The Beloved Quilt

I’m sure you’ve noticed that quilts are just everywhere right now. I’m not sure if it’s the pending cold weather (hard to imagine right now!), or just a “re-trend” of the tradition of quilting. In any case, you can find a quilt to suit your every need or design want.

My bedding during my early 20’s was this awesome (discontinued-boo!) quilt from Anthropologie. I remember my Dad bought it for me for a birthday, and I was lucky enough to get the quilt and the pillow shams. I have to say that was the most comfortable bedding I have ever slept with. Hands down. I still have it, although it’s a little worn out after years of use. 

I’m currently on the hunt for an equally comfortable quilt for our bedroom, to add to our current bedding during the winter. My problem is two-fold: 1) I’ve been spoiled by the luxurious comfort of the original quilt and 2) I don’t want to spend more than, say $80- MAX. I also need to stick to our existing color palette of Turquoise and Brown.

Bed Bath & Beyond

In my travels, I have only fallen more in love with all things quilts. They can be used for so many different things. Tapestry quilts can be used as wall hangings.

 Pinterest

They can be used as a fixture on the sofa to add color, pattern, and provide comfy warmth during movie nights.

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They can have traditional block patterns, or awesome modern and funky prints.

 Pinterest

Anthropologie still has a couple of my fav’s.

Anthropologie

Quilts also have a rich history:

Quilting traditions are particularly prominent in the United States, where the necessity of creating warm bedding met the paucity of local fabrics in the early days of the colonies. Imported fabric was very expensive, and local “homespun” fabric was labor intensive to create and tended to wear out sooner than commercial fabric. It was essential for most families to use and preserve textiles efficiently. Saving or salvaging small scraps of fabric was a part of life for all households. Small pieces of fabric were joined together, to make larger pieces, in units called “blocks”. Creativity could be expressed in the block designs, or simple “utility quilts”, with minimal decorative value, could be produced. “Crib quilts” for infants were needed in the cold of winter, but even early examples of beautiful baby quilts indicate the efforts that women made to welcome a new baby.

I am a sucker for a beautiful baby quilt.

My Mom made this one for our son Mickey, and it was a gift at our shower. She made it from fabric scraps that I used in his room décor, as well as (my favorite part) scraps from my husband, Michael’s, old plaid shirts (you can even see the pocket with the Polo logo!).

 

When he was really little, we used the quilt on the floor as a tummy time mat, and took it everywhere with us. It’s been washed dozens of times and only gets softer. Now, it’s being used as cushy-ness on the rocking chair in Mickey’s room. I can’t wait for the day when I can snap a photo of little Mickey carrying his quilt around (Linus-style) while sucking his thumb.

Bottom line- I love quilts. Love the history, love the patterns, love the colors, love the feeling. Do you get that same nostalgic-home feeling when you’re wrapped in a quilt?