Quilts Buying Guide

A quilt is a very special thing in your life. It is beautiful, cozy, full of memories and absolutely wonderful. Don't hide your quilts away--use them and enjoy them. What good are memories if they are locked away where you can't see and remember them? Quilts have a tale to tell; leave them out, use them and let them enhance your life.

Even if you don't want to use or display your precious heirloom quilts, remember to mark them with the name of the maker, the year they were created, where you got them or how you came by them. Since many quilts are kept for sentimental reasons, this information can add value, even if that value is not monetary.

Some people like having quilts for every season, others treasure one special quilt until it wears out (which can take many years or even generations, since most quilts are made to last). Be sure to choose the type and colors of your quilt carefully if you want it to co-ordinate with other home decor.

Many quilts are reversible, adding to their charm. Turn your quilt over as often as you please and it will lend a fresh new look to your home. If you intend to use the quilt on a bed, consider coordinating sheet sets as you shop online with us.

For convenience, most quilts are made and sold in standard mattress sizes: twin, full, full/queen, queen, king and California king-size quilts. Overstock.com carries all of these sizes.

Uses for quilts

Throughout history, quilts have been used for bedding, decoration, wearing under historical armor, for commemorative occasions, to educate, in campaigns, to document social events, as gifts and for artistic expression. Probably the most favorite use of a quilt is as bedding.

Quilts should not be confused with blankets or duvet covers, even though sometimes they are spoken of as such. A quilt is not a blanket, since blankets are woven. A quilt is not a duvet, because a duvet cover is usually a large pillowcase-type of covering for a comforter, mattress or memory foam mattress. Quilts are a kind of bedding. It is a covering for your bed consisting of fabric backing, a layer of soft batting, and a quilted top layer. These three layers are stitched together or tied together. Quilting is stitching (often following the pattern of the design) to hold the layers together. The tying technique uses yarn or ribbon at spaced intervals to tie through the quilt's layers. Handmade quilts are easier to create when the tying method is used, since it doesn't require as much stitching. In certain regions, tied quilts are called "comfort quilts," "comforters" or "lap quilts." Still, the quilt should not be confused with the modern comforters sold today.

Traditionally, quilts were pieced and sewn together by hand; however, modern quilting is also done using a sewing machine. If you are looking for a quilt which will stand up to time and use, be sure to purchase one that has even, quality stitching, whether it is done on a machine or by hand.

Types and patterns of quilts

Amish quilts reflect the Amish way of living, with solid colors, deep hues, geometric patterns and very little embellishment. Amish quilts contain the highest quality of construction and stitching, and sometimes the wonderful stitch patterns (scrolls, feathers) contrast with the simple backgrounds of their quilts. These quilts are highly prized by buyers and collectors.

Appliqué quilts use a French needlework technique where fabric pieces are sewn onto another piece of material to create a design. Appliqué is used extensively in the quilting process and is not to be confused with patchwork. Patchwork pieces are joined together; appliqué is sewn on top of the whole piece.

Album quilts are put together from separate blocks, and each block may have been created by a different individual. These quilts are often presented to a public figure to commemorate a special occasion.

Baltimore album quilts came from Maryland in the early 1800s. Each block in the design of the quilt is appliquéd differently, often in ornate floral patterns.

Bangladeshi quilts are made with layers of Saree cloth. Saree (or Sari) cloth is silk cloth used by women of India to wrap and fold around the body as a garment. The cloth is usually 40-60 inches wide by 6 yards long. These quilts are used as bedding and sometimes as a decorative piece. If you choose a Bangladeshi quilt, be sure the stitching is well done.

Bargello quilts are created with offset squares in an up-and-down geometric "V" pattern. The small squares of different fabrics and the colorful designs make these quilts true works of art.

Cathedral window quilts are done with a kind of fabric folding in the design block which creates an inner "window" of a different material.

Hawaiian quilts are not pieced and usually showcase a symmetrical large appliqué in the center of the quilt. Most often the background is white or another solid color.

Patchwork quilts are constructed of many small pieces of fabric which is put together in an improvised or irregular pattern. This is a well-known quilt style, and examples of historical patchwork quilts are found in many museums.

Ralli quilts--sometimes known as rilli quilts--are traditional quilts made in India or Pakistan. There is an abundance of embroidery as well as appliqué on the patchwork patterns.

Sampler quilts are a popular type, with each block done in a different style and pattern. Often beginners are taught the many patterns and styles of quilting with this quilt.

Star quilts are created with a large star shape, or several star shapes, dominating the pattern.

Wedding ring quilts are crafted in a design of interlocking rings. This pattern goes far back in history: in the fourth century it was used to decorate drinking cups in Rome. Wedding ring quilts are highly popular and make wonderful wedding gifts. If you"re looking for a gift to please an engaged couple, you can't go wrong with a wedding quilt. Bedding always makes a significant gift for the bride and groom, and a quilt with coordinating Egyptian cotton sheets can be even better.