Looking for the perfect red for the days after Valentine's when life and your surroundings might enjoy a spot of color? This vibrant color appears in antique quilts in great variety that are now available at FISHER HERITAGE in NYC. There many different reds - in either solid or printed fabrics - are pieced into historic examples of quilt making that are in fine condition still dating mostly from the mid to late 19th century. That's the era when technology advanced to produce a colorfast red referred to as 'turkey red.' In the U.S. and in Europe shades of red seized the imagination to became wildly popular for quilt construction. Today such reds often remain as vibrant as when they were first manufactured on both sides of the Atlantic for quilt makers in Scotland, Ireland, England, Holland and the United States.

Some of the earliest prints found today date from the 1840s and feature tiny motifs outlined in black printed on a red ground. Alternatives to prints are the clear solid red that flourished during the later 19th century, often combined with solid white to dramatic visual effect (memorably seen in the exhibition and book Infinite Variety featuring the extraordinary graphic collection of Mrs. Joanna Rose). Other reds that might catch the eye might be the solid red cotton favored by Pennsylvania Mennonite communities in combination with other intense solid colors the sect used in iconic quilts. 

Choice examples of all of these quilts are in Fisher's inventory now, best seen on the website. Or you can contact Fisher by phone or email for photos.

Interestingly, among the many quilts featuring antique reds available now are some that bear the same title but show different configurations of the pattern, such as Ocean Waves, Log Cabin, and Star variations attached in photos below, that enable greater choice within various design formats.

                                         Laura Fisher's
                                        FISHER HERITAGE

                                        www.laurafisherquilts.com

                             917 /797-1260     fisherheritage@yahoo.com