I can picture a very sophisticated young Lady creating this piece in her formal parlor. The love of embellishment on quilts came to fruition during the 1880's. This creativity of the quilt is accented with the miniature Log Cabin blocks. Even the backing is silk...a wonderful solid gold silk fabric. Other than the Log Cabin Blocks, each square has 2" sides. The double row embellishing stitches are a beige and a blue silk twist. There are a very few squares that could be restored if one wishes.

There is also the addition of silk tassels that I have seen on larger silk quilts of the same era.

I am happy to send this sophisticated piece for your approval.

Before 1890 silk fabrics were purchased only by the affluent or the very well off. The reason is simple. Silk fabrics are not fabrics used for every day wearing apparel, for quilts or for any other kind of decoration or embellishment. Ladies of stature had their needlework as one of their marks of education and breeding. At that time we women were the properties of our Fathers to be married to a suitable spouse of the same social standing.

This variation of Jacob's Ladder was constructed from exquisite silk fabrics mostly used for dress making. Prior to 1850 in America, we had not developed a method of making purple dye color fast. The French had already mastered this technique, but we had not. If you look closely you will see a very few areas where the color has started to change to beige. This quilt, as with all textiles, should not be hung in the sun so as not to fade.

This is a variation of Jacob's Ladder as two opposite squares in the four patch of the pattern that were created with the Diamond In A square pattern and then centered with the Broken Dishes pattern. Each block measures 5" square, divided into four squares which are further divided into triangles measuring 2" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2". All work was executed by hand as the sewing machine was not yet in the public's home. The binding is a ribbon that has 3/8" showing on the front and 1/2" showing on the back. This was applied using a running stitch. The whole-cloth backing is a peach color glazed cotton that would have also been used as dress lining.

Of least importance is the minimal quilting. There are four rows of horizontal quilting in the solid blocks and horizontal straight line quilting in the pieced blocks. Personally the quilting is not important...it is the amazing colors and graphics that make this textile an incredible piece of art!

I am happy to send, with free shipping, this amazing quilt for your approval.

On a scale of 1 to 10...this Crazy quilt gets a 20!! By this I mean that this perfect condition quilt is one of the finest examples of an 1885 Crazy Quilt that I have ever seen!

Comprised of 20....11" blocks of the most creative and embellished design work that I have ever seen! The love of the artistic creation of the Crazy Quilt started with the World's Fair exhibit of Japanese Screens....the heyday of these quilts is 1885; here is such an artistic masterpiece.

There are fans in each corner, a well cherished symbol of Japan. However, the designs and embellishments are not what one normally sees on these quilts. Let us start with the amazing heavily embellished 4 corner fans! All embroidery work is over the top. I believe that all the work was accomplished by one woman..one very talented and wealthy woman. Quilts are also a study of sociology and history as well as that of women's talents and creativity. The mark of expertise with Crazy quilts is 100 different stitches...this quilt is way, way over that level. We have all the symbols of the Victorian era...animals, plants, children, etc. A pansy that looks so real, an exquisite butterfly with the same level of embellishment for a bird and so much more. One can look at this quilt for hours, as I have done, and still see somthing not seen before. Outlining of different pieces is sometimes stitched with real gold metallic thread. We have an exquisite array of silk velvet, tapestry fabrics, exquisite silks and embellishment "over the top".

The border is that of 5" silk "tab" points that are also exquisitely embellished with a untold number of complicated embroidery designs. There is a large ribbon with "Merry Christmas", children waiting for Santa in front of a decorated fireplace. Could this have been a Christmas gift? Wow..what a present. There is just too much here to describe...please call or email and I am happy to stand in front of the piece and describe it more fully ..or...I am happy to send with free shipping...for your final approval of this museum quality art.

What a treasure is this little child's silk doll quilt. The little quilt is in its original, very loved, condition. The only exception is the restored binding as the, same color silk, was in shreds! As a rule all of my quilts are in perfect condition. This is an exception as I feel the wear is character of a very loved little doll quilt. Little antique doll quilts can be a passion to collect. Easy to display due to their diminutive size.

A replica of a Center Medallion quilt has been lovingly recreated in the form of a doll's quilt. The center medallion quilt has the prominent center, sides measuring 1-5/8" and here embellished with the letter "T". Was this the initial of her first or last name? From here the pattern goes out in waves. First a Log Cabin design with 1/2" wide Logs. Triangles measuring approximately 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" X 1" are pieced for the next row. Created during the passion for Crazy Quilts, the maker outlined each piece with beautiful embellishing stitching.

With these fabrics I feel that this is a treasured little quilt that must have come from an affluent family.

This quilt can be sent, with free shipping, for your approval.

