Whole Cloth

Hand sewing is an art form that is over 20,000 years old. The first sewing needles were made of bone and the first thread was made of animal sinew. Iron needles were invented in the 14th century. The first eyed needles appeared in the 15th century. Whole cloth quilting is a great exercise for colonial reenactors.

Indigo Blue Wool, circa 1790-1810

Quilts made during the early Colonial period in America were made of wool woven with linen. Linen was later replaced with cotton. Wool flannel was used for the batting. Wool flannel was later replaced with cotton flannel. A layer of muslin was used on the back. These are called Linsey-Woolsey quilts.

Indigo Wool, circa 1800-1815

This is glazed wool broadcloth. Glazing is a process of applying a hot press to wool resulting in a smooth, lustrous fabric surface. This Colonial period quilt features a repeating pattern of large feathered clamshells, 7 stitches per inch. Both sewing and quilting threads are 2-ply blue wool.

Cotton production began in the South at the end of the 18th century. Cotton quilts would've been made during the Revolutionary era. Southern quilters used cotton bolls for batting, which they called "wadding". Three colors were the most prominent and are featured in our nation's flag: Turkey red, Indigo blue, and Natural. Heavy quilting with feather motifs, trapunto and micro stippling served the purpose of preventing the batting from shifting. Quilts today don't need to be stitched this heavily because modern batting is needle punched. However, the effect is so beautiful that it remains popular.

Natural Trapunto

Turkey Red Paisley

The fabric was produced in the Vale of Leven, Scotland. The quilt was made in Wales

It features a hand sewn knife edge rather than binding. The top and backing fabrics are turned inward and top stitched together.

Indigo Cotton

Colonial Era: Wool blend jean cloth or broadcloth for the top, Wool Flannel for the batting and muslin for the back. 

Revolutionary Era: 2 yards (88x72") of bleached or unbleached Muslin for the top $5.98/2 yd cut.
2-1/4 yards of Osnaburg for the back $8.10. 

Old bed sheets work great for both the top and back.
Warm & White Cotton Batting (Twin Size 90x72", you will need to stretch it a bit) $10.51.
Basting Needles $4.79.

Stencils $2.59-9.99+.
Suggestions:
Stipple, Meander, Crosshatch, Baptist Fan, Feather, Medallion, Border and Corner.

Make your own stencils:
Inkjet Transparency Film $11.33
Write-On Transparency Film $14.31
Wet Erase Overhead Projection Markers $5.37
Exacto Knife $2.97

Silhouette Cameo Stencil Machine $269.99

Marking Options

Quilter's Yardstick $4.29

Sewline Extra Fine 0.9mm Mechanical Pencil $15.95
Pencil Refill $6.50
(White, Yellow, Black, Green, Pink)

Quilter's Chalk Line $19.95
Chalk Line Refill $7.95

Dritz Quilting Chalk Powder Marker (Pounce) $3.99
Pounce Chalk Refill (White, Blue, Pink) $5.99

Frixion Pen 0.5mm (heat erasable) $2.65
(Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise, Purple, Green, Pink, Brown, Orange, Lime)

Option for not marking a quilt

Artograph Ez Tracer Projector $40.00 (engineersupply.com)
Inkjet Transparency Film $11.33

S Thomas & Sons Betweens Needles (I use size 10) $2.29
Start with a variety pack sold at Wal Mart to find your size.
Coats & Clark 25 wt. Hand Quilting Thread $3.69
Needle Threader (optional) $1.88
Beeswax or Thread Heaven $3.19
Ultra-Thimble $7.59
This is the best thimble I've found. It does not depend on finger size. Rather, it adheres to the finger with adhesive. colonialneedle.com sells the Thimble Pack Plus that contains the Ultra Thimble, Thimble Dimple and finger pads for $9.95. Look for it under Thimbles/Fingertip.
Surgical Tweezers for pulling needle $3.35
Doctors throw away the tools they use on you.  I got mine free from my GYN.
Embroidery Scissors $3.99
Quilting Hoop $5.89
Border Quilting Hoop (optional) $31.49
Quilting Frame (optional if using a hoop) $109.99

What justifies the expense of quilting is that 90% of tools are one-time purchases. Recurring costs are fabric, batting, needles, and thread. This is all you really need to make a quilt.