The American folk art style is present in textiles as well as in home furnishings. Antique folk art quilts are wonderfully graphic, naïve pieces of totally original textile art. Sometimes these antique quilts were created by adapting a known pattern in order to free it from its more rigid structure. Appliqued or pieced folk art quilts have unusual configurations of piecing and/or unusual choices of colors and fabrics. A folk art quilt might be embellished with embroidered drawings or paintings, depicting the life of the quilter, such as children?s handprints, houses, farms, or local plants and animals. An antique folk art quilt was usually made from cotton or wool, but very rarely a silk folk art piece will emerge. In these rare cases, a woman might have worked for an affluent family and been given silk scraps for her own use.
True folk art quilts were made to be used, not displayed. Fortunately, many have survived because they were washed infrequently or not at all, and especially not washed in a machine. We are indeed fortunate that the washing machine was not commercially available until the 1950?s, or many of our treasured antique quilts would have been ruined by pragmatic women just trying to do their housework!

Click on the pictures below to see more views of my Antique Folk Art Quilts. Shading is due to lighting, not representative of the quilt. Call for availability.

CONCLK2 Original Folk Art Embroidered Table Embellishment
c.1890
28 x 38 inches
Found in Maine
$2,900
In complete original condition, this creatively embroidered table embellishment is comprised of 24 7” blocks with wool embroidered motifs on black wool. We have a swan, which to me represents a relationship lasting a lifetime, flowers and leaves representing spring, summer and happiness. There’s a bird with “AM” embroidered on its wing. Created in the 1890s, it appears that the maker was incredibly creative and probably came from a less affluent family. The backing of each block is a much earlier homewoven fabric. There are sleeves or what are called pockets sewn on the back making it ready for hanging. Equally beautiful would be as a center focal point of your dining room table...Ready to be sent for your viewing and approval.

UF100 Odd Fellows Overshot Summer/Winter Carpet
c.1890
62 x 66 inches
Found in Pennsylvania
$2,200
Created on a 35" loom; finely woven with thick black and red woolen
threads. Odd Fellows symbols are the format for the design of this
creation. I enjoyed using "Google" to read about the deeper meanings of
the many Odd Fellows symbols. An over simplified version of these
symbols is the importance in life of love, industriousness, truth,
and acceptance of one another.
This c.1890 amazingly graphic piece of art was actually carpet for the
floor of a 19th century home or possibly the actual Odd Fellows Lodge.
Strips of 35" wide carpet were sewn together to create the needed room
size. This carpet, a perfect piece of art for your wall, is not quite two
full widths: one full and one apx. 3/4 width, hand sewn together. Please
look at the closeup sections by clicking the above photo. Where have you
ever seen 19th century art in red and black...a sought after and hard to
find color combination.
Betsey has organically washed this carpet so it is clean for your
perfect wall space. We can also apply "sleeves" so the "carpet" is ready
to easily hang. Please call for more details.

Q8920 Folk Art Sampler Quilt
c.1880
75 x 88 inches
Pensylvania, with initials: "H.D."
$3,400
Whimsical, folksy , happy and original. My way of describing this
amazing piece of folk art. The designer has even created sampler blocks
that are samplers within the sampler. I would not be surprised if her
husband was a carpenter or builder. What a wonderful way to show what
is important in her life, but also the designs she loved. Completely
hand pieced and beautifully hand quilted with many different patterns,
this quilt was used lovingly. There are over 50 quilt patterns on this
one Folk Art original quilt! Many of these patterns require a sewer of
expert ability. The Sunburst and the ball being two of the most
difficult to piece.
I see this quilt hung as art on the wall of a great room. However, there
is no reason why it should not be used on a bed.
Organically hand washed and ready to be sent for your at home approval

Q8337 Political Donkey Quilt
c.1930
65 x 81 inches
New England
$1,500
It’s voting time again in America and here is the perfect piece of fabric art for family room,
office or den that will make any member of the Democratic party smile!
In unused condition, this all cotton folk art quilt is an unusual find.
It is made up of six donkeys, in a three over three pattern, in solid soft blue and brown
fabrics on a tan ground with cross hatch hand quilting used throughout.
Perfect for folding over a railing or quilt rack as the donkeys will be standing
upright no matter which side you’re standing on.
Until more recent times, one of the few ways women could voice a political statement
was to incorporate their views into their needlework. This quilt is one such example
of a political woman’s creation. You can make your own statement or just enjoy the
folk art quality of this tremendous and very whimsical quilt.
Professionally hand washed by Betsey, you may ask to see this quilt on approval in
the privacy of your home.

