In winter, the ultimate comfort is to wrap yourself in a warm quilt and have a mug of hot chocolate. If you're not the type to curl up with a book when it's too cold to do anything outside, you may even want to start making your own quilts. The great thing is that you don't have to venture out to buy the supplies you need. Simply visit an online quilting store and have everything delivered to your doorstep.
The craft of quilting has been around for thousands of years. An early example was a garment on a carving from Ancient Egypt and dates back over five thousand years. In Mongolia, archaeologists discovered a quilt that was used as a floor covering and this one was made about two thousand years ago. During the Crusades, European knights brought quilted items from the Middle East and often wore quilted garments underneath or even over their armor.
Today most people think of bed coverings when they think of quilts. They're often associated with home decor from the American colonial period. However, they were often made in other faraway colonial societies too since fabric was expensive and in this way even the last little scrap could be used. Sometimes the designs included stories or secret messages, like in those made by slaves in the American South.
A quilt, whether it's a bed cover or a garment, consists of three layers. The top layer is the one you show off because it has the design on it. The bottom layer forms the backing. In between is the batting, which gives the quilt its padded effect. A regular layer of fabric can be used instead to produce a light summer quilt.
There is almost no limit to the type of fabric you can use to make your quilt. Some people prefer solid colors but a very popular trend is to use reproductions of the cheap printed cottons that were used in the 1930s. If you're not very confident in your own design abilities, visit the websites of online suppliers and see what kits they have available. With these you receive all the fabrics you'll need to copy existing designs.
Online suppliers of fabrics for quilting often sell other items too. You may order batting, backing and even the tools you'll need to create your quilt, such as scissors. If you need inspiration, buy a book or individual patterns too.
The internet is a wonderful resource for quilters, no matter what your level of experience. Apart from the sites where you can order your supplies, there are also sites with ideas and support. Some offer tutorials for absolute beginners who need to learn every aspect of the craft.
Once you've discovered the joys of making your own quilt, you may find that it becomes addictive. It lets you be creative and with every finished piece, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. You may even want to consider getting your friends in on the act and have get-togethers where you enjoy a glass of wine, chat about everything under the sun and quilt away the winter weather. Some people turn their hobby into a business while others get together to make huge story quilts, art quilts or quilts for charity. All you need to get started is a visit to an online quilting store.
The craft of quilting has been around for thousands of years. An early example was a garment on a carving from Ancient Egypt and dates back over five thousand years. In Mongolia, archaeologists discovered a quilt that was used as a floor covering and this one was made about two thousand years ago. During the Crusades, European knights brought quilted items from the Middle East and often wore quilted garments underneath or even over their armor.
Today most people think of bed coverings when they think of quilts. They're often associated with home decor from the American colonial period. However, they were often made in other faraway colonial societies too since fabric was expensive and in this way even the last little scrap could be used. Sometimes the designs included stories or secret messages, like in those made by slaves in the American South.
A quilt, whether it's a bed cover or a garment, consists of three layers. The top layer is the one you show off because it has the design on it. The bottom layer forms the backing. In between is the batting, which gives the quilt its padded effect. A regular layer of fabric can be used instead to produce a light summer quilt.
There is almost no limit to the type of fabric you can use to make your quilt. Some people prefer solid colors but a very popular trend is to use reproductions of the cheap printed cottons that were used in the 1930s. If you're not very confident in your own design abilities, visit the websites of online suppliers and see what kits they have available. With these you receive all the fabrics you'll need to copy existing designs.
Online suppliers of fabrics for quilting often sell other items too. You may order batting, backing and even the tools you'll need to create your quilt, such as scissors. If you need inspiration, buy a book or individual patterns too.
The internet is a wonderful resource for quilters, no matter what your level of experience. Apart from the sites where you can order your supplies, there are also sites with ideas and support. Some offer tutorials for absolute beginners who need to learn every aspect of the craft.
Once you've discovered the joys of making your own quilt, you may find that it becomes addictive. It lets you be creative and with every finished piece, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. You may even want to consider getting your friends in on the act and have get-togethers where you enjoy a glass of wine, chat about everything under the sun and quilt away the winter weather. Some people turn their hobby into a business while others get together to make huge story quilts, art quilts or quilts for charity. All you need to get started is a visit to an online quilting store.
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