Quilt Collections

I think the longer you quilt or sew or do any type of craft concerning textiles, the more you’re drawn to them.  If garment sewing is your thing, it will not surprise me at all if you love fashion displays, old Hollywood costumes, or significant historical clothing.  I quilt.  The first thing I gravitate towards in antique stores is the quilts.  And if I can’t see any, I ask someone who’s employed there if any quilts are available for me to look at. 

I remember the very first antique quilt I purchased.  I was in the North Carolina Smokey Mountains (years before Helene) and stopped at a general store.  It was one of those real general stores, not some modern one playing at the business.  There were clothespins, dress goods, Moon Pies, and groceries mixed in with seeds, fertilizer, and chicken feed.  After purchasing a Moon Pie and a cold drink, I asked the woman behind the counter (who looked almost as old as the building itself) if she had any quilts for sale.

You have to remember, when you ask someone if they have quilts for sale, you generally get one of two responses.  Either something to the effect of “I have no clue what you’re talking about,” or “Maybe.  Maybe I have a quilt or two.  Why do you want them?”  In this case I got lucky.  She motioned to a small wooden building almost as old as the general store across the gravel parking lot and said, “There’s a few out there. Door’s unlocked.  If you find anything you like, bring it up.” 

It didn’t take any more prodding to get me across the parking lot to the building.  It was dark and warm, and I was glad I still had some cold Cheerwine left.  After my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I had to sort through some odds and ends until I caught sight of a small quilt.  Thinking it was a crib quilt, I carefully removed it and carried it outside.  And my heart almost stopped.

Caught somewhere between the measurements of a crib and child’s bed quilt was a quilt done in pinks and blues in a Chimney Sweep pattern.  It was a bit tattered, the batt was made from thin cotton, and the quilting stitches were exquisite.  The pink was once a vibrant color, maybe even red, but it had long faded into a softer hue. However, the indigo blues still held steadfast.  I carefully folded it up and carried it back to the general store.

“You like that one?” the lady asked.

I nodded.  “The quilting is beautiful. Any clue who made the quilt or when it was made?”

We spread the quilt out and she carefully looked it over. “No.  I can’t say that I even recognize it.  Don’t think it was ever used in my house or my momma’s.  Couldn’t swear about my sister’s, though.” 

You ask.  You always ask if there’s a known maker.  Usually, heartbreakingly too often, there’s no history on an old quilt.  But still….you ask.

“How much do you want for it?” I questioned.

“It’s a mite small one.  Won’t cover your bed.  Probably would fall apart as soon as you put it in the washing machine.  Can’t charge you a dime over $40.”

Money was exchanged and I left the store a happy quilting camper.  I’m sure each of us thought we got the better end of the deal.  

That was the first quilt.  I still have it, and it is carefully folded and kept out direct sunlight.  After a long soak in my bathtub, she cleaned up beautifully. And I still think I got the better end of the $40 deal.

My second antique quilt has an equally interesting backstory, but it was the hubs who procured this one. 

Every summer until both my children moved away from Greensboro to other cities and deserted me we took a family vacation.  Our kids, their spouses, the grandkids…everybody would head to one of North Carolina’s beautiful beaches.   We would rent a house and for a week we did nothing we didn’t want to do.  Swim, fish, shop…whatever.  One summer we stayed near Beaufort, North Carolina and I was having a blast until I caught a cold.  For a day or two I was miserable and did nothing more than stay inside and rest.  The rest of the family carried on, including some shopping in old Beaufort, where there is this wonderful thrift store operated by a local Methodist church.  We always go there.  Since I didn’t feel like tagging along, the hubs did the annual pilgrimage.  Once he was in, he saw a darling Sunbonnet Sue quilt hanging over the railing of the upstairs loft.  After he went about his shopping, he casually picked up the quilt and brought it to the counter.  I wasn’t there, but according to my daughter, the conversation went something like this:

“How much for the quilt?” he asked.

