The word quilt is derived from the Latin culcita meaning a large stuffed sack. Hardly a glamorous origin, but the centuries-old technique is making a runway-ready comeback right now. Click here for more Fall 2013 Trend reports!     Learned at grandmothers’ sides for generations, hand-quilting is most commonly used to create colorful bedcovers. The process, using needle and thread with running stitches to connect fabric remnants or scraps, is enjoying a modern-day resurgence among crafters and home economics classes. Here in the U.S., many schools are adding the technique back into their curriculum. Whether springing from these grass-roots efforts, or simply concurrently inspiring top designers, quilting is definitely warming up in the season to come. Quilting can take many forms, including piecing and appliqué, all used for clothing and furnishings in diverse parts of the world for centuries. In fact, the earliest known quilted garment is depicted on the carved ivory figure of an Egyptian Pharaoh of First Dynasty, circa 3400 B.C. Fast forward to the 21st century, and technology has allowed more precise and flexible quilting, incorporating exotic fabrics and embroidery over leather, fur, and heavy wool tartans.   Below, find a few of our top designer quilted picks, plus two buy-it-now finds for those ready to try the trend.  

Quilting On The Runway

    IRO’s moto jacket puts a quilted spin on a fall staple.                             Pretty in pink, from 3.1 Phillip Lim.                             J. Mendel’s look is all about layers.                             Quilting in fur, from Sportmax.                             Rag & Bone shows a new twist on trousers.                            

Shop The Trend

    Bebe’s Ava Crossbody Bag ($79) is nicely priced and versatile.                             A Quilted Skater Dress from Miss Selfridge ($85) features flattering seams.                           Additional Research by Natalie Starnes. Inset image via Commons.Wikimedia.org. All product and runway images via individual designers.