AboutDARWIN D. BEARLEY Expertise I am considered by many to be an expert on AMERICAN ANTIQUE QUILTS.
My real expertise lies with ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS.
I can help with all aspects of identification, dating, repair and cleaning. I also buy, and broker antique quilts.
Experience Over the past 30 odd years, I have bought and sold ANTIQUE QUILTS for a living. I also have a personal collection of Antique Ohio Amish Quilts.
I have sold to the Smithsonian, the LA County Museum of Art, the movie "What Lies Beneath" starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer and to Catherine Denuuve.
My Antique Ohio Amish Quilt Collection has been exhibited at The Museum of Our American Heritage, The Akron Art Institute, The Canton Art Museum, Wright State University and The Quilt National in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have also been exhibited in Germany and France and recently at the Quilt Expo in Houston, Texas. Many of the quilts have been published in various books, magazines and calendars. One was even pictured in National Geographic Magazine.
Recently a book on my collection was published by Bernina Sewing Machine Co. of Zurich entitled, "Antique Ohio Amish Quilts, The Darwin D. Bearley Collection"
Question I acquired this quilt top when my grandmother passed. Her grandmother made the top in the 1930's - there were newspapers dated from 1934 - 1935 sewn to the back of peices. Should I have this top finished and quilted or leave it alone? Also, what would it be worth. There are some moisture stains and a few seams need repaired. How would I repair and clean this top? Variety of patterns and colors. Possibly flour sack type material. Very bright colors for that period.
Answer Jackie
There are two schools of thought on the subject of quilting old tops.
Some say it's OK others say not to do it.
My personal thought is that a newly quilt old top becomes a new quilt and thus may actually loose value.
If I were you, I'd keep it as a keepsake and wouldn't quilt it.
If you do decide to quilt it, try to do it in the manner that it would have been done in the thirties. Use fabric of the period for the backing and binding. It can be found. Just go on line and do a couple of google searches. You'll find lots of dealers, selling vintage fabric.
