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"
Expert: DARWIN D. BEARLEY Date: 3/18/2004 Subject: Cleaning an antique quilt
Question Hi
I own an old quilt that is dated 1906. It really needs to be cleaned but I have no idea how to do it without damaging it. It is made of all kinds of fabrics including some old silk that has shattered. Can you help me?
Thanks
Tammy
Answer Tammy,
These kinds of quilts with silks are almost impossible to clean. In fact, I don't even have a suggestion that might help. My suggestion is not to attempt it in any way. If it isn't filthy and doesn't smell, You might just want to air it out. You realize, I'm sure, that if it is already deteriorating, it will continue to do so. Therefore, you don't really want to use it. If it is a family heirloom, you might want to frame it and hang it up to appreciate. If this won't work for you, you might want to keep it in a safe place and just look at it on occasion. Whatever you do, don't store it in a plastic bag. Use an old pillow case or just wrap it in an old bed sheet or some unbleached cotton or muslin. Also, don't store it in the bottom of a chest or drawer. You do not want to put weight on it while it is folded. It will develop weakness in the fold areas and eventually split.
These are wonderful things but they just do not last if they have been used much, are placed in bright light or are just neglected.
