What is the definition of a quilt?

Wikipedia:
Noun: A warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching.

FreeDictionary.com:
quilt (kwilt) n.
1. A coverlet or blanket made of two layers of fabric with a layer of cotton, wool, feathers, or down in between, all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative crisscross design.
2. A thick protective cover similar to or suggestive of a quilt.

Miriam-Webster:
quilt noun \ˈkwilt\
1: a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs.
2: something that is quilted or resembles a quilt.

And we won't even get in to "quilt" as a verb...

“The definition of a quilt is constantly expanding. The only real requirement is that it must have three layers of material.” ~Sandra Henrich, former executive director, Museum of the American Quilter’s Society (MAQS) in Paducah, KY 3/16/2003

But quilts are not just bed coverings anymore! What about Art quilts? Painted quilts? Are they still quilts? Seems to me, as long as it is fabric-based and has those three layers joined together with stitching of some kind, then it is a quilt.

So my latest "quilt" (lanyard)... has three layers (backing/flannel filler/patchwork top) which I quilted together when I pulled the backing around to the front and stitched it down to bind the edges. It's a 1-1/4" x 38" quilt. And I worked just as hard at the piecing as I do on any of my quilts. I guess I could stitch around each tiny 1/8" block... oh, never mind, guess not!

My true definition of a quilt should also include something about "stitched with love" or "A quilt is a warm hug from Grandma..." and there has to be some definition of a quilt that includes blood, sweat and tears, don't you think?

OK, what started this conversation is something that was said at a recent quilt show:

A Cathedral Window quilt is NOT a quilt.

(hunh??)

It's a coverlet.

(whaa??)

It has no batting.

(are you kidding??)

It may have taken her TEN YEARS to make, HAND-STITCHING each little section one little window at a time, but according someone who heard that someone said that The American Quilter's Society had established this fact, a Cathedral Window quilt is NOT a quilt, it's a coverlet.

(b-b-but!!)

So, what about all those inner layers created by some tricky origami folding then re-folding then stitching back the curve... that's got to be at least four layers, right there... and what happened to all those 47 YARDS of fabric used to create this masterpiece of a....coverlet?? I don't know about this. I'll have to research a bit. A Cathedral Window (quilt) is one of the things on my WHIMM list (works hidden in my mind) that I plan to make, someday. And even if someone who knows someone else who said that such-and-such said it isn't technically a quilt.

Is it, or isn't it? You tell me. I'm anxious to know your opinion!

That is totally amazing! It fits the letter of most of the description anyway. It is sort of silly to worry about definitions - who cares what "they" think?!

Who defines what words mean? And does it really matter? The meanings of words is in constant flux. The word "coverlet" is nearly moribund - at least in the United States. :)

If you quilt a top to a piece of fleece that is both batt and backing and bind the edges, are you going to let someone else decide whether or not it's a quilt?

You know, it wasn't too long ago that the "experts" determined that it wasn't a "real" quilt if it wasn't hand quilted. Pfffftttt.... who cares? ;)

Meh! I say give one to someone you love and I seriously doubt if they'll call it something other than a quilt. I've heard it said before regarding the Cathedral Windows pattern but for all intents and purposes...it IS a quilt in my opinion. It's all just too silly to give it any more thought than that.

Who let the quilt police loose? Maker defines IMO!

IMHO ... If it looks like a quilt, and warms like a quilt, then it's a quilt!

That is beautiful. I do not understand why they would not consider it quilt, sheesh.

LOL! I was thinking the same thing when I read this post!

Sounds like a quilt police question, or maybe someone who doesn't even quilt, & who are they to say anyway! Nice pics too, thanks for sharing!...

I will just say -it's not a blanket!!!

love it!

Unless it is entered into a contest with strict rules, does it matter???

I had a friend of my husband's, wife come to visit one day. Knowing I quilt, I was showing her some of them, & she said, oh, only one big quilt, (bedsize)..? I thought, what? Must it be bed size, in her mind anyway, to qualify as a quilt? I thought that was strange, then again, she doesn't even sew, so go figure, right! Some people just don't get it, do they!

There are those who put a piece of batting in their cathedral windows...so a quilt. Technically, a coverlet is probably the correct word for a cathedral windows without batting. But, why would the word coverlet be upseting....it is, what it is...

I was thinking this too!

I would have to say I personally consider it a quilt. it takes so much time work and effort.
A cathedral windows quilt is on my to -do list...when it gets completed I will probably use it as a coverlet...LOL! Because I won't want anyone to actually touch it or use it...it will be to precious to get dirty! :lol:

Geesh it really doesn't even matter if there isn't batt ... many warm/hot weather locales don't use batt cuz it makes the 'quilt' too warm.

It is what it is and it doesn't matter what 'they' say. IMHO

I agree, unless it's an item entered into a contest with defined criteria, the maker gets to call it whatever they wish.

And the heck with the definitions of things .....

I personally want to know more (and see more) about the lanyard you made.

:thumbup:

True. YoYo "quilts" fit into to this also. To me a coverlet is just a way of describing how it's finished. It doesn't mean less time is spent on them or that they're less desirable than a quilt. When I talk to others about my cathedral window I do call it a quilt. Kinda like a Moped, bike, and motercycle...all different but yet people call all of them bikes.

I don't care what it is, but it is AMAZING!

I agree!!

I absolutely LOVE your lanyard!!!Did you have a pattern for it or just make it up as you went along???

That is one beautiful quilt.As quilters we know what quilts are .How can the people who set out there and make up meanings even begin to understand what a quilt is to a quilter.

