Guide Note

A quilt is an item of bedding that can be fabricated using many different techniques. The purpose of a quilt is similar to that of a blanket, used for warmth and possibly decoration.

Fast Facts

1. Many types and traditions
2. Multiple uses
3. Displayed as art
4. Can include patches representing historical events
5. Traditional gift
6. Types and traditions include Amish, Bangladeshi, Baltimore album, Hawaiian, Ralli and, Quillow

Quilts are not only used as traditional pieces of bedding, they are used to express art. This is done through the many techniques of quilting, but goes far beyond technique alone. Art quilts are sometimes difficult to decipher since almost all quilts contain some form of art. Determining the artistic merit of a quilt is usually left up to the person(s) that created it.

Many things go into an art quilt. Various colors, contrasting and non-contrasting may be used as a means of expression. These can be included in textile patterns and others. Meaning and emotion are the primary basis for constructing a quilt. This often leads to quilts being named by the creator in order to evoke this emotion or meaning, usually corresponding to a particular event or history.