After reading about the four quilts that are missing from the Salt Lake show, I started wondering:

Has anyone considered microchipping for quilts for identification purposes?

Microchips are about the size of a small grain of rice (smaller than a cotton seed). The ones injected into animals are in a tiny glass capsule (no, they don't break) and consist of a tiny chip with a number and a strand of copper wire wound round it. When stimulated by the radio waves from a scanner at close distance (less than a couple inches), the antenna starts broadcasting the chip number. The scanner picks up the number and then the operator looks the number up in a database to discover who the chip is registered to.

Microchips do not act as GPS devices; that would require magnitudes more power and would generate too much heat at the site of the chip. What they do is act as a unique identifier, which can deter thieves. My dogs, who are both pets and champions, are all microchipped to deter theft and so that if they ever do disappear, I will have an indisputable way of identifying them.

In a quilt, I think the microchip could be hidden in the batting, maybe in the binding, so the bulk would keep it from being felt by someone with ill intentions.

Unlike a label, a microchip would be invisible and difficult to get rid of.

Does anyone think microchipping valuable quilts is the wave of the future?

I can see how a micro chip would make proof of ownership easy but doubt it would help with theft problems. The people who steal are not going to take their ill gotten gain anywhere near a micro chip reader. JMHO

It is an interesting and good idea but there probably aren't enough people, agencies, stores, etc that would have the chip reader to make it a viable way to identify quilts. Museums might have a use for them but I'm not sure who else would. I believe that most quilts that are stolen and taken to be sold to private parties or passed off as the theif's own work.

Where do most stolen or lost quilts end up?

What I do think would be a good idea is some sort of sensor on the quilts in shows so that they can not leave the building without authorization.

Yea I can see the idea as a good one but I don't think it would help much. If someone wants to steal a quilt they are going to steal the quilt and that will be the end of it and probably the last time it is seen. Quilts aren't like dogs that accidentally walk off and get lost :( And unless every quilt show starts to search for microchips there is really little good that a microchip would do. Nothing stops the theft.
I think the best way to protect yourself from theft would be to insure your quilt. Not the same at all. Money doesn't bring back the hours and hours that you spent on a quilt. But it is better than nothing.

Unfortunately and sadly, there are so many thieves in this world.

I know you said that the microchip would be harder to remove than a label, but am afraid that could be costly.

Did you catch the thread on QR codes and making them on your label? You can do it for free, and it is very easy.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-121655-1.htm here is how to print a code, so any cell phone (with the app) can read it. If you sew the label into the quilt, so that it would be hard to remove, it would help.

I have also heard of making an extra label inside the binding. So, if you see your lost/stolen quilt, you still have proof it is yours, even if they have removed the label.

in theory it could return a quilt to its rightful owner but odds are the person who stole it isn't going to get the quilt scanned.

a microchip on the other hand would be nice to retain data on the quilt thru out time.

wouldn't it be wonderful if the quilts made during the civil war had microchips that would detail the makers life and the inspiration behind the quilt.

i think that would be a wonderful idea for current quilters to do on their heirloom quilts.

It's a neat idea, but I agree with the other posters, it's probably not practical. In my own case, the quilt itself is so distinctive that it really doesn't need a microchip to identify it, and it is labeled.

The best we can do is be very careful how we ship and secure them. Make sure the quilt has an appraisal, and ship it insured. While the $$$ doesn't replace the quilt, it's better than nothing at all.

Janet

My dog is micro chipped, all pets should be. It's not expensive. I agree everything irreplaceable to you should be micro chipped just so ownership can be proven if you are lucky enough to find a lost or stolen item.

All you'd need to find a chip in a quilt is a scanner. Once located, it would be extremely easy to remove through a very small slit, easily fused shut afterwards. Chipping is not intended to deter theft, only to locate owners once the item (pet) is found. Tattoos do the same thing...as would sewing a name label inside a quilt.

Sensors and CAMERAS. Cameras all over the place.

And like some very expensive stores, how about those clip on thingeys that make door sensors ring like a fire engine?? I think that is where the quilting world is heading, and it's about time.

Not even only the expensive stores anymore, Ramona. Seems like anything over $10.00 gets one! Fine with me! Just wish they could make a kids bracelet that the little ones could wear in a store or mall!! :) :) :)

I'm a belt and suspenders kind of gal when it comes to my pets. They're all microchipped and they're all tattooed.

The way that microchipping might deter theft is if any show or displayed let it be known that some/all of their quilts were microchipped. It won't stop a determined thief but it may well deter an opportunistic thief who may fear being caught.

