Indigo is one of the oldest textile dyes, dating back to 16th-century Europe. By the 1800s, quilt-makers in the United States used the natural dye to make dark, rich fabric, creating our favorite color combination: blue-and-white. By the early 20th century, synthetic indigo dyes replaced natural indigo, and it became rare to see such dark blue hues. Because of their popularity, though, blue-and-white quilts are valued more than any other quilt color combination.

Resources: www.stellarubin.com; www.laurafisherquilts.com; www.antiquequilts.com