Q9237 Folk Art Log Cabin Quilt
c.1835
78 x 78 inches
Believed to be New York
$4,400
Everyone has favorites...well, this is one of mine...and no surprise that I am an early fabric
textile junkie...Here we have a folk art Log Cabin Quilt executed in very expensive early wool
challis and other very, very fine wool fabrics. To me this is an oxymoron as affluent families
usually created sophisticated quilts, not folk art. There are dozens of different fabric patterns,
including early block prints, plaids, stripes, solids and calicoes. huge variety of colors...
It is pieced from strips (called logs) mostly measuring 5/8" in width to create 5" wide blocks.
These blocks are foundation pieced. All work is executed by hand as this quilt was made before
the public use of the sewing machine. Finishing the quilt is an applied 5/8 " wide plaid fine wool binding.
I am showing you the quilt on one of my beds as my lighting does not seem to work with these fabrics
...another reason to be sent on approval for viewing in your home.
An amazing piece of art for your wall or your bed.
Please call for more information.

Q9013 Amish Concentric Squares Folk Art Quilt, Log Cabin Variation
c.1865
48 x 74 inches
Big Valley, Pennsylvania
$2,700
A quilt very possibly created during the Civil War era.
This is a very rare and unusual Amish piece that is comprised of early wools and wool challis
fabrics, some of which appear to be home woven. The backing fabric of this quilt is a grayish
tweedy flannel, an early flannel. The squares created here, using a variation of the
Log Cabin pattern, measure 11-1/2 inches. Each log measures approximately 1 inch in width.
Yes, this a Log Cabin but an oxymoron because it's so very folksy and it's such an early Amish piece.
This quilt is not only a rare piece but would create an artistically amazing wall hanging.
There's a lot of other information that I'd like to share. Please call or email.

F607 Woolen Folk Art Four Patch Fragment
c.1895
21 x 29 inches
Found in Pennsylvania
$325
This funky little fragment is comprised of various wool fabrics, both in texture and design. Pieced by hand and tied with colorful yarns, this little fragment has a very folk art feel. The four patch blocks are joined with a 2-1/4” brown wool challis fabric sashing. Each block measures apx 7” square. The backing is a c.1890 stripe in muted black, lavender and yellow. The binding used here came off the original quilt. This quilt art fragment, for your wall. is ready to be sent on approval.

Q9108 Harvard University /Massachusetts Miniature Cigar Ribbon Quilt
c.1885
34 x 34 inches
Massachusetts
$4,800
This quilt is currently featured in the exhibition Cut and Paste: 400 Years of Collage held at The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, Scotland, from June 29 to October 27, 2019. It may be seen on page 21 in their book Cut and Paste: 400 Years of Collage, published by the National Galleries Scotland.
Many Victorian women were resourceful, creative and loved embellishing.
In the homes of today, when we have stopped embellishing, Victorian
women have just begun...I like to say that these women embellished the
embellishment. However, in addition Victorian women loved to be creative
and excelled in needlework of all kinds.
As a trendy habit most Victorian men smoked cigars. These cigars, in
clusters, were wrapped in beautiful silk ribbons denoting the
manufacturer. This advertiser design resulted in exquisite silk ribbons
waiting to be creatively assembled in a piece of textile art.
This Massachusetts woman, whose husband may have attended Harvard, has
taken the silk cigar bands and created a version of the log cabin
completely from these ribbons.
The reason why I date this mid 1880’s is because of the vibrant
colors. Later, the colors (mostly blue, orange and red) faded more
easily due to a change in dyeing techniques. These miniature quiltx are rare
not only because of their scarcity, but because of the rarity of the
colors and the manufacturers, notably Harvard.
There are numerous ribbons from Massachusetts companies and over a
dozen crimson Harvard University ribbons. One ribbon includes a
patriotic golden American eagle holding an arrow. What an amazing piece
of textile art for your home or office.
In perfect original condition and ready to be sent for your approval.

