May 20 - 24, 1997 - QuiltHistory

Quilt Block History, Quilt Dating, Quilt History Resources

These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.

Primary topics of this QHL Digest:

Feedsacks and Bleaching — Quilters weigh in on whether it’s safe or historically appropriate to bleach yellowed feedsack fabric.
Quilt Storage & Cedar Chests — Members debate whether cedar chests are safe for long-term quilt storage and what alternatives protect textiles best.
Double Wedding Ring Origins — A member’s inquiry about the history of the Double Wedding Ring pattern draws several book recommendations and dating theories.
Log Cabin & the Underground Railroad — A long-running discussion questions the popular claim that Log Cabin quilts served as coded signals on the Underground Railroad.

Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 23:32:27 -0700 | From: Jody Bordner <qltgrose [at] gte [dot] net

Xenia Cord wrote:
>
> 2. Quilts do not belong in cedar chests, which are intended to exude cedar oils to deter fiber-eating critters, since most quilts are not
made of fibers on the critter lunch menu.

Xenia,

I would like to know from you or anyone else, what would be an
appropriate finish to SEAL the inside of a cedar chest so as to make it
acceptable for the storage of my quilts. I would love to use the method
of rolling on tubes you described, but limited space does not allow that.
Also, I do not have an unused bedroom to lay them all flat on the bed, so
my tall cedar chest is where they are–all 30 or so of them! Right now, I
do have them in a unbleached muslin bag that I made to at least keep the
cedar from touching the quilts.
On a dresser that I used to store some of my stash I used a polyurthene
sealer and it left such an odor on the fabric that I am no longer using
it to store fabric, and I do NOT want to chance that problem with the
cedar chest…

Thanks for your help!~
Jody
>

Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 05:54:05 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net

Good morning, Jody and QHLers! You may get a lot of differing responses
to your question about storage. On the surface of it, it seems a shame
to seal a cedar chest, since it was made to utilize the effects of cedar
oils. Most people are concerned with renewing the oils, not with
sealing them away.

I am not an expert on refinishing; perhaps your best guide would be
someone in the business, or at the paint or hardware store where you
would buy sealers. I would think a simple sanding sealer would work,
but interaction with the cedar itself may affect the seal. In any case,
whatever you use must be allowed to dry thoroughly for some time, to
prevent after-odor like you described with the polyurethane (which
shouldn’t smell after drying, BTW). Still, we don’t know the longterm
effects of these products, either.

Another solution might be to line the chest with some heavy fabric –
cotton duck, possibly. If you put it in place with thumbtacks, it could
be removed without damaging/changing the character of the cedar chest.
Where you will have damage to folded quilts is along the fat part of the
fold, where the quilt is exposed. This and cotton bag storage would
probably prevent that.

I guess all we can do is to be caring and effective custodians of the
quilts in our possession; they were never meant to last forever, but we
do have some responsibility as quilters who recognize the heritage, to
do the best we can under the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Xenia – 6am is too early to be philosophical!

Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 07:55:56 -0400 (EDT) | From: SadieRose [at] aol [dot] com

Hi, everyone!
I am still in the midst of preparation for the Open House to celebrate
my oldest son’s graduation from High School, but have been trying to at least
skim the posts. Just as a successful quilt is a combination of colors,
patterns and textures, etc., I think our list is at its best when we have a
mix of quilts, history & a little personal interaction/humor!
Cinda’s comments on how important it is to complement our quilt history
with our country’s history is right on target! The two are really
inseparable….and some research on the “political” history of a certain era
can explain the “quilt” history of the same time.

Baltimore Album quilts,
for example, are filled with realistic and symbolic motifs, which were
greatly influenced by the politics of the day. Eagles, flags, military
heroes, monuments and ships, horses, etc, all appear on various BA quilts.
Women, who were not able to express their political views at the ballot
box, sometimes used quilts as a means of expressing their opinions. Many
quilt patterns familiar to us today, have names with political connotations
(Clay’s Choice, Log Cabin, 54-40 or Fight, Whig’s Defeat, to name a few.)
Religion, and the prevailing attitudes of the era, also were major
influences and naturally found their way into quilt designs & pattern names.