There was a recent time in our country where items were made to last forever...Today we have become what is called a throw away society. Whatever was being made was executed with skill and the thought that "it" would last forever...or at least a very, very long time! Waste not/want not was a well known saying. This wonderful "Bars" quilt is a perfect example of the fore described trait.

There are 49...4-1/2" blocks comprised if 3 to 4 strips. Many of these strips were made from as many as 4 different pieces of fabrics...scraps not to be thrown away, but used! The result here is that of a funky sophisticated Bars quilt. That may sound like an oxymoron, but the quilt is sophisticated with many Bars comprised of scraps of fabrics. We have plaids, stripes, florals and solids all combined in an artistic manner.

The back is another quilt...large squares separated by 2' strips. All work was executed by hand. The separately hand applied binding is a red and white striped silk ribbon. The result from this quilter is a beautiful, unusual and visually wonderful small quilt.

Shipping is free and I am happy to send this little quilt for your at home approval.

A perfect miniature Victorian Crazy Quilt is a rare treasure. In all these years I have found only a few original miniature Crazy Quilts..this one is exceptional, as the quilt is finished with a beautiful deep rust color silk velvet backing!

This diminutive quilt shows a wonderful array of 1870's and 1880's silk and silk velvet fabrics. The embellishment of stitchery is perfect even displaying some stitching I have never seen before...Could the creator have designed these herself? There are dozens of perfectly executed embellishment stitches along with the beautiful fabrics. The little quilt is finished off with a silk rope style cording, in a matching deep rust color to the backing, used instead of a conventional binding adding to the sophistication of this piece of art.

Perfect to be displayed either on your wall, in that special small area, or as a centerpiece for your fabulous table.

All quilts are sent with free shipping for your in-home approval.

An exquisite nineteenth century silk Barn Raising Log Cabin bordered with a 3-1/2" silk velvet in a rich plum color, then finished with a sophisticated twisted silk corded edging.

The "logs" measure between 1/2" and 3/4" with a 3/4" center chimney. All chimney's are in black silk instead of the customary red chimneys. The color change adds to a very sophisticated look. The colors seen here are a variety of black silks..some woven, some printed, some solid black. Other silks are deep red/orange, grays, beige, blues and a deep plum.

The combination of deep, rich colors all in silks added to the size has created a textile piece of art in a similar size to a framed oil. The visual impact of fabric art is not only captivating, but emulates a wonderful feeling of comfort.

I am pleased to send, with free shipping, for your final approval.

A rarity is such an elegant Victorian Crazy Quilt that is constructed from Silk Velvet. This heavily embellished quilt is actually three dimensional in many areas.

The center medallion measuring 12" square is embellished with silk chenille threads, resulting in a three dimensional floral arrangement of Peonies in bloom, leaves, buds and stems. The background fabric is silk velvet as is the entire quilt. The borders measure 8" wide which includes a 1-1/4" silk binding. The four corner blocks measuring 7" X 7" are silk with exquisite embellishment. One corner block is embellished with Pansies, one corner block is embellished with daisies constructed from ribbons, one plain block and the forth block are embellished with a tiny delicate Marguerite flower, stems and leaves constructed from silk ribbons and silk thread.

The backing is silk and the quilt is reverse tied. Crazy Quilts are not quilted.

This is one of the very, very few quilts that I will sell that is not perfect as you will notice from the price. Once hung these imperfections are hardly noticed....What does your eye see?

This mostly silk velvet crazy quilt was created in the 1880s. It was made from nine 17" square blocks and three 10" X 17" blocks. There is an outside 4" border of silk velvet with the edge turned over 1/4" with a hand stitched finishing. There is some wear on the edge of the silk velvet which makes me think someone used it..., or that it was folded and somehow became worn on the edge.

The body of the quilt is perfect, with a minimal amount of restoration done by us. There are six Kate Greenway embroidered pieces, and also a backwards S and a cross. The Kate Greenways are absolutely adorable. Most of this crazy quilt is simple, without a lot of embellishment. The embellishing stitches are of varied colors. The colors of this quilt are warm and pleasant. Due to the wear on the corners, I am pricing this quilt at $1900.

What a wonderful piece of textile art for your home. I am happy to send this quilt, with free shipping, for your in home inspection and approval.

Sophisticated, mint condition and oh, so graphic! This only begins to describe this amazing textile. Created in the early 1860's from very lush solid color silks and probably from a very affluent family. How do we know this? Silks at that time were very costly and were the mark of affluence for women of that era. In addition a woman needed the free time to work on such an extravagant item.

This stunning quilt that measures 80" X 80" is made up of 36 14" blocks created from 3/4" logs. The silk fabrics actually pulsate. The colors range from a rich deep blue to a light beige. There may be as many as 20 different silk colors in this quilt. The backing of this quilt is a very beautiful calico printed beige ...also silk, fabric. Can you imagine the affluence to be able to back your quilt in silk!? Piecing of this quilt was executed by hand. This quilter definitely had a maid doing the dishes!

