Quilting is a technique whereby layers of fabric are sewn together, with a soft stuffing between the layers.
The most common quilting fabrics are linen, cotton, silk, and, today, synthetics, although velvet, wool, canvas, and leather have also been used. There are various types of quilting. Wadded quilting is evenly filled with thick padding, whereas flat quilting has little or no padding. All types of quilting are usually done on an embroidery frame or a large, four-sided quilting frame.
Quilting has been around for centuries and it is assumed that quilting originated in China and Egypt for both warmth and for protection in battle. The earliest recorded quilted garment was found on a carved ivory figure of a pharaoh from the first dynasty and is dated to be from 3400 BC.
By the 19th century, quilted garments were restricted to warm underclothes, linings, bonnets, and work clothes but the art was revived in the 20th century to encourage the economy of poorer districts of northern England and of America's southern mountain regions and as a part of a new interest in folk art.
Although hand quilting has survived as a decorative art, most commercial quilting is now done by machine.
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