The discovery of a totally unused quilt is really exciting. The creator of this quilt was absolutely a master sewer. When purchasing a kit quilt one receives all the fabric. The design is stenciled on the white fabric and you are left to do all the work: all the piecing, appliqueing, embroidery, and quilting. The applique stitches are almost invisible. The quilting has been executed with tiny, even stitches. In addition to the basic applique work, the flowers, leaves, and petals are beautifully embellished with tiny embroidery stitches. The quilting designs are comprised of wreaths, shell butter diagonal quilting and rope design. The edging is scalloped and has a 1/4 inch applied binding. All work executed on this quilt is absolutely perfect.

The size of this quilt would fit a queen size bed or the complete top of a king size bed. Never before washed, now organically hand washed and ready to be sent to you for your approval.

This simple yet sophisticated stunning quilt has been hand pieced and hand quilted. There are 4” borders on three sides, a Yankee tradition - why put on a forth side if that was to be the top of the bed? The border was applied by machine. The entire quilt has been quilted on the diagonal and double line quilted, which is indicative of 1840’s style. However, I feel this quilt was finished in the 1860’s due to the fact that the 4” border was applied by machine.

The woman who created this used a style that she learned at an earlier age. This has an 1/8” turned over edge creating the binding, seen only on the back, which is closed with minuscule stitches. The greens, which appear now as slightly different shades, where probably all one shade when this was made. All green is over dyed, which means putting yellow over blue or blue over yellow. The top of a queen size bed is 60". This would cover a queen bed, or be a wonderful throw at the end of the bed. The quilting stitches are very small and even. This quilt has been beautifully made and appears to be in unused condition.

This quilt has a 1/4 inch binding and a 6 inch border. The border is made from appliqué leaves and tulips in a turkey red and over-dyed green calico. The over-dyed green calico used in the border is the same used throughout the quilt. The turkey red in the outer border is a flower calico and the turkey red in the main body is a dot patterned calico (one I have never seen in 30 years). The sides of the diamonds are 2 1/4 inches. Tip to tip, the star measures 26 inches. The large joining blocks are 14 1/2 inch squares with magnificent quilted wreaths surrounded by triple line diagonal quilting. All blocks, large and small, have a similar pattern. This quilt would be great for a queen size bed, the top of a king size bed or on the wall.

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.

This sophisticated and exquisite stuffed Whig Rose Variation was executed in a manner indicative of the 1840's, the nine block formation. As the style's name suggests, there are nine approximately 31" X 31" blocks that are identical. A red, teal, and white quilt with yellow accents is a difficult color combination to find. Taking this quilt artistically to a higher level is the stuffed work. Each applique is stuffed so that the design becomes three dimensional. We have applique, reverse applique, stuffed work, and an exquisitely designed motif.

I believe this quilt was a gift to someone whose name is now lost in time. I have surmised this because of the numerous signatures on the quilt. Some signatures can be easily read, others are almost obliterated. In the 1840's when someone moved, there was a distinct possibility that they would never again see their family or friends. This is hard for us to imagine now! During this time period there was a great migration from New England and the mid Atlantic states to the mid-west and beyond to the Pacific coast. People were looking for more freedom and an abundance of land.

This quilt has been lovingly used yet only shows slight wear on the binding and some faded signatures from washing. The large size indicates that this quilt would have been made for an early high bed. Now this quilt will easily fit today's queen size bed, with a 17" overhang on each side, or a king sized bed with a 7" overhang.

The entire quilt is outline quilted and cross hatched in a 1" grid. The outstanding parts of this quilt are the applique, stuffed work and color combination. The fabrics and techniques seen on this quilt are reminiscent of work seen on Baltimore album quilts, and chances are was executed by a member of a wealthy family.

Organically hand washed by us and ready to be sent, with free shipping for your in-home approval.

Beautifully constructed and unused...I am the first person to wash this 160 year old quilt! Created from Madder red and an overdyed green calico fabric along with white, this quilt is a stunning addition to your bedroom or as a piece of art for your wall. The limited but unusual colors add to the treasure. The fact that these must have been purchased fabrics tells us that the family was on comfortable means. Was this unused quilt a present and therefore too special to use? Here we are over a century later now given the ability to enjoy this graphically wonderful quilt.
The squares making up the "chain" have 1-1/2" sides..with the squares measuring 7-1/2"... each individual little square is outline quilted inside and the outer row on the outside. The white joining areas are quilted with a floral motif. The binding is 1/4" turned from the back to front and then hand stitched down.
In perfect unused condition, organically washed, now ready to be sent at no charge for your in home approval.

Many times in the 19th century a woman moved away when she married. There were times when family members were seperated and were never able to see their family again. Travel was arduous to say the least; certainly not what it is today.

