Finishing Vintage Quilt Top Changes Appraised Value

"If I buy a vintage quilt top, and then quilt and finish it, does this reduce its value?"

Hi Shauna,

Depends on how you value a quilt.

If you are asking if a quilt's appraised value will change; yes, it will.  In general, the appraised value of a quilt is determined by the last work that's been completed.

There are extenuating circumstances. Some quilts have more value because of who and when they were made, or what designs are used. We don't know who made some of the more stunning botanical quilts from the Victorian era but they're highly valued because of their detailed floral designs.
 
Quilts, quilt tops and quilt blocks (photo) also have more appraised "valued" if they were made by someone famous, or found in unusual circumstances that helped to explain, or had some tie, to something historical.

Most of us don't have quilts with that provenance so I suggest those quilt tops and quilt blocks will have more value being finished so they can be enjoyed.

If you want to add value to a quilt, sign and date it when you're finished. You can easily do that with hand embroidery or by adding a patch to the back with your name and date.

If you're finishing a vintage quilt top and know who made it, I would add that information somewhere on the quilt or quilt patch.

If you have any other questions, please let me know. Good luck!