I just received the book “Enduring Grace- Quilts From the Shelburne
Museum Collection” and I am looking forward to some free time to read &
enjoy absorbing some quilt/history. And maybe some time to stitch again,
too!!
TTYL… Karan

Date: Wed, 21 May 97 09:36:55 -0500 | From: Rosalie Owen <rosalie [at] brstamp [dot] com

I was wondering about that too. Here in the South we DO have critters that
will eat cotton. When I first moved down here I had a long sleeve cotton
blouse that they turned into a short sleeve. I have a quilt in a cedar
chest, wrapped in muslin and in the tissue paper that I got from the
American Quilters Society. If that is not acceptable, how do you keep those
critters away. I live in a house now that is air conditioned and the
windows are sealed, but then we lived in a house with screens , lots of
fresh air, four boys running in and out, etc. (Boy, do I miss that!) What
say you Xenia, et al.

——– REPLY, Original message follows ——–

Date: Tuesday, 20-May-97 11:32 PM

From: Jody Bordner \ Internet: (qltgrose [at] gte [dot] net)
To: Xenia Cord \ Internet: (xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net)
cc: QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com \ Internet: (qhl [at] cuenet [dot] com)

Subject: Re: QHL: Quilt care/storage

Xenia Cord wrote:
>
> 2. Quilts do not belong in cedar chests, which are intended to exude
cedar oils to deter fiber-eating critters, since most quilts are not made
of fibers on the critter lunch menu.

Xenia,

Thanks for your help!~ Jody
>

Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 21:18:38 -0400 (EDT) | From: CToczek [at] aol [dot] com

I browsed through Kris’s new web page for books on quilt heritage. Wouldn’t
we love to have one of each?!

I noticed she is offering the books *Cotton Then and Now* and *Quilting Now
and Then;* both were written primarily for children, but are good for all
ages. I purchased them about a year ago at a quilt shop (before I found
Kris:[ ) and my older son loves them. The illustrations are beautiful.
Real quilt photos are superimposed on the drawings. Mikey says, “Look
Mom, that’s what you do!” while pointing to the drawing of the mommy sitting
with a quilt hoop on her lap, surrounded by stacks of fabric! There’s a
cat ‘hidden’ on each page, which he enjoys pointing out each time.

Anyway, for those of you with children or grandchildren who can’t help but
notice your hobby, these books are wonderful. Take a look at Kris’s page!

Carla

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 01:30:55 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com

What an experience! As I was reading Angel’s narrative, I was reminded
of Laura Ingalls’ recounting of her first trip to town in “The Little
House in the Big Woods.” And also of the TV writers’ verson of Ma
Ingalls finding a lovely bolt of fabric in Olsen’s General Store, buying
a dress length for herself, then turning out dresses for Mary & Laura
instead.

Imagine having to wait months to go to town; then making the long trip,
which may have taken a fews days for some people (to hear some historical
fiction authors tell it anyway). The anticipation of seeing the new
fabrics and patterns and designs. Running your hands over the material
and seeing the images of clothing and quilts and so on flashing before
your eyes. Then having to get down to the nitty-gritty and choose only a
select few pieces to last for the next few months till the next trip to
town.

How fortunate we are that we have so many resourses, local and mail
order, from which to choose. And with overnight carriers, can have our
purchases on our doorsteps the next morning!

Still, the anticipation spurs us on and the dreams never die. Our dreams
live on in our quilts just as our predecessors’ do in theirs.

Keep quilting and remembering and telling.
Kimberly, sentimental in Bristol

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 09:07:04 -0400 (EDT) | From: Qltrathart [at] aol [dot] com

In a message dated 97-05-20 22:07:49 EDT Phyllis wrote:

> Those of you within traveling distance to southern Maryland might be
> interested in the Sotterley Plantation Quilt and Needlework Show being
held
> May 29 to June 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. daily.Sotterly Plantation is a
> Tidewater manor house overlooking the Patuxent River and dates back to
the
> early 18th Century. Quilts and needlecrafts will be on display throughout
> the house and the original outbuildings, including the one-room
> schoolhouse. There will be judged quilts, needlework demonstrations,
> vendors, food, and an exquisitely appliqued raffle quilt. I drove down
> last Saturday to drop off a couple of my quilts for the show and the site
> was so lovely this time of year – a real Spring treat.
>
> Take Route 235 to Route 245 North and folow the signs to Sotterly.
>
> Phyllis

