Quilting for Beginners

While there are numerous excellent quilting traditions in America, especially the Amish quilts, it is an error to consider this a distinctly American art. In the history of quilting, we find centuries old quilted firefighter and warrior uniforms from Japan, bed linens and clothes from Scandinavian nations and antique quilts of all kinds from around the globe.

Handmade quilts frequently become both personal treasures and museum pieces. Yet, even today, quilters are able to use modern technology such as a long arm quilting machine to make beautiful clothes, comforters and other items such as wall hangings, that will become equally valued.

Many collectors of quilts view them as an investment in valuable art, much as they would a painting. They see beyond their utilitarian uses to the intrinsic beauty in the designs and colors, the human story that led to their creation. A century old small quilt for crib conjures up an image of a young mother sewing in the evening as she anticipated the birth of her first child perhaps, using scraps of her husband's old shirt, or a maybe dress from her own younger years, incorporating the family history into the child's quilt, a perfect welcoming gift.

We are most familiar with comforters as examples of the quilting art. However, ambitious quilters new to the craft will be happy to know that they can start out on small items, such as handbags and totes, eyeglass holders, and find easy home d©cor projects such as placemats and quilted table runner patterns.

More than any other needlecraft, quilting offers the greatest opportunity to the novice for individual expression. While you may have to follow closely a pattern for a jacket, for instance, when you are beginning to sew clothing, you can easily select from a variety of fabrics and designs to achieve your own beautiful quilted items the first time out.

Conversely, traditionalists have variety of timeless designs and patterns to follow as they dig deeper into the quilter's craft. Examples of classic patterns such as wedding ring, patchwork and crazy quilts are part of the quilting cannon. Each follows the rules for crafting the signature pattern, yet no two are alike, demonstrating the individual stamp of the quilter in selecting textiles, color schemes and execution of designs.

Aficionados can join The American Quilter's Society to find others who share their love of quilting and keep apprized of expositions and new information on their craft.

You can discover more about quilting at http://www.thehomesewingplace.com, from where to learn how to quilt, guides to choosing materials, tool and quilting machines and where to find quilting patterns for beginners.

Information there will help you learn not only how to quilt and take care of your quilts, but also increase your appreciation for this enduring craft.