Q9106 Silk Victorian Patriotic Cigar Ribbon Quilt
c.1885
35 x 35 inches
Massachusetts
$4,800
Most Victorian men smoked cigars and as a result Victorian women could
collect the cigar ribbons and create decorative quilts in beautifully
embellished variations of the log cabin pattern. This miniature quilt
has some very rare ribbons, including 4 red, white and blue ribbons used
to frame a center square design on point. Also incorporated in this
sophisticated collector's quilt are very rare green ribbons, Harvard
University crimson ribbons and even red, and red and white stripe
ribbons. This Massachusetts quilt is filled with cigar maker
manufacturers names along with ribbons showing American flags and other
symbols. This is a truly sophisticated collector's piece in perfect
condition. This miniature quilt is one of four that I found at the same
time. Each has its own unique characteristics. A perfect piece of
antique wall art for your home or office.
In original condition and ready to be sent for your approval.

CONCLK1 Folk Art Wool Crazy Quilt
Dated 1904
60 x 78 inches
West Virginia
$4,800
I will classify this original folk art Crazy Quilt as “off the charts”! It’s spectacular! This quilt is truly a piece of art. Comprised of 12 20” square blocks, using fabrics that are mostly 1890’s wool and wool challis. The backing is 1880’s - 90’s flannel thus creating not only a warm, but a very cozy quilt. Much of the embellishment on this quilt is three dimensional. There are a lot of unanswered questions on this piece. I have a feeling it was made by Grandma, whose initials may have been V.B.M. Many of the blocks are initialed. Does this mean that many people made a block or were the blocks made in their honor? There is a similar style so I believe it was made by one person, however that is up for discussion. One block has 5 sets of initials all ending in M. Could this be Gandma's children or grandchildren? This major piece of textile folk art can be hung in either direction. If you want to rotate it, you’ll see a totally different piece of art work. This is such a happy quilt. I think the creator must have adored her family. Ready to be sent for your approval at home.

c. 1920
75 x 84 inches
New England
SOLD
This unusual silk crazy quilt has a center panel with an original adaptation of Adam and Eve depicted in the western part of the United States. The center medallion panel measures apx 22” square and is surrounded by eight crazy quilt blocks each also 22" square. The perimeter of the quilt is constructed using the broken dishes pattern which also creates a windmill pattern. The two side borders measure apx 4-1/2” each in width. The bottom border measures apx 10” in width. The whole cloth backing of the quilt is an early 20th century print. Each silk piece is outline quilted with various Victorian stitching embellishments. The edging is pillowcased and then finished with an embroidery stitch created using various colors. The thread used for all embellishments is a silk embroidery twist. A rare and unusual piece of folk art for a special wall. Please ask for more details.

Q9091 Log Cabin Courthouse Steps Twin Bed Sized Quilt
c.1880
65 x 76 inches
Bethel, ME area
$1,800
This pristine mint summer quilt has been foundation pieced.
The blocks have been joined together using a method original to New England.
This twin bed sized quilt was foundation machine pieced onto an ecru muslin fabric with the blocks measuring 10-1/2”.
The logs used in the formation of this pattern are 1” in width, the turkey red center piece measures 2-1/2” square.
All of the fabrics on this quilt are unused and date from c.1850 - c.1880.
The binding is slightly wider than 1/8” and is made of cotton sateen, usually found used for the lining of women's clothing.
The size and graphics of this quilt make it perfect as art for a wall.
Because of the repeat pattern, this quilt could be hung completely open, half open or placed over a pole with four blocks showing.
Because of the huge array of fabrics, this quilt is a delightful piece for a 19th century fabric junkie. :-)
Happy to send on approval...

