Some of the new dyes that chemists developed in the late 19th century became unstable over time. Perhaps most notably, several green dyes were susceptible to fading to a drab tan or khaki color. As a result, some late 19th-century red and green Colonial Revival quilts are much less vibrant today than the 1850s/1860s red and green appliqué quilts they were paying homage to.

To see some of the fabrics in this quilt, click to the next slide.