But, quilts are more than just plotted art forms, they contain important links to our history and heritage. As an art form quilting dates back to the thousands of years, possibly back to Dynastic Egypt. The most prominent information begins in the Middle Ages, where quilting was used for everything from covers to clothing to padding under armor. Beyond the general history of quilting lies the historic information that quilts provide. Quilts provide historic and cultural information through not only their design but also through their use of materials and the color of those materials.
American quilts begin at the time our nation began.
These early quilts were made out of linen, wool and silk, as cotton was not readily available. Made by wealthier Americans most of these early quilts were bed covers made of fabrics purchased to match bed draperies. Although home weavers made many fabrics during this period, the time and energy involved in this craft was limited to weaving blankets and coverlets and usually not to quilt making. Generally, wealthier Americans along the Eastern Seaboard who had access to a wide variety of imported fabrics made these early American quilts. Quilts along the East Coast were often finished with a fringed edge with most of the quilting following straight lines, usually double or triple quilted.