FACT OR FALLACY

Come sit in with the embroidery group at 6:00 pm most meeting nights.  They are having a blast doing what ever each and every one of them are interested in, as well as the group works.

Susie introduced a new possible project for 2016 where the group will be doing twilling on a whole cloth quilting pattern.  Every two months a new section will be brought in for everyone to trace off on their own fabric or freezer paper.  Please see Susie to get all the information.

With Christmas coming, everyone seems to also have some time sensitive projects that they are trying to get done.

Kathy is working on towels and table cloths.

Deb O. and Jeanette K. brought in work to do and to show off.

Debrah B. and Juanita at work on their stitchery.  And catch a glimpse in the bottom left of the pattern that Susie introduced for next years project. 

Virginia and Sara worked on their chicks and Stacie had Christmas presents in process.

It is a great time to catch up on every one's projects, talk, ask questions and get directions.  Everyone is welcome to come early and join in or just sit and chat.

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President Carol S. started off the evening with her something to beauty tip:  "A Smile is the most beautiful jewelry a woman can wear."

Carol B. introduced the speaker for our program for the evening - Carol Elmore out of Manhattan on "Facts and Fallacies of Quilt Appraisals".  

Carol is the librarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine Library at Kansas State University.  Quilts have been in her life for as long as she can remember.  The first quilts she ever made were for her Jenny doll.  She will tell you that the real quilter in the family is her husband, Ron 

(we have had him as a speaker in the past, presenting his trunk show of Log Cabin quilts).

A friend of Carol's took a class to become a quilt appraiser and knew afterwards that it wasn't for her, but she encouraged Carol to enter into that area of quilting.  Now Carol is an AQS Certified Appraiser.  This is not something that you can jump right into by taking a few classes.  There is a Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisers standards that you have to comply with; however, it also takes a lot of knowledge and skill that you learn while you are out in the field - BEFORE you become certified.

As the interest in antique quilts dwindles, the interest in new quilts is on the rise.

As an appraiser, Carol has to sign a Certification Statement on all of her appraisals stating that contents are true and she has no personal interest, no bias and that she has personally inspected the property.  Everything has to be disclosed.  

Why does anyone want a quilt appraised?

1.  Curiosity - what is the quilt worth?

Cost of materials and labor (don't start adding up your hours, what is an average amount of time to do something of similar quality), what type of pattern, what are the sales of similar quilts going for?  Embellishments?  Egads, but there is a lot that goes into considering what that quilt right there in front of you is worth.  Too many things to mention here.  Remember, you can add up in your own head that a quilt is worth $16,000,000.00 with all you put into it - realistically = who will pay that?

2.  Mother and daughter-in-law (or vice versa) reasons.

Give a quilt WITH the appraisal and that might stop it from being used in the bed of a truck or under the dog.

3.  Insurance - replacement value, the primary reason for appraisals.

Whether it be for your home owners insurance or you are entering it into a show.  If it is lost - what would it cost to replace.  Some shows, an appraisal is part of the process.

4.  Shipping

If it is lost or damaged, you have to have proof for the insurance companies.  There are Land Marine Policies where it covers your quilt no matter where it is.

5.  Donation to museums and such, claim on your taxes.

A quilt that you did not make, is appraised on a fair market value. 

If you made it, then it is the cost of materials only.

Carol takes notes: size, pattern, colors, fabrics, workmanship.  She will take pictures only to identify the quilt with the appraisal.  You should keep the returned picture with your appraisal sheet.

There are so many misconceptions - NO, not all antique quilts are valuable

This Oak Leaf and Reel might be worth maybe $50.  It is not in good condition, missing pieces, faded, has holes.

This Whig Rose is very graphic so the value may be $100; however, it is damaged and the batting has migrated.

Whigs Defeat was found in a tobacco barn and it took a whole day of soaking and rinsing to get it to look this well.  As it has no documented provenance, it might be worth $200-300.

