What is a Quilt?

Quilting is an art. To put things in perspective and for the sake of simplicity lets define a quilt as a sandwich. This sandwich has 3 parts to it. Usually Quilts have been used as bed covers, but in all honesty such a quilt like the one above by Colette Dumont is a museum-class piece of art. 

Just like a sandwich there is a middle part, a top and a bottom. Let me explain:

•  
• 1-      The Top of the Quilt
• This is the layer where the quilter spends the most time and effort sewing different fabric pieces together into a beautiful design (woven patchwork). It could also include applique and embroidery.

•  
• 2-      The Middle of the Quilt (The Batting)
• This part of the quilt which is also called the patting can be cotton  or a variety of different materials.

•  
• 3-      The Bottom of the Quilt (The Backing)
• This part usually is a one piece of fabric which sits on the top of the bed or on the wall and usually is the invisible part of the finished quilt, however; some quilters create the backing of their quilts similar to the top which takes hard work and long hours to finish.

Now once you finish the top, the batting and the bottom, the act of sewing all these layers together is what we call Quilting and hence the end result is a Quilt.

Once you finish your quilt there is one last step which is binding. This process binds the layers (3 layers) of the quilt on the edges of the quilt (parameters).

Bingo, now you have a Quilt.