Have you ever experienced that 30 second mad rush when someone was going to enter a bedroom in your house and you wished you had a cover to make the bed more presentable?
I’m sure all of us have, could have been an aunt, cousin, friend or our mother but the fact remained that maybe with more time we could have brought out better sheets or planned the decor better and gotten quilts and coverlets to make the rooms look more put together and the bed like something out of a magazine without exerting too much effort.
To begin with what is the difference between a quilt and a coverlet? A coverlet is strictly that, a cover for the bed. The primary function of a coverlet is decorative and is made to cover the other layers of bedding. Hence the fabrics used are lightweight and may be quilted or woven because the focus of this item is not to keep the individual warm but only the need to adorn the bed. Coverlet manufacturers therefore are not overly concerned about keeping people warm since more often than not coverlets do not come in contact with the individual. This also increases the number of fabrics one can use, one may even use materials that are not soft or smooth because it need not be considering the individually will not sleep with it on the bed. Today in lieu of a coverlet more and more people are using thicker alternatives so that there will no longer be a need to have two items which is a coverlet and another blanket. These combining of functions into one item lets a home owner lessen the layers of his or her bedding. Traditionally wool that is lightweight is the fabric of choice for coverlets however silk, cotton, and linen are also utilized.
Now in order to make a bed look more put together between quilts and coverlets practical people would often choose a quilt instead. A quilt is a thick embroidered blanket/comforter that has three layers; the quilt top or top fabric, batting or the layer that helps insulate the user and is quite thick and lastly the material for the backing. Quilts are also decorative, in fact other collectors would display a quilt in the same manner paintings are. So with quilts you are hitting two birds with one stone, it is decorative and it can provide warmth to a person because of the layering.
Handmade Quilts
Handmade quilts are wonderful because they add a personal touch to a bedroom or to any living room in which the quilt is being displayed. Handmade quilts become the focal point of the room and can often be the starting point for setting a room’s look & feel, color scheme and theme. For example, check out the quilt featured below.
This handmade patchwork quilt is easily setting the color scheme to be red, white and blue. It’s also setting a very patriotic theme all the while it is also a country theme.
Handmade quilts are generally handmade by 1 person and could also be a group effort but you can actually purchase handmade quilts from bedding stores as well. You just don’t personally know the person that made the quilt.
Country Quilts
Country quilts are a very popular type of quilts. In fact, more often then not; if you were to visit a cabin or see a home with country decor, you will find a country quilt as the bedding, a country quilt hanging on the wall or laying over a piece of furniture in the living area. There might even be a quilt rack with a quilt or two hanging neatly on it.
It’s also very common to see wall hangings, door hangings and even outside decor hangings that are country quilts. See photo below.
People whom enjoy quilting can purchase quilt kits rather cheaply and then they can really go to town with making their country themed quilts and wall hangings to suit their decor.
Amish Quilts
You probably would like to know why do Amish quilt? For the Amish, quilting is a way of life and it quilts provide the much needed warmth since the Amish do not use electricity; which means no heat source besides a fireplace to keep their homes warm.
Amish quilts are considered to be a huge part of the community. Women and young girls come together to help quilt. Children start off quite young and by the time a child becomes a teenager, she is able to make quilts on her own.
Amish quilts are some of the most high quality quilts available. Traditionally the Amish wear colors that are approved by their local religious leaders and the same rules would apply to colors used for their quilts. The use of certain colors used within a quilt that can help identify specific Amish communities today and so the quilts can easily be traced back to the community that made it. Today the Amish incorporate several colors into their quilts.
Probably one of the most familiar Amish quilt designs you have seen is the double wedding ring design. See below.
This video features more Amish quilt designs.