I’ll be there all day Saturday May 31. I’ll be one of the quilt
demonstrators. I had hoped to actually be quilting on my sister’s Baltimore
Album………..Oh well. I’m still plugging away on the 3rd of 4 borders.
That’s what I’ll be working on for the day! I hope to meet some of you
there. Last year there was a nesting pair of eagles on the property. Hope
they’ll be there this year! This will be my last quilting hurrah for a
while. I’m anticipating a return to my Special Ed career and have had to
start back at graduate school.

-Helen Johnston in Maryland

BTW: Attended the Baltimore Applique Society meeting last evening. A trio
of curators from the Baltimore Museum of Art was there with a very
interesting proposal for us. They are in possession of Dr. Dunton’s
collection of the materials he collected for his self-published book _ Old
Quilts_. The materials are in need of preservation and cataloging to be made
available for researchers. They are anticipating several months to complete
the job. They brought a few of the items in the collection for us to see and
made a request for funding from our group. You will be glad to know that the
Baltimore Applique Society overwhelmingly voted to fully fund the request.

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 09:30:10 EDT | From: debatqps [at] juno [dot] com

My customer who is cleaning out her basement and bringing me lovely 30s
quilt tops, brought in 8 eighteen inch quilt blocks from an applique kit
(I could barely stop myself from jumping up and down when she pulled
those out!!!). Four blocks are finished, two appliqued with embroidery
floss and a running stitch and the other two whip stitched with
embroidery floss, and the other 4 are in various stages of being done.
All blocks are dirty and I would like to soak them before going any
further BUT, will the quilting design that is stamped onto the fabric
disapear?

Does anyone have the vaguest idea of what this kit would have looked like
finished? Is there somewhere that has pictures of some of the old kits?

I did a trunk show for a quild in a retirement community yesterday and
they showed me their raffle quilt that is still on the frame. Its a
Bucilla kit of poppies that someone donated to them and they are
quilting. The president told me they have the original packaging and
all. She also told me it was filthy when they got it and had been thrown
into a corner of their closet for a few years until she took it home and
threw it into the washer with bleach. None of the reds or greens faded
or ran but some of the quilting lines faded so that they had to redo
them. Needless to say, the quilt is GORGEOUS and I will be buying
tickets to win this one! I did ask that they not throw the packaging
away but to give it to me if they were going to, the president who is a
good customer looked at me kind of strange but said she would dig it up
for me.

Debbie in NJ

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 13:25:03 -0700 | From: Sharon Harleman Tandy <harleman [at] micron [dot] net>

Dear Jody, May I respond to your post to Xenia? I, too, am a quilt
historian and I lecture/serve on the subject of quilt care, storage,
display, and preservation. Congratulations on the muslin bags for your
quilts and for learning (the hard way, I admit) about polyurethane. My
husband has always enjoyed woodworking but he doesn’t like asking my
advice about anything (is that a “man” thing?)

Anyway he always used
polyurethane and I hated the smell. Years ago we bought an unfinished
round pine table which I decided to do all the finish work myself. I
used tung oil. It is a little tricky to work with; it’s best applied
with the bare hands. But, several coats of high-gloss will last a very
long time, it is a really hard finish, holds up really well. It is a
natural product (I say that with reservations, there must be *some*
chemicals in it but the main ingredient is, I believe, from the tung
nut.)

Anyway, after several failures of his polyurethane he tried my
tung oil and now uses it on most everything. It is safe to eat from
(some soup cans are lined with it, that sort of golden surface inside)
and if you don’t want the high-gloss, still use a couple coats of
high-gloss and follow with satin-finish; that will make the finish hard
underneath for length of life but without the shine. Looks great and
will not interact with textiles at all. I do believe, check with your
paint/stain store people, that the polyurethane would have to come off
first. Hope this helps. Sharon in Boise. Now the question is, do we
post this to the net or keep it to ourselves? I guess it falls under
general, useful information.

