Initially many of these design seemed to come just as much out of necessity as they did creativity. When women didn't have access to new fabric, they used fabric they had left over from other projects to create designs. 

Eventually, someone realized there was a great market for those who could put together sets of material that would make attractive quilt bedding. As early as the late 1890's quilt kits started to become popular. These were sold as complete kits and contained everything the budding quilter needed to make quilt bedding. When country bedding started to be judged at large fairs, such as the world's fair, the winning designs were made into quilt kits and sold. 

Other quilt designs were a group effort, which came out of quilting bees. These were get-togethers where women each made part of the finished quilt.