The person who mentioned using it to trace the history of a quilt had an interesting idea as well. Even if all you know is the list of owners, that's pretty fascinating 100 or 150 years down the line.

Extra label inside seems do-able to me .... Make sure your recipient knows it is there ...

The quilts will probably outlive the technology .... I think that is why some people keep quilting journals ...Make your labels detailed enough to be identified by your third generation ... initials only and year of construction just won't tell much at that late date. I am talking far in the future, not just today.

Even QR codes may not mean much at that point.

In the short-term, if you are shipping and entering public quilt shows, perhaps it is worthwhile to do the expensive route of chips and insurance ...... I haven't made any quilts at that level just yet, so those who have done so would be better able to address this issue.


Take photos of both front and back, and an up-close picture of the intricate quilting ... and a readable, blown up picture of your label .... and keep a real copy in an album ....

I was at a small quilt show a few weeks ago and one vendor had a small security camera on each side of her booth. She was recording the whole day on a portable video. She said shoplifters were a bad problem when the booth was full of people. She would have missing fat quarters, notions, pattern, and anything small to slip in a pocket or tote. She said just having cameras visible stopped just about all the theft. Not sure she could find the thief later but I guess could turn it over to local authorities and have proof for insurance or taxes. There are many more kleptomaniacs then just shoplifters then people realize at these shows.

all museum quilts are starting to get chipped.

as for the cameras...you do know they are usually fakes right..it costs too much to actually record and store the info and is considered illegal "taping" too!

I thought the cameras ( fakes OR real) were only illegal if you did not put up signage at a distance before the people actual came into the range of the camera, to give them fair warning so they could decide whether or not they wanted to be caught on camera .....??
Maybe different states/counties/countries have different rules .... probably worth checking with the local authorities before you do such ...
hmmmm

It is my understanding that the C&T quilts missing after Quilt Market, were mispacked, either intentionally or by accident. Either way, it's not likely that a complete stranger took them from the display area. They went missing between the close of Market and the time the crate was opened back at C&T. I could be wrong, but that's what everything I've read about it says.

Unfortunately, the only thing that seems to slow the thieves down is if you Dynabolt everything to the wall and even then they'd come equipped with a jack hammer.

Sometimes, when I can, I sew the label on the lining before it is quilted, then it is almost impossible to remove. It also easier than sewing it on by hand. It pleases me but probably not a kosher thing to do, but its my quilt and as a gift to someone the washing instructions are always there. I like to print my labels on the computer, add a little artwork with permanents pens and etc. Works for me and I don't enter any in competions. I just love to quilt.

I agree with jaciqltznok. The cameras are usually fake but they deter some shoplifters. Thieves who make a living stealing aren't deterred by anything--just ask any police officer or prison guard. If there was a way to prevent theft, every store in the nation would employ it. I've had things stolen at garage sales. Sad isn't it?
Sue

A friend who has now sadly passed use to make the label right on the backing fabric with her embroidery machine. Makes it almost impossible to remove.

Sewing the label onto the back before it is quilted sounds like a good idea, then it is quilted right into the quilt. But if it is stolen then some one else can just applique another label over the top of that. If a thief wants it bad enough they will find a way - which is too bad.

Actually, quilting in the label is the recommended method on lostquilts.com, to make the label more difficult to remove. Their alternative is to put the label directly on the backing fabric (permanent marker or embroidery).

If you enter the quilt in competition, they suggest basting a patch of contrasting fabric over the quilted-in label with "Name of Owner Under This Patch" written on it in permanent ink.

There are a couple of problems with microchipping. The cost is one - those RFID chips and readers are not cheap. The second (and biggest, IMO) is how does someone who is not a quilter know there is a microchip in the quilt?

I still like the QR code best. You can quilt the QR code right into the quilt, so that to remove it would mean destroying the quilt. Generating a code is free and very easy. Reading one does not take special equipment, only a smart phone.

My friend Cindi did a ton of research and wrote about QR codes, how to generate them, how to put them on a quilt. You can read about it here: http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wor...des-on-quilts/

However, I don't believe someone stole all 4 of those missing quilts. It would be really, really hard to get all of them moved without attracting attention. I'm pretty sure there's a box somewhere with those quilts in it.

Seems to me that is a quilt were microchipped, all a thief would have to do was submerse the quilt in a tub of water. The microchip in a dog is under the skin, which is somewhat waterproof. Maybe, the quilts could have a device like the department stores have on clothing (but harder to be taken off and waterproof, teehee), and the detectors at every door at the quilt show.

