| OMAHA, NE -- There are over 5,000,000 antique quilts | | | | between $25 and $65 per hour for their services. "We |
| in need of restoration estimates Nancy Kirk of The | | | | find a lot of teachers and nurses looking at restoration |
| Kirk Collection in Omaha, NE. But there are less than | | | | as a retirement career" she said. |
| three dozen quilt restorers working professionally | | | | The September session also includes a field trip to see |
| around the country. | | | | antique quilts up close and personal, and a two-day |
| Kirk is determined to change those odds and save | | | | advanced workshop focusing on restoring crazy quilts |
| more quilts by training the next generation of quilt | | | | and other Victorian silk quilts. |
| restorers at two workshops in September in | | | | Kirk says the five day session is the study equivalent |
| Nebraska. | | | | of a semester-long course in graduate school. "We |
| "On September 19 and 20 we offer a Beginning Quilt | | | | give the students all the information they need to |
| Restoration Workshop where people learn to repair | | | | tackle the most common restoration problems. Then |
| patchwork and appliqué quilts," said Kirk. Each | | | | they need to go home and practice their skills for at |
| person who takes the workshop gets to bring an | | | | least six months before they start their business if they |
| antique quilt they are planning to restore and goes | | | | plan to turn professional." |
| home with a plan for its restoration. | | | | Not all the students become professional restorers |
| The workshop also covers dating fabrics, so restorers | | | | according to Kirk. "Many people just want to learn how |
| can identify the age of the quilts they are working on | | | | to repair their family quilts. Others want to learn the |
| and the vintage fabrics they collect to use in | | | | best ways to finish antique quilt tops they've inherited |
| restoration. Students learn how to wash antique quilts | | | | or found at auctions." |
| and ways to display and store them safely. | | | | To register for the workshops or get more information |
| "We also teach them how to start a business in quilt | | | | go to or call The Kirk Collection in Omaha, NE at (800) |
| restoration," said Kirk. Restorers generally charge | | | | 398-2542. |