There is just something about quilts.

....Something you can't quite put your finger on or express.Quilts have a wonderful way of drawing us near. Urging one to wrap theirself in it and just sit.

Can't you just imagine yourself in the back porch rocker, early morning, a nip in the air, a quilt wrapped around you from the back and one arm poked out holding that hot first cup of morning coffee!!

Well......we can all dream.....

But you really can make your dream come true with the affordability of shopping online auctions. Just arm yourself with knowledge about the kind of quilt you want to buy. This guide will help you on your way to successful eBay transactions for buying Vintage and Antique Textiles.

  Look at this Variety of Quilts

A quick overview:

I know everyone hates reading guides....you just want to go BID so I will do a quick overview and then you can come back and read more as you have more time.

1. Know what you're looking for: age, condition, what you plan to use the quilt for.
2. Email the seller. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself. ASK questions.  Some seller's respond- other's do not. Who would you rather deal with?
3. Price: Set yourself a limit before you bid and you won't get caught up in the excitement.
4. Jargon: eBay users have jargon and Quilter Lovers have even more jargon unique to the quilting world. Know the terminology and you'll know what to expect. I have acronyms later in another section.
5. Look for "Buy It Nows" and eBay Stores you will find a LOT of good deals when you shop around. This time of year many people would like to move inventory and you'd like to find something affordable--maybe for a gift.

Jargon

Ebay Acronyms:

BIN- "Buy it now"- self explainatory. When you click the button and confirm, you have just purchased the items.

NOS- New old Stock

MIP-MIB-MOC-- Mint in package, Mint in box, Mint on card ect.. When you see this you should expect an item to be as it would be from the store. If it is a vintage product there may be some yellowing of packaging glue but otherwise the product should be as untouched.

Quilter's Language

Mint- The condition the day the quilt was made. Maybe washed and even used. But no stains, no tears, no marks, no loose seams.

Near Mint- VERY Minor imperfections that would occur during a normal minimal use. Tiny spots, age spots. No major stains. Maybe a tiny hole. You should expect a quilt in good condition, with only minor "character". Often seen in eBay titles as "NM".

Good condition- The newer the quilt the higher the standard to say "Good". A 1920's quilt in good condition will be allowed more character marks than a 2005 quilt in good condition will be. Face it the 1920's has lived a full life. From a vintage quilt in good condition, you can expect to receive a quilt with typical useage that has been cared for by the previous owner.

Cutter Quilt- This term is one I am asked about the most. A cutter Quilt is one that has lived a long hard life. But who can throw out a treasured quilt? Not me.... There are many people who take these cutter's and breath new life into them. They make all kinds of pillows, Christmas stockings, doiley's, bedroom decors, framed art. There is no end to the imagination CRAFTER's have. They can continually find ways to amaze me!

Quilt Top- Just that a top. If you imagine a quilt with no lining and no batting. It is simply the top of the quilt--the pretty part. If you bid and win a quilt online you can expect to receive the top only. To use as a quilt you will need to supply the lining and the batting. And you will need to either quilt it or have it quilted. This is a GREAT way to get a bargain. Even if you need to pay someone else to quilt it. Tops often go a lot cheaper than their quilted counterparts.

Lining- The cloth that is the back of the quilt.

Batting- The "filling" of the quilt. In older quilts it will be cotton. In newer ones it could be poly batting or cotton.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Why are you looking for a quilt? gift, decoration, projects
• What room will you use the quilt in? Living room, bedroom, foyer
• How will you display your quilt? drape over a chair, hang on a wall (behind couch, above bed, ect), or display on the bed.
• What size are you looking for?
• What style are you looking for?  

   Are you Ready to Browse? Click here to see lots of quilts. 

Everyone is going PRIM Click here to read more!