When is it not a quilt?
03-01-2011, 09:27 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Originally Posted by RST
What drives me nuts is when some of the newer-to-quilting bloggers refer to the process of stitching the layers together (properly termed "quilting" in my mind, as well as historically) as "topstitching".
Topstitching is a real term. It's what you do on jeans. It's often used in bag and tote construction. It's done on upholstery. But it's really very different from the skill set that is correctly known as quilting (be it hand or machine, domestic or longarm).
But -- I think they use the term topstitching because it's confusing to refer to quilting as both the stitching technique, and the overall hobby. So they are trying to distinguish between the piecing / patchworking portion of the work, and the quilting.
Still -- it annoys.
RST
Topstitching is a real term. It's what you do on jeans. It's often used in bag and tote construction. It's done on upholstery. But it's really very different from the skill set that is correctly known as quilting (be it hand or machine, domestic or longarm).
But -- I think they use the term topstitching because it's confusing to refer to quilting as both the stitching technique, and the overall hobby. So they are trying to distinguish between the piecing / patchworking portion of the work, and the quilting.
Still -- it annoys.
RST
03-01-2011, 09:39 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
A lot of non-quilters confuse patchwork with quilting, but at least they get that it's sewn cloth of some sort, and that's a bit better than calling a quilt a "blanket". Another issue I have on the subject is that quite a few people seem to think quilting was invented in America, and that needs to be corrected because they were around long before the discovery of the New World. The Wikipedia article on "Quilt" includes some information on the history with documentation and pictures. I learned from a dictionary that the word "quilt" comes from the Latin word for mattress. I imagine that people first started tying or sewing layers of cloth together so that they could sleep on them without having them rumple up into an uncomfortable mess. Like a whole lot of technology, it has evolved over many generations and hundreds of years. Words are defined by the way they are most clearly understood. My most strenuous objection is when someone calls a crocheted afghan a "quilt" - a total confusion of terms.
03-01-2011, 09:54 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 947
My most strenuous objection is when someone calls a crocheted afghan a "quilt" - a total confusion of terms.
Ugggh. HAte that. The PBS ad where the carpenter dudes, Norm I think, and some of the THis Old House cast, talk about watching the quilt shows, and hold up a crocheted afghan -- never fails to set my teeth on edge. That would be like Nancy and Pokey holding up the "woodwork" they've crafted out of sheet metal -- totally wrong genre.
The origins of quilting are interesting to try to figure out. My grandmother, who was born in China, always claimed that the traditional Chinese layered clothing was the true origins. While my parents, who lived in Kenya for a long time, point to the pieced fabric works of some of the tribes as a possible source for patchwork origins. I say it rose independently from multiple sources, with varied approaches and aesthetics.
RST
Ugggh. HAte that. The PBS ad where the carpenter dudes, Norm I think, and some of the THis Old House cast, talk about watching the quilt shows, and hold up a crocheted afghan -- never fails to set my teeth on edge. That would be like Nancy and Pokey holding up the "woodwork" they've crafted out of sheet metal -- totally wrong genre.
The origins of quilting are interesting to try to figure out. My grandmother, who was born in China, always claimed that the traditional Chinese layered clothing was the true origins. While my parents, who lived in Kenya for a long time, point to the pieced fabric works of some of the tribes as a possible source for patchwork origins. I say it rose independently from multiple sources, with varied approaches and aesthetics.
RST
03-01-2011, 10:07 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,943
I really don't care what it is called. The main point to me is: did you have fun in the process?
Wall quilts are what they are. Tops are tops. Whatever they are they are our creativity so just relax and enjoy the process.
A big PFFFTT to the quilt police.
ali
Wall quilts are what they are. Tops are tops. Whatever they are they are our creativity so just relax and enjoy the process.
A big PFFFTT to the quilt police.
ali
03-01-2011, 10:15 AM
#26
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by RST
My most strenuous objection is when someone calls a crocheted afghan a "quilt" - a total confusion of terms.
Ugggh. HAte that. The PBS ad where the carpenter dudes, Norm I think, and some of the THis Old House cast, talk about watching the quilt shows, and hold up a crocheted afghan -- never fails to set my teeth on edge. That would be like Nancy and Pokey holding up the "woodwork" they've crafted out of sheet metal -- totally wrong genre.
The origins of quilting are interesting to try to figure out. My grandmother, who was born in China, always claimed that the traditional Chinese layered clothing was the true origins. While my parents, who lived in Kenya for a long time, point to the pieced fabric works of some of the tribes as a possible source for patchwork origins. I say it rose independently from multiple sources, with varied approaches and aesthetics.
RST
Ugggh. HAte that. The PBS ad where the carpenter dudes, Norm I think, and some of the THis Old House cast, talk about watching the quilt shows, and hold up a crocheted afghan -- never fails to set my teeth on edge. That would be like Nancy and Pokey holding up the "woodwork" they've crafted out of sheet metal -- totally wrong genre.
The origins of quilting are interesting to try to figure out. My grandmother, who was born in China, always claimed that the traditional Chinese layered clothing was the true origins. While my parents, who lived in Kenya for a long time, point to the pieced fabric works of some of the tribes as a possible source for patchwork origins. I say it rose independently from multiple sources, with varied approaches and aesthetics.
RST
I cringe when someone calls one of my afghans a blanket. I've gotten used to it - but still cringe.
03-01-2011, 10:20 AM
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i totally agree and i LOVE CARYL'S WORK! she has absolutely BEAUTIFUL QUILTS in her galleries!
for someone to say it's not a quilt is pretty ignorant....
there are many, many different styles of quilts...just because one is not (your style) does not make it less a quilt. :thumbup:
for someone to say it's not a quilt is pretty ignorant....
there are many, many different styles of quilts...just because one is not (your style) does not make it less a quilt. :thumbup:
03-01-2011, 11:10 AM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somerset, England
Posts: 10,686
Originally Posted by Rose_P
A lot of non-quilters confuse patchwork with quilting, but at least they get that it's sewn cloth of some sort, and that's a bit better than calling a quilt a "blanket". Another issue I have on the subject is that quite a few people seem to think quilting was invented in America, and that needs to be corrected because they were around long before the discovery of the New World. The Wikipedia article on "Quilt" includes some information on the history with documentation and pictures. I learned from a dictionary that the word "quilt" comes from the Latin word for mattress. I imagine that people first started tying or sewing layers of cloth together so that they could sleep on them without having them rumple up into an uncomfortable mess. Like a whole lot of technology, it has evolved over many generations and hundreds of years. Words are defined by the way they are most clearly understood. My most strenuous objection is when someone calls a crocheted afghan a "quilt" - a total confusion of terms.
03-01-2011, 11:22 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: california
Posts: 932
once again the semantics have over-ridden the usage of words. unfortunately the word quilt can be a noun or a verb. you can make a quilt and you can quilt an item. ultimately, what does it matter what you call the item? i say po ta to, you say po tah to. we just need to enjoy the body of work. piece to you all.
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