Quilt making was considered a woman’s job and that too something that was to be done in free time when they were free from all their house chores and sat together for chatting and gossip almost three to four decades ago. However, as the times changed and the mindsets took a turn, quilting became a popular way to pass time as it gave a very satisfactory and utilitarian outcome and some were even able to earn money by selling their beautiful handmade quilts.
What is Quilting?
Actually quilting is a way of sewing two layers of cloth with a layer of insulating batting in between. A bed covering or similar large rectangular piece of work is called a quilt that is used for various purposes from being used as a bed spread to being used a sheet to cover in cold days and it is even used for decoration and to give a pleasant touch to the settings.
What distinguishes quilting from other fine needlework is its utilitarianism as according to history and myths it came into origin when soldiers in the Crusades needed warmth as well as protection from the chafing caused by heavy armor and used quilts.
As time passed, quilts were made more beautiful and they became popular for their aesthetic and artistic qualities rather than for just hanging on a wall instead of laying on a bed.
Usage and Variety of Quilts
- The most basic form of quilt is a simple geometric grid sewn either by hand or by machine. The gridwork of stitches traps air in the material making it a warm covering that is good for use in winters.
- Quilts are also be used as a form of elaborate decoration as new and better patterns are created with complex stitching with use of colors that make it a very pretty decoration piece too. The use of right design and fabric is very important in quilting.
- A single piece of fabric as a quilt top is called a whole cloth quilt.
- Quilting is very often combined with embroidery, patchwork, appliqué and other forms of needlework to create beautiful and fine looking quilts that can be either used at homes or can be given as gifts on occasions like weddings, birthdays and other events.
- Specialist quilting techniques include Sashiko quilting, Trapunto quilting that is also known as Italian quilting and Shadow trapunto which is quilting a design in fine Lawn and filling the pattern with small lengths of colored wool.
Quilt Making as a Home Based Business
Quilting is a very popular home business as women make quilts in their free time or by making time from their household responsibilities and they can make good profits by selling them from home.
Nowadays, there are a variety of ways people make money from quilting from people who love quilting to those who understand its market and want to make money by making beautifully designed and patterned quilts that sell like hot cakes.
Quilt making is a great business and anyone can get into this business if they know how to cut design and patterns and how to stitch them the right way to come up with great looking quilts that can be used for variety of ways. With their availability in various sizes and designed and styles, quilt making makes a very profitable venture.
