Quilting [antikvár]

Introduction Quilting is a needle art, essentially a form of embroidery, with an addictive subtlety all of its own. As the light falls on a beautifully designed and exquisitely executed antique quilt, the densely stitched areas are contrasted with the more open areas where larger motifs stand out in relief, and there is a delightful harmony between the tactile nature of the fabric and the graphic qualities of the quilting design. Although the word "quilt" can apply to any covering in which two fabrics are stitched together — with or without a warm middle layer — including patchwork and appliqué covers, in this book the emphasis is on the quilting stitches and designs. Some of the quilt tops are pieced, but their beauty lies chiefly in their quilting patterns. The word quilt is derived from the Latin culcita — a stuffed sack, mattress or cushion. But, although the notion of stitching several layers of fabric together for warmth and decoration predates even the Romans by many centuries, and quilted armour existed in the days of William the Conqueror, quilting as it is found in this book had its origins in the "cowltes" or "qwhiltez" of medieval Europe, or even later, in the beautifully quilted doublets, breeches and petticoats that were high fashion throughout Europe in the 17th century. Early quilts and quilted clothing appear to have been almost exclusively for the rich. That ill-fated child Catherine Howard received 23 quilts out of the Royal Wardrobe before her marriage to Henry VIII (rather like the story of the princess and the pea, but without the happy ending). The fabrics were silks and satins, and much of the quilting was flat, with no middle layer; it was often decorated Left This distinctive red and white star design is an excellent example of a Durham quih. The stitching on the piece helps to emphasize the pattern. Quilting thrived in the north ojEngland during the 19th century.