The vocabulary of quilting can be quite strange! To begin with, quilting can mean the act of putting the top together, adding the actual quilting stitches, or the entire process of
making quilts from start to finish! This is the easy part, though.
Next, we have types of quilts. One hears such descriptive terms as utility quilt, heirloom quilt and art quilt. Art quilts are simple to understand, but sometimes difficult to envision and create. These masterpieces are free-flowing with a mixed assortment of fabrics and embellishments, and are never meant for the bed. Utility and heirloom quilts are generally meant for sleeping, and have more in common than one would think!
A utility quilt can be any quilt that is meant to be used! Patchwork, appliqu or whole-cloth, they are meant to be loved, cuddled, dragged through the dirt (we hope not), and anything else a quilt could possibly be used for. Heirloom quilts are no different, but the makers mostly want the quilts to be admired. They begin with more expensive fabric and finish with intricate quilting, usually by hand, but more often now by machine. Dont let the names fool you! These types of quilts are the same. Its the quilters who make them that are different.
Quilt-shop quality fabric is another term that is over-used and misunderstood. While all quilting cottons are not created equal, there truly is not much difference in quality between the $3.00 per yard fabrics from your local craft store and the $9.00 per yard stuff from a quilt shop. There will always be those that insist higher price means better quantity, but the main reason that quilt shops cost so much more is that they have a higher cost per bolt. The chain stores can buy a larger bulk, and pay a smaller price, and the savings are passed on to the customer. Of course, your favorite designer might only be available from the quilt shop, so have at it! There are many other
quilting supplies about which this price for quality myth exists. Use your common sense!
Quilting thread is another term that is changing. Thread for quilting used to be nothing but cotton, cotton, cotton. Now, it is common to do the final quilting with the lovely shades of polyester threads meant for machine embroidery. Id been doing this for years, and finally discovered that the rest of the world had caught up with me. Very nice! Still, when looking at actual quilting thread, it is important to make sure youre getting the right product. The threads for hand and machine quilting are quite different! Never put hand-quilting thread through your machine!
Machine quilting can also have several meanings. It can be the act of piecing patchwork, but mainly refers to adding the actual quilt stitching. Most home quilters use a method of pushing and pulling their quilts through the small opening in their machine. Professional quilters generally have a long-arm machine system that holds the quilt steady while the machine is moved. Then, there are the home systems. They arent true long-arms, but they do the job just fine. Of course, machine embroidery is also becoming an acceptable way to quilt, but thats another topic altogether!
Regardless of the vocabulary, quilting is a fun and meaningful way to express creativity; creating lovely works of art or comfy and loveable blankets. Whatever you call it, its beautiful!
