SOMETHING TO PUT YOU TO SLEEP…A BRIEF HISTORY OF QUILTS AND DUVETS
Posted by Babies - 02/02/12 at 06:02 amThe word ‘quilt’ generally evokes a whole host of images and memories.
It may have been that a person’s grandma had her favourite patchwork quilts which they remembered as the scene of happy childhood stories, or that they remembered bringing home their precious newborns nestled in exquisite handmade bedding. Even though quilts may be regarded as an old-fashioned type of bedding – appreciation for their beauty will never go out of fashion.
Interestingly enough, quilted bed linen is actually making a come-back and enjoying renewed popularity. There are literally millions of people around the world who have fallen in love with this age-old tradition, attending conferences, purchasing state-of-the-art quilting machines, subscribing to specialist magazines, exhibiting at shows…you name it.
Where did it all begin?
The history of quilting (the stitching together of layers of padding and fabric) may even date as far back as Ancient Egypt, whilst in Europe, it goes back at least to medieval times. One of the earliest surviving quilts in the world is the Tristan quilt which was made around 1360 – sections of which can be seen at the V and A Museum and in Bargello in Florence.
Quilt making was common in America in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, with most women sewing to clothe their families rather than making quilt covers for decorative purposes. Quilting was a regular communal activity among the female members of a family or even the wider community – with quilts and bedspreads made with special emblems etc to commemorate special events such as a marriage.
The most dramatic changes came about with the onset of the industrial revolution and mass-produced fabrics. Women didn’t have to spend time weaving or spinning their own textiles, they could rather focus on making a beautiful quilt cover or bedspread using commercially made fabrics which were widely available.
But if you desire one of these beautifully crafted bedding artworks for yourself but don’t have the time, inclination or means to do it yourself – don’t worry. All you need to do is to find sufficient time to go shopping for some of the most beautiful – yet commercially produced – quality quilted bedspreads that would do even the most dedicated crafter proud.
