No Sweat Baby Gear

5 Million Quilts Need Restoration

OMAHA, NE — There are over 5,000,000 antique quilts in need of restoration estimates Nancy Kirk of The Kirk Collection in Omaha, NE. But there are less than three dozen quilt restorers working professionally around the country.

Kirk is determined to change those odds and save more quilts by training the next generation of quilt restorers at two workshops in September in Nebraska.

“On September 19 and 20 we offer a Beginning Quilt Restoration Workshop where people learn to repair patchwork and appliqué quilts,” said Kirk. Each person who takes the workshop gets to bring an antique quilt they are planning to restore and goes home with a plan for its restoration.

The workshop also covers dating fabrics, so restorers can identify the age of the quilts they are working on and the vintage fabrics they collect to use in restoration. Students learn how to wash antique quilts and ways to display and store them safely.

“We also teach them how to start a business in quilt restoration,” said Kirk. Restorers generally charge between $25 and $65 per hour for their services. “We find a lot of teachers and nurses looking at restoration as a retirement career” she said.

The September session also includes a field trip to see antique quilts up close and personal, and a two-day advanced workshop focusing on restoring crazy quilts and other Victorian silk quilts.

Kirk says the five day session is the study equivalent of a semester-long course in graduate school. “We give the students all the information they need to tackle the most common restoration problems. Then they need to go home and practice their skills for at least six months before they start their business if they plan to turn professional.”

Not all the students become professional restorers according to Kirk. “Many people just want to learn how to repair their family quilts. Others want to learn the best ways to finish antique quilt tops they’ve inherited or found at auctions.”

To register for the workshops or get more information go to www.quiltrestoration.com or call The Kirk Collection in Omaha, NE at (800) 398-2542.

-end-

About the Author

Nancy Kirk of The Kirk Collection (www.kirkcollection.com), has been restoring, selling, appraising,collecting and documenting antique quilts for 20 years. She serves as President of The Quilt Heritage Foundation and founder of The Crazy Quilt Society. She has appeared for four seasons on HGTV’s Simply Quilts.

Pyrex Portables Baking Dish with Insulated Carrier, Clear with Black Carrier $34.99 Pyrex Portables 4-piece set includes 1-each 9 by 13 by 2-inch sculptured rectangular dish, 1-each 9 by 13-inch-water blue plastic cover, 1-each hot pack, and 1-each water black insulated carrier. Pyrex Portables food transportation system includes an insulated bag and hot and cold packs ideally suited to fit informal and mobile lifestyles. Pyrex Portables allow busy, on-the-go consumers to take th…

Oval Jelly Jar Labels, Pack of 54 $3.95 Add your final, personal touch to those homemade food gifts. Colorful fruit design. 2-1/4″ oval shaped labels fit all Ball quilted jelly jars or any smooth canning jar surface. Package of 54 self-adhesive labels….

Holly Golightly Quilted Tote Available in pink or black and features delicate embroidery in one of our 10 signature thread colors. Bag measures 6 1/2″ x 5 5/8″. Weighs 3.1 ounces. Personalized with up to three characters in thread color of your choice. Delightful, dahling! Gifts are personalized with the font pictured. Please review your personalization carefully. We will personalize your gift exactly as you enter the text. T…

Cathy’s Concepts Breast Cancer Quilted Laptop Bag $28.99 Have your laptop travel in bold fashion with our Personalized Quilted Laptop Bag. Crafted of black polyester, this laptop tote features a quilted texture, padded bodice for protective transport, zippered front pocket, two interior keychain loops, an exterior fabric loop that fits easily on a suitcase handle, dual padded handles that may be tucked neatly inside the bag when not in use and an adjust…

Cosmetic Couture Quilted, Monogrammed Make-Up Bag – Baby Shower Gifts & Wedding Favors As indispensable as make-up itself, a girl’s make-up bag should be as stylish as she is. Our “Cosmetic Couture” Quilted Make-Up Bag takes the phrase”fashion-forward” to a higher level. The make-up bag makes a fantastic bridal shower favor, but pair it with its companion, the”Knotted Couture” Quilted Tote Bag, and you have a bridesmaids gift worth giving! Features and facts:Black, quilted cosmetic …

The Happy Company Herbal Collection Soothing Eye Mask The Herbal Collection Soothing Eye Mask features a unique grain filled quilted insert which provides a personalized contouring effect. This allows your eye mask to relax you by gently applying pressure to acupressure points around your eyes and face. The grain filling also maintains a cool temperature that aids in reducing puffiness and discomfort in tired eyes. We have coupled the soothing colors…

My Quiet Book, Fabric Activity Book for Children $24.50 Zippers to zip, buttons to button, snaps to snap and much more. 8 pages of interactive fun that will keep your child bust for hours. Hand-crafted by our expert sewers in the Philippines, using fine fabrics and reinforcements – the quality of Pockets of Learning My Quiet Book is still unsurpassed by any other brand….

Owl Quilted Backpack by Stephen Joseph $21.56 This Little Kids Backpack Is Perfet For Nursery, Preschool, Or A Day On The Go! The Quilted Cotton Material Is Decorated With Whimsical Appliqued Designs….

Stephen Joseph Girl Monkey Wallet $8.49 This tri-fold wallet has a coin pocket with zipper plus two mesh pockets and billfold. It is nylon with velcro closure and has an appliqued design. Most wallets measure 10.5″ x 4.5″ (opened)….

Stephen Joseph Girls 2-6X Quilted Backpack Durable quilted cotton backpack features adjustable cotton shoulder straps, cotton carrying handle, draw string cinch closure, magnetic button closure and side zipper pocket. Decorative applique coordinates with zipper pull. Machine Washable. 100% Cotton…