primitives question quilt experts

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1026224

Oh my.

RainDog (21,650 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

Question for Quilt Experts

I told a friend I would help him sell a Log Cabin pattern quilt that was in his family for a while because I will soon be listing books and other things on ebay. He doesn't know how old it is, but the fabric is obviously not new. The quilt is tied, not quilted. The backing is flannel and the edging is satin. Some of the pieces of fabric in the quilt have torn, but overall it's a beautiful quilt.

I don't know what to tell him as far as prices for such items, so I thought I'd ask here among the experts.

Viva_La_Revolution (25,425 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. you should have an expert look at it

$200 is a great price until you find out it was worth $2000. at least have him take it to a few antique shops to see if they think it's special.

RainDog (21,650 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. thanks!

I know about books and ephemera, but not things like quilts.

It's been strange to me - since I started dealing in collectible books, etc, people think I know about other things, too. One man wanted me to sell his antiques. I would be happy to list them for him, but I'm certainly not in a position to evaluate furniture and lamps, etc.

supernova (38,905 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. Fabric conservator

Your friend might do well to take it to a fabric specialist at a local museum. They could at least probably tell him about when the quilt was made and from what types of fabric.

RainDog (21,650 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

4. again, thanks!

I haven't looked at it very closely, but I thought, at the time he showed it to me, that the fabric looked older than the backing and trim. I wonder if it was pieced at one point and then assembled at another.

I'll let him deal with this - but at least I can pass along the information. However, because of my bg in rare books, etc. I also find this sort of thing interesting. It's always fun to learn about others' areas of knowledge.

sinkingfeeling (23,772 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

5. Value for old quilts is decided not only by age, but also by the quality of the sewing. Was it machine pieced or done entirely by hand? If hand done, what is the quality of the workmanship? Size of stitches? Is it square? Do the pieces match up perfectly?
Is the color scheme planned or random? Is it pleasing to look at? What size is the quilt? Is there a label or other identifer of the maker?

Most used, day-t0-day quilts from around 1930-1940 were made for a double bed and may only be worth $125-300.

Do a search of Ebay for similar quilts and see either what they sold for or what the asking price is.

The pie-and-jam primitive, Sherlock Judy, slacking off on her job of stalking franksolich:

grasswire (33,711 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

6. you could very well be right that it was pieced long before it was backed.

And if that is the case, it is a very good thing that it is tied and not quilted, because too many quilts have been ruined by machine quilting. A tied quilt could even be separated from the backing and restored if the top is particularly beautiful.

april (878 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

7. log cabin quilt

if it is the real deal could be worth at least $1000. but I know that there was never satin on those..you can tell the age from the prints on the fabric..I would take it into a antique shop and see what they say / not to sell but just for info / ..you cant really do a touch and feel on Ebay..

[BEG]

I know quilts and even I wouldn't feel comfortable setting a price for an old quilt. Do your friend a favor DUmmie and tell him you have no clue. I would hate to guess at a price, only to learn later it was worth so much more.