I wanted to give my students a quick, 1 class overview of what quilting is, how it has been used in the past, what it could look like and inspire ideas that they could use for themselves.

1. 6th grade

2. SAVE money!
+ =
+ =
or

3. learning how to
So
sew will save me
money?
YES!!!!!!

4. you could
also:
and
*become an entrepreneur and develop a
product to sell on Etsy.com
*begin your path to becoming a fashion
designer, a costume maker or
*just have fun making things that you
love as gifts and/or items you can use
yourself!

5. Now lets take a
brief peek at
the history
of quilting.

6. Why?

7. "The past reminds us of timeless
human truths and allows for the
perpetuation of cultural traditions
that can be nourishing; it contains
examples of mistakes to avoid,
preserves the memory of
alternatives ways of doing things,
and is the basis for self-understanding..."
-Bettina Drew

8. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
In Europe quilting appears to have been by Crusaders in the
12th century (Colby 1971),
The Crusades were a series of
religious expeditionary wars
blessed by Pope Urban II and
the Catholic Church, with the
stated goal of restoring Christian
access to the holy places in and
near Jerusalem.

9. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
…in particular in the form of the aketon …

10. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
…or gambeson, a quilted garment worn under
armour.

11. Quilting History
One of the earliest existing decorative works is the "Tristan quilt",[2] made
around 1360. Made in Sicily, and as one of the earliest surviving quilts in the
world, at least two sections survive at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London
and the National Museum of Florance in Bargello, Florence
Sample of the
Tristan quilt
Where did quilts come from?

12. Quilting History
Sample of the
Tristan quilt
Where did quilts come from?

13. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
A scholarly article that investigated a 19th-century quilting technique found
that our assumptions about patchwork as a craft practiced by female
amateurs, used to decorate the house and to reinforce emotional ties was
incorrect. In fact the demanding
quilting style, called ‘intarsia patchwork’,
was completed by a group of male
professionals and showed their work to
the public for personal profit and to
promote social causes such as
Temperance and Electoral Reform.
'Royal Clothograph' table cover, John Monro, 1830-1840,
intarsia patchwork in wool. Museum no. E.1979.101,
© Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums)

14. Quilting History
In fact finding non-alcoholic leisure activities was a particular problem for
soldiers and policemen, since they had to live in barracks far from home and
were not permitted to marry, and there is some evidence that ‘intarsia
patchwork’ was promoted to them as a form of alcohol avoidance therapy.
The skill and time required to complete a piece were evidence of the makers
ability to avoid temptation. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/journals/research-journal/issue-03/a-patchwork-panel-shown-at-the-great-exhibition/
Wool intarsia panel depicting a farmyard scene,
maker unknown, about 1850. Museum no. AP.27-1917
Where did quilts come from?

15. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
In America quilt making was common in the late 18th century and early years of
the 19th. Most women were busy sewing, spinning, and…..
A man from Ramallah spinning wool.
Hand-tinted photograph from 1919,
restored
A Tibetan woman spinning
wool in Pokhara/Nepal
So who owned all those spinning wheels and looms?
Colonial Williamsburg’s textile curator Linda
Baumgarten writes, “Only in frontier areas was most
Clothing homespun and homemade – and even there,
traders and storekeepers quickly penetrated the
backcountry to make imported goods available.”

16. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
……. weaving in order to clothe their family.
There are some indications that weaving
was already known in the Paleolithic era.
By biblical times, weaving was known in
all the great civilizations
Weaving in Ancient Egypt Girls weaving a Persian rug
Indian man on a pegged loom
Woman on a Free-standing loom

17. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
Commercial blankets, woven coverlets or bed rugs were a more economical
bedcovering for most people. Only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilt
making so Colonial quilting was done by only a few. It is a myth that women,
responsible for spinning, sewing, cooking, food preservation, cleaning and
taking care of the six or seven children they had due to the prevalence of
disease and death (on average they would lose 1-2 kids before adulthood).
Woven coverlet
Quilt from colonial era Bed rug from colonial era

18. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the 18th to 19th centuries,
was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies in Europe
and America became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution,
which began in Britain in the late 1700s, manufacturing was often done in
people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines.
http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Life before the Industrial Revolution
Village Life
Life after the Industrial Revolution
City/Urban Life
Factories ------ Child Labor

19. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery,
factories and mass production. The iron and textile industries, along with the
development of the steam engine, played central roles in the Industrial
Revolution, which also saw improved systems of transportation, communication
and banking. While industrialization brought about an increased volume and
variety of manufactured goods and an improved standard of living for some, it
also resulted in often grim employment and living conditions for the poor and
working classes. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Working class Going on strike Child labor for better working conditions

20. Quilting History Where did quilts come from?
Innovation and Industrialization
The textile industry, in particular, was transformed by industrialization. Before
mechanization and factories, textiles were made mainly in people’s homes
(giving rise to the term cottage industry), with merchants often providing the
raw materials and basic equipment, and then picking up the finished product.
Workers set their own schedules under this system, which proved difficult for
merchants to regulate and resulted in numerous inefficiencies. In the 1700s, a
series of innovations led to ever-increasing productivity, while requiring less
human energy. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Commercial loom – a huge loom, more output
Than one person can produce in less time
Cottage Industry - 1 person on a loom

21. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
Innovation and Industrialization
This meant women no longer had to spend time spinning and weaving to
provide fabric for their family’s needs. During this period the invention and
availability of the sewing machine contributed to quilt making. In 1856 The
Singer company started the installment plan so that more families could afford
a sewing machine. By the 1870s a good many households owned a sewing
machine. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Advertised during Paris Fashion Week
Simple, durable, compact and cheap!
1st sewing machine
Invented by Elias Howe
Singer’s 1st sewing machine

22. Quilting History
http://www.history.com/videos/the-industrial-revolition
<iframe width="480" height="320" src="http://servicesaetn-a.
akamaihd.net/pservice/embed-player/?siteId=hist&tPid=21112182"
frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Where did quilts come from?

23. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
Leading up to the American Civil War, quilts were made to raise funds to support the
abolitionist movement then during the war, quilts were made to raise funds for the war
effort and to give warmth and comfort to soldiers. Needless to say most of the quilts
made for soldiers on either side were made with practical patterns and fabric and due
to heavy use, very few have survived to this day. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
1964 Civil War Quilt
Belfast Historical Society
Dorothea Dix and Civil War Soldiers
(April 4, 1802 – July 17, 1887) was an American activist on
behalf of the indigent insane who created the
first generation of American mental asylums

24. Quilting History
Where did quilts come from?
Victorian era America
Quilt making continued to be a popular craft during the latter part of the 19th century.
The English Victorian influence was slightly delayed in the United States because of the
Civil War and its aftermath. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Samples of Victorian era quilts
Crazy Quilt-----------------------------------------------Crazy Quilt-------------------------------------------------Fan Quilt

25. Quilting History
Where are they now?
Art quilting
During the late 20th century, art quilts became popular for their aesthetic and
artistic qualities rather than for functionality (they are displayed on a wall or
table rather than spread on a bed).
An art quilt wall hanging: “Carved In Stone” An art quilt wall hanging: Theme: Conversations in Fabric

26. Quilting History
Where are they now?
Quilting today
Many types of quilting exist today. The two most widely used are hand-quilting
and machine quilting. Industrial sewing technology has become more precise and
flexible, and quilting using exotic fabrics and embroidery began to appear in
home furnishings in the early 21st century.
Quilted upholstery: Wooden stool
Hand quilting
6, 7 & 8th grades
Machine quilting
7 & 8th grade

27. Quilting History
Where are they now?
Quilting is now taught in some American schools. It is also taught at senior centers
around the U.S., but quilters of all ages attend classes. These forms of workshop or
classes are also available in other countries in guilds and community colleges.
Quilt University.com
Classes start every weekend between New Years and the end of October. Most classes are offered
twice a year, although beginner classes are offered more frequently. Registration opens five weeks
before a class starts. http://www.quiltuniversity.com/catalog.htm
International Quilt Study Center & Museum
The International Quilt Study Center & Museum is proud to present the juried works of six members
of the Studio Art Quilt Associates, an international group whose mission is to promote the art quilt
through exhibitions, publications, and professional-development opportunities.
Michigan State University
You can pursue a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Apparel and Textiles, and Art History and Visual Culture.
Details about what is required for each degree are available by asking Ms. DeHart.

28. Quilting History
Where are they now?
Contemporary quilters use a wide range of quilting designs and styles, from ancient
and ethnic to post-modern futuristic patterns. There is no one single school or style
that dominates the quilt-making world. Let’s take a look at a few quilts……
Native American Quilt Samples
Indian Chief Quilt Navajo Basket Geometric pattern
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_sample_native.html

29. Quilting Today
What quilts look like?
Native Hawaiian Quilt Samples
O'ahu Lanai Kauna'oa (Kauna'oa, Island of Lanai) 'Ilima (Ilima, Island of O'ahu) Mele Ho'onanea (Rest in Song)
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_sample_native.html

30. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
African American Quilt Samples
Road Kill
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_sample_native.html
View from the Mountain Top
Underground Railroad

31. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Quilts and Human Rights
About the Quilts and Human Rights exhibition…
This exhibition examines the ways in which textiles—especially quilts—have been made and used to demonstrate solidarity with movements
dedicated to advancing international human rights, to mark important events related to human rights violations, to pay tribute to those
individuals who have played roles in human rights activism, to provide vehicles for the expression of feelings and memories about human
rights violations, and to engage individuals in actions that will solve human rights issues.
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_sample_native.html

32. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

33. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

34. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

35. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

36. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

37. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

38. Quilting Today What quilts look like?
Miscellaneous Quilts from the Internet

39. Bibliography
All of the pictures included in this presentation came from the PowerPoint image library or Google Images search engine
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/touring-exhibition-quilts/
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/journals/research-journal/issue-03/a-patchwork-panel-shown-at-the-great-exhibition
http://historymyths.wordpress.com/tag/spinning-wheels/
Weaving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ByYj5G4-Hc
Weaving on a cardboard loom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbtKnvc_9No
Weaving lesson #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7_I_AIlCPM
Weaving loops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKHRyl7sgE
Weaving using used fabric strips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKJan2WBKFo
Paper weaving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRV3v9eAWqs
Fabric beads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEwXNsGQW1s

40. How to spin yarn – Pt 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUORvO-GZE&feature=pyv&ad=2835654988&kw=wool
How to spin yarn – Pt 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAVYmG9zeK8
Trimming Rya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNXQkqxNmYI
Tiger stripes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmT33UhuDMk
Rya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmT33UhuDMk
http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
Basic weave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkZQtmrIKBM
Restarting basic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZgxyWR1Aq8
Weaving-educational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYqyOFzNR7o
Spinning-educational video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn6Xc-f8Gss
Educational video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPCRenzINfk
Quilting series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bltKdP71cIk; http://www.kayewood.com/
History of quilting in America: http://www.womenfolk.com/quilting_history/colonial.htm
Nancy’s Notions videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/NancysNotions/videos
Make a pillow case: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j06WzmN7KI
T-shirt chair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6uZUzuTncY
Rya rugs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trl3V5Q2kG4