Hey there, neighbors! We hope you are having an awesome week so far. Spring is finally trying to peek through those clouds…. honest! We even saw a robin the other day, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that the warm weather is here to stay. While we wait for the sun to stay out for good, there is nothing quite like cozying up with something soft, warm, and full of history.
We have been seeing some absolutely stunning pieces coming through our recent online auctions lately. We really love finding these beauties…. hand-stitched quilts, vintage linens, feed sack patterns, hand-quilted stars, wedding rings, log cabins, cozy treasures, vintage jewelry (the non-shiny kind, of course!), antique tools, and so much more.
If you have ever been to one of our antique auctions, you know that a good quilt is more than just a blanket. It is a piece of art that someone spent hundreds of hours working on by hand. But how do you know if that quilt you found is a true antique or just a modern copy? We wanted to put together a little guide to help you spot the real-deal hand-stitched goodies for your own collection!
The Secret is in the Stitches….
When you are browsing through online collectible auctions, the first thing you want to look at is the stitching. Now, we know it can be hard to see every little detail through a computer screen, but once you have that quilt in your hands, the stitches tell the whole story!
Authentic antique quilts made before the 1970s almost always feature HAND-QUILTING. You want to look for stitches that are small and even, but not "perfect" like a machine would do. If you look closely, you might see a tiny bit of variation in the length of the stitches…. that is the human touch!
Look out for these fun stuff details…. irregular stitch lengths, small knots tucked into the fabric, hand-sewn binding, visible pencil marks from the original pattern, and so much more.
If the stitches are perfectly uniform and look exactly the same on the front and the back, it might be a machine-quilted piece from a later era. While those are still great for keeping warm, they don't have that same historical "soul" that the older hand-made ones do. We always get so excited when we find a quilt with BEAUTIFUL HAND-STITCHED patterns like wreaths, flowers, or even those fancy Fleur de Lis designs!
Fabric Clues from Days Gone By
The fabric used in a quilt is like a time machine. Before the 1970s, people didn't just go to a big craft store and buy whatever they wanted. They used what they had!
In the 1930s and 1940s, during the Depression era, folks were very resourceful. They used feed sacks to make their quilts! Yes, actual bags that held flour or chicken feed! The companies realized women were using the bags for sewing, so they started printing them with pretty floral patterns.
We love finding these scrappy treats…. feed sack prints, calico cotton, indigo blues, Turkey reds, wool crepes, shirting fabrics, and so much more.
If you see a quilt with very bright, neon-looking colors or synthetic-feeling fabrics like polyester, it’s probably a newer piece from the late 70s or 80s. The older quilts tend to have more "natural" colors from dyes like madder (which gives a nice brownish-red) or indigo. These fabrics have a certain weight and softness to them that you just can't fake.
Popular Patterns to Watch For
There are some classic patterns that have been around for a long time, and knowing them can help you figure out what you are looking at. Some of the most popular patterns we see in our online auctions include:
- Log Cabin: One of the most famous! It usually has a red square in the middle to represent the hearth of the home.
- Double Wedding Ring: These are gorgeous but very hard to make because of all those curves. They were often given as wedding gifts.
- Grandmother's Flower Garden: These are made of hundreds of little hexagons. In the 1930s, people used a technique called "English Paper Piecing" where they wrapped the fabric around bits of old newspaper!
- Star Patterns: From the Lone Star to the Ohio Star, these are always a big hit with collectors.
We always have a wide variety of these patterns in our inventory…. Dresden plates, nine-patch blocks, crazy quilts with silk and velvet, Amish solid-color designs, sunbonnet sues, and so much more.
A Few Tips for the Savvy Collector
If you are just starting out with online collectible auctions, here are a few things "Team Funky" recommends keeping in mind:
- Check the Backing: Sometimes the back of the quilt is just as interesting as the front! You might find a different print or even a signature and a date.
- Look for Wear: A little bit of "love" (aka wear and tear) is normal for a quilt that is 80 years old. Don't let a tiny fray or a small stain scare you away from a GREAT FIND.
- Storage Matters: If you win an awesome quilt at auction, make sure you store it somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight. Never store them in plastic bags…. they need to breathe!
- Cleaning: Be very careful! We usually recommend just a gentle vacuuming through a screen or a very careful hand-wash. Never throw an antique quilt in a modern washing machine!
How to Get Your Goodies (The Logistics Part)
We want to make sure you get your new treasures as easily as possible. When you win an item at Funky Junk Auctions, we have a few ways to get it to you:
- Curbside Pickup: If you are local, you can schedule a time to come by and we will bring your items right out to your car. Easy-peasy!
- Shipping: If you are far away, don't worry! We offer nationwide shipping (you pay shipping and packing fee). We pack everything with lots of care so your quilts and collectibles arrive safe and sound.
We are always adding new items to our site, so make sure you keep an eye on our upcoming sales. You never know when that perfect hand-stitched masterpiece is going to pop up!
If you're ready to start your own collection or add a few more pieces to your stash, come join the fun at Funky Junk Auctions! We host regular online auctions with all sorts of unique finds, from vintage jewelry and toys to those amazing handmade quilts we talked about today. It's a thrill to see what people bid on, and you can find some truly special items at competitive prices right from your own couch.
Check out our current and upcoming auctions over on Hibid and see what "goodies" are waiting for you! We can't wait to see you there.
Stay warm and keep hunting for those treasures!
Team Funky
