Quilt Appraisal

Quilt detail shown is from “Blossom & Bugs” by Camille Salisbury. 2022 Special Award for Best Hand Applique.

AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser, Joyce Larson, will be available at the Quilt Fiesta to appraise your quilt.

Contact her at 520-266-3617 or joyceplarson@yahoo.com

 

Joyce received her AQS Appraiser Certification in 2008 and is a member of the Professional Association of Appraisers/Quilted Textiles (PAAQT), the American Quilters Society (AQS), and the Arizona Quilt Documentation Project.  She is a fourth generation quilter with over 40 years of quilting experience and was inducted into the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame in 2017.

Why should I get an appraisal?

  • The Appraiser will give value to the time and expertise put into your quilt.
  • When gifting a quilt, a written appraisal adds value and promotes proper care.
  • An Appraisal provides documentation for insuring the quilt as a collectible or art piece.
  • An Appraisal can provide the current market resale value.
  • An Appraisal can support a donation tax deduction.
  • An Appraisal can provide an estate settlement value.

How to prepare for the appraisal:

  • Collect information about the provenance of the quilt:  the maker, date made, awards won, any other special notations for either the quilt or the maker.  (If desired, contact Joyce in advance for her form.)
  • If the quilt is hanging in the Quilt Fiesta, no appointment is necessary.  Simply inform Joyce of your request, fill out the form, and leave payment with her.
  • Appointments are available if you are bringing a quilt to the Quilt Fiesta or have multiple quilts to be appraised.  

What to expect during the appraisal?

  • The Appraiser needs approximately 30 minutes with the client and their quilt.
  • Reference photos will be taken for documentation purposes (physical description, physical condition, workmanship).
  • The Client will fill out a form for additional information.
  • The Client can take the quilt with them when they leave.
  • The certified appraisal report will be mailed to you within 2 weeks.

Appraisal Options & Fees

  • Insurance Replacement Appraisal:  $75
  • Fair Market Re-Sale Value Appraisal:  $75
  • Donation/Estate Appraisal:  $125 (tax deduction or estate settlement)
  • Verbal Appraisal:  $45 (identification of age, fabric, batting, construction techniques, and other special characteristics)
  • Payment accepted in cash, personal check, PayPal, Zelle or Venmo

For Quilters:  How to Increase the Value of the Appraisal

  • If adding piping or flange to binding, make certain it is a consistent width.
  • Fill the binding evenly to the edge. Add a tiny cotton batting strip if necessary.
  • Use tiny invisible stitches on the binding and close the miters on both front and back.
  • Put all four corners together and make sure they match perfectly.
  • If the pattern calls for precision piecing, take the time to make sure the intersections match precisely.
  • Choose quilting patterns that have the same density of quilting across the quilt. (More densely quilted areas draw the fabric in and may cause puckering in areas where the quilting is not as dense.)
  • Hide quilting stops and starts by burying the thread and use a colored pigma pen marker to disguise stitches where they show in unwanted areas.
  • Having a quilt judged provides valuable information and feedback which improves quilting skills. The greater the skill of the maker, the greater the value of the quilt.
  • Click here for Joyce’s tips on how to care for quilted textiles so they’ll retain their value.