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 21:23:18 -0400 (EDT) | From: “Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Quilts” <oldquilt [at] albany [dot] net>

I received this inquiry from Edda Frank(efrank [at] dalco [dot] net)
>
><<
> I am searching for the history of the double wedding ring quilt. Can
> you help? Edda Frank
> >>

>From my own knowledge, I know that this pattern did not come into existence
until the 1920’s – but where did it get its name, I wonder?

Kris

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 19:38:14 -0700 | From: Diane Lockwood <dcl [at] innercite [dot] com>

I just finished a wonderful book. I hope you all haven’t already discussed
this one while my back was turned and now I’m boring you! It is “No Time On
My Hands” by Grace Snyder. Wow! What a book! I love history anyway and
reading about a quilter in a historical sense was wonderful! You’ll never
hear me complain about not enough time to get things done after reading
this book.

Grace grew up in the Nebraska prairie in the late 1800s. She tells of her
life thru hardships and joys til her 80s. She lived another 20 years after
the book was written. She doesn’t mention too much about her quilting
except as something she did along with her other chores. Then at the end of
the book there are descriptions of her incredible award winning quilts! She
and her daughter, Nellie Snyder Yost, traveled and lectured and showed her
beautiful quilts. They are known all over the world. Where have I been to
have missed this for so long?

If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it!

Have I used enough exclamation points??!!!!

Diane

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 23:37:28 -0400 (EDT) | From: Gail Wagner <dpw13 [at] mindspring [dot] com>

I don’t have any information about how this quilt came to get it’s name, but
I do have a little “trivia” that may interest some. I am a regular watcher
of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. A few seasons back, when she and Sully
married, they were given a Double Wedding Ring quilt by Dr. Quinn’s adopted
daughter. This story is set around the time that Ulysses S. Grant was
president, which was after the War Between the States but well before 1900,
and certainly well before the 1920’s when this pattern was first
introduced!!

I intended to write to the show and tell them they needed a
better technical advisor, but never got around to it. I figured it was
probably useless when, a few shows later, they showed a quilt that appeared
have some feedsack material and looked tied instead of quilted!! Just a
little trivia, that may interest some. Gail.

Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 22:30:31 -0700 | From: The Waites <swred [at] sedona [dot] net>

In responding to Edda’s question about the origin of the Double Wedding
Ring Quilt pattern, a good reference is the book “The Romance of Double
Wedding Ring Quilts” by Robert Bishop, 1989. He states in the
Introduction…”there is hardly anything in print about the history and
origin of this design. It has been largely ignored by quilt historians,
probably because none of them has been able to find ut for sure when or
where the design was created–or by whom.”

He cites several examples of 19th century ones even though we think of
it as a 20th century pattern. Personally, I have seen one and wrote to
Dr. Bishop about it. I assisted the Arizona Museum in dating some
quilts that had been loaned for an exhibit titled “Arizona Family
Quilts” in 1990. This particular quilt came with good documentation
from the family and I recognized the fabrics as last quarter 19th
century muslin, reds, blacks and pinks. They dated it 1880-90. It was
labeled “Friendship Quilt with Interlocking Rings”, a very old motif
preceding the double wedding ring pattern popular in the 1930’s. Dr.
Bishop said it was very similar to one he had in his personal
colection. He thought the pattern evolved much earlier than familiar
literature would indicate.

The mystery continues. I’m sure we’ll have lots of comments on this
subject.

Audrey Waite, Sedona, AZ (awquiltr [at] sedona [dot] net)

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 01:40:28 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com

Love the “trivia”! That’s something I would have never known save for
your sharing! and as my DH loves to say, “There’s another continuity man
looking for a job!” or in this case, an historical advisor.

This sounds like something interesting to discuss.
Will anyone please share their knowledge or stories on the origins of
some popular patterns: maybe Bethlehem Star or Log Cabin for instance?

Looking forward to something new to learn,
Kimberly in Bristol, Pennsylvania

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 01:40:43 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com

The votes are in! To bleach or not to bleach? was the questin I posed
about some time-yellowed feedsacks I bought at an auction.

