1900 Hand-Stitched Courthouse Steps Pattern Quilt –

This handsome quilt was found in Maine and comprises Log Cabin blocks arranged in a Courthouse Steps design. The dark and light strips grouped on opposite sides of the center, resembling the steps of the town courthouse building.

This quilt’s front and back are made of cotton, wool, and silk patches in wonderful turn-of-the-century patterns. Each strip is approximately 1⁄2”-3⁄4” wide, depending on the area. The backing is also a patchwork of many beautiful patterns, some featured on the front as well. There appears to have been an additional backing, perhaps to house batting, but it has been removed. Remnants of that fabric were detected around the border. This quilt is summer weight with no batting; it is constructed with just the front and the back quilted together.

Deirdre’s Bio:
This comes from the archives of Deirdre Coughlin, founder of Phoebe’s Closet. She specializes in antique textiles and sold them to many New York City Designers including Ralph Lauren (that’s how I know her,) Charlotte Moss, Martha Stewart, and Schumacher, among many others.