Quilt Appraisal: More study time for me!

As I mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of antique quilts and quilt appraisal in general.

My hope is to someday become an AQS certified quilt appraiser. So far, I have been getting some practice, but it has been a bit more slow going since the baby arrived. I'm getting back in the swing of things - starting now.

Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) - a huge and really nice quilt show - is coming to my home town in October.

At the show, Cindy Brick (AQS Certified quilt appraiser) will be there to appraise quilts. She is taking me under her wing as her scribe, so I'll be volunteering to assist her the day during the show.

Really looking forward to learning more about how somebody else does appraisals.

Cindy's web site is an insane wealth of information. She has all these articles published here.

Ones I really loved were on best way to store a quilt, washing and caring for your quilt, and what to do with an old worn quilt.

Oh, and yes I really did cut into my Liberty fabric collection. The above block is the 1st birthday signature block for my darling niece.

I will confess that cutting into Liberty fabric is like taking a small slice into heaven itself.

"Date That Quilt" Game

This afternoon I visited the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California.

They have an awesome exhibit there right now called "American Quilts: Two Hundred Years of Tradition," and it runs through March 15, 2009. If you have the chance to see it, I would very highly recommend it.

As I walked through the exhibit, I did not look at any of the dates on the info signs next to the quilts. Instead, I tried to guess the year the quilt was made by using the knowledge I have gained during my quilt appraisal studies.

For most of the quilts, I was able to date them with 10 years of the date the museum had posted. A couple of them I was a bit off, but it was the solid fabrics that threw me. I'm still learning to identify the dyes used during various time periods.

The log cabin above was especially attractive. That setting is so pretty and the quilt was just striking in person.

Any of you care to guess what date it was made? I know it's tough with the picture being so dark. Hint - fabrics are all silks.

In other news, my sister just gave me this crazy pretty "binky bling" pacifier clip for the baby. It is made of Swarovski crystal and is the cutest baby gift I think I've ever seen. Perfect for the baby that has everything. I think I'll turn it into a scissor leash or something after he gives up the binky.

A friendly visitor from a strange land

Finally my cough is on the way out, so thanks for well wishes. Between those, the humidifier, and the extra naps (thanks honey for being on duty w/ our 2yr old) how could I not feel tons and tons better!

Yesterday my old college roommate and her husband stopped by with their new puppy. This dog was the cutest little thing on earth. My friend imported this little sweetie from Korea.

The pincushion is for a lovely new friend who gave me the pleasure of appraising her quilt collection, for practice. Her quilts were amazing, and I'm just now finishing up all the paperwork. It's taken me a lot longer that I was hoping to take, but with the germs rolling through my house, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

Well, here's to a good healthy upcoming week.

Suspicious Redwork Quilt

When I was in my quilt appraisal class, we looked at TONS of quilts.

One of them belonging to a fellow classmate had these really interesting and different 'animals' on there in redwork embroidery.

There were these strange yak-like things, and other odd animals we could almost not even identify.

This guy though, took the cake. In the end we debated between a sasquatch and Cro-Magnon man.

Oh, and I got the most tempting and naughty email from Purl today...they have new Liberty of London prints (I will have to be physically restrained from buying some) and these little fawn prints that are to die for adorable.

Quilt Appraisal Class - day 1

Here I am at Road to California quilt show in Ontario, California, and I just finished my first day of classes on quilt appraisal.

Our teacher is Bobby Aug, a very experienced teacher and appraiser. I am learning a ton, spending time looking at antique quilts, and loving every moment of it. If you ever get the chance to take a class from her, I would recommend it.

My mom is here with me about to take some long arm classes starting tomorrow. It's a special treat to get to spend some time with her. I feel like I'm in high school again. She wakes me up with that same cheery voice that I remember so well. Ah, morning people.

Today we learned about replacement value of quilts for insurance purposes. I learned that most quilt appraisers will recommend against having a quilt appraised that is valued under around $200-$300. That was news to me, I thought you were supposed to document them all!

I also ran feverishly around the quilt show snapping up shots of the quilts. Will have to post on flickr...having oh so much fun. Stay tuned, more tomorrow.

Road to California quilt show

Oh oh oh, I'm really starting to get that excited feeling now that Road to California (the quilt show, of course! in Ontario, California) is only a number of days away.

I'm flying there to attend classes starting next Wed. on becoming a quilt appraiser! Yes, little old me is taking my first steps towards certification. The process will actually take a while, and I'll be really needing to study up...but so excited about this!!

I'm also going to be in a couple of night lectures.

One is by the owner of Pinwheels, on Japanese taupe fabric. Ok, like what could be better than talking about that for an evening. That will rock for sure.

They got this new stripe fabric, I hope they are bringing some to the show for me to get a little bit of it.

Quilt Appraisal

I just looked at the Road to California web site, and after already signing up for a TON of classes (mostly about appraisal), I realized there is a lecture in the evening on Friday, where the owner of Pinwheels will speak on TAUPE FABRIC! Ok...signing up tonight!

On the topic of quilt appraisal - why you might want your quilt appraised...all that good stuff - lots of reasons you may want to check this out.

Mostly if you have a normal home owner's policy, your quilts are covered if they are lost but will only be replaced at a very low value unless you have appraisal info for them.

The other really great reason to insure them is if you are putting them into a show or competition. If for some reason it is lost you will not get any replacement value unless you have an appraisal.

I am getting more and more into sending my beloved quilts off to see the world, so appraisals may be in order before I send them off for the greater universe to enjoy.

Speaking of the universe - have you ever visited the Alden Lane Nursery quilt show? If you're in the California bay area, it's not to be missed.

Maybe I'll enter my Lone Star quilt (yes, you guessed it from my last post, that's what's in progress!!)