You might think a quilt is just that piece of fabric that keeps you warm during the colder winter months, but the history of quilting is long, varied, and extremely interesting. If you make your own quilts by following quilting patterns or if you are a big fan of handmade quilts, you might want to find out a little bit more about their history and how they are made. Here are five things you might have never known about quilts – feel free to share them with your friends!

“Pink Quilt” by debspoons / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Origin

Like many English words, “quilt” has a Latin etymological root. It is derived from the word ‘culcita’, which means “stuffed sack”, and is quite pertinent, when you consider the make-up of a quilt. The Chinese and the Egyptians were the first cultures to develop the practice of layering fabrics together to make a quilt. The oldest quilt in existence at the moment has been dated back to 980 B.C.

Largest Historical Quilt

The largest quilt in the world can be found in Antler in North Dakota, and was originally sewed to celebrate the centenary of North Dakota’s statehood. You can see every county in the state, each sewed on with a different colour. In 1988, volunteers from over fifty counties rallied together to contribute to this quilt which covers about 11,000 square feet. What a beautiful quilt that has been made, a tshirt quilt is also a product of creative quilt making, if you would like to find out more about a tshirt quilt then you can visit sites such as Memory Stitch to find out. A tshirt quilt may not be as big as the largest quilt in the world but they are still pretty impressive!

Most Popular Quilts

The most popular kinds of quilts are not the ones you can buy in a store. Surprisingly (or perhaps not), Amish quilts are considered the most popular around the world, and many people also have private collections. These quilts are extremely striking thanks to their use of colour and design, making them attractive to all sorts of people around the world.

Different Types

There are many different types of quilts available on the market, made from a variety of different materials. Wool quilts are slowly becoming more popular with the mainstream public, thanks to their versatility and ability to be used in all temperatures and climates. If you have been thinking of purchasing one, there is no time like the present – quilt specialists such as MiniJumbuk Online can help you choose the perfect fit for you. There are hundreds of different shapes and styles to choose from so don’t worry about not having enough choice. You might also want to buy a mattress topper to make the bed feel even comfier. If you’re not sure which brand to buy, Minijumbuk also sell a wide range of mattress toppers too!

Traditions

There are many different kinds of traditions associated with quilting, and these range from Western styles from America to more Eastern styles from India and Japan. The combination of all these traditions makes it fascinating to be a part of the quilting world, where no two handmade quilts are the same!

So there are five things that you might not have known about quilts! If you’re looking for a new hobby, maybe this is it – the possibilities are endless. If you’re not so keen, you can just snuggle in with your favourite quilt and enjoy the warmth it gives you on those cold winter nights.

How many of these facts did you already know? Do you love quilts and all things quilting? Do you have any other interesting facts about quilts to share with other budding enthusiasts? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.