Making quilts is a time honored tradition that dates back to ancient Egypt. The basic tools such as cloth, needles and cutting implements have remained the same. However, there are tools used in quilting which have become increasingly sophisticated making quilting easier and faster. In the 15th century, quilters were finding it difficult to stitch together the many layers of a quilt. The quilting frame was invented to allow quilters a firm tight surface to work with. It is made of four pieces of wood that resemble a table without the top. The quilt is attached to rollers on each end and pulled taut. Quilters can then work easily and precisely without the cumbersome quilt getting in the way. Another grand invention for quilting is the long arm quilting machine which was invented in the late 19th century. It is a cross between a traditional sewing machine and a quilt frame. The long arm quilting machine is similar to the quilting frame in that it stretches the quilt tightly to allow easier and more accurate stitching. The difference is that the machine is able to be moved along a track that allows straight lines as well as patterns to be made with ease. These inventions have made an ancient art into an enjoyable hobby. The modern tools of quilting have taken much of the frustration of quilting and have made quilting accessible to people who other wise may not have had the time of patience to quilt.
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