Patchwork quilt

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A patchwork quilt is a quilt in which the top layer consists of pieces of fabric sewn together to form a design. The quilting design does not necessarily follow the patchwork design.

Originally, this was to make full use of left-over scraps of fabric, but now fabric is often bought specially for a specific design. Fabrics are now sold in quarter meters. (A fat quarter being one meter folded into four and cut, thus giving a square piece of fabric, as opposed to buying a quarter of a meter off the roll, resulting in a long thin piece that is only 25cm wide).

Designs can be geometric and formal or imaginative.

The quilt is formed of three layers: the patchwork, a layer of insulation wadding (UK) or batting (US) and a layer of backing material. These three layers are stitched together (i.e., quilted), either by hand or machine. The quilting can either outline the patchwork motifs, or be a completely independent design.

The Amish people are famous for their geometric patchwork designs with independent patterns and quilting; typical motifs include floral designs and heart shapes.

In 1934 Carl Carmer published this list of quilt patterns mastered by "Mattie Sue" who was required by her parents in rural Northeast Alabama to complete one hundred quilts before being married.

Garden of Eden           Circle Saw                Joseph's Coat
Star of Bethlehem        Golden Gates              Solomon's Crown
Tree of Paradise         Solomon's Temple          Art Square
The Cross                Forbidden Fruit Tree      Lady of the Lake
Wonder of the World      Air Castle                Wheel of Fortune
Love Rose                Charm                     Friendship Quilt
Lover's Links            True Lover's Knot         Old Tippecanoe
Lincoln's Platform       Wedding Knot              Democrat Rose
Radical Rose             Harrison's Rose           Handy Andy
Hobson's Kiss            Whig Rose                 Joseph's Necktie
Old Maid's Puzzle        Widower's Choice          Necktie
Churn Dash               Baseball                  Ice Cream Bowl
Sugar Loaf               Log Cabin                 Drunkard's Path
All Tangled Up           Old Bachelor's Puzzle     Hairpin Catcher
Hearts & Gizzards        The Road to California    Aunt Sulky's Patch
Crosses and Losses       Tangled Garters           Swinging Corners
Odds and Ends            Bed Time                  Devil's Claws
Economy

[edit] Colorwash quilting

This is a non-traditional method of quilting which uses small blocks of color to achieve the look of a watercolor painting. There is no fixed pattern. Fabrics are chosen for their hue and tone.