Quilt Value & Price Guide

Collectible quilts represent a unique intersection of folk art, textile history, and domestic craftsmanship. These hand-stitched treasures range from traditional Amish patterns to intricate mid-century designs, each telling a story through fabric choice and needlework.

History of Quilt

Quilting in America evolved from a necessity for warmth into a sophisticated form of artistic expression during the 19th and 20th centuries. While early quilts were often utilitarian 'whole-cloth' or 'scrap' designs, the mid-1800s saw the rise of complex patterns like the Log Cabin and Star motifs, which became staples of the craft. The 1930s marked a significant era for collectors, as the Great Depression spurred a revival of feed-sack quilting and the popularity of cheerful patterns like the Double Wedding Ring and Sunbonnet Sue. These pieces served as both functional bedding and a medium for social gathering through quilting bees, cementing their place in cultural history.

Value Factors for Quilt

• Complexity of the pattern and the precision of the piecework or applique.
• Condition of the textile, including the presence of fading, staining, or fraying edges.
• Age and rarity of the fabric scraps used, such as authentic 19th-century indigo prints or Depression-era calicos.
• The presence of a signature, date, or documented history linking the quilt to a specific maker or region.

Tips for Buying Quilt

• Examine the stitching density and uniformity, as high-quality hand-quilting typically features 8 to 12 stitches per inch.
• Check for signs of dry rot or 'shattering' in silk fabrics, which can significantly compromise the structural integrity of the piece.
• Hold the quilt up to a light source to identify thin spots in the batting or hidden repairs that may not be visible at first glance.
• Verify the provenance and regional style, such as specific color palettes used in Pennsylvania Amish communities versus Southern applique traditions.

Items in This Collection

• Vintage Quilt
• Schoolhouse Quilt
• Vintage Wedding Ring Quilt
• Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt
• Ohio Star Quilt
• Star of Bethlehem Quilt
• Hand-stitched Quilt
• Lakota Star Quilt
• Orange Peel Quilt
• Maple Leaf Quilt
• Patchwork Quilt
• Patchwork Floral Quilt
• Patchwork Velvet Quilt
• Log Cabin Quilt
• Amish Quilt
• Hand-Embroidered Quilt
• Vintage Applique Quilt
• Eight-Point Star Quilt
• Modern Patchwork Quilt
• Grandmother's Fan Quilt