Grandmother's Fan Quilt Value Guide

The Grandmother's Fan quilt is a quintessential example of American resourcefulness during the Great Depression era. Its distinctive wedge-shaped patchwork allowed quilters to transform tiny fabric scraps into vibrant, domestic works of art.

What affects the value of Grandmother's Fan Quilt?

• Overall condition, specifically looking for fraying on the delicate wedge points or fading of the cotton dyes.
• The complexity and density of the hand-quilting stitches throughout the cotton batting.
• The variety and rarity of the printed cotton fabric scraps used to create the fan motifs.
• Current market demand for Depression-era textiles, with values typically ranging from $150 to $165.

How to Identify Grandmother's Fan Quilt?

• Look for the classic fan-shaped blocks constructed from multiple small, radiating fabric wedges.
• Identify authentic 1930s-1940s cotton prints, often featuring small florals, feed sack patterns, or pastel solids.
• Examine the construction for hand-stitched patchwork and traditional cotton batting characteristic of the early 20th century.
• Verify the origin as United States, typically featuring hand-quilted outlines following the fan shape.

History of Grandmother's Fan Quilt

The Grandmother's Fan pattern became exceptionally popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a favorite during the Great Depression era because the small, wedge-shaped pieces allowed quilters to utilize even the tiniest scraps of leftover fabric, making it a symbol of resourcefulness and domestic artistry.