I think the quilt police are far exceeding their authority!!

Your lanyards are awesome!! What do you use them for? And did you make that Cathedral Windows quilt? Totally beautifully WOW!

I'm of the opinion that our "fore mothers" made a cathedral window to be placed on the bed for warmth and as a thing of beauty. They called it a "quilt", so no more to be said.... It is a quilt!
Mine took over two years to complete. My hubby loves it and he calls it his "quilt"...

If it's big, small, colorful, plain, hand sewn, machine made, or cathedral. If it is made with love (and/or talent) it is a quilt. I even like a lot of the quilts made "off-shore". I appreciate the work that has gone into it and feel sorry for the men and women who make these. They don't get paid nearly what the work is worth. I appreciate the quilts, but I don't buy them. Inferior materials! I bought a beautiful red, white, and blue one. The directions said to machine wash gentle, cold water. I now have a red, light blue, and blue quilt! Not so pretty any more.

Ditto that.

sadly when one enters a piece into a Show to be judged/juried, they are entering the "quilt police" professionalism zone..and those who judge/jury do follow the rules & definitions set in place!

If one does not want to play by the rules, then one must keep their treasures to themselves!

A Cathedral window also is not "quilted"...other than the tacking down at intersections, so no it really is not a quilt, but a coverlet..same as the yo-yo quilts!

They are unto themselves a great work of dedication that is for sure!

I love the Cathedral Windows design. I don't care what anyone calls it, it's beautiful!

LOVE your latest 'quilt'. Man, that is TINY!@!

As for your concern about naming the work:

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

I love these kinds of discussions on an intellectual basis but I have a thought on this matter.

All English speaking people can look at grass and call it 'green' (speaking of its color). Calling it green doesn't make it green. And it isn't called green because of the wavelength of light that it reflects. It is called green because English speakers long ago 'agreed' with one another to call that wavelength green. And by and large later generations of English speakers have agreed. With fine tunings like: Forest green, pine green, spring green, yellow green, blue green, teal, etc. ;-) Things are called by names and defined in ways to SIMPLIFY communication. Then you get some intellectual like me pontificating about something to people outside its realm and what is said gets taken as gospel and spread around as fact.

Whatever we call these artifacts of fabric and thread and technology, they are physical manifestations of LOVE. Either love of the creative process, love of the craft, love of the product, love of praise, or my favorite, LOVE FOR THE RECIPIENT. (who is sometimes ourselves ;-) )

So call your lovely pieces and your WHIYM whatever you feel best conveys your meaning, depending on to whom you are speaking. If they aren't versed in quilt speech, it's a blanket/coverlet (which is an honorable thing to be). If they are some sort of pompous expert, call it fabric art, or whatever. Won't make the item itself intrinsically any different or alter its true worth one iota.

I love quilts and pontificate on a regular basis. Its a quilt. Its lovely, warm, and satisfying on so many levels.

Whenever those in authority do not reflect the will of the majority, well, they can be replaced. By the way, there were a couple of Cathedral Windows proudly displayed at the Jacksonville Quilt Show.

I have to say that a cathedral window is not just "tacked down at the intersections" I hand sew all the way around each individual window through all thelayers of fabric.
That was how a very elderly lady from the Appalachia mountains taught me to do it.
I also won a blue ribbon at a quilt show with it...

There seems to be a movement in the quilt world right now about what constitutes a "quilt" and what doesn't. The debate will continue but what good does it do in the end????

Someone on the board regarded batting-less sandwiches as "Summer Quilts." I wouldn't find the word coverlet offensive because it doesn't detract from the effort, love, and time put into it. My first impression when I see a Cathedral Window is to call it a quilt. Hopefully, the QP won't be standing nearby overhearing my exclamations!

“The definition of a quilt is constantly expanding. The only real requirement is that it must have three layers of material.” ~Sandra Henrich, former executive director, Museum of the American Quilter’s Society (MAQS) in Paducah, KY 3/16/2003

Oh, my word! Did you notice that this former executive director, Museum of the American Quilter's Society used the word "material" instead of "fabric?" She deserves 30 lashes with a loose quilting thread! froggyintexas

WOW !! a quilt is a quilt is a quilt .. and its up to the person who made it .. I make quiltsheets for the grands without batting and the grands call them quiltsheets, just using 2 sheets and appliquing them then sewing them together without any batting for the hot summers. Sometimes I just applique one sheet and give it to them. This came about when my oldgd asked me not to make such a hot quilt.. and that is the beginning of the quiltsheets as she called them !!

Amen, Laalaa!!

To put the situation in a better perspective, I was one of the judges at the quilt show where the cathedral quilt was entered. That's why the information from the show director set me back a bit! But, how do you judge a quilt, a work of art like that, so well done, but doesn't fit into any of the given categories?
We gave a special Award of Merit to the quilt in its own category, which came with a large blue rosette ribbon and premium the same as all other first place awards in the show.
Haha, I guess that makes me an official member of the Quilt Police Force. :)

wow amazing lanyard quilt :) how do you sew all those little pieces?

I love the cathedral window quilts, one day I will attempt one. beautiful.

Beautiful
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

HUMmm Not sure what you would call it but looks like a lot of very good work to me.

I put together a front, put a middle layer, and a back. I tie my quilts. I feel they are a quilt and that's all that matters

That's a great idea. Now your quilts can be used year around. Heavy for winter and sheets for summer. Good way for your hard work to be seen all year.