Arch Quilts Vs Authentic Handmade Quilts:

What is the difference? Do both have value in the marketplace? How do you spot the ARCH quilt VS handmade vintage and antique quilts? All you need to know is in this article!

In recent years, quilts have made a stylish comeback (obviously) — popping up in modern interiors, fashion collections, and curated Instagram feeds. Among the many types of quilts that are popular today are ARCH quilts and authentic handmade vintage quilts. Though they may share a similar aesthetic at first glance, there are key differences in their origin, age, and craftsmanship.

Let’s dive into what sets the two styles apart.

What Are ARCH Quilts?

ARCH is a “modern” quilt brand known for reimagining traditional quilt motifs with a contemporary twist. Although this is a modern take on their antique counterparts, lots of ARCH quilts can still fall into the vintage-age category. These quilts are typically made by large-scale production using a mix of hand and machine-sewing techniques. While ARCH quilts draw inspiration from the past—especially 19th- and 20th-century American quilt patterns—their products are new, purposefully designed, and marketed to give people “the look, without the cost”.

Key characteristics of ARCH quilts:

• Designed by a brand with aesthetic and commercial goals, mass production.

• Often made by less-skilled workers, with an SPI of 5 or lower.

• Patterns are inspired by traditional designs but stylized for modern appeal. The patterns’ fabrics are VERY uniform.

• Often have a bulky “knife’s edge” finish on all four sides.

• ARCH quilts are never hand pieced, but can be hand quilted.

• Sometimes they will have the manufacture’s tags still. Most of them are produced over-seas.

What Are Authentic Handmade Vintage Quilts?

Authentic handmade vintage quilts are true historical artifacts, stitched by hand—often by women in domestic settings—during the 19th and 20th centuries. These quilts were typically made from fabric scraps or repurposed materials and passed down through generations. All of these quilts are going to be made of cotton materials in signature prints from the time period that they were made. Each quilt tells a story, not just through its pattern but also through its visible wear, hand-stitched seams, and pieced-together fabrics.

Key characteristics of vintage handmade quilts:

• Created decades ago, often by individual makers for family use. Sometimes made by a group of people.

• Made entirely by hand or with minimal machine assistance.

• It was very popular for the maker to have used upcycled or scrap materials (e.g., old clothing, flour sacks)

• Irregularities and imperfections that show their handmade nature.

• One-of-a-kind, with historical and sometimes sentimental value. Some quilts will even include provenance, a signature, or a date.

• The edges are normally hand bound, or a very thin, well done knife’s edge finish with no bulk.

• The SPI/craftmanship typically falls within the 6 to 8 SPI, but can be much higher when it is a master-quilter who made the quilt. 13 SPI is the highest we have seen. It can also be lower from a beginning quilter.

When it comes to valuing quilts, both ARCH and Vintage/Antique textiles, it all comes down to each quilt and a number of factors, including the ones mentioned above. Depending on the buyer and their goal, both styles of quilts can have value. Although, we have found that our customer base loves the authentic all-hand-made vintage and antique quilts that are both hand quilted and hand pieced, Both ARCH quilts and vintage handmade quilts have their place in the world of textile art and home design. If you're drawn to the look without the cost, ARCH quilts offer a refined nod to the past. But if you're seeking a piece of history with soul, imperfections, and legacy, nothing replaces the charm of an authentic vintage quilt.