Scrap Quilting – An Interesting History
July 7, 2008 Quilting Material
The art of scrap quilting enjoys a long and quite fascinating history stemming from the Victorian Era, and perhaps earlier. Scrap quilting has been associated with amazing legends and myths. While the legends may not have survived, the craft and the art certainly have. Our grandmothers created the scrap quilts because that’s all they had to work with – scraps. Today’s quilter, more often than not, uses this design to use up scraps from past project. To create beautiful designs from the leftovers give a special sense of satisfaction, when at the same time allowing the quilter to create a totally unique project.
The Charm of Scrap Quilting
For some quilters, scrap quilting is a practical way in which to use the leftover fabric scraps from other projects. For others, scrap quilting has become the art of combining odds and ends pieces of fabric to create a beautiful finished piece with loads of charm and individuality. For the dreamers of the group, the scrap quilt was a symbol of charm and magic. The old legend of these quilts says that any quilt that is created with 1000 different pieces became a charmed covering. Any dreams one dreamed while snuggling beneath would most assuredly come true. Whatever your ideas are about the art of scrap quilting, it is a craft that has been passed down for many generations, and has now been renewed with a modern take on an old favorite.
The Victorian Era
It was during the Victorian era that the legend of these charmed quilts began, following in the footsteps of the many young single women who would string buttons on a thread. It was believed that the gentleman who brought the 1000th button to her would be her male suitor by the hand of fate. Whether true or not, the legend undoubtedly gave many young women the opportunity to approach a desirous male with the request for that sought after button. Scrap quilting of that day consisted mainly of darker, more somber colors that reflected the times. They were usually created in a simple square pattern, although other, more complex patterns may have been used as well.
Scrap Quilting in the 20th Century
Although the popularity of the scrap quilting waned in the 1800’s, by the 1920’s this style of quilting once again became well known and widely used. The scrap quilting of this age was more apt to be orderly in nature. It was often complemented with a single color that consistently ran throughout or may have been added as a border. Many people still own one of these scrap quilts that a family member might have made, which is undoubtedly an attractive addition to a bed or the wall. Today, scrap quilting is still a popular art form, with many creative quilters going to great lengths to produce artistic pieces that are unique and abstract in form.
For many generations, scrap quilting has been a popular method for utilizing extra pieces of fabric. Today it has become a creative way for a quilter to express herself through an artistic endeavor. If you are a quilter, don’t throw away any of those odd scraps. You never know when you might be inspired to create a scrap quilt of your very own making.