The Crazy patchwork center of this coverlet is offset by the deep maroon border in dress velvet. A great many of the silk patches have delicately hand painted floral motifs. There are some raised floral appliqué motifs, too, where couched cord has been used for stems. Aside from some pieced fans, smaller motifs include crosses, hearts, a basket, boots, a flower, and an insect. The embroidery is well executed, mostly herringbone and featherstitch, with some seed stitching and small motifs in the pieced fans.

Image courtesy of National Museums NI

Pattern: 
Crazy patchwork bedcover
Maker: 
Maker unidentified, possibly a schoolteacher
Circa
1880
1890
Made in
County Antrim
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Belfast
HOYFM 2015.582