I just gave my daughter a beautiful sampler quilt which she really wanted, I told her the value was up there but I don't think she believed me. I do hope she enjoys it which I think she will but not realize the value.

An appraisal is the way to go. I had a wall hanging I made for one of my sons appraised and was surprised when it was valued (insurance appraisal) at over 1,100. Not as large as the quilt you are talking about. It was worth the 45.00 to know my work has improved to that level. When I gave them the quilt the appraisal went with it. That way they can talk to their insurance company to see if they need to insure separately. They already know the time and material that went into it let them know you have value in what you do.

You might want to give them the receipts and/or tell them the cost so they can include it on their homeowners insurance.

My son is getting married in October...and I am making them a quilt...reading these suggestions...and will be adding a special label...to let them know the quilt is made with lots of love and that the quilt should be well taken care of...sure hope they do take care of it well.

Wish I knew how to impress son and DIL with time, work, value and love that goes into making a special quilt for them. My own design, sampler style, photos, personalized embroidery, etc. and DIL still has it in the quilt storage bag given to them with the queen-sized quilt 7 years ago, even bought a quilt rack! So please find a way to save you much "distress" and let them know the "total value", made with "priceless" love.

I started a thread yesterday asking if a person got their feelings hurt when a quilt wasn't shown at all or wasn't used as intended. Most of the answers were along the gist of "You can't make a person like a quilt no matter how much you liked it while you made it. Some will never use it - some won't even keep it. When you give it away, forget it."
But I'm sorry your DIL and son won't use your quilt or display it on a quilt rack - at least when you come to visit if at no other time.

Honestly? If they do not appreciate your love and your work, I cant imagine that providing receipts will help .

when i made my daughter her wedding quilt after it was quilted & bound i had it appraised-then gave them the written appraisal with the quilt

There is another thread currently on this forum about giving quilts with strings attached.

If you are concerned about replacement value for insurance that is one thing, but really insurance will only give them money not the love that went into the quilt.

Once you give it to them you cannot dictate how it will be used or looked after. You do not want to impress upon them how 'valuable' the quilt is to the point they are afraid to use it.

As I posted on the other thread my MIL wanted to give us her dining room suite when she downsized. She was all about how valuable it was, to the point that it had only been used 2 times in the 15 years she owned it. I refused as I knew it would never be mine to use as we saw fit. She gave it to my BIL and checks each time she is at his house for scratches and proper polishing. He has only used it twice in the 6 years he has owned it. Both times she was present and made many comments on the table and how careful everyone had to be. This is not an antique, but she wants it to become and heirloom. My BIL has no children and at 50 is not likely to now.

My grandmother has an antique solid oak dining suite. It has dents and scratches and so many fond memories attached to it. We learned to play cards on that table, we made crafts with glue, shells sticks and stones. We ate meals, spilled drinks, sewed and so much more on that table.

So my point is maybe your son and his wife will take your gift camping and it will smell of smoke, or have a pet snuggled with them in or on it. In a couple years your grandchild may have a diaper changed on it, a few years after that they may use it to build a fort or take it to the beach. Let them create their own memories with the quilt. Those memories and the love you put into making the quilt give it far more value than an insurance appraisal.

My son will be getting married in a year or so, (they have not set the date), if I make them a quilt it will be freely given, no strings attached. Just as I have given him an engagement ring set, no strings attached. They can use it as it is, sell it or have it redesigned.

If they know you made it, you won't have to tell them. It'll have sentimental value right off the bat. I gave a 9 block quilt made from stash to a 13 yr old boy who calls me his 2nd mom and he had a fit if anyone besides him used it. And that didn't cost a lot to make!