World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of August 13, 2001:

Our question this week comes from Jeanne Wallace

Where does the word "QUILT" come from and how old is it?

lydallen@aol.com :
feather filled like comforter 1800

Karen A :
Indeed, the Oxford English Dictionary lists a reference to "quoiltene" and "mattraez" (mattresses) in early English writings around 1290. Earlier latin terms refering to bed coverings or mattresses are similar in sound, as Nancy S says. below. So the word, as well as the craft has been around for a very, very long time!

kearshanevia estell :
it comes from scottland and i can't recall how old it is.

Pat :
There are records of quilted undergarments from the middle ages. These were used underneath armor as padding. I think the earliest one is from 1350AD.

NancyS :
According to Webster's dictionary, it comes from Middle English - quilte, or Old French - cuilte, or Latin - culcita, all of which basically mean mattress

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