The early Americans who made quilts did not quilt like people do in the 21st century. They didn't have the abundance of fabrics that people have now. Some quilts were made from old clothes and their reason for making quilts was to keep warm.

Historians say quilting goes back to 3400 BC as there is evidence of quilted garments from that era. European's introduced quilted bedding in Rome in the 1500's by stuffing coverlets on their bed to keep warm. England took this idea a step further by stitching the coverlet so the stuffing wouldn't shift. Because of the harsh winters, quilt making became more practiced out of necessity.

Due to the difficulty in stitching these cumbersome quilts, the quilting frame was invented. They could stitch finer decorative designs on their quilts. Quilting eventually became an art form. French seamstresses introduced appliqué to their quilts. The Spanish used the quilting technique to make ecclesiastical vestments with appliqué designs.

In the meantime the Japanese came up with their own piecing of fabrics for clothing and wall hangings, and screens. This inspired "crazy quilting" in America. By the mid 1800's the textile industry had grown and fabric was available to most families. That is when quilting became part of an American women's life.

It gave them a way to show their creativity.
By the 19th century, quilting was popular all over Europe and America. It was when the quilting bee groups began, where women would get together in groups and create quilts. It was way for women to socialize and get out of their home while still doing something useful.