Quilts as wedding gifts
 

For those who make quilts for wedding gifts, I heard an excellent idea & thought I'd share. We had a speaker at our guild who was a quilt appraiser and historian. She suggested getting a written appraisal of the quilt and include it with the quilt. To paraphrase her – these young people today don’t know the value of a quilt, but they do understand money! If they see in writing the value of your gift, they will appreciate it more.

She was a wonderful speaker. She was either Mennonite or Amish from Indiana. Said so many only think of getting their antique quilts appraised, but the ones we make today are also very valuable. Not just the fabric, but our time. She says we as quilters do not place enough value on our time. She rattled off the per-hour rate for piecing, applique, binding, etc., and it was enlightening.

That's an interesting viewpoint - has a lot of merit.

Yes, women (and many men) tend to undervalue themselves in so many ways. Appraisals done by a professional seems like one of the only way of not only waking up the person to his value in monetary terms, but conferring some real dignity and status to the most important thing of real value in a person's life-his/her time. As time is something that is not renewable.

I'm gonna play devil's advocate here for a moment:

When we originally got our house appraised (as first time homebuyers, 15 years ago), and when I got some antique (and terribly battered) books appraised this spring, and when I watched Antiques Roadshow on various occasions, I was startled by the subjectivity of the process. Ultimately an item is as valuable as the market says it is...and it is in an appraiser's best interest to give you a high number. I fully agree that quilt labor is seriously undervalued, but it is also consistently undervalued, which suggests that the market is setting a value that no amount of appraisals is going to change! I wish it were otherwise.

I would also be a tiny bit afraid that poverty-stricken newlyweds might see a high number on the appraisal ticket, and try to sell their brand new quilt! (Cynical me.)

Alison

Interesting and worth noting. I myself may word it in such a way to say that 'today's appraised value is $----', and include something to the effect that the 'heirloom' value increases. Great idea!

Hi "Cynical".....I'm right there with you; but I also like NanaCsews2 idea to include "heirloom" value. Kids (anyone younger than 35) may not recognize the value YET....monetary or otherwise.

If I bought someone a gift, I wouldn't leave the price sticker on it, so why would do that? I only give a quilt when I know the person wants it. Making it a surprise is very risky. It might mean they would feel obliged to display it even if it's not their taste, or they might just pack it away. Cost is less important than the pleasure someone would have in the gift. Maybe if they love you, they are touched by your kindness, but you need to be very sensitive to what they like, not just what you do. If they have a registry, look at what they asked for and try to find out their color choices, decorating style, etc. If you already know they like traditional stuff, you might be safer. I asked my daughters what they wanted, some were very specific, as they were later with baby quilts. One appreciates whatever I give her and loves the appliqued tree of life I designed for her.

I only give quilts to those who have an understanding of what it is they are really recieving. If they don't have a clue .. then clearly they do not know me very well and not be on my list as "quilt worthy".

You wouldn't be referring to Donna Kooistra, by any chance? She is a terrific appraiser and she is absolutely correct! Most non-quilters have no idea of the value of the gift they are receiving, and therefore do not take appropriate care of it.
A written appraisal is a wonderful idea. I would also include detailed care instructions, so that the recipients are able to preserve their gift.

Amen. I give quilts to those who I value. Most know what goes into the quilt. Those that don't frankly, IMO, aren't going to be persuaded by an appraisal.