Quilt Appraisal 

Introduction
In February 2017 the Australian Council of Quilters (ACQ) agreed to adopt a national system of quilt valuation. The system will be based on the QuiltNSW
model that SCCQ uses. As part of the adoption of a national model, all quilt guilds agreed to replace the term ‘Valuation’ and ‘Valuers’ with ‘Appraisal’ and ‘Appraisers’.
SCCQ follows the QuiltNSW procedures and general pricing, in assessing traditional and modern quilt costs. However, we do not appraise art quilts unless the techniques used by the quiltmaker fall within the parameters of our appraisal protocol, as we may not have the expertise to assess these quilts. We recommend that these quilts be referred to QuiltNSW.
 
Appraisers
SCCQ has an Appraisal Team comprising a maximum of 14 recognised appraisers, working under the guidance of the Appraisal Coordinator, Margaret Herzog.
The current appraisers are:
         Margaret Herzog
          Debbie Adam
          Jill Bennett
          Daiva Ceicys
          Delma Elliott
          Liz Foster
          Sammy Gaskill
          Dorothy Hanbridge
          Sheila Kelly
          Robyn Sammons
All Appraisers maintain confidentially in all matters relating to individual appraisals.
 
Quilt Appraisal
It is important to recognise that the appraisal system is designed to calculate an estimated replacement cost.
Each quilt is assessed by 3 Appraisers. These Appraisers cannot be a member of the same club as that of the quiltmaker submitting the quilt for appraisal. No applicant or Appraiser can remain in the room when her own quilt is being assessed.

5 main categories are used to help assess and cost elements that contribute to the replacement value of a quilt. They are:

• Estimated cost of fabric, batting threads/needles etc.

This is based on size of quilt and type of materials used and is assisted if the quiltmaker provides an estimated cost on the application form.

• Workmanship.

Some of the features that Appraisers look for in allocating points under workmanship are: clean exact joins of blocks and areas within blocks; pieced points that are uniform, complete and sharp; even stitching; no buckling of fabric; smooth curves in piecing and applique; borders and sashing that complement and add to design; pleasing and appropriate combination of colours; originality of design; well filled and even binding; even measurement of opposite sides of the quilt; neat mitred corners, and so on. Generally Appraisers are looking for careful and well-executed application of chosen techniques.

• Degree of Difficulty.

The degree of difficulty of each of the construction elements (piecing, applique, embroidery etc) is then determined by comparing these elements against a set range of categories allocated by QuiltNSW. For example a straight-line block is far simpler than an intricate design involving curved piecing, multiple points and y-seams and is therefore allocated a lower degree of difficulty.

• Quilting.

Similarly to Degree of Difficulty, the estimation of hours per square metre and cost per square metre for quilting is based on categories provided by the QuiltNSW. Hand and machine and domestic and commercial quilting are covered separately in these categories. The quiltmaker is also able to provide the actual cost supplied by the commercial quilter to inform the calculations (see Application Form)

• Binding.

Finally an estimate is provided for the binding, based on regular or complex binding and linear metres of quilt.
 
Application for a Quilt Appraisal
Select the Appraisal Form below or contact the Appraisal Coordinator, Margaret Herzog: email margherz1@outlook.com or phone 44712849.

​ Appraisal is $15 members and $25 non-members, to be paid prior to Appraisal.
2 photographs of your quilt must accompany quilt on delivery (one of whole quilt and one of detail).
Applications are required by the Appraisal Coordinator at least one week prior to an SCCQ meeting.

Appraisal Form