c.1895
60 x 67 (152.4 x 170.2 cm)
Lancaster County, PA
SOLD
Such a unique quilt! This Mennonite maker took a traditional fan pattern and turned it on its head by incorporating the fans into a fabulous crazy quilt in warm hues of brown, russet, palest blue and ivory. Each piece has embellishment stitching on the seams in a multitude of softly hued silk flosses. The fabrics are a combination of solids, stripes, circles and soft plaids in a variety of soft cottons - most with a beautiful soft sheen - with some fine wool challis pieces interspersed. The resulting work of textile art is a beautiful mix of soft elegance and folk art warmth.
The sixteen crazy quilt fan blocks measure 13 x 13 ½ inches and are pieced and embroidered by hand. A 6 inch wide fan border surrounds the inner design on three sides with a narrower striped border at the top. The backing of this quilt is strip pieced in paisley and solid brown cottons - see detail images. Hand quilting is in straight lines following the block shapes. The applied 1/2 inch binding is in solid brown cotton.
This is a unique quilt that would please a variety of tastes; from Folk Art to softly elegant to cozy comfy. The perfect size for wall art or for use as a throw on bed or sofa. In excellent condition it is ready to ship to you on approval for private viewing. Please ask Betsey for more details. This quilt already has sleeves sewn on the back in case you would like to hang it as art on a wall.

Pre-Civil War fabrics
63 x 75 inches
Mifflin County, PA (Nebraska Amish Community)
SOLD
An Amish Father’s quilt is basically unheard of. The reason for the scarcity of these quilts is that they have rarely survived - especially from the 19th century. I purchased this quilt about 15 yrs ago from a private collection where it had been for over 20 years. The collector is a museum curator. I have in my possession a bible from this family that is being sold separately. The provenance for this quilt will be given upon sale. I have decided after all these years that it’s time for this quilt to be a part of someone else’s collection. This piece is too important to hide. An Amish mother would create one quilt for her son to take with him when he married. This is for the son’s use only and is called The Father’s Quilt. The rarity of such a piece and the fact that they were used has led to the fact of basically being unheard of. Much of the fabric which makes up the quilt is home spun,. Most of the homespun fabric is woolen and dates from the Civil War or earlier. It is an unusual pattern and has a 4 block formation inside a apx 6” square with triangular corners. We also have dungaree fabric (not the 19th century term) and some heavy linen fabrics used in the construction of this rare quilt. Just about all of these fabrics are woolen homespun or home woven. There is both hand and machine stitching, a treadle machine would have been available after c.1850. I am dating this quilt apx c. 1880. This fathers quilt is in complete original condition. Yes, there is wear, but not of importance with this rare quilt. Serious collectors please email or call for a price.

CONHO4 Tumbling Blocks Quilt"
c.1880
76 x 82 inches
Tennessee or North Carolina
$2,200
Orange is a color that is hard to find as a major part of an antique
quilt. This stunning optical illusion quilt is comprised of a rarely
seen color combination...orange,red and taupe. There are actually two
shades of red...a Turkey red is used in the bricks and a red red
is used for the border. The color combination is wonderful. The blocks
seem to stand upon one another. The simplicity of the colors, due to the
fact that they are all solids and not calicoes, lets this graphic piece
of art easily complement other designs that are in your home.
This quilt is all hand pieced and hand quilted. Each diamond has
straight line quilting in the longest direction of the diamond. This
quilting design adds to the optical illusion effect by accenting the
direction of each diamond. The innermost border, in Taupe, has a unique
wave design, while the outermost red border is quilted with an arc
design. The binding is a dark Taupe woven tape. The backing is a
wholecloth in red. This fabric was obviously purchased for this quilt
and points to the fact that the family was of comfortable means.
An amazingly graphic quilt which appears to be unused...now organically
washed by Betsey and ready to be sent for your in home viewing and approval.

