411 Old Stage Rd.
Morris, Illinois 60450
815-942-5177
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The following presentations are done for a fee of $195.00 and the
workshops are $30. Per person with a minimum of 5 participants. I do
offer appraisals after a scheduled presentation or workshop is ½ price. I
know it is really exciting to have a quilt presentation, and that is when
everyone seems to want an appraisal. Offering it at half price is my gift to
all who attended. Included in the $20 appraisal fee you will learn the
history of you block, the era it started and the names it is called. For
example: The monkey wrench was used as a symbol of the escaping slaves
in the south, but when published in the Kansas City Star it was called The
Crows Nest. Still later a farmer's wife called it Hole in the Barn Door. The
part of the country a quilt block is sewn and by the what quilter, for
instance; slaves, The Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants, etc., determines what
name it is given. This block has 22 names. If you brought a quilt to me to
appraise, you would receive by mail, as a part of your written appraisal, all
the names and the origin of each quilt block name, along with a picture of
your quilt. It is very important that this appraisal not be confused with
another quilt. For your protection, I also include one or more photos of the
quilt I appraise. The appraisal form will also have your value of the quilt
included, for your insurance purposes. I also offer appraisals for Fair
Market Value and Items for Donation. Fair Market value are items
appraised that you wish to sell. This will give you what you the price you
would expect to receive from the sale of your quilt. Appraisals of items for
donation, are used when filing your IRS taxes. Presentations are
approximately one hour in length. Workshops are scheduled for a six hour
session. Many times, I do not charge a mileage fee to go to your location
and hold the presentation. I really love doing this, and I feel I have found
my calling. This is a way for me to share the knowledge of quilting and I
hope to pass some of my enthusiasm on to others. Local appraisals are
done in our shop at a rate of $40.00.
“Quilter’s Roadshow.”
This is an informative as well as entertaining. The members of the guild
bring in their quilts, new or old. They will tell a story of Grandma’s quilt or
their story of how and why they made their quilt or how they got the quilt
they own. I will give them an estimate of what it's value. This will be an
oral discussion not a written estimate. With this information, they can
decide if they want to get an appraisal for insurance purposes at a later
date. A fee of $10. is charged to verbally appraise in a range per quilt
presented. This holds the attention of all and everyone learns a great deal
about quilts in general. Written appraisals available after the presentation.
“A Lighthearted Look at the History of Quilting.”
This presentation takes the history of quilting from B.C. to present day.
You will find many things are involved with the progress of quilting. Each
new invention, as well as the new techniques of the day, has a direct
bearing on quilting and the quilting industry. This is one of my favorite
sessions, as it's fun and humorous as well as very informative. I love to
have audience participation, and this is, definitely, the forum for this
particular presentation. I bring along various antique, vintage and
modern quilts. Members are encouraged to bring treasured quilts to show
and give any history they know about them to the others. I will be available
to appraise quilts, if desired, after the presentation. If you wish, products
can also be available for sale.
“Civil War era and the Women behind the Quilts.”
This presentation is the history of quilts during the civil war. There is
history on the women and organizations that made quilts and why all this
was important. You will learn why women did this, and how life was for
these women during the 1860’s. I will be available for appraisals of quilts
after this presentation and will have products for sale.
“Underground Railroad and the Role Quilts Played
During this Era.”
This is about the Underground Railroad during the civil war era, with an
introduction of Slave music. I lead off portraying a slave running north
with the fears she has, along with the elements of nature, and finally the
joyous feeling of reaching Freedom Land. This will reveal how the quilt
designs played a role, what the designs means, where they came from and
how important they were. Many quilts will be shown and discussed
during the presentation. This is a very interesting and revealing history
lesson. Written quilt appraisals will be available after this presentation and
products will be for sale.
“Underground Railroad and stories of slaves and their
escape North.”
I tell the stories of several slaves and their struggle to freedom or the direct
results of something that they were able to do that changed an event or law
or how they helped others. Written appraisals available after the
presentation.
“Why and When Should Quilts Be Appraised?”
Quilts are a valuable piece of history as well as property. This session will
have lots of information on fabrics, dyes, colors, quilting, and techniques
of quilting. Everyone has a story about grandma’s quilt. Is grandma’s
quilt worth anything??? How to store and keep the quilt from damage & to
prevent the damage from starting in the first place? Is the quilt worth
restoring and in what situations? Questions can be asked throughout the
presentation, and a short Q&A session will follow the presentation. This is
audience participation. I will be available to appraise quilts that evening
and I will have acid free boxes and tissue papers will be available for
purchase.
“Now that you have finished your top, quilt as
desired?????”
What a term? What are we suppose to do? What are our choices? How
do we decide? HELP!!!! I bring along exactly made tops to show what
can be done with simple choices of threads or quilting designs. It is
amazing how the quilting can make the top look different, but not always
better. This presentation will teach you the choices and help you decide
what is best for your top. Quilting can make or break a quilts final
appearance. The wrong choice can take away from the finished product.
Even if you send the top out to be quilted you should know some of the
choices so you will not be surprised. Even a long arm quilter will welcome
your ideas. Audience is encouraged to bring tops, and options for quilting
will be discussed. Written appraisals available after the presentation.
"Make a Vest"
This workshop you will choose which one you would like to make from 3
offered. Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced. All are attractive, it is the
technique that is different. All three are going at the same time with various
students.
""Make a Purse"
This is a workshop that you will have a choice of which design you would
like to do. It is for the beginner, Intermediate or Advanced student.
"Mystery Quilt"
This dynamic quilt design is both a workshop or Mystery quilt. The
supply list will be given ahead of time. The instructions and the layouts
will be done that day. Some prep work should be done ahead of time.
This is a stunning & very impressive quilt top. The finished sizes of this
quilt can be, 36”x36” for the wall hanging, 58”x58” for a large throw, 58”
x76” large rectangle quilt, 87x105” for a queen size quilt.
Color is everything. This is a very popular workshop, in part because of the
effect and color, but also because everyone is impressed on how easy and
fun it is. I have had lots of feedback about this class. Many say they would
not have tried this on their own, but glad they did. They not only had fun,
but turned out an striking quilt that was envied by those who didn't sign up
for the class. Book required. Cost is an additional $15.00 for the required
book per student.
"Double Wedding Ring"
A workshop on the double wedding ring, with variations.
This workshop requires the purchase of an instruction book with the
templates. A traditional double wedding ring or variation of the pattern can
be achieved. The variations are an additional book required. This has the
patterns for suggested quilting for the top as well. Easy to follow wonderful
old pattern that can also be a twist to the good old 1930 design. This is a
striking addition to the old favorite with a fabulous, and easy to do, eye
catching design in addition to the original style.
Quilt appraisals can be available after or during the workshops for a fee of
$30 per quilt or quilt top. I offer individual appraisals in my shop as well
for $40.00. Each appraisal has an appraisal form that is good for
insurance purposes along with photos of your quilt. This way there is no
chance it can be mistaken for any other appraised quilt. Appraisals are
done for insurance, donations, and sales. New quilts have a high value as
well. It is not only for the antique quilts.
Contact me for a brochure or further information.
Alice Sokolinski
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-5177
Sokolinski@sbcglobal.net