A quilt made for a bride was often put away as a treasure: too special to be used. The reason we know this is a wedding quilt is because on one side of the outermost border, which measures 3-1/8", there are dozens of stacked double line quilted hearts. Hearts then as now are a symbol of love. The double line quilting is indicative of the 1840s as is the nine block formation of this spectacular quilt. Comprised of three fabrics: a wonderful overdyed green with white dots that is actually linen, a turkey red cotton fabric, and a very fine white cotton fabric. The backing of this quilt is linen, indicative of pre-1860s quilts. All work was executed by hand, also indiciative of this era.

We have nine blocks each measuring approximately 19 X 19". The sashing that joins these blocks is 4-3/4" wide. There is a double outside border measuring 5-1/2 inches. The binding, in the same overdyed green calico, is 3/8 inch wide and separately applied. The quilting is truly amazing as is the applique work. All applique stitching is miniscule. On the green the applique stitches are almost invisible. The blocks are diagonally quilted in rows 1/2 inch apart. All sashing and four outside borders are quilted with a perfectly executed meandering vine pattern and then filled in with more diagonal quilting. One border has an additonal 3" strip that is embellished with continuous hearts....Love eternal...

I have searched and searched for this pattern ...not locating a name I have named this quilt pattern, with the assistance of my associate, who just happens to be a Master Gardner. If anyone knows another name please let me know.

This quilt appears never to have been used. Now this over 170 year old artistic masterpiece has been organically hand washed and is ready to be shipped free of charge, for your in home approval.

The name of this quilt's maker is available up sale.

I found a very creative and well executed 20th century rendition of a 19th century tulip appliqué quilt. This coverlet had been painstakingly created with cut cotton chenille stitching being completely hand done. Original, unusual and beautifully executed. This piece of art is a happy light weight cotton bed cover.
Measuring 75 x 92”, this piece will nicely cover any size bed from a twin to a king as it can be placed in either direction. The creator had edged this coverlet with a 3” pink border surrounding the off white main fabric. The colors used in this folk art piece are typical for the 1920s and 1930s. Organically hand washed and ready for your home.

This is an original adaptation of a very sophisticated pattern which was created by an expert sewer as well as being an expert quilter. In 34 years I have never seen a pattern created in a manner such as this.

Created from turkey red, white and tobacco dyed green cotton and linen fabrics. Hawaiian quilts are known for their echo quilting. While this is certainly not a Hawaiian quilt, it is echo quilted and stippled throughout the entire piece. This original pattern was created in 20" X 21" blocks, which were appliqued and reverse appliqued with the roses using an amazing pleated, ruffled design. This pattern was outline quilted and from there we go to actual echo quilting. Each joining block has been echo quilted in a 5" square on the diagonal. The balance of each block has echo quilting following the entire design.

The top and bottom borders measure 5-1/2" and the side borders measure 7-1/2" in width. All four borders are appliqued with a meandering vine and buds folk art pattern. Once again, we see that the pattern is completely outline quilted with the balance of the sashing being echo quilted. The result is an entire quilt covered with echo quilting approx 1/4" apart, creating a stippled effect. There is an 1/8" applied binding using the tobacco dyed green fabric.

Tobacco dyed green is a very fugitive color and is easily changed from washings and direct sunlight. I can see this quilt hung as a true masterpiece in a special place on your wall. Only direct sunlight will damage this quilt. This quilt will be fine in a bright room where you can see and marvel at the exquisite quilting. ...just not direct sunlight....You will see shading in the tobacco dyed green and there are still a few faint areas of foxing.

A rarety is the fact that this quilt is signed and dated .....J.M. Murphy ..Jan. 8th,1858. The exact date leads me to believe that it was made to commemorate a wedding date.

This masterpiece quilt is now organically washed and ready to be hung or used on a bed in your home.

Ready to be sent to you for your in home approval........

Chevron and diamond border on three sides. Turkey red and over-dyed green fabrics. Probably a wedding present. Unused.

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.

This exquisitely sophiticated appliqued red, white and green quilt has some of the most intense and minuscule quilting I have ever seen. The amazing design as crowned with an 11 inch wide border of what appears to be an original design of meandering strawberries and vines. The outer 3/8” is a hand applied binding. Even the applique stitching is minuscule. The double line row quilting is indicative of the 1840s. There is so much quilting that the stippling creates a look as if the quilt has been trapuntoed. However, this massive amount of quilting results in what is called stippling. There is some slight wear on the binding. There are one or two pieces on the turkey red strawberries showing slight wear, that we can happily restore for you. The body of the quilt is perfect. This is the only strawberry and vine quilt I have had in 33 years. The work is just outstanding. The urns that the strawberry arrangements are in are reminiscent of the Greek era. The quilt is composed of 3 fabrics, a turkey red, an over dyed green, and a very fine white linen. Organically hand washed and ready to be sent for your viewing and approval.

