does anyone know the history of rag quilts?

Question

for babies? or for beds.. there is like nothing out there and i was wondering if anyone knew anything! thankss

Answer 1

In rag quilting, the edges are ragged.... frayed and sometimes the fabric within the quilt is also frayed. So, it is almost three-dimensional looking. Rag quilts are aptly named...they were normally made from old blankets, quilts and sometimes clothing that could no longer be recycled. Also, rag quilts were not made in patterns, and the pieces usually overlapped to minimize the fraying.

Quilting is thought to date as far back as the crusades, soldiers needing protection from the chaffing of armor would "quilt" together layers of wool and woolen cloth to be worn under it.
Rag quilting was a frontier type of quilting, necessary
because stores were so far away, and nothing could afford to be wasted. They used different types and weights of cloth, and sometimes even included pieces of pelts too small for any other use.
Today, "rag" quilts are made on quilting machines, using frayed fabric to give them the old-timey look.

Answer 2

SOME of our ancestors were frugal at SOME points in history, but this is not a fair blanket statement - take a look at the crazy quilts of the 1890's for examples of how frugal many were not. Rag quilts are not considered traditional quilts because they are in fact, NOT traditional quilts. They are modern quilts, having come on the scene sometime in the last 30 years.

Answer 3

Our ancestors couldn't afford to waste anything. If there was any life left in a scrap of clothing it was saved and when enough were saved they were pieced and layered into something to keep you warm on cold winter nights.