>Bleach those puppies!
was one very humerous reply. And so, into the next bleach load they go!
Thanks for the response!
Kimberly (ok, now I’ll stop writing for a few days and just listen)

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 06:22:33 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com

NAY NAY on the Double Wedding Ring coming into existence early 1900’s..of all
of our quilt patterns, this one is the most recognized..even by people who
know nothing about quilting..it is as common to a pattern collection as is
casseroles to cooking files..and yet NO ONE HAS EVER DETERMINED WHO AND WHERE

There are countless stories about this pattern and I don’t know if you want
me to expound on them..but I have a photograph taken by Ann Hill of England
(who posts here now and then) in Paestrum, near Salerno, Italy, and it is the
DOUBLE WEDDING RING on a tile floor in ruins she was visiting..it is a
pattern that has wonderful stories connected to it..AND THAT’S ALL THEY
ARE..STORIES..This is one of the patterns I discuss in my lecture ‘HOW QUILT
PATTERNS WERE NAMED”..Fascinating..

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 06:25:09 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com

The LOG CABIN is another pattern from my lecture..will be glad to share if
interested..jane

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 06:30:37 -0400 (EDT) | From: AJSNGS [at] aol [dot] com

Jane and others,

Is it true that the Log Cabin pattern quilt was used in the Underground
Railroad as a symbol of a “safe” haven for escaping slaves? I’ve heard
this…might even have been on this forum…but cannot remember.

Everyone have a good and SAFE Memorial Day week-end!

Nancy in Virginia

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 07:36:31 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com

there were different patterns used..JACOB’S LADDER was another..In Germany it
was the HONEYBEE ..people wore little honeybee pins to signfy Jews could find
help..so many patterns were used..an area couls possibly have determined what
pattern they would use..possibly they used a quilt they had on hand..it might
also depend on WHERE they hung it..over the fence,over the upstairs rail of a
porch..out a window..

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 09:17:59 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com

If anyone is interested in vending at THE FEEDSACK CLUB’S quiltshow and
retreat in HASTINGS,MI..there are only 4 spaces left $15.00 (4×10 and
5×8)..please contact
DIANE HAINES 616-948-2044 asap

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 09:40:11 -0400 (EDT) | From: Sue <erroof [at] alpha [dot] wcoil [dot] com>

Hi Everyone,
I’m new (5/22) to QHL, so I’ve read “all” the mail today. Quilter’s
Newsletter Magazine(May 1997/No.292)has a wonderful article by Barbara
Brackman on antique applique(if anyone besides me is interested in
applique). Lots of history and patterns too. I have collected several 30’s
patterns, quilt tops and blocks at local estate auctions if anyone is
interested in that era. Also on the use of “bleach”, nothing stays in my
house without being WASHED, I have allergys and it is a question of
survival. But stains (yellow spots) are a thing I live with…they are a
sign of character and testify to a long life. Kind of like gray hair and
wrinkles.

Sue in Northwest Ohio

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:10:03 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com

I for one am always interested in pattern history..so much of it is folklore
but that is what makes it so interesting..so please share with all..Jane

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:12:58 -0500 (CDT) | From: Cynthia A Wall <wallcyn [at] mail [dot] auburn [dot] edu>

SNOOPY DANCE!

Went to an estate sale at lunch; came out with 3 old quilts decent shape,
for $60. One of them has another top inside – can’t wait to get into this
one (it’s sitting on the office floor, waiting for me to finish this post
and get started).

one is a modified lone star, modified Jacob’s ladder, and one patchwork
(FQ size patches).

More later, got to get unsewing!

CIndy

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 17:04:44 -0400 (EDT) | From: CToczek [at] aol [dot] com

Calling Elizabeth R. in Alberta:

I need to contact you via email, but my computer has erased my old mail file
where I had your address stored. Oops! When you return to your office,
please drop me a note.

Thanks,
Carla Toczek
CToczek [at] aol [dot] com

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 18:09:52 +0000 | From: “The Garretts” <bgarrett [at] fast [dot] net>

daughters at various pick up places, and this afternoon I turned to and read a
very interesting article about the origins of the Log Cabin Design. Apparently
it was found in Egypt, France, England, