My mother and I both quilt as much as we have time (which isn't much, but we try).

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In the US, the decoration on the quilt comes almost exclusively from the patchwork blocks used to form the quilt, rather than any decorative stitching.

I'd say that's a bit of an overstatement/generalization. Whole-cloth quilts are not common here any more but everyone I know certainly puts a tremendous amount of planning into her quilting unless it's strictly a utility quilt (when she'll probably run in through the machine or just quilt it in a grid). The wrong quilting ruins a patterned quilt and all the women I know consider how the two will work together at great length. Counterpane [solid piece of cloth, not pieced or appliquéd] blocks usually have their own decorative pattern. They don't just fill in with lines or shells all the time.

When most Americans say quilt, they mean patchwork. When a Brit says quilt, it can be anything from a Victorian patchwork bedspread to a 1970's polyester eiderdown.

When Americans say "quilt", they mean three layers SEWN together. Tied bedding--at least around here--is sort of considered a quilt as well but . . . not quite. Most older quilts here are filled with loose cotton, often complete with a few stray seeds, so tying would be a poor choice of assembly since it doesn't hold cotton bolls in place. Tying is considered a bit sloppy unless the quilt has flannel or some other woven material for batt, which is something most women I know don't do unless they mean for the quilt to be washed regularly and used heavily. It's probably most common in quilts for babies and small children, which are likely to get dirty and be used up.

On the other hand, a "comforter" in America is the puffy thing filled with down or polyfill and "quilted" only in wide tracks for maximum air capacity. I don't think anyone makes what we would call a "comforter" at home any more. That is a comforter.


Sorcha's right--do NOT store in plastic. Roll in muslin or old bedsheets to keep dust off. Always refold in a different way so you don't use the same creases each time, which can weaken and encourage wear lines. And keep them out of sunlight.