Close-up of vintage silk patchwork quilt with colorful embroidery. Detail of chenille-tufted fabric patches on mid-century textile.
Handwritten label: “Mrs. William Sterling, Pittsburg County, OK.” on quilt reverse.
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Close-up of vintage silk patchwork quilt with colorful embroidery. Detail of chenille-tufted fabric patches on mid-century textile.
Handwritten label: “Mrs. William Sterling, Pittsburg County, OK.” on quilt reverse.

Mid-Century Crazy Quilt with Tufted Embroidery · Mrs. William Sterling · Oklahoma · 1940s–50s

$950.00
$950.00
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A joyful patchwork of mid-century dress prints, hand-stitched in Oklahoma by Mrs. William Sterling, this richly layered textile is a museum-worthy piece of history and heart—visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and rare in both detail and provenance.
Description

This mid-20th century “crazy” quilt is a full-throttle celebration of pattern, movement, and American ingenuity. Made from lightweight silk and rayon dress fabrics—florals, abstracts, geometrics in soft pinks, purples, and golden hues—it’s stitched with flair and finished with exuberant chenille tufts and decorative embroidery.

The textures and composition feel more like a collage or textile painting than a typical patchwork quilt—evidence of a confident, creative maker with a bold eye for color. The original stitched label reads:
“Mrs Wm Starling / McAlester / Pittsburg Co., R7." (Oklahoma)
—an extraordinary detail that roots this piece in 1940s–50s Oklahoma and elevates it for collectors of named-maker folk textiles.

Whether draped across a bed, hung on a wall, or folded as part of a curated collection, this one-of-a-kind piece carries deep visual and cultural resonance.

Specifications
Era: 1940s–1950s
Style: Crazy quilt with chenille tufting and decorative embroidery
Origin: McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma
Label: Original stitched label bearing name and location of maker
Materials: Lightweight silk and rayon dress fabrics, embroidery floss, chenille yarn
Dimensions: 
Condition: Excellent vintage condition
Additional Information

While little is yet known about Mrs. William Sterling beyond her Oklahoma origin, her work speaks volumes. The expressive combination of fabrics, the intricate detail of the embroidery, and the joyful execution reflect the hand of a confident and experienced maker.

Quilts like this were often made by women with deep ties to community, heritage, and resourcefulness—each stitch capturing the rhythm of everyday life, fashion, and domestic pride. The fact that this quilt survives with a label intact makes it a rare and collectible example of identified maker artistry.

Ideal for textile collectors, decorators, or anyone who values story-rich American design, this one-of-a-kind quilt offers warmth in every sense of the word.

Add this rare labeled Oklahoma quilt to your collection and bring a brilliant touch of American textile artistry into your space.