth quilts, or quilts made of just one piece of cloth as the quilt top. These quilts were prized for their beautiful stitching patterns. Because there was only one piece of cloth, however, these quilts were not worked on during social gatherings. (6) That would come a little later.

(Quilt made during the 1930s in Florida)

Many quilts today are products from the Great Depression. These quilts are recognizable from their pastel-like colors and many different fabric scraps. Old clothing, worn-out blankets, and food sack scraps were cut apart to make these quilts, and often, a group of women would come together to try and finish a quilt in one afternoon. (4) Quilting was extremely popular during this time because it was an inexpensive hobby and used up many of the small scraps left over from other projects. Because many families did not have much money, this was the source of entertainment for many women out there, of all ages. (3)

Since then, quilting has evolved into a very popular hobby. More than 21 million people in the United States quilt, predominately women with an average age of 62. Quilting groups and clubs are also very popular today, showing that this activity is much more social than it is functional. (1)

(Quilts can be made in many different designs and patterns.)

1. Brackman, Barbara. "The Quilt Index." The Quilt Index. N.p., 2011. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

2. Breneman, Judy Anne. "Victorian Era Quilts From Silk to Cotton."Victorian Quilts: 
Redwork Charm, & Crazy Quilting. N.p., 2007. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

3. "History of Quilts." History of Quilts. Quilting in America, July 2006. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

4.  "Quilting in America, the Fabric of Our Past, Present and Future."Quilting in America, the 
Fabric of Our Past, Present and Future. SBI, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

5. Solis-Cohen, Lita, and Sally Solis-Cohen. "Quilting's Story Started with the Pharaohs."
Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sun, 09 May 1993. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

6. Wulfert, Kimberly, PhD. "New Pathways Into Quilt History." New Pathways Into Quilt
History. N.p. Dec. 2006. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.