How about those gadgets that dep't stores put on clothing? You enter your quilt in a show and this tab is put on. To retreive your quilt after the show, you must show id and a receipt. A picture of you with the quilt can also be requested and put in a binder for id purposes also. The picture can be returned along with the quilt. Of course at the doors, sensors must be installed. Any quilt going near these sensors would set off the alarm. Never ask anyone else to retrieve your quilt!

Ok try this, if you have a smart phone. You will see EXACTLY what I am talking about and how easy it is!

The New England Quilt Museum asked me if I would consider loaning them one of my antique quilts for one of their seasonal displays a few years ago. I did chip the quilt before loaning it to them. http://www.myfavoritethimble.com/chi...roducts123.htm
I see that the prices have gone up since I did this and smart phones hadn't come out.

piney

OK, I've been 'net surfing (too hot for much else) and Tom Russell has some goodcomments on his blog. http://tomrussellquilts.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/

piney

What I do think would be a good idea is some sort of sensor on the quilts in shows so that they can not leave the building without authorization.[/quote]

I remember those clip on sensors at clothing stores, that had to be removed at the check stand, and think this practice would help keep quilts from getting "lost". I was going to put one of my quilts in a show, until I was asked to sign a 'waiver of responsibility' for the group holding the quilt show. If they can not be responsible for my quilt, I can't let them show it. IMHO.

The microchips range in price from $5 to $25, depending on how many you buy at a time. The scanners are anywhere from $100 to $500 when new (and are often available used for much less).

A group of quilters such as a guild, could buy the chips in bulk and one scanner to share. If you don't want to buy the scanner, most animal shelters, vets and municipal shelters have a scanner and are more than happy to scan anything you bring in.

To me (and a few other crabby old people), a smartphone IS special equipment! A scanner is cheaper than smartphones seem to be (when you include the price of the accompanying cell phone contract).

And smartphones have that pesky telephone feature. I have one telephone and that's bad enough. Imagining carrying one with me everywhere makes me shudder. LOL.

they should have chips that make alarms go off it taken out the door of what ever building they are shown in. it would help but will never happen.

Microchips were designed for a wet environment. Under the skin of a dog (or any other mammal) is essentially a wet environment. Microchips are encased in a tiny glass tube, so they are waterproof. The tube is tiny enough that it is nearly impossible to break them; during a demo, I got a chance to hammer at one with a 16 oz hammer and the microchip survived.

I think you're probably right about the alert devices. They can be removed but it would be more obvious to onlookers.

What deters most thieves is the sense that someone is watching them; I'm not just theorising this, research supports it. Even a poster of a face with eyes that appear to follow you around as you move will reduce theft.

In theory it sounds like a great idea, but I tend to agree with a lot of quilters, that a thief is always a thief. When they want something bad enough, they just go for it

And smartphones have that pesky telephone feature. I have one telephone and that's bad enough. Imagining carrying one with me everywhere makes me shudder. LOL.[/quote]

I used to feel the same way until my DD kept having the police do a "welfare check" whenever she didn't catch me by telephone. She was in Washington, and I was in Texas. :oops:

Interesting idea but I think that as someone posted if someone stole a quilt, they aren't going to offer it for scanning. It probably would stay in their house.

Question, and maybe none of you can answer it--goes along with the microchip thread.

Do quilt theives steal quilts for personal use or do they steal them for resale?

Quilts are so personal, it seems to me it would be difficult to sell a stolen quilt. I don't know, lord knows, those of us here wouldn't steal one for any reason.

A couple of years ago, there were some magazine articles about microchipping quilts, but I haven't heard anything about them for some time. I think there were even some ads in the magazines for the chips and their service.

Well, I believe you are a rare breed. Smart phones are becoming more and more common, and I'd wager that within a year or two, that's ALL that cell phone companies will be selling. And if you don't have one, that's fine - there are plenty of other people around that can read the QR code on my quilt. Smart phones are not "uni-taskers", either, meaning they can multi-task, unlike RFID readers. So I can buy a smart phone which will make phone calls, receive texts, emails and alerts, keep my calender and remind me of appointments, let me surf the web and play games while I wait at at the doctor or dentist, AND I can read QR codes - instead of paying the $100 to $500 for something that can only read RFID signals, and that's IT.

Also - how do you address the fact that a police officer or non-quilter who might find the quilt would probably not even think about taking that quilt someplace to see if it had a microchip? They would simply see it as a blanket, and wouldn't consider the fact that someone might value it enough to microchip it.