Quilts and Wallhangings

Quilts and Wallhangings
Highest quality. Lowest prices.

"One of the 10 best quilt shops in the United States."
— Quilt Sampler, Better Homes and Gardens

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High quality quilts (we try to have the very best). Low prices (we try to have the best prices in Lancaster County). Wallhangings and wall quilts of all sizes. And we also feature Amish colors.

We try to have a wide selection of the best quilts—at the lowest prices. How? To support our quilters, we add very little mark-up to the price. In that way, we can sell a greater volume—which is a benefit to everyone—including our customers.

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Photos © Jerry Irwin / The People's Place

The beautiful countryside, the sense of history, and the fine quilting and cheerful industriousness add quality and value to our quilts.

What our customers say about our Quilts —

“Wonderful variety. A great quilt store.” — Oriskany Falls, NY

“So wonderful — words cannot describe.” — Cherry Hill, NJ

“After 13 years of coming here, I still love it!” — Summit Point, WV

“Great store. Many memories.” — West Grove, PA

“Such teasing and stimulating of the senses! Thank you.” — Alton, NJ

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10 Things to Keep in Mind
Before Buying a Quilt . . .

1. Why are the quilt prices at The Old Country Store so low, even though our quilts are of superior quality?
The Old Country Store was founded to support creative people. When a quilt is sold, we pass most of the money received on to the quiltmaker.
It’s the best buy around! Best quilts! Best prices! Best service!

2. What 5 important qualities does a good quilt have? bed.JPG (71614 bytes)

      A high quality quilt:
          •     Is quilted abundantly,
                evenly, and with small
                stitches.
          •    Lies flat and isn’t crooked
                or puckery.
          •    Has many patchwork
                pieces which lie in straight
                lines after they are
                sewn together.
          •    Has applique stitches that
                are hidden and fine.
          •    Has straight and tightly
                stitched binding on both front and back.
          •    Has well-coordinated colors which are striking.

3. What’s the difference between a pieced quilt and an applique quilt?
A pieced quilt is made up of many, many patchwork pieces which are stitched together to create the quilt top.
On an applique quilt, fabric pieces are handstitched on to—“applied to”— the quilt top.

4. Why is an applique quilt usually more expensive?
Applique stitching is a very fine, hidden hemstitch, requiring a great deal of skill and care. The goal is to make the appliqued pieces appear to float on the quilt top.
The amount of time involved in appliqueing is significant, compared to stitching together patchwork pieces.

5. What are the marks of a well-made pieced quilt? wallhanging.JPG (89115 bytes)

      On a well-made pieced quilt:
          •    The patchwork pieces
                are sewn together in a
                straight line.
          •    The quilting stitches are
                even and small.
          •    The quilt lies flat
                without any
                puckering.
          •    The binding is sewn on
                tightly, both front and
                back.

6. Are the quilting stitches on a quilt simply decorative?
Quilting stitches are both decorative and functional. A quilt is a fabric sandwich of 3 layers: the back, the batting (or inner lining), and the top.
Quilting stitches go through all 3 layers and hold them together. That prevents the batting from bunching, and creates the puffy designs that distinguish quilts.

7. What’s the difference in quality in a “sewing circle” quilt (one made by a group)—and one made by a single quilter?
      Sewing circles, and those groups who make quilts for benefit auctions, do worthwhile projects. But the quilts these groups create may not have the highest quality workmanship, because quilters of varying skills work side-by-side on the same quilt. These are wonderful social occasions, but their finished products tend not to have even quilting stitches.
      By contrast, a quilt created by one person is likely to be covered with consistently fine quilting.
      If you get a bargain quilt, you probably have a lesser quality quilt.

8. Why are imported quilts so cheap, compared to locally handmade quilts?
Locally handmade quilts are handquilted with fine, even stitches. Each quilt is individually designed and sewn. The patchwork pieces are smaller than on machine-made quilts. The appliqueing is done with greater precision. The quilting is more abundant than on those which are mass-produced.

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9. Can quilts from The Old Country Store be safely used, or should they be put on a bed just at special times for decorative purposes? Can they be washed?
Quilts from The Old Country Store are intended to be used as bedcovers, as wallhangings, or in other decorative ways. They are made of good fabrics, and most may be washed (ask for our Quilt Care Sheet).
These quilts will last a lifetime if you take care of them.

10. Are quilts available in all bed sizes at The Old Country Store?
Quilts at The Old Country Store are available in many sizes—crib, twin or single, double or full-size, queen and king. Wall quilts of all sizes are also for sale.

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Please visit our beautiful store. Enjoy the Story Walk on the West Side of our store, one of the oldest buildings in the area.

Or contact us—
800/828-8218 (phone)
888-768-3433 (fax)