Red & White Quilt Origins

The history of Turkey red quilts is an interesting one! It all began in India and then moved west to Turkey and Greece in the 17th century. The dying process to achieve this red color was very labor intensive and a highly coveted secret. European manufacturers wanted to get in on the action. They attempted to duplicate the dye recipe to achieve a similar red color but they were not successful. Instead, Europeans had to import red yarn from Turkey and red fabric from India throughout the first half of the 18th century. History even suggests that spies from European manufacturers were sent to steal this highly secretive dye recipe, but it wasn’t until the 1740’s when the French convinced dyers from Greece to share their coveted secret. By 1765, European production of this brilliant red color was in full swing. By the 1800’s, fabric prints were invented by a textile printer in France. Turkey red prints quickly became a trend. European manufacturers in England, France, and Scotland exported solid and printed red fabric to the United States, Africa, and the Middle East. England and Scotland also exported printed fabric to India. By the 1830’s, red quilts became an American quilters pastime.

And did you know that in Ireland the red and white quilt was considered the ‘best quilt’ and was only brought out when visitors came to the house? YES! Not every family had a ‘best quilt’ so often these red and white quilts were shared so families could make a good impression. The Irish also coveted the brilliant red color and not green. Who knew?!