I want to thank all of you that went to the trouble of giving me advice and information on the quilt tops that my great-grandmother had hand-pieced. I will add a border to the one without any border, use cotton batting, muslin for the backing and hand quilt them. My great-grandmother was a wonderful woman who lived in Fayetteville, Mo in the days of the James Gang. She lived into her 90's, and was a tiny lady, less than five feet tall, with white hair. She died when I was a teenager, so I did get to know her a little bit. She had a big wonderful family, and everyone loved her. We had huge family reunions until her death.

My book just calls it "The Pin Wheel"

Yes, Edna Hurley has old quilts on e bay and knows them well. Her e mail address is [email protected]. i know she would be happy to write you.

Also see if you can find old fabric for the backing, like old muslin. I would not add new fabric not even reproduction to it. But that is just my own ideas. It is yours so do what you like. I bought several old quilts and I intend to hand quilt them too. in that spare time that never seems to happen.

I would suggest contacting the nearest quilt guild or quilt shop in your county for a reliable appraiser. Just put "quilt guild in ...... county, TN, in your internet search engine and see if you get a link with contact information. Good luck with that! -Pat

Here is the link for the AQS Certified Appraisers list

I you want an appraisal, I would reccomend one of these certified appraisers.

http://www.americanquilter.com/about_aqs/appraisers.php

The colors are wonderful to be that old. I know they are very special to you. Good luck in finding the info you need.

I have decided not to have either of these quilt tops from my great-grandmother appraised. The way I look at it, there is no monetary value that could be greater than the value of having these beautiful quilt tops that my great-grandmother so lovingly hand-pieced. She had many many great-grandchildren, so I am the lucky one that fate chose for me to be the recipient of her handiwork.

I think that is OK, as they will never be appraised at a value that will match the value of them to you personally.. Im not saying that they have no worth, just that the monetary value of them , when quilted, will never outweigh the value that you place on them..

However, there are several kinds of appraisals.. You should think about having them appraised for insurance purposes, after you have quilted them. This is important.. I lost over 300 antique quilts and tops in my fire and the insurance company has a set value that they pay for quilts.. unless you have the appriased documentation. Wait until they are completed and think about it again.