With the popularity of analog hobbies quilts have been getting a lot of attention lately. Whether it's a thrifted find or a quilt handed down from previous generations, vintage quilts can be worth a lot of money. If you're wondering whether a quilt is valuable, there three indicators experts say you should look for: Hand-stitching, a unique design, and natural materials. “The first thing I always tell people is to slow down and really look at the quilt," says quilting expert Tami Jones. "Age, craftsmanship, and story matter more than where you found it."

If a quilt has piqued your interest and you're curious about its value, don't worry about whether it's in pristine condition or not. "If someone comes across a quilt they’re curious about, it’s always worth having an expert take a look—you’d be surprised how often something ordinary turns out to be quite special,” says appraiser and auctioneer Patricia Ackerman. Below, experts share how you can tell whether a quilt is valuable, how much its condition matters, and some of the highly meaningful and collectible styles you should keep an eye out for.

• Patricia Ackerman is a generalist appraiser and auctioneer at Fine Estate, Inc.
• Tami Jones is the founder and CEO of Hometown Quilt Company.

How to Tell If a Quilt Is Valuable

Hand-Stitching

"Hand-stitching is one of the biggest indicators of value—tiny, even stitches throughout the top and quilting are a great sign," Jones shares. When Ackerman comes across a quilt, the first thing she does is check whether it's hand-stitched or machine-stitched. “Some women were incredibly skilled and could make hand-stitching look very uniform, almost like it was done by machine," she explains. For that reason, although inspecting the stitching is key, that alone won't determine whether a quilt is old or valuable.

Unique Design Elements

The quilt's design can provide additional clues about its value. If it's unusual or highly complex, Jones says it's a sign the quilt may be special. "Certain patterns, regional styles, and quilts with documented provenance—like a known maker, historical event, or family record—can significantly increase worth," she explains. Some quilt patterns that Ackerman says are very common include the traditional Log Cabin, star patterns, and wedding quilts. "What really makes me pause is when a quilt has a strong historical or cultural identity, something that feels distinctive rather than familiar,” she says.

Natural Fabrics

If a quilt feels unusually heavy and the fabric is finely detailed, Jones says it's worth a closer look. The fabric itself matters, too, according to the expert. "Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or silk, along with hand-dyed or early printed fabrics, also add value," Jones shares.

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Meaningful and Collectible Quilt Styles

There are certain categories of quilts that Ackerman says immediately stand out. "Amish quilts, for example, often have big, bold blocks of color set against dark backgrounds—they almost look contemporary, even though they’re historic," she says. Another stand-out category is Hawaiian quilts, which the expert says tend to feature large, bold floral designs and reflect traditional Hawaiian aesthetics that were adapted after quilting was introduced by missionaries. "African American quilts, especially those from Gee’s Bend, are very important historically," Ackerman says. "They were often made using worn fabrics like flour or potato sacks, but the designs are incredibly powerful and expressive."

Victorian "crazy quilts" are a favorite of Ackerman's and an instantly recognizable quilt style. They are made from silk and satin scraps that are arranged together in an intentionally irregular way. "And then there are album quilts, which were usually made by groups of women—often church groups—with each person stitching a square and sometimes adding their name or a Bible verse," Ackerman says, noting that those are especially meaningful and collectible.

Does a Quilt Need to Be In Pristine Condition to Be Valuable?

Both experts say a quilt does not need to be in pristine condition to be valuable. “Quilts were meant to be used, and many valuable quilts show signs of age or wear," Ackerman says. Minor fading, gentle wear, or repaired areas don't automatically diminish the value of older quilts according to Jones, because it's authenticity and craftsmanship that truly matters. In fact, Jones says that wear can actually help tell part of the quilt's story.

That said, if a quilt is severely damaged and shows signs of rot or heavy staining, it can impact value, which is why Jones always recommends having a potentially valuable quilt evaluated by a textile or quilt expert. A common issue that Ackerman sees with older quilts that have been stored away is musty smells and mold. "One simple trick is to lay them out on a sunny day—sunlight can do wonders for removing odors," the expert says. If it's an older quilt, she typically recommends dry cleaning just to be safe, especially with something like a Victorian crazy quilt which features lots of different dyes and fabrics that could bleed.

To safely store a quilt, Ackerman says wrapping it in acid-free paper is ideal.

How to Display a Quilt

Quilts can be truly beautiful works of art and meaningful family heirlooms. Ackerman loves seeing heirloom quilts framed and hung on a wall. "It’s a beautiful way to preserve them and keep that family history visible," she says. If you're going to display a framed quilt on the wall, just make sure it's not hanging in direct sunlight to prevent any potential damage.