The Antiques Roadshow

[Grandma Nan]

I hope you don't think I'm too weird but I like watching this show on PBS. Weirdness aside, I was watching tonight and a man brought in a quite beautiful antique quilt- they estimated around 1850 but it was in good shape. It was obviously pieced and quilted by different quilters. There was quite a bit of applique on it similar to the Carolina Lily block, the centre had a version of a couple of US flags with crisscrossed poles.

Anyway the interesting part came in the assessment. The lady doing the critique talked about the obvious difference of the quilting styles and the different complexity of the quilt designs in each block. Some were simple and some very intricate and elaborate applique. She also said, "I can see that this quilt has been washed at least once maybe more. This decreases the value of the quilt because instead of being pristine it has some pucker and wrinkles from washing". The man said he had taken it for an evaluation and someone told him it was worth about $300. The lady said, the value of this quilt was $10,000 to $12,000 and if it had not been washed it would have been about $15,000

Just posting this for interest sake, if you think you are doing a heritage piece don't wash it.

[asta]

DH and I just saw this one, we figure the $300.00 estimate 15 years ago was by a person who did not know his/her stuff. Nice looking quilt, would not mind that hanging in my home.

[Sylvia H]

I don't think there is anything weird about watching that show. Thank you for the information, too.

[jjkaiser]

That is very interesting! But who would make a quilt and say don't ever wash this as it might be valuable in 75 or 100 years? And aren't 99.9% of all quilts made to be used? I love that show. Wonder how the appraiser knew the quilt was only washed once?

[Genny]

I love the show...we watch it all the time.

[shirleyknot]

I would find it difficult to believe a quilt made in 1850 had only been washed once. In those days, quilts were made to be USED, and they were.

[BobW]

I hope you don't think I'm too weird but I like watching this show on PBS. Weirdness aside, I was watching tonight and a man brought in a quite beautiful antique quilt- they estimated around 1850 but it was in good shape. It was obviously pieced and quilted by different quilters. There was quite a bit of applique on it similar to the Carolina Lily block, the centre had a version of a couple of US flags with crisscrossed poles.

Anyway the interesting part came in the assessment. The lady doing the critique talked about the obvious difference of the quilting styles and the different complexity of the quilt designs in each block. Some were simple and some very intricate and elaborate applique. She also said, "I can see that this quilt has been washed at least once maybe more. This decreases the value of the quilt because instead of being pristine it has some pucker and wrinkles from washing". The man said he had taken it for an evaluation and someone told him it was worth about $300. The lady said, the value of this quilt was $10,000 to $12,000 and if it had not been washed it would have been about $15,000

Just posting this for interest sake, if you think you are doing a heritage piece don't wash it.

Nan,

If I thought you were weird, it wouldn't be from watching Antique Roadshow! I'm just say'n! LOL

[Hulamoon]

Everytime i watch that show I look around my house.

[Snip Snip]

I love that show too, so I guess there are lots of weird quilters around here. But you know, I don't remember my mom washing quilts and bed spreads very often. Sheets, yes, but not the other "covers."
I know baby quilts are washed pretty often, but can visualize a regular sized quilt not getting washed for a hundred years. Obviously not used much, either.

[klgls]

I too watch the show. Interesting on the quilt - I remember my grandmother taking the quilts and covers out and airing them out, which required a good shaking and hanging over the line - she seldom washed them - only if something got spilled on it.