So, what is the "legal" definition of a quilt??
 

I sell a few baby quilts on yardsellr, have been more successful there than with other online sites. But yesterday I received a comment about one of my small flannel "quilts" as I call them. Pretty nasty, as in "that's not a quilt, it is knotted, and it is flannel, not cotton, so not a quilt." Maybe it should be called a comforter,, but it has a back, a batting and a front, tied together. Help, am I way wrong in thinking one can call it a quilt?? Bewildered.

Three layers held together by stitching. Flannel is cotton. Ties are single stitches.

They obviously don't know what they're talking about.

Congratulations you just met the quilt police. ignore and go on calling your quilts "quilts" because that is what they are. Just be very thorough in your description so if someone orders they know to expect a tied, flannel quilt. As opposed to the kind the QP was referring to. You will meet all kinds on your quilting journey. There are still some out there that insist a machine quilted quilt is not a "real" quilt.

Sounds like a quilt to me. I agree they don't know what they are talking about. Why can people just keep their piehole shut if they don't have anything nice to say

I’ve seen two fleece panels and a towel between, with the fringed cut ends tied together sold as a quilt. Look at what Walmart sells as quilts.

Just be honest in your description so that people don’t think they’re going to get a pieced, cotton, quilted item.

oh-oh, the quilt police have your number!! The only proper response is "How kind of you to take an interest" accompanied by an icy stare if the comment is made in person. Not sure how you would do an icy stare over the internet!

Ha, great advice everyone. Makes me feel special, the quilt police are after me now:) I do always say if it is hand pieced, machine quilt or hand quilted, or knotted

That's what I was thinking. This world is full of critics!

I second your thought......

I and a lot of quilters I know tie quilts. If I get in a hurry or if my back is hurting me I tie the quilts I feel will look good tied. And I call them quilts.

from Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quilt

": a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs"


Notice it doesn't even mention the type of cloth.

Yep, I agree with previous posters, that was the Quilt Police. I'll wager it may have even been a competitor... you know you're doing something right when they come after you.

Hmmm. Sounds like the definitions of comforter and quilt are the same, so the OP should be okay.

Merriam Webster "A bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs." My sister in law is also a quilt police....AND she dosn't quilt!!

Didn't see your post MattieMae's ....went right to "Merriam" after reading original post. GGGgggggrrr to quilt police!!

To the person who commented on your quilt: If you're not going to buy, move on - no commentary or editorializing - just move on.

sometimes in museums i have seen whole cloth quilts that are two pieces of fabric, no bat.

they were just to show off stitching (and my oh my do they!)

so yeah. what they all said :)

mr. state trooper...please don't stop me....please don't stop me....

aileen

You could have responded, "Somebody wore their cranky panties today!":p

Jan in VA

If it ever happens again, ask to see the person's ID.

Just because the quilt police gave you a ticket doesn't mean you have to pay it. Plain and simple, you met all the qualifications of a quilt. Congratulations.

I'll tell you why... it's like mhy Mother used to always say "If they can't run it, they have to ruin it". Some people are just clods!

LOL. Good one Jan! I know a couple people I would like to say that too!

And to Oldquilter.......sounds like quilts to me!

that person must have a very rigid sense of what a quilt is. Ignore it. I find people who make comments like that usually aren't quilters

Even Webster's definition grossly is outdated. The industry definition is the one Scissor Queen gave: Three layers held together by stitching. No mention of beds...or cloth or thread or batting for that matter.

are definitions 'legal & illegal'?
never thought about a definitions---legality

my webster's dictionary states:
quilt;1. a bedcover made by stitching together two layers of cloth with a soft padding between them 2. Any bedcover, esp. if thick. 3. a quilted skirt or other quilted article-v.t. 1 To stitch together two pieces of material with a soft substance between. 2 To stitch in ornamental patterns or crossing lines. - v.i. 3. To make a quilt of quilted work.

it says nothing about not being able to use flannel- or any other fabric you like---i've seen a couple pretty sweet fleece quilts---they were quilts because they had a batting and a backing & were stitched together.
it also does not say a tied quilt is not a quilt---since in all actuality you are making a stitch at each tie.
so, maybe the (critic) should check her dictionary before becoming indignant.

There is no 'legal' definition. However, if it were only 2 sheets of fabric with filler, I would call it a blanket.

If you've sewn together different fabrics, doesn't matter whether it's tied or not, it is still a quilt. The person who posted is foolishly stuck in a rut. There are thousands of beautiful quilts made out of fibers that are not cotton including silk.

In the last decade I've had the privilege of seeing some amazing trunk shows from quilt curators, appraisers and similar level of professionals with decades of higher education on quilts and all the components thereto. When we saw old-old-old quilts batted or stuffed with handmade cloth rugs, newspaper and hair (yes, HAIR!!!!), not a one told us they weren't quilts. When they showed cathedral window quilts (no batting), not a one told us they weren't quilts.

I have a t-shirt that says, "Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?"

Wish there was a "LIKE" button ..... I agree with so many of these comments .... you all have good comments! :thumbup:

The person, who posted, was told that by someone else.

I love to see them tell my grandma that she did not quilt when her quilts were of wool, double knit, linen. She re-cycled a long time ago any fabic that she could get her needle through. I think any fabrics and fastening goes to make quilts.

Mine did the same. The top and backing were of any fabric that could be used. The batting was also anything that could be used. They were fastened together, with stitches or ties. IMO, those were the "real" quilts! :thumbup:

As long as you described it accurately, I don't see any reason why someone would complain.

Love the tee shirt quote, and all the other comments. Thanks, everyone. You all made me laugh, too.

So would the QP not consider a t-shirt quilt a legitimate quilt? I mean, some of the t-shirts might be a polyester/cotton blend, heaven forbid! :D

Some of the responses really gave me a good laugh!

Dogmatic, officious, uninformed snobs can be found almost anywhere. There is no reasoning with them, but please don't let them lower your understanding of your worth and that of your quilts.

I took my very first quilt (no instructions, no directions, no internet (!) since it was more than 50 years ago) to a beginning quilt group and was greeted "That is no quilt". As I said, more than 50 years ago and still remember how I felt. (I never went back) and am still quilting and learning as I go.

Looks, walks, quacks like a duck, its a duck. Three layers of cloth, hand/machine/tied, its a quilt

This person has just shown her ignorance & rudeness. You are right. Three layers sewn together is a quilt. She also didn't know that flannel is made from cotton. You stitched the thread through so you could tie it. She couldn't even be classed as quilt police because she obviously doesn't know the first thing about quilting. People like her should keep their lips firmly zipped. Carry on with what you are doing and enjoy your success. Sound like a case of sour grapes to me.

A tied quilt is a quilt tied!

oh good grief! Sounds to me like someone needs to get a life! I believe that flannel is brushed cotton and tied quilts are way older historically than what we do today ... so yeah, in my mind you made a quilt.

BTW ... Oldquilter ... hello from a native WV'n from the northern panhandle :-)