Americas Antiques Antique Quilt Customer Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED CUSTOMER QUESTIONS

Q: a question about quilt-laundering: does it alter the crispness of
the fabric? I wondered if the fabric gets a bit 'puckered' after
drying. May I ask how they are dried?
thanks so much. You have great quilts.

A: Thanks for your question - we love to educate people on laundering quilts! The first time you wash a quilt, you usually do not even know its been laundered, as it will retain most (if not all) of the original sizing. Most fabrics have sizing on them to prevent the absorption of stains. This is what sellers are referring to as glaze. Some fabrics have more sizing than others, with earlier fabrics having more, from my experience. Fabrics tend to stay crisp as long as you do not abuse them and break the fibers. The more you use fabrics, the softer they get - like your favorite jeans after multiple washings. Some people prefer this and other don't. OK, now to the puckering question. No, quilts do not pucker unless they are dried improperly, as with a dryer on high heat. Please no dryers at all!! You may get a little shrinkage in the fabric, usually unmeasurable and very minor. Laundering actually accentuates the quilting in a quilt, showing the labor intensive needlework (isn't that what makes a quilt??). Quilts were a utilitarian product and were made to be used. I am sure that 150 years ago, women were not sitting around a quilting frame wondering where they were going to display a quilt on their wall! We dry our quilts on a bed with fans around the edges, or you can line dry them outside for a great clean smell. Please note that if your quilt is too heavy, it will put a strain on the fabrics and they might stretch or break. All this depends on material type, age, etc. Unfortunately, there are no simple hard and fast rules - judge each quilt on a case by case basis.

Q: What qualities should I look for when buying antique quilts?

A: We have quite a list of qualities we look for when buying antique quilts, and you should too!

The condition of the antique quilt - is it dirty, smelly, ripped or torn?
Is it hand stitched and hand quilted with at least 8 stitches per inch (spi)?
Are the colors desirable? Is there any fade or splotching of the fabrics?
Is the pattern one you like? Is it well pieced?
Is the antique quilt crisp (seldom laundered) or limp (had many washings)?

Q: How do you date your antique quilts?

A: We date our antique quilts by the fabrics used in the construction, and are usually within 10 years (+ or -) as many antique quilts were made later from leftover scraps of material that was used to make the family clothing.

Q: How do I care for my antique quilt?

A: We provide a "Care & Use" info sheet with all of our antique quilts. This information can also be obtained through the internet.

Q: Which is worth more - an unwashed antique quilt or one that has been laundered?

A: It's really up to the individual to decide - please refer to our "Why We Hand Launder Antique Quilts" link. We are of the opinion that stains left in an antique quilt can actually do more damage left alone than if the antique quilt is professionally hand laundered. "Patina" is a word often found when describing antiques, especially furniture. Patina is obtained by years of polishing furniture and rubbing dirt and grime into the finish. Patina on furniture is good; patina on fabrics is not good. Many of the stains we see are actually caused by mold or mildew which continue to eat away at the fabric over time. Thinking that an unwashed & stained fabric is worth more seems ridiculous to us. After all, quilts were a household staple made to be used and usually made with cotton fabrics. Many products exist to gently and safely clean antique fabrics and can be found on the internet.

Q: What size quilt will fit my Queen sized bed?

A: In order to utilize antique quilts on modern beds, you'll need to know the bed size. We suggest you measure your bed and decide how wide and long you'd like a quilt to be. Some customers want the quilt to just cover the top of the bed, and others would like it to hang down on all sides. The following sizes will allow a quilt to cover the mattress on all sides with 2" below where the mattress and box springs meet (with just the mattress top sizes in parentheses). Twin or Queen Waterbed - 72" x 105" (39" x 75"), Full or King Waterbed - 87" x 108" (54" x 75"), Queen - 93 to 96" x 110" (60" x 80"), King - 110" x 110" (76" x 80", CA King 72" x 84"). You should be able to take the size listed in each quilt description and match it to your needs.

Q: How do you measure your antique quilts?

A: We have found less than 10 percent of our antique quilts to be "square" (the quilt measures the same from side to side at the top and bottom). When we measure antique quilts, we line up all the corners (quilt is folded in fourths) and list the smallest measurement. Antique quilts with scallop, cone, or Prairie Point borders are measured inside the scallop, cone or Prairie Point.

Q: Can I return the antique quilt if I'm not satisfied?

A: PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU PURCHASE! We allow returns ONLY if the antique quilt is not as described or photographed, and ONLY if we are notified within 24 hours of receipt of the antique quilt. The buyer is responsible for all costs associated with returning the antique quilt, and no shipping or handling charges will be refunded. We are one of the few antique quilt sellers on eBay to have 100% positive feedback, and all of our 1,600+ customers say our antique quilts were as good as or better than pictured and described! Give us a try - you won't be disappointed!