Textile History

What is the history of the Log Cabin quilt? Quilt historians found that the Log Cabin design became popular in 1863, when the Union army was raising money for the Civil War by raffling quilts. President Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin. The pattern may have been a symbol of loyalty to him … Read more

How were quilts made in the 1800s? Before 1800 quilts were made with two large sheets of fabric with a layer of cotton or wool padding between them. These whole cloth covers were then quilted. The two large sheets of fabric were fastened together with small stitches in an elaborate pattern of flowers or vines. … Read more

The common fashion trend known as tie dye is characterized by a pattern of vibrant, swirling motifs. It is often made by knotting fabric and then dying it in various colors. Although tie dye has been used for centuries, it only really became well-known in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Due to … Read more