A note about Antique Quilts
Many quilts made before 1980 were created using old clothing. In fact, many different fabrics were used to make quilts--often one quilt can have both cotton and synthetic materials. Sometimes people re-used blocks from older quilts that have fallen apart. Some quilts were made from feed sack. Due to the Great Depression, people used anything at hand to make quilts. As a result, many old quilts are not in the best of shape. The fabrics were worn as clothing, washed, ironed, and worn again before becoming a quilt. Sometimes the fabrics live up to the test of time and sometimes they do not. Furthermore, batting (the middle of the quilt) can be anything from cotton batting to a wool blanket to an old quilt. It's very difficult to age a quilt, but it's mainly done based on the type and design of fabric. Machine-stitching does not necessarily mean a quilt is not an antique.
Keeping all of this in mind, an antique quilt is generally something that is 50 or more years of age. As you might imagine, that means anything made between 1776 and 1970 can be called an antique. Quilts 30 years of age or older are considered to be "vintage", which does not mean it does not have value. In another decade or two, it will be an antique, as well.
Keeping all of this in mind, an antique quilt is generally something that is 50 or more years of age. As you might imagine, that means anything made between 1776 and 1970 can be called an antique. Quilts 30 years of age or older are considered to be "vintage", which does not mean it does not have value. In another decade or two, it will be an antique, as well.
Quilt Repair
Quilt repair can include anything from hand-stitching rips or tears to replacing fabric. We keep a collection of vintage fabrics on hand dating back to the 1930s. When possible, fabric is matched as closely to possible to the original fabric used in the quilt.
Cost for repair depends upon many things, including whether the quilt can be repaired at all. There is a flat $50 non-refundable fee for evaluation of the quilt. Before any work commences, the owner will be contacted with an outline of the expected costs. Should the client decide not to go further, the quilt will be returned unchanged.
An estimate will include the amount of work needed to be done to repair missing or disintegrated quilt blocks, hand or machine stitching (as is appropriate for the item), materials, and time expected for completion. Most projects will take 6-8 weeks. The average cost to repair a quilt with modest damage can range from $100-$300.
Cost for repair depends upon many things, including whether the quilt can be repaired at all. There is a flat $50 non-refundable fee for evaluation of the quilt. Before any work commences, the owner will be contacted with an outline of the expected costs. Should the client decide not to go further, the quilt will be returned unchanged.
An estimate will include the amount of work needed to be done to repair missing or disintegrated quilt blocks, hand or machine stitching (as is appropriate for the item), materials, and time expected for completion. Most projects will take 6-8 weeks. The average cost to repair a quilt with modest damage can range from $100-$300.
Quilt Finishing
Families often find quilts hidden away in boxes or closets after loved ones have passed. Many of the quilts are really simply quilt tops that need to be quilted. Other times, they are quilts with significant damage. In the case of the photos above, these quilts needed to be taken apart, repaired, and sewn back together before they could be quilted.
Quilts are usually made of three layers: the top, the batting, and the backing. In most cases, the backing for antique quilts are muslin. We take it a step further to help with the longevity of the quilt. Once repairs are completed, we prefer to protect it from further damage by placing an additional layer of muslin under the top. This results in a quilt that has a top, a layer of muslin, a layer of batting, and a backing (also muslin). In so doing, the second layer of muslin will keep batting from coming through should any further disintegration of the original fabrics occur.
Quilts are usually made of three layers: the top, the batting, and the backing. In most cases, the backing for antique quilts are muslin. We take it a step further to help with the longevity of the quilt. Once repairs are completed, we prefer to protect it from further damage by placing an additional layer of muslin under the top. This results in a quilt that has a top, a layer of muslin, a layer of batting, and a backing (also muslin). In so doing, the second layer of muslin will keep batting from coming through should any further disintegration of the original fabrics occur.
