To me a "real" quilt is any quilt that I have added my own special touches to. Maybe you wouldn't particularly value them, but I do. For instance, I made a fish quilt for a great grandson with no pattern. The background of the top was simply four patches in various shades of blue or green (water colors, I guess you could say). Then I decided we needed some seaweed, (rows of prairie points put into the upright seams). Made a pattern of the fish from a luncheon plate from my cupboard, adding faced lips (yes, lips), fins, and tails that were simply tucked under the fish bodies when they were sewn down. Also added very small yo-yos for eyes. Embroidered a little poem in the outer borders. Is that a "real" quilt? Yes, Yes, Yes! Original and REAL!