Quilting is a method of sewing either by hand, by machine or a longarm quilting system. Quilting is believed to have originated for warmth instead of decoration. A quilt is a type of bed covering made with a quilt top, a layer of batting or insulating materials and a layer of backing material. The person quilting by hand or machine passes the needle and thread through all three layers and brings the needle back through the layers all across the quilt where quilting is wanted. It can be straight sewing or in a design. Quilting frames or hoops are used in holding the pieces together while being quilted.

Another way in doing a quilt is called tying. In tying you use thread, ribbons or yarn to pass through all layers at regular intervals. Tying is done in square knots. These ties hold the layers together during use or when being washed.

There are different styles of quilting. Hawaiian quilting is where you start with an appliquéd piece then keep sewing around and around the first piece. This is also called shadow or echo quilting. Ralli quilting is Indian quilting. Sashiko quilting is Japanese quilting. Trapunto quilting or stuffed quilting is from Italy. Machine Trapunto quilting is done with water soluble thread and an extra layer of batting to achieve the design then putting quilt together and re-sewing with regular cotton thread. Tivaevae or tifaifai quilting is from the Cook Islands.

There are a number of online quilting classes. The quilting teachers are well known from all over the world. There are free online projects that you would have lots of fun learning.

There are also classed held in quilting stores and fabric stores that give beginning classes to help you learn basic quilting as well as classes for the accomplished quilter.