Disclaimer
When it comes to quilting, we do not hand-quilt antiques. They are all quilted on a long-arm quilting machine. It is important to understand what this means. Monetary value of antique quilts is based on the last time any work was done on it. This means something that was made in 1850 that was significantly changed (machine quilted) today will no longer retain its value as an "antique" from 1850. If you are looking for someone to do quilt restoration, we are not the ones you want. We specialize in saving quilts for posterity. Upon completion, the quilt will be ready to be used on a bed or as a wall-hanging. This does not mean it loses all of its value. It simply means that the estimated value as an "antique" is greatly reduced. Keep in mind, antique quilts of great value are often kept in museums. They are never washed and often look as if they need it. We focus on saving your family treasure for future generations.
Cost Estimate
Cost for completion depends upon many things, including:
There is a flat $50 non-refundable fee for evaluation of the quilt. Before any work commences, the owner will be contacted with an outline of the expected costs. Should the client decide not to go further, the quilt top will be returned unchanged.
An estimate will include the amount of work needed to repair missing or disintegrated quilt blocks, hand or machine stitching (as is appropriate for the item), materials (fabric, thread, batting), quilting, and time expected for completion. Most projects will take 6-8 weeks. The average cost to finish a quilt with some damage, the addition of materials, and the time required to complete the project can range from $200-$600.
- whether the quilt can be repaired for completion
- the amount of materials needed (fabric replacement, batting, and muslin)
- the size of the quilt for quilting
- quilt binding
- sleeve for wall hanging
- label (see below for more information)
There is a flat $50 non-refundable fee for evaluation of the quilt. Before any work commences, the owner will be contacted with an outline of the expected costs. Should the client decide not to go further, the quilt top will be returned unchanged.
An estimate will include the amount of work needed to repair missing or disintegrated quilt blocks, hand or machine stitching (as is appropriate for the item), materials (fabric, thread, batting), quilting, and time expected for completion. Most projects will take 6-8 weeks. The average cost to finish a quilt with some damage, the addition of materials, and the time required to complete the project can range from $200-$600.
Labels
In the past, quilters did not identify themselves or the dates when they completed the quilt. They were more concerned about creating a quilt to warm a family member on a cold night. Dating is often done based on the quilter's age and is often quite general. With a little research, families can often gather enough information about any given quilt. We offer a special service where a machine-embroidered label is made with all of the pertinent information. The embroidery is usually done in black thread using a cursive-like font. It is centered on the swatch of fabric and then hand-stitched to the back corner of the quilt. The average label is $15-$20 depending upon the amount of information.
Information to consider collecting:
Sample Quilt Label Information:
Quilt top hand-stitched in 1920 by Minnie Matilda Schulz Schriewer (June 21, 1901 – March 4, 1990). She and Herbert Henry Schriewer were cotton and maize farmers near Geronimo, Texas. Children include: Landis, Carolyn, and Shirley. Quilted
in 2018 by Michelle Cole Beer
Note: The information about the quilter (Michelle) and the date (2018) is included for future generations to know when the quilt top was made into a completed quilt. Based on the fabric used for this particular quilt top and Minnie's age, it can be assumed it was made somewhere between 1945 and 1975. From that time until the day Minnie died (30-40 years) it sat in a cabinet or trunk and then rested in another family member's closet from 1990 until 2018. All in all, this quilt top spent a very long time waiting to be quilted.
Information to consider collecting:
- name of the person or people who created the blocks
- birth/death dates of person or people
- names of spouses, children, or other family members
- names of remaining family members
- name of person for which the quilt was made
- birth place or location of person who made the quilt
- person for whom the quilt is being repaired as a gift
Sample Quilt Label Information:
Quilt top hand-stitched in 1920 by Minnie Matilda Schulz Schriewer (June 21, 1901 – March 4, 1990). She and Herbert Henry Schriewer were cotton and maize farmers near Geronimo, Texas. Children include: Landis, Carolyn, and Shirley. Quilted
in 2018 by Michelle Cole Beer
Note: The information about the quilter (Michelle) and the date (2018) is included for future generations to know when the quilt top was made into a completed quilt. Based on the fabric used for this particular quilt top and Minnie's age, it can be assumed it was made somewhere between 1945 and 1975. From that time until the day Minnie died (30-40 years) it sat in a cabinet or trunk and then rested in another family member's closet from 1990 until 2018. All in all, this quilt top spent a very long time waiting to be quilted.