After a brief search, the salesperson found the tag.  “It’s $80.”

Bill spread the quilt out.  “There’s water stain on half the quilt.”

“Only on two rows,” countered the salesperson.  “Besides, it’s hand pieced and hand quilted.”

Okay.  Let’s pause for a moment here.  My husband may not be all into quilts like I am, but through the years, he has picked up on some crucial facts. 

“This quilt is machine pieced,” he countered.  “The applique is done by hand.”

And so the haggling continued.  Once he got the price down to $60, the quilt came home with him, and I was so happy it found a good home.  He did manage to get somewhat of a history on it.  It belonged to a man in the Methodist church, who had kept the quilt in a basement (horrors!).  The basement flooded and the last two rows of the quilt were water stained.  After a couple of soaks in the tub, most of the water stain came out.  It remains one of my favorite Sunbonnet Sue’s.

Now anyone can tell you, if you have only one of something (such as one old Chimney Sweep quilt), that’s one thing.  But once you add another one (such as a water-stained Sunbonnet Sue) a collection is born. 

So suddenly, I’m a quilt collector. 

It’s a natural thing for quilters to keep some of their own works, but many quilters also collect quilts made by other quilters.  And if you find yourself in this realm, it can really be a bit confusing to know where to start.  How do you know what to collect?  Where should you go to get them?  To begin with, it’s really a lot of trial and error and then zeroing in on what you really like.  I really love that little Chimney Sweep quilt, but it’s one of the few pre-Depression Era quilts I own.  I fell in love with the quilting and it was the quilting which really prompted me to plunk down  $40 and bring the quilt back home with me.  It was my second quilt – the water-stained Sunbonnet Sue – which helped me decide the 1930’s was my period.  I immediately fell in love with the Little Miss (go here: https://sherriquiltsalot.com/2021/02/03/sunbonnet-sue-the-quilt-block-born-on-a-dare/) and soon discovered the charm in that era of quilting.  From that time on, I’ve collected primarily quilts made in the 1930’s – 1940’s.  In that collection, I also have two stellar 19^th century applique quilts and a very nice circa 1983 purple Carolina Lily, all purchased simply because I love them.

Ironically, the type of quilt you like to collect may be diametrically different from the kind you make.  If you’re collecting what appeals to you, it may take some time, and some trial and error, to really determine what type of quilt you want occupying your space.  Allow yourself time to look and give yourself permission to sell off a quilt if, in the long run, you decide it’s just not you.  If you’re collecting for primarily monetary values, you probably want to look for antique quilts (quilts 100 years old or older) that are in good condition.  Condition is one of the primary factors when considering the value of a quilt.  A 100-year-old quilt in poor condition can very well be of lesser value than a 50-year-old quilt in pristine condition.

Where Do You Shop for Quilts?

There are the obvious places, such as quilt collections in art museums (often they will have a section of quilts available for purchase) and antique shops.  Museums generally have a good idea of what a quilt is worth, and the price tag will reflect this information.  Antique shops can be a bit iffy.  Sometimes they are on the mark, as far as a price goes, and sometimes they overshoot the value a lot.  If you’re quilt shopping at either of these places, here’s some prime advice:  Don’t be afraid to haggle about the price.  All they can do is say “No.” 

Thrift shops are surprisingly good places to find quilts (as per my Sunbonnet Sue).  You have to pick through them but occasionally you’ll come across a gem of a quilt you’ll want to take home.  Again, check for large areas that may need repairs or impossible stains.  Estate sales, Facebook Marketplace (to a somewhat lesser degree), and yard sales (does anyone still have these?) have yielded some good results in the past – especially estate sales.  However, if you come from a family of quilters, those folks may be your best resource.  Only a quilter can truly value a quilt made by another quilter and if they’re related to that quilter, there’s more than a good chance those quilts have been lovingly and carefully stored.  Sometimes these quilts are already spoken for – they’ve been promised to a child, grandchild, niece, or some other family member.  However, the quilt owner may be looking for someone to pass the quilt to who will take the same loving care of it.  You could be that person.  What’s more, quilters generally have a circle of quilter friends.  Your family members who quilt may very well know other quilters who would be willing to part with quilts you’re interested in. 