Created in chrome orange and over-dyed green, this graphic and stunning finished fragment is a Rose Album quilt that will make an amazing wall hanging. Chrome orange is a very hard to find color in a perfect antique quilt.
Dating from c.1855, in perfect condition, this quilt piece measures 58-1/2 x 32-1/2 inches, rather large for a fragment. The blocks measure 13" square and are joined with 4-3/4 " sashing. The applied, restored binding is 1/4" and of the same date fabric.
Curved pieces are the hardest to work with when constructing a quilt top. The person must be very accomplished at both sewing and geometry. All work was executed by hand...both piecing and quilting. This quilt was created before the sewing machine was mass produced.
Organically hand washed by Betsey and ready to be sent, at no charge, for your in home approval.

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 5-1/4” 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.

This Philodendron plant quilt pattern was indeed very difficult to execute. All of the leaf pieces were executed using the reverse applique technique. This quilt was created around the time Americans discovered Hawaii along with all of their wonderfully creative art work. This quilt fragment is reminiscent of the Hawaiian quilts, but is definitely from Pennsylvania.
This was part of a larger quilt and is now a graphically wonderful piece of art. The skill level seen here is some of the best in the world of quilting tops. Reverse applique is a painstaking task which is beautiful when done correctly.
When originally made, all the leaves were the same shade of green. The over dyed green fabric has washed down to a yellowish green...while the beige leaves were tobacco dyed, the color of which dissipates when washed. Ironically, the beige we are left with is one of the much loved of today's colors.
We have bound the fragment with a 1/4" same date fabric matching the background of the quilt.
The size of this fragment is perfect for a wall hanging, in either direction... or as a rare and unusual centerpiece for any of your tables.
Organically hand washed by Betsey and ready to be sent for your at home approval.

The center of this wonderful early quilt was badly torn beyond restoring...so we salvaged parts... Here we have part of the border...we moved one short end of the over dyed green to make a complete border.. Then we bound the fragment with 1/4" of the same date fabric....
Now you have an unusual Tulip applique quilt in perfect dimensions for over your couch, bed or any piece of furniture...Pieced and appliqued from Turkey Red and overdyed green, then hand quilted in a diagonal cross grid pattern.
Beautiful and happy :-)...
Organically hand washed by Betsey and ready to be sent for your approval.

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.

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 :-)

My first reaction when looking at this quilt is happiness..this quilt just made me smile. Whoever the woman was who appliqued this must have been an exuberant and ever-smiling person.

The combinatuion of red, white and green was a prevalent theme from around c.1830 to c.1865. Thirty blocks that measure 9-1/2" square are joined together with 4-1/2" sashing. The designer's placement of the applique rose and bud blocks was very much on purpose. These blocks are wonderfully appliqued and reverse appliqued using turkey red, chrome orange and over-dyed green fabrics.

When studying quilts, I feel one needs to be a bit of a sleuth. I believe the original c.1855 top measured about 70". Then the quilter came along, maybe 30 years later, adding a 5" border all around, of the exact color white cotton as the original part. The whites are exact in color but of of a different thread count. The backing is the same fabric as the borders. That was where the sleuthing came in!

All of the flowers, buds, vines, and leaves are outlined quilted, exactly as it would have been done in the 1850s. Studying this quilt I realized that the border and the sashings were quilted in a different manner than would have been normally indicative of that era. That discovery led me to study the fabrics which led me to believe the blocks were made in the 1850s and the border and backing were added at the end of the 19th century, finishing the quilt.....c,1895.

I would love to see this quilt hung as art on a wall, however it would also be fabulous on a bed.

Now organically washed and ready to be sent for your approval.

This exquisite early quilt is in perfect unused condition and part of Betsey's private collection.
The 1830's is the time of the creation of the quilt top... It is comprised of rare and early fabrics, many of which are hand painted block prints. There are beautiful vegetable dyed greens, reds and prussian blues. Some of these exquisite fabrics may possibly date back to the late 1700's. The cost at that time of these fabrics indicates that the amazing sewer was the wife or daughter of a wealthy gentleman.
A very Skillful sewer and mathematician turned a four patch design into the pinwheel pattern, then creating an unusual Irish Chain rendition. Each open area has a center focal point of a LaMoyne Star design...an eight pointed star... All quilting is perfectly executed by outline quilting each piece, 1/2 inch diagonial quilted grids and small wreaths.
Organically hand washed and in perfect unused condition. This special quilt has been in Betsey's private collection, is now offered for sale and may be sent for your in-home approval.

Irish Chain with Chintz Border. Signed "Melina Gurneys" and dated 1840. The double line quilting is indicative of this era. Chain squares are 2". White areas are quilted within a 1/8" to 1/4" apart. Parts look stippled...Design looks like a pinwheel shaped vine...Exquisite quilting.

Large scale, 4 block coxcomb floral applique

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.