This Lone Star from the 1940's is a kit quilt (click here to read more about kit quilt verification) and is all machine done - Maybe $500-600.  

Unusual techniques, visual appeal, color, in good shape - all of these are factors used in quilt appraisal.

This Lone Star is from Ron's family, maybe 1900-1910, has holes and the points are cut off.  Not worth much to others, sentimental value to them.

These two quilts are considered doll quilts and small can mean more $.

Carol paid $125 for the one on the right, but it is not made to scale and that lowers the value.  The one on the left is a true miniature from about  the 1950's and could be valued at $250-300.

 This quilt is from the 1900's and is intricately quilted, but because the maker is unknown, it is valued at only about $700-800.

This is a 1920's crib quilt

Dates and signatures add value to a quilt. A 1914 Union Society Star was made by a group and is faded.  Not sure who all the signatures are.  Carol said that if you have famous people sign a quilt, make sure they sign it in something that is permanent and do not embroider over the signatures - lowers the value.

Carol made this quilt and had Governor Graves sign it.  Maybe in the future it will be valuable.

Not all signature quilts are valuable.  Again, don't embroider over signatures, collectors want the real signatures.

This Grandmother Flower Garden is worth a little more even though it is machine quilted, because it is quilted around every hexagon.

Supply and demand will increase quilts values - rarity, documentation/provenance, low supply.  A 1930's quilt would not be very valuable in Kansas because most every family has at least one, but on the East and West Coasts they are not as plentiful and would bring more $.

Even new quilts may be valuable if the maker is well known.       Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry  has earned many awards for her designs and her fabrics.  $600 value on this quilt.  (sorry for the poor picture quality, go to her site by clicking on her name, to see more)

Gerald Roy is a quilt collector ( click here to read a 2014 article about him) and does not usually make quilts.  This quilt is more valuable as it was made by him from a line of fabric that he helped create.  You can see a collection of quilts belonging to Gerald Roy and Paul Pilgrim at the Oklahoma Museum of Art  from now to February 7, 2016 - click here for story.

Quilts that are State Fair winners, might not have a great increase in their value; however, winners of other contests might expect an increase in value.  But then fading from dyes can bring down that value.

Professor Deborah Briggs at the College of Veterinary Medicine is a world expert on rabies.  For a veterinary fund raiser, she did this quilt with stuffed work (trapunto), it is appraised at about $1,500.00 because of  who she is.

Nancy Graves of Manhattan (click here to see Robb-n-Graves patterns) , entered this quilt into a Hoffman challenge.  Carol was not sure if Nancy won; however, because she is a well known maker, the value of this quilt is higher.

Some times tops and blocks will hold their value, sometimes they are worth more just as they are.  Lots of people ask, do I finish it?

This top is very graphic, pretty - but inexpensive fabric, will not increase the value by quilting it.

Had to laugh over this one, Carol called it "Road Kill Butterflies".  There were several butterfly patterns that came and went, this one is very flat looking and has inexpensive borders.  The graphic design created with the fabrics in this one, would make it more of a modern desirable.

You might pay $25 an hour to have a conservator repair your quilts, this can decrease the value.

There was a hole in this one, Carol fixed herself and it is okay just for her use.

Carol paid $10 for this quilt and hand quilted it herself - maybe it increased the value.

Carol had about 50 blocks of butterflies, she was able to save 9 and made this wall quilt.

True historians / conservationists say leave as is.  Carol told us that if you do not know who made it or anything else about the quilt, do something with it.

Charlotte Herr of Manhattan, used some old blocks in the middle of this and made something of value.

What if you have blocks from the 1930's, should you do anything now?  Carol said maybe you can quilt it, or take blocks and have them framed for family members.  It is a personal call - Carol believes that if you do make something = you are honoring the maker.  If to you it is useless as separate blocks - then do something with them.

