I have a question about buying an Amish quilt.
05-18-2012, 06:58 AM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
I attended a spring auction in Lancaster County, PA last week. The quilts were all made in the community by Amish or Mennonite quilters but were newly made. I was disappointed that I saw only one vintage quilt which was a snow ball of ordinary quality. I didn't see the final value of that. The sale was a benefit for the community fire house. There were many bidders. Most of the quilts were 90 by 100 approximately and the final prices ranged from 250 to 750. One quilt sold at 1000.00. The auction began with more than 200 quilts. My opinion is that in time a signed, dated quilt of good quality and design will hold it's value or appreciate. The Amish made quilts are considered collectible but I agree with thinking of the quilts as "art.". That doesn't mean the monetary value will increase. Just my 2 cents on this topic 
05-18-2012, 07:26 AM
#32
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: La Pine Oregon, USA
Posts: 5,907
Too many responses to read them all. However I want to make a point. I was in the Amish "country" last year. I questioned 2 shop owners about how many Amish are there and how can they get so many quilts done to have EVERY shop selling them (it seemed). WELL, big surprise --- the Amish are not the only ones that make them. Others in the community do the sewing, too. As long as the quilt met certain requirements (hand pieced/handquilted among others) then they were considered AMISH! SO -- to answer your question -- i wouldn't buy one thinking it's an investing in AMISH.....
05-18-2012, 07:54 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Milford, CT
Posts: 501
Mine are used daily and not an investment-it never crossed my mind. I just liked them.
Isn't that what quilting is all about?
05-18-2012, 10:17 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 374
If you want an investment, buy silver dollars or 1 oz. ingots. The price of silver is at an all time low ($28) and try to find someone who will sell it for less than $2 over spot. Believe me, it's going up again soon. There shouldn't be a tax on this because you're just exchanging money.
05-18-2012, 02:47 PM
#38
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Owensboro, KY
Posts: 1,420
I attend the Amish auction at Cannelburg, IN every year. There are approximately 150-200 Amish made and quilted quilts auctioned off. I have bought two there-one I paid $450 for and the other $550. Both were queen size.
Then, four years ago, I found an Amish lady in Topeka, IN to make a quilt for my new King size bed. She made the quilt and two king sized pillow shams for $500. I selected and paid for the fabric ahead of time. Then, I bought another Amish pieced and quilted queen size quilt at an Amish owned quilt shop in the Shipshewana area for $700. I treasure all of them and probably will not buy anymore. They are SO well made and beautifully quilted. I consider them a treasure, but probably no one else would. They're just gorgeous.
Then, four years ago, I found an Amish lady in Topeka, IN to make a quilt for my new King size bed. She made the quilt and two king sized pillow shams for $500. I selected and paid for the fabric ahead of time. Then, I bought another Amish pieced and quilted queen size quilt at an Amish owned quilt shop in the Shipshewana area for $700. I treasure all of them and probably will not buy anymore. They are SO well made and beautifully quilted. I consider them a treasure, but probably no one else would. They're just gorgeous.
05-18-2012, 03:21 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New Hampshire & Maine
Posts: 3,300
If you are looking for an investment, buy silver or gold bullion. Silver is selling for around $30/troy ounce today. Gold at about $1600/troy ounce. Over the long term, precious metals (gold, platinum, palladium, silver and copper) are some of the best investments around. Granted, bullion is NOT as pretty as quilts are, but it is a much more solid (no pun intended) investment than quilts can ever hope to be. JMHO.
05-18-2012, 04:15 PM
#40
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 80
Throughout recorded history, that's what quilts and/or blankets were for. The “investment” part was simply a portable device-rolled up and taken away-that can be transported with ease during times of migration and used mostly up. The quilts were something a busy wife or daughter (sometimes the men, though rarely) would do during lull at the farm or at night before bed. It was a thrifty means of using up the odd & ends of sewing. That’s it!
Some purported Amish quilts are actually made by others in the community, including the Hmong immigrants. You can find information if you google Hmong quilts/quilting. So- if a quilt is purported to be Amish, don't be fooled by "Locally Made". I have a cousin who is Mennonite in PA. Not all Amish eschew electricity- it varies by community and their Bishops' edicts. As a financial investment- be aware that fabrics are fragile, can be damaged by dyes, touching, light and humidity. Conservation storage is crucial. Most quilts do not appreciate much in value, and appraisals are very subjective. So- buy what you enjoy but don't expect a return on your investment. Old/rare quilts do sometimes appreciate, but it's like investing in an oriental carpet. You need to be extremely knowledgeable, and they can be difficult to sell for what you hope to gain.
Heed the above well.
Or through vigorous and constant use in a home. How do you think people of all classes survived the elements?
Read this article written by a professional quilt/textile appraiser It just might open your eyes about the reality of "investing" into common household products, no matter how beautiful it might be:
http://planetpatchwork.com/appraise.htm
I would invest into something more durable & portable. Like Gold & Silver.
Last edited by Bicycle Hobo; 05-18-2012 at 04:26 PM.
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