Thursday, January 5, 2023

Biscuit Quilts

 This weekend I'm making beef stew for us.  I usually make biscuits to go along with it.  I don't make biscuits often and it will be a treat for my husband.

Do you remember biscuit quilts?  They were a popular technique taught in the 1970s through the 1990s.  They were sometimes referred to as "puff quilts" or "bubble quilts" and apparently are still being made.  Here is a photograph of one on sale at etsy:


I've never made one--have you?

I wondered how far back the "biscuit or puff quilt" craze went and was surprised by the age of the technique.

How about this lovely from 1931:


The Victorians loved most techniques and during the late 19th and early 20th century, newspaper articles recorded the technique becoming a fad:


The Boston Globe even provided instructions on color lay-outs for "Puff Quilts":

Many of these quilts were made with silk, taffeta, velvet, and even satin.  I haven't seen any of these antique ones and wonder how they fared with age.  Barbara Brackman did have a photograph of one that was used by First Lady Sarah Polk.  You can see that here.

There's a vintage piece being sold at Etsy here:


I've heard the weight of this quilt is substantial, if you've made one, I would love to hear about that!

Last week some of the seniors in my neighborhood were talking about the weighted blankets they use.  I think they must be sold by weight: Dave has a 5 pounder; Dawn has a 15 pounder.  If you don't know what a weighted blanket is here is an explanation.  I had heard these were used for children with autism years ago but had no idea that adults were using them to sleep.

I was always taught that the denser the quilt stitching, the warmer and heavier the quilt.  It's why some of my oldest quilts are so heavy.  I also was taught that the quilt must lay flat, lay flat, LAY FLAT!  

Personally, I'd rather sleep under a nice quilted traditional quilt.  What about you?

Have a safe and happy day!

1 comment:

  1. Our winter bed quilt acts like a weighted blanket though it's not really that heavy; it's just heavier than no quilt in summer!

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