1900's woolen quilts are becoming more popular with the younger generation.  And Double Knits - they will still be around when everything else has deteriorated with time.

Modern, funkier, weird designs - are in and some rules are today being abandoned, like negative space.

When you see a quilt that is in perfect condition and you like it - GET IT!  Whatever you collect, make sure that you go for quality, not quantity.  Condition, condition, condition - that could be said to be the first step in an appraisal.  If you bring a quilt to Carol for appraisal and it looks like it will not be worth a lot - she will tell you BEFORE she starts the process.

Carol told us so much more - it was one of those WOW nights when you hear more than you are sure you can take in and even remember - so please, forgive me for any goofs.  I was so thoroughly enjoying myself learning what is FACT and what is FALLACY, AND OF COURSE SEEING THOSE QUILTS, that my notes may be a little off.  Thank you so much Carol for the wonderful program.  You and your husband have been awesome to and for our guild.

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Show 'n Tell

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am constantly astounded by what our members can think up and do.  One of Ginny's children asked for a map - and here is a beauty that Ginny designed.  It has on it where that child has lived, important events in their lives - and will be added to as the years go on.

And if that was not enough, one of her children is a world traveler - so.......Yep, you guessed it, lots of beads on this one - all over the place.

Okay - too many days have gone by - was this Ginny's or Carol's.  Forgive me ladies, it is a beauty - love all those blues.

Carol B. did bring in her finished Fibonacci table runner from David and Teresa Duwe's workshop.

And if you went on the Christmas home tour last year, you might remember seeing this unfinished up on Carol's design board.  Now it is done and ready for holiday use.

Francis B. showed off OUR quilt.  Remember all those blocks on the phone book paper - aren't we good? hahaha  Course hats off to Francis, she put it together just right (and word is that she had to make some more blocks to get it this size).  This will be a charity quilt when needed.

Debrah B. made this quilt for her Mother-in-law from the fabric that her husband picked out.  Nope, not a good idea to take your husband fabric shopping with you - unless you are as talented as Debrah and can turn those peanut characters into something this lovely.

Sara had received this kit from her mom.  It takes an antique pattern, adds color and embroidery work and now - great pillow in the making.  (I know, I want to do one too!)

When the call went out for Christmas quilt items for the museum (decided no for this year, but put it on your calendar for next year), Geri pulled out this stack and whack.  She calls it her Christmas dogs quilt.

Every one of those swirls are made from Christmas dog fabrics.  Did not get a real good shot, but this close up will give you a better idea.  Thank you Geri for bringing this in - wonderful idea.

Everyone was so surprised last month when Jane did not bring in a quilt for show 'n tell, that she decided to share with us what she has been doing - PATCHING.  And here is the proof.  hahahaha Jane could have a going business with those that were interested in her work.  By the way, she no longer trims, tucks under and hide the patch material underneath, now she throws it on and sews away.

And as normal - Jane has another finished quilt to proudly show off.  Hope she got home with this one as so many oohs and aahs accompanied the viewing, I'm sure she could find a home for it among us members.  Isn't it lovely!

Okay Janet, it may "only" be a tossed 9-patch or something, but ummm uummm good!  Love it of course, it is yellow and blue.

Ruth Ann J. had a few blocks hanging around and put them to use in this great table topper.

She also had finished her Fibonacci.  Love the colors she picked.

Okay Ruth Ann, what pattern was this - lovely, lovely, lovely.

Cindy brought in her string pieced quilt also.  Wow, what a look you can get when you place the white in the middle of each block.  And will you look at that piano key border.  Cindy used muslin for backing on her squares and to provide the white in the middle of the blocks.  She used phone book pages to do the border.  Great job Cindy.

When Cindy's daughter said that she wanted ships and that she wanted it in the colors shown, Cindy wasn't quite sure if she was going to like it.  Now that it is finished - egads, yahoo, wow!  Who would not love it.  Ask Cindy how she feels about those borders around each block, hahahaha, she may not do that again real soon.  But it sure makes those blocks.

