Appraisers

Appraiser News by Barbara Walsh

Congratulations are in order...Sandy Starley from Moab and Darcy Damstedt from Smithfield are now AQS Certified Appraisers! Both took their qualifying exams during the AQS show at Paducah in April. This is no small accomplishment...it is the culmination of several years of study (and more study), classes and rigorous testing, both written and hands-on. All certified appraisers then are required to continue updating their skills to remain certified. When the American Quilting Society puts their credibility behind someone, they make sure that appraiser really knows their stuff!

When the Utah Quilt Guild began its appraiser program in 2005, there was no one in the area certified to do quilt appraisals. When the guild was contacted by individuals, or by institutions such as libraries, museums or historical societies, there was no one to send them to. Since that time, the guild has actively supported and encouraged members who are pursuing AQS certification. The UQG maintains an appraiser library with many books and periodicals, many of which are hard to find or out of print. Classes have been offered both at This Is the Place in Salt Lake and by our chapter, Snake River Valley Quilters, in Idaho Falls. Previously, those wanting to take classes would need to travel to Paducah to take them. In addition, a Appraiser Study Group with a liaison to the UQG board meets for continued study and support. 

There are several reasons to have quilts, both newly made and antique, appraised . The most often cited is for insurance purposes...what happens if my quilt is lost in the mail or is lost in a fire. But many quilts are appraised for estate purposes or are being sold. Sometimes the owner of an antique quilt top wants to know if quilting will enhance or detract from its value. 

So congratulations again to Darcy and Sandy!  Last year, Marietta Womack and Joyce Shoemaker, both from Blackfoot, Idaho, were certified. We are so very proud of all of you...it is quite an accomplishment.

Quilt Appraisal

Why should I have my quilt appraised?
If you send a quilt in the mail for any reason
If you enter the quilt in a fair or show
If the quilt is out of your hands for any length of time
If you are concerned about natural disasters
If you want to insure your quilt against fire or water damage
If you think you might want to sell the quilt
If you are donating the quilt to charity
If you are giving the quilt to a family member or friend
If the quilt will be part of your estate upon your death

A quilt appraisal is a written document containing any detailed description of your quilt, the fabrics, pattern and materials, workmanship, present condition, restoration, if any, and provenance, if known. The appraiser will consider many factors, such as the purpose of the appraisal, an analysis of market conditions, what it would cost to reproduce the quilt, and whether the quilt has historical value or the quiltmaker has won awards or been published. The appraiser will place a dollar value on the quilt, sign and date the appraisal and attach a picture of the quilt and the appraiser's qualifications. The appraiser is ethically bound to establish the real value of the quilt according to the best of her or his knowledge.