Non-traditional quilts?

May 7, 2009 10:12 AM

Help me find a non-traditional quilt! (All my overly-fussy requirements inside...)

I'm looking for a queen-sized light quilt or coverlet for summer. I like bold patterns and off-beat designs. Something like this but heavier than a "tapestry". Now for the fussy stuff:

- Must be machine washable. (So most homemade or craft quilts are out.)
- Nothing "Americana" or "country" or overly floral.
- No duvet covers.
- Any colors are fine, but should go with purples/blues/greens.
- Around $100.

Any ideas are appreciated!

posted by JoanArkham to home & garden (15 answers total)

If you're willing to up your budget, Anthropologie and Toast both have some pretty nice ones, but they're closer to $200 than $100.
posted by dersins at 10:17 AM on May 7, 2009

I don't know how helpful this is, but I inherited 3 quilts all of which are handmade and hand stitched, from between the 1940s to 1950s. This may make some people cringe, but I always wash them in the washing machine, with hot water and not the delicate cycle, for the last 15 years or so. They are all still in very good condition, so you might still consider handmade quilts. They aren't necessarily too delicate for everyday use.
posted by Houstonian at 10:24 AM on May 7, 2009

Two amazing designs. It would be more than $100 to get it made...but wow.

And you can find Anthropologie quilts on ebay.
posted by barnone at 10:46 AM on May 7, 2009

IKEA.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:47 AM on May 7, 2009

PS: I second Houstonian. You can definitely wash most quilts. Take a look at the stitching and if it looks really loose or patchy, then don't do it. But if it's in decent shape, and it's not worth a fortune, just wash it. What's the point of having amazing quilts if you can't use them? I know, some are too precious to wash. But I like using beautiful things.
posted by barnone at 10:48 AM on May 7, 2009

Thanks, all! There's an Anthropologie one on sale that might work...and I don't know how I could have forgotten Ikea. (Need to take a trip to the store though, their online selection is always smaller.)

And I guess if a hand-made one is washable I could try Etsy Alchemy...
posted by JoanArkham at 11:46 AM on May 7, 2009

Garnet Hill has some nice quilts, but I think most of them are a bit more than $100.
posted by hooray at 12:56 PM on May 7, 2009

Hand-made quilts are definitely washable. They're generally made from high-quality 100% cotton fabrics, and cotton or polyester batting.

MeMailing you.
posted by cereselle at 1:24 PM on May 7, 2009

Target? The stores around me don't usually have the same stuff as online, so I'm not going to link to anything, but they've got a couple of lines of bedding (Dwell, Xhilaration) which have a non-traditional feel. The one we havehas blocks of different colors & textures of heavy cottons with contrast windowpaning, my daughter has a geometric one in 'retro' colors because that's the one she wanted.

I've seen some nice ones at Kohl's as well.
posted by jlkr at 1:58 PM on May 7, 2009

The Company Store has some anthro-ish quilts on sale right now, but even reduced, the full/queens seem to be ~$140.00
posted by not.so.hip at 3:32 PM on May 7, 2009

Ebay has some awesome old quilts (hand and machine made) for under 100. Solid color Jacobs Ladder patterns are some of my favorites, but searching for "60s", "70s", or "Polyester" will bring up some brightly colored non-frumpy stuff. This seller seems to have an amazing treasure trove up right now.
posted by ladypants at 3:45 PM on May 7, 2009

I know how hard it is to find a cute quilt! I do recommend checking Target - I got a really cute one there a few years ago. Also try Overstock.com
posted by radioamy at 7:54 PM on May 7, 2009

I've bought two quilts at Urban Outfitters; I found they have a nice variety of patterns, both were $80-ish, and I've washed them in a machine.
posted by transporter accident amy at 12:03 AM on May 8, 2009

I bought an incredibly soft cotton quilt that I just adore at my local fair trade arisan imports store for $100 and despite being handmade it's held up through many washings over many years. If you live in a hippieish town, give that option a look, there are often options that look surprisingly modern.
posted by you're a kitty! at 6:40 AM on May 8, 2009

I love the ebay seller linked above, but read carefully; some of the listings are for quilt tops, not finished quilts.
posted by MichelleinMD at 1:01 PM on May 8, 2009