No picture will do this quilt justice...must be seen to be appreciated..I am happy to send, for your approval, with free shipping. After 160 years and now ready for its new home.

This very sophisticated Victorian crazy quilt was exquisitely created using a deep red silk velvet fabric as a rare or totally original design element. There is a 14-1/2 inch deep red silk velvet sash going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Joining the goldenrod embellished sash is 7 inches of the same deep red silk velvet giving us a dramatic border.

Also totally unusual are the two triangular Crazy Quilt sections each measuring 50 X 36 X 36 inches which were created by the diagonal sash. These are comprised of 9 inch silk blocks all heavily embellished with oil paintings, lace, ribbons, gold metallic threads, trims, the initial H, the crane and more. The crane is the Japanese symbol of long life. There are ribbons..one is of a thoroughbred with a woman lovingly feeding her pet while being adoringly watched by her two dogs.

Each silk Crazy Quilt piece has the circumference embellished as well as so much of the interior. The backing is a burgundy color silk with colorful pompoms adorning the reverse ties of this quilt. To me this embellishment shows the pride the artist took in her masterpiece as this extra was usually not seen by others.

Studying quilts is also a study of sociology. The expensive fabrics along with an expensive fabric for the backing tells me that this amazing quilt was created by a member of an affluent family.

This museum quality Victorian Crazy Quilt is ready to be sent, with free shipping, for your in home approval.

This log cabin variation silk miniature quilt is a diminutive size of 21 X 21 inches plus sides of 1 inch prairie points. Originally made for a pillow, luckily this was never used. We have a wonderfully graphic little quilt, a perfect size for a small space. Created c.1888 and made up of twenty five 4 inch blocks. The colors are bold and graphic and enjoyable to look at. The construction of the quilt is completely original. The only thing we have done is to add cotton batting inside to give it the substance needed to become a wall hanging.
This miniature silk piece is ready to be sent for your approval.

What a wonderful piece of textile art, in perfect condition, is this center medallion Victorian silk cigar ribbon quilt. Created in Massachusetts, each ribbon is highlighted with the name of the cigar manufacturer. We have Bostonia, Harvard, the Jefferson, Boston Arion, Winthrop Pony, and many more. This little quilt will appeal to collectors of many genre including Massachusetts memorabilia, cigar memorabilia, Victorian silk memorabilia, and those who want a wonderful miniature quilt as a piece of art. Silk quilts were never made to be used; Victorian women created them as embellishments for their homes.

During the 1880s most men smoked cigars. At that time clusters of cigars came wrapped in silk ribbons highlighted with the name of the cigar factory. The primary colors of these ribbons were orange, yellow, and white. As these ribbons were in long strips they were the perfect configuration to create log cabin patterns. This little quilt is a step above for two reasons: one, it is finished with a 3 inch brown velvet border and two, it has as a focal point center medallion design. The backing is an 1870's black and white stripe/calico.

This little quilt is in perfect condition, and ready to be hung in your home or used as a decorative centerpiece for your table. I am happy to send this quilt on approval.

WOW! This quilt is so graphically exquisite...classy, sophisticated and just captivating.....Yes, I am totally enthralled with his quilt. It is so difficult to find a quilt with gray and black as prominent colors. In addition this quilt has over a dozen prominent gray silk velvet chimneys....again something I have never seen in these past 35 years.

Constructed with 3/4" logs creating an 8" block with 2-1/2"chimneys. There is a 4" border constructed from four 1" strips...alternating a rich brown with a gorgeous stripe on the diagonal -- a border I have never seen before. The outside 1" brown in the border is turned over front to back and hand closed as a binding. All work appears to have been done by hand. The backing is a beautiful paisley. The fabrics are wool, wool challis and silk velvet.

The pattern: Barn Raising Log Cabin, is well known. However, this quilter appears to have been a graphic artist even though she would not have had any formal schooling in this subject as would have not been realized by women of that era.

What a fabulous piece of art for one special wall. Ready to be sent with free shipping for your approval.

This log cabin variation silk miniature quilt is a diminutive size of 21 X 21 inches plus sides of 1 inch prairie points. Originally made for a pillow, luckily this was never used. We have a wonderfully graphic little quilt, a perfect size for a small space. Created c.1888 and made up of twenty five 4 inch blocks. The colors are bold and graphic and enjoyable to look at. The construction of the quilt is completely original. The only thing we have done is to add cotton batting inside to give it the substance needed to become a wall hanging.
This miniature silk piece is ready to be sent for your approval.

