We have here a very sophisticated rendition of the steeple chase pattern. The calico fabrics used to create this piece were very expensive at that time, and are an indication that this quilt top was pieced by a woman of affluence. This quilt top is comprised of two amazing early fabrics, a madder dyed and a very unusual over-dyed green fabric. Hand pieced and appliqued, it is in beautiful condition, ready to quilt.

When this quilt is hung on a wall, the stars appear to pulsate in front of you. One can look at this quilt and immediately see the white blocks, the negative space, with the exquisite, over-the-top quilting. The diamonds have apx 1-1/2 inch sides, tip to tip the stars are apx 24 inches and the applied binding is 1/4 inch wide. All diamonds are outline quilted and all open areas of white are sewn in miniature triple line wave quilting. Triple line quilting is a style indicative of the 1840s. Also indicative of the 1840s is the nine block formation, as we have here. Completely created by hand, and made at least 10 years before the sewing machine was in public use, this is a true masterpiece for the wall or bed. Ask Betsey for more information.

I don’t usually put original pattern quilts online, however, this one is so special that I am hoping there is a collector out there that feels as I do. This spectacular quilt has been in my private collection for years and now it's time for another home. I’ve searched high and low to identify this pattern without any luck. I feel that a very ingenious woman has combined a number of patterns in the creation of this pattern. The quilt is comprised of 20 14-1/2” square blocks surrounded by a triple border. The outside and the inside of the border are 1-1/4” in width with matching size triangles to the inner pattern. The center part of the triple outside border measures 6” in width. The entire quilt is covered with very small hand quilted stitches in a 1/2 inch crosshatched grid. The binding is 1/2” in width and hand applied. All work is completely executed by hand as this quilt was created before the sewing machine was in use. The appliqué stitching is so minuscule one can hardly see it. No, this is not perfect, however, I think it is so spectacular that I’m doing something very unusual and offering it for sale on my web page. The fabrics used to create this quilt are Turkey red, over-dyed green (blue was applied over yellow to create green)...and white linen, then finished with a reddish pink calico binding. The backing used for this quilt is also linen. Professionally hand organically washed by Betsey and ready for approval to a serious collector :-)

The creator of this masterpiece began with a known pattern, the Princes’s Feather, and has artistically taken this design to a new height. Using appliqué and reverse appliqué, along with a small amount of embroidery, the maker has created a visual and creatively outstanding quilt. The main body of the quilt consists of four Prince’s Feathers and measures apx 66 x 66 inches wide. The Prince’s Feather design, in this case, is laid out to show a pinwheel design showing motion. The quilter has enhanced this by quilting flowing wreaths on the side of the feathers in the same direction as the appliquéd feathers. The entire quilt shows amazing movement. Any blank area on the quilt has been filled in with beautiful feather wreaths. The quilting is impeccably small and even.
The same can be said about the appliqué stitches. The stitches are minuscule. The quilter has added 9-1/2 inch borders to each side of the quilt. The edges of the border are appliquéd with a geometric design, totally in contrast with the flowing feathers. The center of the border has an appliquéd flowing vine with cherries, visually bringing the two sides together. The top and the bottom have a 4-3/4 inch border created from 1/2 of the edged border. This is embellished with holly berries. There is a 1/4 inch turned over and hand stitched binding. The quilt is signed and dated. The family name will be given upon sale. Organically hand washed by Betsey this quilt is now ready for its new home.

Tiny all over cross hatching for quilting. Minuscule applique stitches. Beautifully restored with weaves. This amazing piece of artwork features an entirely original variation of the applique pattern leaf and reel. The floral vine border features tulips and coxcombs. the solid turkey red on white appliqued blocks measure 17 inches and are set on point. The vine border measures 10 inches and is comprised of solid overdyed green and solid turkey red fabrics on white. The applique work on this is just absolutely incredible. One must look closely to see any applique stitches at all. All work on this piece is by hand, and the quilting is outline quilting and cross hatch quilting in 1/2 inch grids. Please ask Betsey for more information on this quilt. Professionally washed by Betsey.

