Collecting Antique Doll Quilts

Written by Bobbie A. Aug

Interest in collecting quilts began in the 1920's. At that time, collectors focused on the quality of the workmanship as well as the practical utility of the textile as a bed quilt. By the 1960's, collectors began to view quilts as an art form. Since that time, prices of quilts have escalated dramatically. Quilts have reportedly sold at auction for nearly $300,000. These quilts, while not everyday finds, none-the-less illustrate the seriousness of the current quilt market.

Of particular interest today to quilt collectors are antique doll quilts. Because of their small size, they are easily displayed and stored, and usually cost much less than a full-sized quilt. They frequently mimic the design, quilting patterns and edge finishes of large quilts made during the same time period. The log cabin quilt with the Victorian period ruffle is a good example of replicating the design of larger quilts in those created for doll beds.

Finding bargains is becoming increasingly more difficult as quilt collecting gains popularity. Good advice to those interested in collecting antique quilts would be to look for the best quality you can afford as quality pieces will increase in value. Don't invest in quilts that are extensively damaged or restored. "Everyday" quilts are excellent starting points for the beginner collector.

Most doll quilts found today date from the late 19th or early 20th centuries. Quilt pattern, style, fabric design and color, type of edge finish and the history of its ownership, if known, all help determine the age of a quilt. Collectors should check the quilt's backing for clues. Extraordinary quilting, stuffed work and unusual fabrics should not be overlooked. Besides age, additional factors in determining interest and value are: unusual details, clarity of design, precision cutting and stitching, naive quality/charm, visual effect, colors, fabric, fame of maker or group, degree of difficulty, historical significance, and condition.

Long ago, the concept of childhood differed greatly from today. Children were taught skills that would sustain them through adulthood. A mother or grandmother used needle and thread to teach little girls the craft of sewing bedcovers and clothing necessary for their future adult responsibilities. Doll quilts were likely a little girl's first sewing project, followed by bedding and linens for the doll bed. In Small Endearments, Sandi Fox states, "Throughout the nineteenth century, most American women were responsible for the sewing of their families' clothes and for their household linen. The simple stitches required for the construction of doll quilts were prerequisites to master those household responsibilities, so plain sewing began at an early age." We often find these artifacts simple in pattern and crudely made. Good examples of simplicity of design are the two quilts pictured that contain simple squares or rectangles. In the redwork quilt, the female figure in the upper right-hand corner is one third of the size of the giant chicken she is feeding. This problem in scale of would suggest that it was the work of a child. That is not to say; however, that a loving mother or doting grandmother didn't occasionally create a masterpiece for their precious child With the rise in the middle class, beginning in the 19th century and continuing into the 20th century, it became less and less important to teach sewing skills to girls as a necessity for survival in the adult world. The continuation of this teaching depended upon how affluent the family was.

Never exclusively a craft taught to girls, boys were taught to cut and sew patterns in the 19th century and perhaps much earlier. As children, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight Eisenhower both helped their mothers piece quilts. However, I very much doubt that they made doll quilts.

Although there are 18th century doll quilts in museum collections, it is extremely rare to find any made before 1840, available for sale in the marketplace. The stripy one pictured here was one of those rare finds. Doll quilts were frequently, "used up" in the course of enjoyment, subjected to extreme wear and tear, and then discarded. Oftentimes, they were made of worn fabrics that perhaps had been dresses and aprons before finding their way to doll quilts. Therefore, when a doll quilt is discovered in good condition, a collector might wish to add it to his/her collection. In the past 20 years, antique and vintage doll quilts have enjoyed a respected position in the quilt collecting marketplace—with increasing monetary value. So much value, in fact, that fakes are sometimes discovered. Look for what might have originally been an individual block in a much larger quilt, cut out and the edges finished. The best way to avoid being fooled is to buy from a reputable dealer.

For information about Bobbie's classes and workshops, you may contact her at:

P.O. Box 9654
Colorado Springs, CO 80932-0654
Fax 719-632-9210
Email qwltpro@msn.com

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Introduction to Quilt Appraisal

Article:
Collecting Antique
Doll Quilts