Quilting History Timeline

Modern Quilters Tools

1980 BCE

The wonderful quilter's tools we enjoy today like cutting mats and rotary cutters weren't generally available until the 1980s. Quilt pattern templates were made with cardboard or sandpaper instead of plastic and the fabric pieces had to be cut out with scissors. Some quilters pieced by machine but others preferred hand piecing. Applique and quilting were usually done by hand. We no longer have limits. If you have the time, you can make the quilt. :-)

Contemporary Quilting

1960 BCE

The 1960s showed a gradual increase in women wanting to learn to quilt and by the 1970s a few quilt guilds had formed. Popular women's magazines began to include more articles about quilt projects. Interest in quilting was on the rise. There are so many designs and ideas. Quilts are not just for warmth and sleeping anymore.

Feed Sack Quilts

1918 BCE

During the early part of the 20th Century Feed Sack Quilts became popular. Beginning as early as 1880 farm feeds were delivered in sacks instead of barrels. These sacks were printed with all sorts of designs. Feed sacks were used to make thousands of quilts

Crazy Quilts

1880 BCE

Crazy quilts were made of abstract shapes sewn randomly together. Usually the quilt maker then used embroidery to embellish the quilt. Fancy stitches were sewn along the seams and often, embroidered motifs were added, including flowers, birds and sometimes a spider and web for good luck.

Abolitionists and Slave Quilts

1861 BCE

The big plantations had "sewing slaves', who made the clothing for the members of the household and also made quilts. Sometimes these women sewed quilts alongside the mistress of the house.

The Sewing Machine is Invented

1845 BCE

During this period the invention and availability of the sewing machine contributed to quilt making. In 1856, the Singer company started an installment plan so that more families could afford a sewing machine. By the 1870s, many households owned a sewing machine.

Block Quilts

1840 BCE

Another major shift was in the style of quilts made. Although a few earlier quilts were made in the block style, quilts made up of blocks were uncommon until around the 1840s. With so many fabrics being manufactured quilters could create their blocks with a delightful variety of fabrics.

Signature Quilts

1840 BCE

A Signature Quilt is a quilt with blocks signed in ink or with embroidery. They became popular in the 19th century as a gift to people moving west or as a fundraising tool (donations were collected from anyone that signed the quilt). A signature quilt is a precious keepsake as it represents the relationships and memories of the time the quilt was made. Popular from 1840-1850

Industrial Revolution

1813 BCE

Machinery during the Industrial Revolution such as the spinning wheel to produce textiles, the water wheel used to power machinery and the steam engine were invented. By 1840 these inventions aided in speeding up the production of manufactured items so that fabric was much easier to obtain. As a result more women were free to begin quilting.

Chintz Applique

1775 BCE

Chintz Applique quilts are quilts made from cutting out an animal, flower, or piece of expensive fabric, then appliqueing (sew on) the fabric to a bigger piece of inexpensive fabric. Printed fabric was expensive even for those who were well off. By cutting out birds, flowers and other motifs from printed fabric and sewing them onto a large homespun cloth, a beautiful bedspread could be made. Broderie Perse was the most well known Chintz Applique quilt.

Whole Cloth

1750 BCE

A Whole Cloth Quilt is a quilt with a top made of one solid piece of fabric. Historically, the focus of a whole cloth quilts was displaying the makers needlework skills. Only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilt making, so such quilting was done by only a few. It declined in popularity after 1850.

Tristan Quilt

1360 BCE

Made in Sicily, a region of Italy. They are the only known surviving examples of medieval quilts. Based on a book about a love story between Tristan and Isolde. Two of the pieces have survived through the years. One is on display at the V & A Museum in London, England and the other in the Bargello Palace in Florence, Italy.

Earliest Confirmed Quilting

1180 BCE

Quilting appears to have been introduced by Crusaders in the late 12th century in the form of the gambeson, a quilted garment worn under armour which later developed into the doublet, which remained an essential part of fashionable men's clothing for 300 years until the early 1600s.