Q9001 Original Center Medallion Bassinet Quilt
c.1850
40 x 41 (101.6 x 104.1 cm)
$1,800
An original design by the maker for this wonderful bassinet quilt. The center medallion has a stylized tree design in blue and white windowpane plaid, and double pink calico. Surrounding the central design are seven borders; multiple sawtooth edges alternating with solid bars. The outermost border is the widest at 5 1/4 inches with the smallest border at 1 3/8 inches wide.
Pieced entirely by hand with outline and echo outline quilting also executed by hand. The maker used another quilt - a cotton broken dishes pattern in soft blue, white and lavender - for the backing of this piece. See detail images. The applied 3/8 inch binding is pieced fabrics in tan stripes and a blue plaid and shows slight wear at the fold on one area of one side. This is a wonderful small quilt that would be fabulous art for the wall. Professionally hand washed by Betsey it is in excellent used and lovingly cared for condition. Ask to see it on approval for private review.

Q9011 Folk Art Summer Quilt Floral Bouquets and Vines
c.1840
72 x 80
Dover, DE
$2,600
Both elegant and fun, this gorgeous Folk Art floral applique quilt is in unused condition. The various shades of blue of the vine have occurred naturally. The whimsical floral with twining vine is an original pattern skillfully executed by an accomplished needlewoman. The interpretive and naïve representation of the naturalistic motifs gives this quilt wonderful Folk Art appeal. Floral 'bouquets' are enclosed by a freeform meandering vine of buds and leaves.
The needlework on this quilt is exquisite. The maker used tiny, perfect stitches for both the applique work and hand quilting. The applique tulips and roses in solid cheddar and Turkey red, respectively, have solid blue vegetable dyed stems and leaves. The Turkey red buds between the flowers are reverse appliqued.
Hand quilting is magnificent and consists of additional leaves on branches quilted throughout the fine white linen ground between the appliqued bouquets. The meandering vine has quilted leaves completely filling the space between the appliqued leaves and buds.
The backing is fine white linen as is the 1/4 inch applied binding. The quilt is entirely hand stitched and of original design by its maker. The fine execution and great palette contribute greatly to an already elegant Folk Art piece. This quilt can be shipped to you on approval for private viewing.

Q8796 Dated Folk Art Crazy Quilt 'Think of Me'
Dated 1900
62 x 71 (157.5 x 180.3 cm)
PA
$2,900
A fabulous folk art crazy quilt comprised of a combination of wool, wool challis and velvet crazy pieces with whimsical wool embroidery. A wonderful palette of reds, blues, russet, greens, browns, and ecru forms the ground of this great folk art piece. The artist used this as a canvas onto which she embroidered large scale whimsical and traditional designs using a variety of stitch patterns and colors of wool yarns in bright, warm hues.
Multiple cats along with birds, large bugs and a terrific barn with fence are included with a sentimental 'Think of Me'. In the center of the quilt is the embroidered date of 1900. The name of 'Hatt' as well as initials 'G.D.R.' are hand stitched with wool yarn. The backing is a fabulous and early black, pink and white cotton print - see detail images. Reverse tied with cream wool yarn this quilt also has a pillowcase edging. Multi-hued wool embellishment stitching provides the perfect finish for the outside edges.
Charm and a certain 'joie de vivre' combine to make this quilt a great choice as a focal point for that special room. Folk art whimsy at its best, this is a wonderful and unique quilt that can be sent to you on approval for private review. Please ask Betsey for more details.

Q8881 Folk Art Applique Quilt
c.1895
74 x 74 (188 x 1885 cm)
$1,900
What a whimsical and very graphic Folk Art quilt! Appliqued circles in burgundy, rose and light blue cotton are carefully hand sewn onto a dark navy cotton twill ground. Herringbone embellishment stitching surrounds each circle and seam on the 16 x 16 ½" inch blocks. The circles form a large X pattern overall. A 3 ½" inch border in the same solid navy cotton surrounds the interior pattern.
Hand quilting includes 2 inch cross hatch stitching in the blocks and 2 ¾" inch diagonal cross hatch stitching for the border. The backing on this great piece of folk art is a scrumptious, large scale floral cotton in the same palette as the front of the quilt. See detail image. The applied 3/8 inch binding is black cotton.
In perfect condition this quilt appears unused. Professionally hand washed by Betsey it would be terrific folk art for your wall or a comfy, soft bed covering. A unique design and skillfully made. Please ask to see this quilt on approval in the privacy of your home.