This silk velvet log cabin has a specific way to hang because the top of the quilt is without a border. I’m assuming they wanted that to be at the head of the bed. In mint condition, this exquisite quilt has a 4” golden silk velvet border that has been turned back to make a pillowcase edge.

The piecing was done with 1/2" logs and a 1" center chimney. Completely pieced by hand, these diminutive pieces create an exquisite outcome. Created over 150 years ago, it is ironic that these are all today’s colors. The backing is 19th century dress lining. This extraordinary textile will make a perfect focal point for your living room or great room. Silk fabrics will pulsate when properly lit, almost taking on another dimension. This quilt already has sleeves sewn on the back in case you would like to hang it as art on a wall.

Silks and silk velvets were the fabrics of well to do families prior to the 1890’s. This Victorian crazy quilt, having been made in the 1880’s is comprised of wonderfully made silks and silk velvets. The mark of excellence for a v c q is 100 different stitches This quilt not only reaches this, but surpasses the level of embellishment. These quilts were created using the block formation. Created with apx 10 1/2” blocks, the edge of each block being embellished with various stitches. My feeling is that this quilt was made near the ocean as it was embellished with anchors and fish. Other Victorian symbols used include Japanese fans, as a symbol of the origin of these quilts, owls for their wisdom and of course beautifully painted oil and adorned flowers. The silk velvet border appears to have been used prior to the edging of this quilt. Because of its size, this is a wonderful quilt to hang in the home.

This wall hanging was created in New England as an ornamental piece for the home and comes complete with the original diminutive hanging hardware. A radiating center star is very difficult to piece. We know a few things about the woman who made this piece. She was affluent, very talented and had a tremendous amount of patience. All hand pieced and hand embellished, this exquisite little quilt can be hung (in either direction) or be placed on a tabletop. All original and in perfect condition.

All silk and silk velvet, this exquisite work includes ribbon work, embroidery, silk chenille and hand paintings. The 2.5" attached hand crocheted lace border can be removed if you choose to do so. This is a complete original miniature quilt, not a fragment.

A fabulous concoction in jewel toned silks, this antique Crazy Quilt shimmers beautifully in the light. A myriad of silks, mostly solids with some intriguing stripes added for special interest, vary in size from 2 inches to 12 in a variety of geometric shapes. The viewer’s eye is truly focused on the gorgeous array of color and form due to the use of herringbone seam embellishment only. The expanse of solid and striped silks becomes, like pieces in a stained glass window, the focal point of this lovely work of art.

Surrounding the inner design is a 1 1/2 inch wide brick border comprised of various silks used in the interior design forming a lovely frame. The inner seam is embellished with embroidered silk stars. A 1/4 inch hand applied wine silk binding finishes the edge. The backing on this quilt is a medium blue cotton twill.

A lovely silk Crazy Quilt in a perfect size for a wall hanging in that special room. Please ask Betsey for more details and to see this quilt on approval in your home.

A lovely example of the Victorian Silk Crazy Quilt whose design is reminiscent of a stained glass window. Each block, or window pane, measures approximately 9 ¼” x 9 ¼” and is filled with solid and patterned silks and silk velvets in clear, bright colors. Finely executed embellishment stitching in various hues of silk floss cover every seam in every possible variation of stitch design. Interior embellishment designs include rings, floral patterns, chains, fruits, and the initial “L” - we presume for the maker.

This lovely quilt is designed in a 6 x 6 array of window panes which gives a nice sense of order within the crazy cutting of the silks. Framing the interior design is a lush, burgundy silk velvet border 3 ½” wide. The backing is a stunning quilted burgundy silk which is pillowcase edged by hand to the front design for an elegant finish. A beautiful, silk velvet creation that would be gorgeous as artwork on a wall or as an accent piece in any room. Remember, our quilts are always sent on approval.

Nothing sparkles light like silk, and this beautiful quilt would be a truly stunning piece of art for your wall or bed. In unused condition, a wide variety of silks in blues, fuschia, browns and black stripes, checks, plaids, solids, and solid failles have been hand pieced into a center medallion mosaic configuration. Each hexagon measures 1 ¾ inches across, and has been hand outline quilted. The 3 ¾ inch border is a rich green and black plaid reminiscent of a Scottish Black Watch tartan, and has been quilted with a diagonal basket weave motif. The separately applied black wool challis binding is a ½ inch wide, and the backing is a lovely olive brown and rose leaf print silk. A quilt such as this one was a mark of excellence for a woman of affluence, as only a very prosperous family could afford such fabrics. What an amazing piece of art! Please ask Betsey for more information.

This is a great little piece of Victorian decoration! A single fan block created entirely from perfectly coordinated silk and silk velvet, and embellished with pale shades of silk twist. Bound with black same date silk, and backed with a lovely floral cotton print, this quilt fragment is in pristine condition and ready for your home!