How To Buy An American Quilt
February 6, 2022 5:57 PM Subscribe
I need a new quilt. Have a recommendation for me?
So I’ve had the same quilt for 15 years. I bought it right before college and it was the only one decent one left in the store. It’s a Columbia brand (or similar) quilt that i’m pretty sure is king size, which really appeals to me as i’m a quilt hog and move around in my sleep, so a larger than normal quilt is great for that. It has some sort of stuffing or batting in it, and it stayed in for quite a while but now is pretty flat.
I have a birthday coming up soon and I’m being treated to whatever I want most, and all I want is a new quilt. A really nice one. If money is no object, where would i look for a huge comfy quilt that will last a while? If you have personal recommendations, or a place to start, I’d be happy for any information on where to look next !
So I’ve had the same quilt for 15 years. I bought it right before college and it was the only one decent one left in the store. It’s a Columbia brand (or similar) quilt that i’m pretty sure is king size, which really appeals to me as i’m a quilt hog and move around in my sleep, so a larger than normal quilt is great for that. It has some sort of stuffing or batting in it, and it stayed in for quite a while but now is pretty flat.
I have a birthday coming up soon and I’m being treated to whatever I want most, and all I want is a new quilt. A really nice one. If money is no object, where would i look for a huge comfy quilt that will last a while? If you have personal recommendations, or a place to start, I’d be happy for any information on where to look next !
Too bad you are wanting it right now. Otherwise, I would suggest a county or state fair. Maybe your local quilters group?
posted by NotLost at 6:22 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by NotLost at 6:22 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
Hawkins NY makes linen quilts that are quite lovely. They are heavier than you might think, for linen, and have a really luscious drape.
(I have a couple vintage linsey-woolsy quilts that are incredibly beautiful, dense, and warm. It's a little-known fabric outside of the quilt nerd/historic re-enactor community, so I hesitate to mention it at all. But if you happen to come across any, or know anyone in that world, I can't help but recommend them.)
posted by minervous at 7:09 PM on February 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
(I have a couple vintage linsey-woolsy quilts that are incredibly beautiful, dense, and warm. It's a little-known fabric outside of the quilt nerd/historic re-enactor community, so I hesitate to mention it at all. But if you happen to come across any, or know anyone in that world, I can't help but recommend them.)
posted by minervous at 7:09 PM on February 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
Buying small is ideal for obvious reasons but The Company Store makes high quality bedding. My sister is in her fourties’ and still has the one given to her at high school graduation
posted by raccoon409 at 7:32 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 7:32 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
Extremely happy with one from The Company Store, I think it’s this one.
posted by supercres at 7:52 PM on February 6, 2022
posted by supercres at 7:52 PM on February 6, 2022
Take a trip to Amish country and buy something handmade.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:41 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:41 PM on February 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
Seconding Etsy. I don't remember which store my partner bought our current quilt from, but it is a very nice quilt and they were really helpful when we had a bleeding issue on the first wash—they had washed all of the fabric first, we just had a particularly bright orange fabric in our quilt that was hanging onto some extra dye.
Because it was a custom quilt, it took a few weeks to arrive, but it was very much worth the wait. We've had it a few years now and it is starting to get very soft but has lost none of its sturdiness. Feel free to MeMail me if you are interested in pursuing this option and I can find out what the name of the shop was and let you know.
Also, this may take some leg work, but if there are any church-based yard sales or craft sales happening in your area, that might be worth checking out. Even if there is not someone selling quilts, there may be someone who knows someone who sells quilts.
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:34 AM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Because it was a custom quilt, it took a few weeks to arrive, but it was very much worth the wait. We've had it a few years now and it is starting to get very soft but has lost none of its sturdiness. Feel free to MeMail me if you are interested in pursuing this option and I can find out what the name of the shop was and let you know.
Also, this may take some leg work, but if there are any church-based yard sales or craft sales happening in your area, that might be worth checking out. Even if there is not someone selling quilts, there may be someone who knows someone who sells quilts.
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:34 AM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Following up on ThePinkSuperhero, we have two from Log Cabin Quilt Shop in Lancaster County PA that have held up very well and bring us great joy. No special care needed: machine wash and dry, then throw it back on the bed. They actually look better with age.
We also have some runners from Kathleen Johnson Quilts and can vouch for her work.
posted by DrGail at 9:18 AM on February 7, 2022
We also have some runners from Kathleen Johnson Quilts and can vouch for her work.
posted by DrGail at 9:18 AM on February 7, 2022
There's probably a quilt fabric store near you. You could find either finished quilts to choose from or quilters ready, willing, and able to custom sew one for you.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 5:13 PM on February 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 5:13 PM on February 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Absolutely, go to a fabric store near you. Quilters are obsessive and make way too many quilts for their own use. It's their art. Ask the storekeeper if they know anyone who sells them.
They might be expensive. Even if someone has too many, they're hand-made and they're all loved. Plus, if someone were to calculate an hourly rate making one, they would be ridiculously expensive.
(Source: my wife is a quilter. We have so, so many, but she doesn't sell them. Sometimes she gives them away as gifts.)
posted by ctmf at 7:53 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
They might be expensive. Even if someone has too many, they're hand-made and they're all loved. Plus, if someone were to calculate an hourly rate making one, they would be ridiculously expensive.
(Source: my wife is a quilter. We have so, so many, but she doesn't sell them. Sometimes she gives them away as gifts.)
posted by ctmf at 7:53 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by El_Marto at 6:07 PM on February 6, 2022