Quilts and Matelasse’ Coverings

Traditionally a quilt is a cover that is able to be used in a variety of ways. Quilts have a layer of batting or padding placed between two layers of fabric and then stitched into a specific pattern or design to hold the layers in place. Batting is a soft and bulky assembly of fibers that gives the quilt loft and creates a layer of insulation.

There are 2 different types of quilts. The first type is made with a single uniform piece of fabric for the top layer. This is different from the second type, a piecework quilt that joins smaller sections of fabric together to create the top layer. On each type of quilt, the underside will be a single piece of solid color fabric. Pieced quilts are often made from fabrics that may have been used previously in clothing, upholstery, former drapery, or bedding. Any fabric that is not being worn or used for its original purpose can be reused in this fashion. Some quilters will purchase bolts of fabric or yards of fabric and cut into smaller pieces to make a quilt of their own artistic design. This makes for an interesting and unique cover for a bed, couch, throw, or chair. Some quilts are made from a combination of antique fabrics, old clothing pieces, or upholstery fabric.

Matelasse’ is a stitching technique that creates the illusion of a padded quilt. Most Matelasse’ products are of a heavier cotton fabric (although there are some products that are made with a cotton/polyester fabric blend) which can give the appearance of padding, despite not being filled with any batting. This look is meant to mimic the style of hand-stitched quilts made in France. Specialty jacquard looms or quilting machines are used to give Matelasse’ fabric the unique appearance of intricate designs, raised patterns, indentations, and the padded look often associated with quilts.

Both quilts and coverlets are sized differently depending on their manufacturer. To choose the correct size for your bed, measure the depth and width of your mattress as you will also need the quilt to cover the depth of the mattress. If you are using a box spring (as some beds are on a platform and do not use a box spring), the next step will to measure the depth of the box spring to the floor. You do not want to leave your box spring exposed; so you will need to use a decorative box spring cover (that completely covers your box spring) or a bed skirt that will go under your mattress and over the top of your box spring. It will drape to the floor with either a ruffle or a box pleat finished look.

We have a wide range of both quilts and matelasse’ coverlets that can fulfill your bed covering needs. We also have decorative box spring covers and bed skirts that will help you finish off your look. Please visit our quilt page, coverlet page, bedscarves and bedskirts page, or mattress pad and box spring cover pages to see examples and the available choices for your top of bed needs.

Our Sales Reps welcome any questions you may have on these products or any other products in which you may be interested in purchasing.