Finally, quilt shows may offer some antique quilts for sale.  With most local quilt shows, there is a space for guild members to show their quilts, but some of these also allow members to sell antique quilts (this is how I purchased my purple Carolina Lily).  The same protocol may also be followed for larger quilt shows, such as the AQS ones.  If you plan to attend a quilt show with the goal of purchasing a quilt, it’s always a good idea to ask ahead of time to see if any are available.

I Bought a Quilt!  Now What Do I Do with It?

It stands to reason that you’ve carefully looked the quilt over before money was exchanged – or at least closely enough you know there are fragile areas, faded fabrics, or frayed binding.  If the quilt needs a bath, I suggest a soak in a tub with some quilt soap.  I know some collectors throw their quilt in the washing machine on a delicate cycle and the quilt does just dandy, but I’m more cautious.  After it’s soaked and rinsed, roll it up in a sheet to get as much water out of it as possible and allow it to dry flat.  If the quilt is particularly dirty (as my Chimney Sweep was – it was filthy), it may need a couple of spa days to regain its original loveliness. 

Next you want to record as much of the quilt’s province as you have.  The only history you may have is when and where you purchased it and why.  Occasionally you may find the maker’s initials or if you’re really lucky a name, a date, and a state.  Sometimes armed with this information you can make some headway into the quilt’s history through some online searches.  Whatever information you can pull together, be sure to record it.  Some collectors put this on a label and attach it to the back of the quilt.

You also may want to consider an appraisal by a certified quilt appraiser or antique textile appraiser.  If the quilt is an antique (at least 100 years old), and is in good condition, the appraisal can accomplish three goals for a quilt collector.  First, it does put a monetary value on the quilt.  If you or your heirs decide to sell the quilt, the appraisal gives you a starting point for a sale price.  If years pass between the initial appraisal and the sale, you will want to get the quilt re-appraised, especially if the quilt remains in stellar condition – it probably will have increased in value.  The second reason is for insurance purposes.  If, heaven forbid, the quilt was destroyed in a fire or other natural disaster, or if the quilt was stolen, the appraisal document would give you the replacement value.  And third, if you’re the philanthropist quilter and decide to donate the quilt to a museum, the appraisal serves as a tax document for your gift in kind. 

And Finally….

I’ll be the first to admit that collecting quilts is almost as fun as making them.  And collecting quilts is kind of like that old Lays Potato Chip commercial – you can’t seem to stop with just one.  So as you decide what quilts you like and start to collect, treat your collection the same way you should your fabric stash – make sure you have room for them and that they don’t overwhelm your entire living space (unless you live by yourself, and no one will give you flack about it).  Also make sure you treat the quilts with care.  Display them properly and rotate them out so the quilts are not constantly exposed to light.  If the quilt is really old, the best place to display them is on a flat surface, like the bed in your guest room.  As you rotate them out, be sure to store them in cotton pillowcases or in an archival storage box with acid-free tissue in the folds. 

My last words on old quilts are these:  Consider the legacy.  You may very well know who wants the quilts you made when you go to that Great Guild Meeting in the Sky, but what about the quilts you collect?  Does any family or friends want them? Will any of those family or friends take proper care of them?  Will they rotate them out?  Will they not store them in cedar chests or in damp basements?  Even in the best of conditions, textiles – from clothing to quilts – become more fragile over time.  I would strongly urge you to contact a university/college or museum before that Great Guild Meeting to see if they would be interested in your antique treasure.  They have the space and the proper storage facilities for these rare and wonderful quilts.

Until Next Week,

Love and Stitches,

Sherri and Felix