This gorgeous quilt in excellent condition is part of Betsey’s personal collection. The c.1830 quilt top contains some exquisite fabrics in early green, Prussian blue, and madder reds showcased in extremely detailed florals and wonderful plaids. Skillfully stitched, all by hand of course, using patchwork for the pinwheel Irish Chain pattern, and applique for the eight point stars. The design is laid out beautifully on a pristine white ground. Pinwheel blocks measure 5 inches, and 7-1/2 inch diameter stars are appliqued to 15 inch white blocks.

The wonderful and very early quilt top was quilted later by RMQ using a same date very fine homespun linen for the backing, c.1830 1/4 inch hand applied fabric in russet red, ecru and black for the binding, and quilted using linen thread. Beautiful hand quilting patterns include outline and 8 petal flowers in the pinwheel and joining blocks and 1/2 inch diagonal cross hatch behind the outline quilted stars. Professionally hand washed by Betsey, ask her to see this quilt on approval in the privacy of your home. The fabrics are incredible.

This wonderful dated 1846 North Carolina Lily Appliqued Quilt is signed and dated by the maker, Melinda Gurney. There are no signs of its being more than slightly used. Is it possible that this quilt was created to be used as a Sunday best quilt? Or was it made to commemorate a very special occasion?

We know that this quilt was created by a very affluent family, as this Turkey red calico was some of the most expensive fabric to be purchased. The green fabric in this quilt was created using a method called over-dying. Yellow dye was placed over blue dye to create green. The North Carolina Lily blocks are 14 inches square, the sashing between the blocks measures 4-1/2 inches and all the blocks are on point. The border is appliquéd with swags and tassels reminiscent of a formal room setting.

The binding measures 1/4 inch, the sashing is double line quilted, indicative of the 1840’s style. All pieces are outline quilted. This quilt will perfectly fit a queen size bed with either a regular or new very thick mattress or a king size bed with the swags going over the sides. It is completely hand pieced, hand appliquéd and hand quilted. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. Please call for more information.

Irish Chain with Chintz Border

Large scale, 4 block coxcomb floral applique

This wonderful red, green and white basinette quilt is comprised of two early madder dyed calicoes (c.1860), an over dyed green calico and white. Hand pieced and beautifully hand quilted with feather wreath medallions in the joining blocks, feather vines in the 3 1/2" white border and adjacent white triangles, and straight line quilting in the 4 patch blocks. The date of 1891 is embroidered in two places. The four-patch blocks on this piece measure 5 ¼” each, and the blocks are set on point.

An exquisite red, white and green quilt made extra special by its diminutive size it would be perfect as a wall hanging year round or a decorative element for the winter holidays. In excellent condition and professionally hand washed by Betsey this little quilt can be sent to you on approval for viewing in your home.

Festoon your home this holiday season with the perfect antique hand appliqued quilt for art on your wall, bed or decorating in general. In gorgeous solid Turkey red and overdyed green you just can’t get any more festive. 16 hand appliqued lilies dance among flower buds on a pristine white ground. Solid Turkey red jabots and bows circle the white border measuring 12 3/4 inches on the side borders and 10 inches top and bottom (quilt shown horizontally in photo). Finely done hand quilting consists of outline on each appliqué, 6, 7 and 8 petaled floral motifs in differing sizes and leaf filled trailing vines in the white background. The quilt has a white backing and is finished with a ¼ inch hand applied white binding.

This piece is extremely ordered and well planned but gives the impression of free spirited gaity, emphasized by the “scattering” of appliqued buds and the various sizes of the hand quilted multi-petaled flowers and free flowing leafy vines.

This lovely quilt would be the focal point of your holiday decorating or any time of year. Professionally hand washed by Betsey.