Harlequin Quilt

The Harlequin Quilt in the Quilts4U Traditional Quilt Collection is designed using a traditional pattern but not one that has been commonly used in America, either traditionally and at present. Harlequin quilts are typically a mosaic of diamond shapes as would be found on the clothing of harlequin marionettes. Harlequin marionettes usually played the fool, and perhaps this is why the pattern is less popular.

Quilts4U's version of the Harlequin quilt pattern emerged as a solution of what to do with a collection of Dupioni silks in jewel tones purchased at the Houston Quilt Festival and damask type silk purchased in Italy. Placing solid stripes of blue silk between the lines of diamonds makes this wall hanging quilt truly unique, we believe. The back of this quilt is also made from 100% Dupioni silk purchased in Richardson, Texas. The back of the quilt is made of vertical bars of different colors of silk. The grey silk used for the border is also used on the backing. Due to the fact that the silk fabric makes this quilt more of a showcase quilt, a sleeve has been sewn to the reverse so that it may be hung on the wall.

As well as the innovative design and very precise piecing technique for this version of the Harlequin pattern, the quilt maker stitched very fines lines with silk quilting thread along the straight seam lines as well as in a diamond pattern. This diagonal quilting causes the silk to puff up which adds to the three dimensional impression given by this piece. Such fine quilting required using a lamp directly over the work to be able to see the exact placement for each needle penetration into the silk.