Quilt art, sometimes known as art quilting, mixed media art quilts or fiber art quilts, is an art form that uses both modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects. Practitioners of quilt art create it based on their experiences, imagery, and ideas, rather than traditional patterns. Quilt art generally has more in common with the fine arts than it does with traditional quilting. Quilt art is typically hung or mounted.
"Child's Quilt" - a Jean Ray Laury design. Made by Carol Simpelaar, NY, 1970, cottons, dimensions: 37" x 47". Collection of Bill Volckening, Portland, Oregon.
Quilt House view, Robert A. M. Stern Associates Architects
Quilt art exhibit installation view, International Quilt Study Center & Museum, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Quilting is the process of joining a minimum of three layers of fabric together either through stitching manually using a needle and thread, or mechanically with a sewing machine or specialised longarm quilting system. An array of stitches is passed through all layers of the fabric to create a three-dimensional padded surface. The three layers are typically referred to as the top fabric or quilt top, batting or insulating material, and the backing.
Quilter in Bazaar of Nishapur, Iran
Women of Gee's Bend, Alabama quilting, 2005
Quilted skirt (silk, wool and cotton – 1770–1790), Jacoba de Jonge-collection MoMu, Antwerp / Photo by Hugo Maertens, Bruges.
This early American wholecloth quilt was made in the Colonial period, c. 1760–1800. The blue resist fabric includes bold, fanciful botanical motifs. Collection of Bill Volckening.