Originally Posted by virtualbernie
What's the difference between a Welsh quilt and a traditional one? Do Welsh quilts have specific designs?
As MTS already mentioned the design of Welsh wholecloths are very different to other quilts of this type. I would distinguish between the terms "Welsh" and "North Country". North Country wholecloths are also called "Durham". Both types are traditional. As the name indicates Welsh quilts were originally made in Wales, North Country or Durham quilts came from the Northern counties of England (Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria). Both quilt types have typical designs and arrangements of patterns:
Welsh wholecloths are more graphic. The quilt top is clearly devided in "sections" like the center circle, wide borders, corner fans etc. These sections are often surrounded by double lines of quilting. Typical patterns are the Bent Leaf, Spirals, Welsh Pear, Welsh Tulip and others. Welsh quilts bear a likeness to Amish Quilts!
The North Country wholecloths show a more floating intricate desgin with a big center medaillon, background quilting like crosshatching and a wide border. Feathers are the most famous patterns typically used in these quilts.