Some of the earliest mummers date back to early Egypt, pagan Rome and Greece, England, Germany, and France. Historically, Mummery has influenced customs and perpetuated many interesting traditions. The use of masks and different costumes were carried over from the Greek celebrations of King Momus, the Italian-feast of saturnalia, and the British Mummery Play. All of these cultures passed along their traditions from generation to generation, and eventually these traditions were brought to America by immigrants. The tradition of Philadelphia Mummery started in the late 17th century as a continuation of the Old World customs of ushering in the New Year. Mummery in America is as unique to Philadelphia as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans.
The symbols of the Philadelphia Mummers include musical instruments, moons, hearts, diamonds, stars, weaponry, as well as silhouetted faces. Many of these symbols have been incorporated into this circa 1890 folk art Mummer's quilt. Beautifully pieced wool and wool challis fabrics in solids, plaids and floral prints comprise this large, very decorative piece of Philadelphia history. The symbols themselves are cut from solid felted wool and the fine wool embroidery used throughout is both precise and exuberant in color and style.
A 4 ½" double border in two shades of tan wool challis frames the inner design and has intricate embellishment along the entire border seam on four sides. The backing is a brown, red and yellow small scale plaid cotton with a 5/8" applied brown wool challis binding. In excellent condition this quilt is a rare find. Our quilts are always sent on approval.

CON PD6 Abstract Cobweb/Pinwheel
c.1950
75 x 75
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
$2,700
A totally unique quilt, the creator of this piece took conventional patterns and turned them into a piece of abstract art with incredible movement. The logs have been pieced into abstract pinwheels from a cotton conversation print featuring hats and umbrellas on a black background. Bright pops of yellow, pink, blue, and a multicolored stripe have been placed in the arrangement to give the overall feeling of a cobweb pattern. Various bright feedsack prints have been pieced together to form the backing, and finished with a 1 ¼ inch separately applied yellow calico feedsack binding. In used but excellent condition, and tied with black cording. Subtle and sophisticated, with a visual jazz impact! Professionally hand washed by Betsey and ready to send to you on approval.

c.1890
66 x 76 (167.6 x 193 cm)
Gouverneur, NY
SOLD
A fabulous wool folk art crazy quilt with a myriad of interesting and unique symbols and embellishments straight out of this quilter's imagination. Various solid and patterned worsted wools, challis and wool suiting fabrics combine in a muted palette of olives, browns, wine, black and ecru to form the subtle background. The artist used this as a canvas onto which she embroidered both whimsical and traditional designs using solid and variegated wool yarns in bright, warm hues. Appliques of crocheted wool and bright wool challis in amorphous shapes and geometrics add even more charm.
Central to the quilt's design is a block of uniform bricks around which the other fantastical shapes and elements flow. The backing of this quilt is a tan and ecru plaid and is the foundation onto which each piece is stitched. The 3/8" binding is an applied olive green wool challis.
Wonderful warmth and movement make this quilt a great choice to use as the focal point in any room. Folk art sophistication and whimsy at its best, this is a wonderful and unique quilt that can be sent to you on approval.
Rocky Mountain Quilts Shop Hours
Shop Hours as of May 1:
By Appointment
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-4
Other times if needed, or call from the driveway 207-363-6800
By Appointment
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-4
Other times if needed, or call from the driveway 207-363-6800
Payment Methods:
Rocky Mountain Quilts gladly accepts cash, checks, Visa, Master Card and American Express. Bank wire transfers are an easy method of payment for both domestic and international sales. If you are traveling, we will be happy to ship your purchases via FedEx at your convenience.
Contact Us
Telephone - for orders or questions -
1-207-363-6800
Email - betsey@rmquilts.com
Shipping FedEx address -
130 York Street
York, Maine 03909