Sometimes I get questions from people in general and from my Etsy customers about quilts.
I sell two things related to quilts.
Pieced quilt tops and quilted quilts. I have a few tied quilts but I do not make many of these any more.
There are two kinds of basic quilt tops. Quilt tops are generally know as the top of the quilt or the side with lots of sewing and fabrics.
1. A pieced quilt which was started by piecing scraps of fabrics together left from old and new garments for families. It has evolved into an art with new fabrics and patterns. There are traditional patterns and modern patterns. They are all sewn together. Now with a sewing machine, originally by hand. Generally the seam is 1/4 inch. For a long time quilt seams were pressed to the side but the "new quilters" are thinking open seams are better for a flat quilt unless you have a dark and a light fabric sewn together.
Here is a simple example of a pieced quilt TOP:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/291492431/quilt-top-in-tan-reds-coral-colors?ref=shop_home_active_1
2, An appliqued quilt top is a fabric design cut out of different types of fabric to make a scene or picture out of different colors and textures. When I started quilting in the late 70's (I was a kid) I loved this type of quilting because it was easy for me to make with out instructions. I have never really liked pattern following.
This quilt has applique and piecing.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/229353677/applique-and-pieced-quilt-saying-they?ref=shop_home_active_5
Generally quilts have 4 main parts, the TOP, the BACKING, the BATTING and the BINDING.
1. We've discussed the top.
2. The Backing is generally one piece of solid print or color that is related to one of the fabrics in the top. More and more people are making designs on the backs of their quilts but it is generally less detailed.
Here is an example of a quilt that has pattern to both sides.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/286242607/wide-lap-or-baby-quilt-in-kaffe-fassett?ref=shop_home_active_12
3. The batting is the textile in between the quilt top and backing. Generally if you are doing machine quilting you use one layer of a cotton batting or a poly/cotton batting. Quilts with a great deal of loft are generally synthetic. These battings are often used for tied quilts.
The difference between a quilted quilt and a tied quilt. The quilting are detailed stitches that are random or a pattern. Now we most often do machine quilting but quilting started by hand and is often considered a lost art. The purpose of the quilting is to hold the fabrics together, especially when laundering.
Tied quilts hold the 3 pieces together for laundering. We often use embroidery floss or yarn. This is considered a much easier quilting method and is more utilitarian.
Example of a tied quilt.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153961295/extra-large-strip-bright-baby-quilt?ref=shop_home_active_14
4. Binding: This is the part of the quilt that finishes the quilt. It goes around the edge of the quilt and covers the raw edges of the back, batting, and the quilt top.
In conclusion, if you see quilt top or unfinished top that means you are not getting a finished quilt but a part of a quilt.
Why would someone want a quilt top? Generally some people love to do machine quilting but don't like to piece quilts or don't have time to piece quilts. If someone else does it for them it saves time and sometimes money because they do not have to purchase all of the fabric yardage.
I hope this helps none quilters when looking at and purchasing quilts.
There were no resources used in this article. It was written from experience.
With love from your retired FACS teacher. Jane