When it comes to country decorating, there's just no substitute for a real patchwork quilt. It becomes an instant focal point in any room, and provides a sub-conscious message of warmth and comfort. If you're a lover of country style you probably own a few- or wish you did! Here's some general info on quilts, and some things to consider, if you're thinking of buying one. What exactly is a quilt? Well, a quilt is a traditional bed covering with 3 layers- a decorative top layer; a backing; and some kind of batting sandwiched between the two. The top can consist of one piece of fabric (a whole cloth quilt), or it can consist of many different fabrics sewn together in a multitude of different patterns (a patchwork quilt.) The actual "quilting" refers to the stitches that bind all three layers together. The quilting part can be done by hand or by machine. We are often asked why quilts vary so much in price. The reason is related to a few different factors. The first is due to the intricacy of the pattern. For example, the Tea Cabin Quilt has lots of pieces sewn together to create and intricate design. The Laura Ann Quilt has fewer pieces in the patchwork, hence it costs less. Another factor is the type of fabric used. The higher quality quilts will use a softer grade of cotton with a higher thread count. The final consideration is the type of batting used. A premium quality quilt will be filled with 100% cotton batting. The highest priced ones will have a thicker measure of batting. Several of the premium quilts that we carry have a lighter-weight batting, making them a bit less expensive than other quilts listed on the same page. These are a great option for the summer, or if you just prefer to spend a bit less and still get a quality cotton filled quilt. The Star Patch Quilt is our most popular quilt in this category. If you really want something that will "wow" you, you must try one of these quilts- Tea Dyed Leaves Quilt , Tea Cabin Quilt , Stars of America Quilt , or Pinwheel Quilt. We really shouldn't play favorites, but these seem to be the most universally well-loved. The colors blend easily in many homes. Each of these quilts make an impact because the patterns are so striking. Use them on your bed, your wall, or your sofa. They will be just want you need to create that cozy country cabin look. What you need to know about quilt care: All of the quilts are machine washable- with a few words of caution. The best way to wash your quilt is at the laundromat. I know, no one likes to hear that! The reason is because their commercial washing machines have a different type of agitator, which is actually less traumatic to the quilt. Dry cleaning is not recommended unless you test a small portion of fabric first. As for drying, it is best to line dry or dry flat. That being said, let me tell you what we do (yes, we really DO use these products at home!) We wash our quilts in the home washer (gentle cycle) and put them in the dryer. We've never had a problem with this method. BUT we can't guarantee that this will be your experience because all washing machines are different. Also consider that a patchwork quilt is not the best choice if you like to wash your bed covering weekly. We recommend the Stonewashed Quilts if you want or need to wash your quilt frequently- they hold up great to machine washing and drying. Some thoughts on matching Please don't hesitate you request swatches of the quilts. We know that it is hard to choose based on a computerized image, so by all means let us send you a swatch. You'll see that most of the quilts are made up of lots of different fabrics, so they can be coordinated with various other pieces. If your favorite quilt does not have a matching bedskirt available, don't despair. We can usually recommend a good substitute. And after all, country decorating is not all about matching. (Just our opinion, of course). Quilt Sizing The size of the quilt should be listed in the product description. The quilts made by Victorian Heart Company are cut the largest. If you need assistance on finding one of these quilts please let us know. If you have any further questions, or ideas for topics that we need to address here please email us. |