Denyse Schmidt reinterprets tradition to make modern heirloom quilts that are fresh and offbeat. Denyse has been designing and making quilts for over a decade, and the Couture Quilts are at the heart of her work. Singular design, unexpected color combinations, and exacting craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Denyse Schmidt Quilts.

The Couture Quilts are made by hand, one at a time, in our Connecticut studio. Denyse and her studio assistant work closely with every client throughout each commission. Many of the Couture Quilt designs are made without patterns. Instead, they are created with an improvisational piecing method—a process more like painting or collage than traditional patchwork. The result is that no two quilts are exactly alike—each is a unique, museum-quality work of art, design, and craft.

Every quilt is made to order, so customizing color or use of your treasured fabric is encouraged. For each Couture Quilt commission, we select fine 100% cotton fabrics, both vintage and new, and carefully pre-wash all the fabric. It takes many hours over the course of several weeks to cut and piece the quilt top. The backs of the quilts are pieced with a center stripe detail, a striking color-study that is a beautiful quilt design in itself—so your Couture quilt is really two quilts in one. The quilting lines are carefully marked by hand on each quilt top before it is sent with batting (the middle layer of cotton) and the quilt back to Amish hand quilters in Minnesota for finishing. Every quilt is signed and dated by Denyse. Hang your Denyse Schmidt Quilt on your wall (ask about hanging loops), or make it a treasured part of your everyday life.

Browse through the menu on the right to select your Couture Quilt from our Signature Designs, or explore commissioning us to create a custom quilt for you.