Click to enlarge#103 Bow-Tie Quilt-Old Top ($125)

Marti Johnson from Sacramento, California took an old top bow tie I bought for $10 and turned it into a masterpiece. She mended all the holes and then HAND QUILTED it! To think I had tried to sell the top to get my $10 back and had no takers! Look at it now!

Many of the blocks are still caddy-wampus. The original piecer was either very fast or not particularly skilled. It was hand pieced —you can see the white stitching she used in some places. There are plenty of pleats in the patchwork, too, but that just adds to the charm. Most of the blocks appear to be cotton, although I did see a few WOOL ones in there. Be careful when you wash this one.

This is a vintage top, lovingly restored, and finished in the original style. Unlike so many tops quilted in modern times, Marti has selected backing fabric in character with the top. She's done a lovely job—one that took her almost a whole year!

Binding is applied by machine, brought to the front, and then hand stitched in place. This Bow-Tie quilt measures 68" x 85" and would be perfect on a single bed, hung on the wall, or draped over the sofa.

Three cheers for Marti!

This quilt was successfully auctioned in November 2005 at the annual Lead in the Holidays event benefitting Leader Dogs for the Blind.