Lancaster County quilts from the late 1800 s until the 1930 s show a great variety of in the materials used for backings. Solid or printed cottons and printed cotton flannels are some of the examples. Even the smallest details can help determine where and when a quilt originated. Wide bindings are a distinctive characteristic of Lancaster county quilts that set them apart from quilts made elsewhere. Look for bindings ranging in size from one to two and a half inches.
Quilting patterns can also help to determine the quilt age.
The earliest quilts have fine but simple plainer designs. Quilts from 1900-1940 generally have the more complex patterns. The quilting motifs are often double-stitched, a practice that rarely occurs after 1940. As a general rule, if the quilting is extensive and elaborate, the quilt was probably made in the 1920 s or 1930 s. Particular colors and colors combinations have changed over the years, but a certain sensibility persists.