Quilts

Comforters are a "quilted bed covering," although some have told me it's a medium to heavy quilt.

Bedspreads are "a cover spread over the blanket on a bed mainly for ornament," which can also be a quilt.

Whatever you call them, quilts are usually first thought of something that covers a bed, and can be much more!

From who made the quilt, to what fabrics are included and what patterns are used, to what's included on the quilt including embroidery and pictures, quilts can preserve memories and become favorite gifts and family heirlooms.

The flower garden quilt in photo has fabrics from clothing I've worn over the years. I smile every time I see the quilt.

Quilts are also an easy way to update a room decor.

Handmade quilts come in a variety of sizes. For years, handmade quilts did not have standard sizes. That's why handmade vintage quilts don't match today's sizings and don't fit today's mattress sizes and extra padding.

Measure the mattress to make sure the quilt size you choose will provide the coverage you want.

Even through vintage quilts may not cover the whole bed, they work well as throws over the back of sofas, at the foot of a bed and as a wall hanging.

After being quilted, handmade quilts are finished with seam binding attached to "seal" quilt layers around the edges. Handmade quilts may also be edged with more detailed edging such as scallops, sawtooth or other fabric pieces that make a complimentary pattern around the outside edge of the quilt.

Quilts are then finished by either hand stitching a design or machine stitching patterns to seal fabric layers together.

Not usually but I recommend you look at the back side to see how even the stitching is. The more even and smaller the stitches, the more experienced the quilter!

Bluebird Gardens lists handmade quilts as reversible. Reversible handmade quilts have both the front and backing so carefully finished you can use either side in your home decor. Often accessories for the main quilt will work nicely when the handmade quilts are reversed to the back side so you get an extra unique home decor when you purchase reversible handmade quilts.

It's also a good idea to reverse the quilt every few months to give the front side a rest and evenly distribute wear on quilting.

Memory quilts are handmade quilts made with favorite photographs and other items such as baby clothing, mementos, buttons, embroidery and other embellishments incorporated into the quilt.

One way to think about a memory quilt is to think about scrapbooking on fabric. The idea is to capture things that bring back favorite memories.

Photo Memory Quilts, Photo Quilts and Picture Quilts are quilts made out of photos transferred onto fabric and incorporated into the overall quilt design.

Quilt blocks with photos can feature a single photo, several photos or collage and made into photo memory handmade quilts, lap quilts and throws, crib quilts and baby quilts depending on your home decor ideas.

If you collect old handmade quilts then you've come across cutter quilts.

Cutter quilts are well loved handmade quilts that have stained and damaged areas among other areas that are relatively untouched.

These handmade quilts are usually sold at a discount and can be a good buy if you don't buy the quilt as an investment. Altering the original handmade quilts does change the value.

Cutter quilts are often made into other objects such as handmade throw pillows, animals, hearts and other smaller items that allow the owner to retain memories the handmade quilt holds and become collectibles in their own right.

Quilt shams are pillow covers or pillow cases that match or compliment handmade quilts. Standard size is 26x21.

Shams help visually extend the length of the handmade quilt. Shams also make great handmade throw pillows and small wall hangings over fireplaces, as focal points over kitchen tables and in bathrooms.

Quilt shams turned vertically provide a great narrow wall hanging for those hard to decorate spots. King shams are 21x37 and work well with California King 120x105 quilts.

Throws and lap quilts are the same thing.

Standard throws and lap quilts are 50x60-inch and can be smaller versions of larger handmade quilts, or unique designs all their own.

If starting to quilt, a throw is a good size to make before tackling a larger bed size quilt.

Throws and lap quilts are also popular sizes for quilted wall hangings (photo), lap wraps, car blankets and personalized gifts. They make nice wedding anniversary gifts and housewarming gifts, too.

Look for throws and lap quilts with 3" flat sleeve on the back so they can easily be made into wall hangings. You can also add tabs to a finished quilt back to easily make it into a quilted wallhanging.

Crib Quilts and Baby Blankets are even smaller versions of handmade quilts and throws.

Crib quilts are usually 36x48 inches and fit standard baby cribs. Some also come with 3-inch sleeves already on the back so they can easily be made into wall hangings.

Most handmade baby quilts vary from 36x48 to the standard 50x60 throw size. They also work well as quilted wall hangings.

Quilting is also used to make a variety of products including clothing, bags and gift items as well as bedding. Quilting can easily re-use fabrics, preserve favorite memories and make easy to care for items that will last a long time.

Placemats, handmade throw pillows, quilted handbags and gift bags, even smaller art wall hangings are all quilts turned practical.

Give me Charlotte a call at 877-598-1908 or email at info@bluebirdgardens.com.

"Thanks for your help. Your company offers great service and a very nice website as well.

I looked at many quilt stores on-line and yours was by far the nicest with the largest selection and ease of use." Lisa in China

Check out..

..these Quilting sites!