Quilted describes fabric made by stitching two layers of material together with soft padding in between, creating a pattern of raised lines or shapes. Look at a quilted jacket or blanket and you'll see those distinctive puffy squares or diamonds formed by the stitching.

Quilting serves two purposes: it keeps the padding from bunching up in one spot, and the extra layers trap air to provide insulation. That's why quilted winter coats keep you so warm. The stitching pattern can be simple parallel lines or elaborate decorative designs.

People also use quilted to describe anything with a similar bumpy, padded appearance. A quilted leather handbag has that same raised, stitched pattern even though it's not meant for warmth. Quilted materials feel soft and substantial when you touch them, unlike flat fabric. If your grandmother made a quilt for your bed, she probably spent hours carefully stitching through all three layers, creating both a work of art and something practical that could last for generations.