World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of May 1, 2000:

Our question this week comes from Quilting by the Yard

When did the concept of machine quilting start - any idea of who first started this fast and easy way?

Nelda Justice :
Machine quilting started with the treddle sewing manchine. Any woman with as much to do as our fore mothers would not miss the opportunity to make an easy job of a necessary job.

Pat Pinaizek Lenihan :
During a gallery talk once of antique quilts, there was a beautiful red, white & green quilt that the applique was all top stitched, and the grid quilting went across & on top of everything! The explanation offered was that this lady was so darn proud of getting that sewing machine, she was going to show everyone she had one! The other explanation was that she was no fool, she was using that machine to get that quilt done!

Jaye Lapachet :
I read or heard somewhere (from Julie Silber?)
that machine quilting was a mark of
distinction and prosperity when women started
to get and use sewing machines.

Jaye Lapachet

World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week