Q8567 Indigo and White Irish Chain
c.1880
79 x 79
Chester County, Pennsylvania
$3,800

This spectacular deep indigo and white quilt has been precisely pieced and extensively hand quilted with flowers in the joining blocks, clamshells in border with matching flowers, and diagonal double lines in the squares. The use of clamshell quilting points to a very northern East Coast style of quilting, so this piece or its maker might have started out in a location other than Pennsylvania. In unused condition, some faint pencil marks remain but do not detract from the carefully placed quilting motifs. Two deep indigo prints were used in the making of this quilt; one with tiny white stars, and the other with tiny white flowers. The Irish Chain squares are 1 3/8 inch per side, and the white border is 10 inches wide, and the backing is white. A white ¼ inch separately applied binding has been treadle top stitched, as has the indigo squares surrounding each white joining block. Graphically amazing on a wall or bed, this quilt would be compatible with other deep indigo and white quilts currently on my website, particularly Q8548, Q8545, Q8410, or Q8190. Professionally hand washed by Betsey.