Whenever the word “quilt” is mentioned, it usually conjures up an immediate image for the listener. For the casual observer, quilting is something that was once done by a dear, departed auntie or grandmother. In today’s world, quilting is much, much more: it is a worldwide industry, growing daily, and worth billions of dollars.

If you are one of those people who thought that quilting was first done in Colonial America, with scraps of used clothing, then you have succumbed to just one of the many myths that surround the Art of Quilting.

There are many styles of quilting, the wholecloth style having been one of the first. Today, wholecloth quilts continue to be made. Mostly, they are quilted (the layers sewn together) by machine, by professional “long-arm” quilters. No, the quilters themselves do not have extra long arms. Those words apply to a type of sewing machine in which the head of the machine can run all over the surface of a quilt, rather than having to try to cram a bulky quilt under the small clearance area of a home sewing machine.

, an annual quilt show, will be held at the Radisson Hotel (formerly the Center of New Hampshire) in Manchester, from April 11-14, 2007. This is always a chance to see gorgeous quilts from around the country.

Recently, a professional quilter won $100,000. for a wholecloth quilt that she made in about four months. You will be able to see photos of it in the Buy at Medshopexpress magazine, published by Reality Publishing. A “You Tube” which shows the winner, and the editor of the magazine being interviewed on the Today Show in New York.

If you happened to have watched that interview, in real time, you might have been as shocked as I was when one of the hosts grabbed the quilt, not once, but twice, and flipped it back toward himself to reveal the men standing behind it, ready to catch the quilt, should the wind have blown it over, in the outdoor setting. An imagined collective gasp was heard from all of the quilters watching the segment.

You see, there is a certain expectation by quilters that their work be treated gently, with respect, and…with “white gloves.” There are even signs at quilt shows that show the classic quilt figure “Sunbonnet Sue,” in a line with others of her type, chained together, chain gang style. The sign above their heads says, “This is what happens to those who TOUCH the quilts.” The natural oils present on hands can permanently soil a quilt, if it is handled repeatedly without hands just having been washed, or without nitrile gloves, or white gloves.

Of course, not every quilt is worth even close to $100,000., but some quilts are worth far more. Baltimore Album Quilts have been known to sell well in excess of $200,000. because they are rare, and because they date from the 1850s era, and were so beautifully done.

There is so much to the history of quilting. I realize that my writings often stray into other areas, such as the social, psychological, history, art, and political arenas, but my heart truly lies with the inspiration I find in quilts, both old and new. To see an exceptionally well-done quilt makes my heart sing.

If you have not looked at my website’s files on (a worldwide overview), and from Baltimore, MD, there are numerous, long entries in both categories.
The website and the blog continue to grow exponentially. We hope that you enjoy your visit and that you will visit us again soon.

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 7:55 pm and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.