quilt / kwilt/ • n. a warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching, typically applied in a decorative design. ∎  a knitted or fabric bedspread with decorative stitching. ∎  a layer of padding used for insulation.• v. [tr.] join together (layers of fabric or padding) with lines of stitching to form a bed covering or a warm garment, or for decorative effect.DERIVATIVES: quilt·er n.

quilt (orig.) article of bed furniture to lie on, consisting of two pieces of material with padding between; (later) coverlet similarly made, counterpane. XIII. — OF. coilte, cuilte (mod. couette), with var. coute :- L. culcita mattress, cushion.
Hence vb. XVI.