Dubbed by collectors as the Center Diamond, this most famous of Amish quilt patterns was known among Lancaster County Amish quiltmakers as “Cape” because the center piece of fabric was the same size as the square of cloth Amish women wore over the bodice of their plain “cape dresses” for modesty.

Among connoisseurs, the Center Diamond had particular cachet, and those with red centers and wide outer borders without “corner blocks” breaking the frame had the most appeal, and most monetary value.