The Three Key Types of Hand-Stitched Quilts in Lancaster County
December 27, 2023There are many types of hand-stitched quilts in Lancaster County, PA made by Mennonite and Amish artisans. Knowing the difference will help you pick the right quilt for your home. The key three types are wholecloth, applique and piece. Watch our video or read more below about the types of quilts.
Wholecloth Quilts
A wholecloth quilt is a type of quilt that is made from a single piece of fabric, typically cotton muslin. The process involves carefully marking the fabric by hand with a design, using stencils and a fabric pencil. The artist then meticulously hand-stitches over these markings, resulting in a completely hand-stitched design on the cloth. The amount of time required to complete this process can vary depending on factors such as the size of the fabric and the complexity of the design, with some quilts taking up to 1000 hours to finish. In the case of a queen-sized wholecloth quilt, it may require as much as a mile and a half of thread to fully complete the project.
Wholecloth quilts were the very first types of quilts that were ever made, long before the textile industry in the United States experienced significant growth. In those days, individuals had to either create their own fabrics or purchase homemade fabrics from skilled weavers. Because of this, it was common to acquire a large piece of a single fabric. Affluent families would often employ talented seamstresses and sewers to meticulously hand-stitch intricate medallion designs onto a single piece of fabric, which would then be used as a decorative covering for a bed.
In modern times, however, the wholecloth tradition is gradually fading away, as only a few artists are willing to undertake such a demanding task. Creating a wholecloth quilt is a task that only artists who derive genuine pleasure from hand-stitching would willingly undertake. This demanding and intricate process requires a deep appreciation for the art of stitching by hand. Consequently, stumbling upon a handstitched wholecloth quilt today is regarded as discovering a valuable and cherished treasure. We have a few wholecloth quilts available at The Quilt Shop at Miller’s, so make sure to stop in to see these amazing pieces.
Applique Quilts
Applique quilts involve the process of attaching, or applying, various shapes onto the surface of a quilt in order to form a unique design. In the case of handmade applique quilts, every piece of fabric is carefully cut by hand and then hand-stitched onto the quilt top. The fabric edges are neatly folded under, and the quilt is meticulously sewn from beneath and along the edges, resulting in nearly imperceptible stitches.
Applique quilts have a long-standing history that predates the textile industry’s rise in the United States. Even before the boom in textile production, women would ingeniously utilize leftover fabric scraps from their clothing and other household items. These resourceful women would cut these scraps into various shapes and skillfully sew them onto a cloth or blanket, resulting in exquisite and artistic designs. As the textile industry flourished, the popularity of applique quilts soared as well. Craftswomen enthusiastically embraced the technique of cutting out shapes and meticulously sewing them onto quilts, giving rise to an array of mesmerizing designs. Among the multitude of patterns, flower arrangements and bouquets emerged as the most beloved and sought-after motifs for applique quilts.
After completing the process of stitching the shapes onto the quilt, the artist frequently enhances their work by incorporating embroidery stitches. Subsequently, the quilter meticulously hand-quilts the entire piece, further accentuating the applique design. Crafting such quilts requires an immense amount of time, sometimes spanning over a year, owing to the intricacies and detailed steps involved in their creation. There are several highly favored applique quilt patterns that are widely recognized and cherished among quilting enthusiasts. These include the Spring Flower design, the Heart Bouquet pattern, and the Rose of Sharon motif. There are many applique quilts at available at The Quilt Shop at Miller’s, so be sure to stop by and have a look today.
Pieced Quilts
Pieced quilts have become incredibly popular and accessible worldwide, being widely used and available. The growth of the textile industry in the United States played a significant role in the rise of pieced quilts, as it provided families with a wide variety of fabrics to work with. As a result, artists began creating intricate and captivating quilt patterns using these fabrics. A pieced quilt is crafted by sewing together numerous individual fabric pieces, forming a unique and visually appealing design. Initially, these fabric pieces were cut by hand and then sewn together manually. However, with the advent of treadle sewing machines, women were able to significantly speed up the process by sewing the pieces together with ease. Once the quilt top was completed, the artist would then layer it with batting and a backing fabric, securing the three layers together through meticulous hand-quilting stitches.
Pieced quilts offer a multitude of possibilities but creating them requires meticulous measuring and mathematical calculations to ensure that all the pieces fit together seamlessly and evenly. The popular saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” emphasizes the importance of precision in quilting. Nowadays, many quilters utilize rotary cutters and rulers to accurately cut their fabrics before sewing them together using a domestic sewing machine. However, the Amish communities maintain their traditional methods, relying on treadle machines that operate without electricity. While hand-piecing has become less common, hand-quilting remains a cherished practice in Amish and Mennonite communities.
The saying goes that every quilt has a story, and it is indeed true. In fact, some of the most popular quilt patterns in today’s world have deep roots in important moments of American history. Take, for instance, the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. During this tumultuous time, pieced quilts played a significant role. Not only were they a form of artistic expression, but they also served as symbols of hope and resistance. Similarly, the iconic Log Cabin quilt pattern emerged as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln. Women who were unable to vote for Lincoln due to their gender crafted these quilts, inspired by the humble log cabin in which he resided. Interestingly, during the Civil War, log cabin quilts were used as a secret code for enslaved people seeking freedom. Hanging a log cabin quilt on the porch of a home indicated whether it was a safe haven based on the colors of the fabrics used. The stories behind these quilt patterns are just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of American history.
But it doesn’t stop there – the pioneer days also left their mark on quilting. Women who braved the treacherous trails to Oregon with their families often incorporated symbols of their journey into their quilts. These quilts serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of these pioneers.
If you’re intrigued by the history and symbolism of these quilts, you’re in luck. The Quilt Shop at Miller’s is proud to offer a wide selection of these historically significant quilts. On our website, you’ll find a brief description of the history behind each quilt we have available, allowing you to appreciate the stories woven into every stitch. We hope to see you in the store soon so you can see these amazing quilts in person. Can’t make it in? Shop online or consider making a virtual personal shopping appointment.