Jeanette K. had finished her twilling for the holidays.  This one really needed a close up look.  And that border really set it off.  Great job as usual Jeanette.

Jeanette also finished one of her past BOM's.  She was not sure what year they were started in, but yeah for 2015 and the finish.  Great quilt Jeanette.

Boy can you do a lot of things with orphan blocks.  Here is Deb M.'s example of how to put them to good use.  Sure makes your mind start thinking of other possibilities doesn't it?  I for one need more orphan blocks of this caliber.

Deb also finished another one of Iowana's quilts.  Think this was called kaleidoscope.  There is another one out there that is white.   This pattern was all the rage back a few years ago and slowly but surely, the ladies are finishing them.  No question as to why it might take for ever, is there?  But what a lovely quilt when you persevere.

Graduation coming up and Verna Lee is all ready.  One of her Granddaughters is graduating from college and this t-shirt quilt shows what has gone on through the years.

What can you do with an old table cloth that is just too pretty to toss out?  Susie put a figured fabric behind, then two layers of wool batting and a back and quilted it......shadow trapunto.  Oh boy was this one gorgeous.  Great job in re-purposing a beauty.

I think Susie did both a black and a white Kaleidoscope, and here is her white one.  If you scroll back and forth between this white one and Deb's-Iowana's black one - you almost think they are not the same.  That is the difference that can be made with changing the background color.  

Bev finished up her UFO of stack and whacking and did a great job.  Congratulations Bev for pulling together this lovely project. (She was working at it on our Sew Day at Industry.)

Coleen W. put some older blocks together and came up with this gorgeous lavender-ish hole in the barn door example.  Sorry I did not get the whole story, talk with Coleen and hear about it's history. 

Coleen also finished up this great little quilt.  Had a hard time getting a picture of it that did not "move" the eyes back and forth.  Love the extra visual it gives you.

Stacie had a bit of a problem showing this quilt her grandmother had made for Stacie's wedding.  She did a beautiful quilt Stacie and you can be real proud of it.

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Birthday Flowers of the Month BOM quilts are already hitting the quilting stage. 

Marilyn S has a striking layout.  Click on the picture to see if you can see her yellow butterflies.  Looking forward to seeing this when the quilting is done.  Are you going to bind in yellow?

Debra M. wanted a longer quilt, the top is the same as the bottom, we had to fold over the top to get it high enough and where we could reach to hang.  Debra decided to lay her flowers out not by month, but how she wanted the colors to be.

Vevia finished her quilt with a tilted setting and quilted on her home sewing machine.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone does.  You have time to finish them before January - well, if you skip Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas shopping.  hahahahahaha

Dixie and Jane brought in their finished flower blocks.

Here are Sara's along with her Feb. Chicken block (6:00 embroidery group are doing these)

Susie finished her last two blocks.

Juanita has January and February chicks done

Debrah B. and Carol S.

Virginia and Jeanette K.

Janet H

If you were not able to be with us on Monday, 

Please read this notice that was passed out for January's program.  Now this sounds like fun.  What will you bring?  So many choices, wonder if you can bring two or more?  Will have to check with Susie and Deb M. our program chairs for next year.

Congratulations to our new board members:

President Karen

Pres Elect Dixie

Secretary Bev

Treasurer Teresa E.

Program Chairs Susie and Deb M

Program Chair Elects Sara and Susie

Publicity Chair Dixie

Member-at-large Verna Lee

Get your Membership Information Sheets into Karen or Carol S. as soon as possible - next years program book is being worked on and it would sure help the process.

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See you all on Monday, Dec. 7th, 6:00 PM  for our Christmas party.

Look at the Calendar of Events on the left of this site for  your group name and what to bring.  Or give someone a call to double check.

See you all with your guest.

Make sure you sign up with Carol S. so we have plenty of plates.