Collecting Antique Quilts Without Mortgaging Your Home!
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Another place to find quilts is at a local yard or garage sale. In my
area people scan the local newspaper classified section for the location
of these events and then try to be the first in line to search for quilted
treasures. A bonus in finding a quilt at one of these events is that
often you can learn the quilt's history; it may have been made by a
family member of the person offering it for sale. An additional bonus
is the fun that you can have in negotiating for a better price. Most
householders expect you to "bargain" with them.
Thriftshops are also a
source of quilts from time to time. When people do a good housecleaning
or when a family member passes on or goes into a retirement home, quilts
are often given to charity. I have found that good quilts are few and
far between at these shops, but from time to time you will hit upon a
treasure! I have a Crazy Quilt in my collection that I found at a thrift
shop. The people who are the most successful at this method have a route
of shops that they visit on a regular basis and know just where to look
and most importantly, whom to ask. Some of my friends who work in these
shops as volunteers often find the best quilts as they are lucky enough
to get first pick.
Vendors of antique quilts
at quilt shows have proven to be a wonderful source for me. These people
go to great lengths to find quilts and have them available for the ready
audiences at such events. These quilts are usually of good quality, and
they are clean and well cared for. Although these quilts may be priced
a little higher than those at Swap Meets, you usually have a large selection
to choose from and a dealer who knows about quilts and how to care for
them. These vendors are also often willing to take your name and address
and search for a particular quilt that you might have in mind.
I have also had good results
in buying quilts from mail-order quilt dealers. It is important, though
that if you deal with a mail-order dealer you have the right to return
your quilt for a full refund if it is not what you expected it would be.
Although most mail-order dealers are honest, it is a good idea to deal
only with those you know something about or one another collector can
recommend.
Today there are programs
on TV and sites on the Internet where antique quilts can be purchased.
Most of these dealers are reputable, but like anything you are tempted
to buy sight unseen, "Let the Buyer Beware" is always a good
motto. I would suggest that you ask for recommendations and be sure that
there is a return policy.
As you can see, there are
many places where you can purchase antique quilts. Often you can find
them priced in the range of $100.00 to $500.00 or more. I have tried to
give you some suggestions as to where you can look, but I would venture
to say that you can discover even more sources. I suggest comparing prices
and learning how different factors such as the age of quilts and their
condition can affect these prices. Shopping for antique quilts is great
fun, and when you find a real bargain that is also a real treasure, you
know the joy that can be found in becoming a collector of quilts without
shattering the family budget!
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