"However, even with an appraisal, it's basically worth what someone will give you for it."
Very true....of everything. I constantly see, on CL, that an item (usually a common old sewing machine) was appraised or "valued" at hundreds more than it would ever be sold for. I don't know about quilts, but I wonder if an appraiser ever offers to buy any item for, say 3/4th of what they claim it is worth. It seems to me that an appraiser who gets paid should stand by her/his opinion.