I love tea-dyed quilts. They just have the country look that you can’t get any other way. I had to laugh when one of my customers asked me what they are. She said, “I have a quilt that’s stained with tea. I don’t know why anyone would want one.”
I think she was kidding, or at least I hope so.
Actually, a tea stained quilt is made from fabric that is intentionally dipped in tea, then dried and washed to create an antique look, like the quilts that my great grandmother made. It makes the quilt look aged without all of holes, stains and other signs of long term use.
The fabric is actually dipped in tea that is made from steeping teabags, just like the ones that you use when making a cup of tea. The acid from the tea ages the fabric and makes it look old, even though it isn’t.
Nowadays, there is actually tea dye that can be used instead of making it yourself if you are into quilting as a hobby.
This method is so popular, that quilts are made commercially using the tea-stained technique to create antique-looking quilts that home decorators love.
Not everyone inherits antique country quilts to add to their décor, so it is good that you can actually buy newly made quilts that give the same appeal that comes from displaying an old quilt that is a family heirloom.
Here at the Country Store of Geneva, the best seller of our tea-dyed quilts is the Blazing Star quilt pattern. The simplicity of the pattern, using only two colors, is a favorite of many home decorators who simply need something to “fit in” with their attractive antique furniture. Honestly, it just wouldn’t look right with a modern-day comforter atop of a bed that is from the 1800s.
Country style decorators also love this quilt along with the matching pillow shams, bed skirt, curtains and runners and placemats to accent the decoration. It just gives that “at home on the ranch” feeling when you enter the room.
If you are not into simplicity, you might like the Pinwheel quilt pattern. It is one of my favorites and it is also a best seller. It uses four different fabrics, instead of two like the Blazing Star. It makes it easier to combine several colors in your country or antique décor.
I always worry when I have to have my antique quilts cleaned. I simply don’t wash them after my first one unraveled. Because these tea-dyed quilts are actually new, you can gently wash them and hang them to dry, so in my book, they overrate actual antique quilts that I am afraid to actually use.
Now, I use tea stained quilts on my beds and I display my heirlooms using quilt rack shelves. The quilt rack and shelf combo that we carry here at the store is pretty awesome for displaying heirlooms such as figurines, jewelry boxes and so forth in addition to your quilt.
There is less stress when you simply display a quilt that means something to you, but thanks to the tea-dyed method, you can also enjoy using antique-looking quilts on your beds.
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