Antique Love Apple Quilt: Hand-Quilted, 1870s-1890 (74x75 inches)

This Love Apple Antique Quilt is very rare pattern, circa 1870s-1890, that has been hand-pieced, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted. The hand-stitching, especially in the applique work, is impossibly tiny, while the quilting is very precise and in a shell pattern throughout the quilt. There is a four-sided tan and white striped border that is also quilted in a shell pattern.

The back is white cotton, while the binding - which appears to be newer than the rest of the quilt - is a red cotton that has been machine stitched to the front and hand-stitched to the back. The cotton batting is very lightweight.

The quilt is in excellent antique condition, with overall fading of the fabrics that have changed color over more than 100 years as a result of the colors being made from plant dyes. There is some old color transfer from the red border that has resulted in several very, very light color transfer spots on the the front near the binding and darker streaks of color transfer on the back that do not go through to the front (see photos). Though the binding is in generally good shape, in one spot there is a small (1/4 inch) notch/tear.

This lovely quilt is clean and soft and measures 74 inches by 75 inches. From a smoke-free, pet-free home. Shown on a queen bed.