Antique Quilt Gifts

Pink Star Quilt From Fourth Corner Fine Quilt Gallery EBAY

Quilts are some of the very best gifts for mothers and grandmothers, as they are handcrafted heirlooms that can be passed down through the family.  There is nothing more memorable than a quilt you used as a child which is then used by your own children by the fireplace.  Quilts are useable but they are also decorative.  Some early American homes hung the quilts on the wall, and still can be found to be decorative in bedrooms on quilt racks.  Antique quilts can be symbols of emotions for many people  through a period of time.  Sometimes you can date a quilt by the pattern.   Quilts through the decades tell stories of slavery, hard times, women's struggles, and love stories.  If you are looking for an "every day" quilt often times you will find these quilts are machine stitched.  There are some really beautiful machine-made quilts, and they are relatively affordable. Museum quality quilts can be worth thousands.  If you are prepared to spend some serious money for an investment look carefully at these suggestions below before purchasing:

1. Clues in the Batting

An antique quilt was often filled with materials such as silk, wool or cotton. If the quilt is filled with polyester batting, it is a way of knowing it was made in 1960's and there after.

2. Clues in the Stitching.

When it comes to stitching of the fabric you want to look for stitch length of the stitches. Compare for yourself a machine stitch compared to a hand stitch. Older quilts you will find that the fabric is raised as a result of the batting shifting, so look carefully. When you identify the stitch being handmade, look carefully if the workmanship of the stitch. Does it look like the quilt was made in a hurry? Real quitters take their time which shows in the quilt.

3. Look at the Appliqués and Piecework.

Does it appear that the appliques were hand stitched or machine made?

4. Examine the fabric.

Does it still have the sheen of new cotton? Most likely the quilt is a copy, as most antique fabrics looses their sheen over time.  Looking at the fabric is one of the biggest indications to age of the quilt.

5. Size.

Is the size a King size? A sure way of knowing it is NOT an antique.