The Caswell Quilt Pattern c.1835 by Corliss Searcey

The Caswell Quilt c.1835
Pattern by Corliss Searcey for Threadbear

Finished Size: approximately 71½” x 82½”
Finished Block Size: approximately 11” x 11”

The Caswell Quilt c.1835 is a remarkable appliqué quilt inspired by the famous Caswell Carpet, created between 1832 and 1835 by Zeruah Higley Guernsey (1805–ca.1895) in Vermont. In the early 19th century, American women often used their leisure time to embroider rugs, and the Caswell Carpet stands as one of the most celebrated surviving examples of this tradition.

It is believed that Zeruah made the entire carpet from wool shorn from her father’s sheep—spinning, dyeing, weaving the ground fabric, and then embroidering each square with bold, naturalistic floral and botanical designs. Corliss Searcey’s quilt interpretation honors this extraordinary work, translating its motifs into a richly detailed appliqué quilt that celebrates early American decorative arts and women’s needlework traditions.

This pattern is designed to be scrappy and expressive, encouraging the use of many fabrics in small amounts to achieve depth, variety, and visual interest. It is a deeply satisfying project for quilters who enjoy hand appliqué, historical inspiration, and slow, thoughtful stitching.

This is an heirloom-level quilt, rich in historical context and visual storytelling—perfect for quilters drawn to 19th-century aesthetics, museum-inspired textiles, and traditional handwork.

Pattern only. Fabric starter kit curated by Margo are available separately to help you begin your journey with historically appropriate reproduction fabrics.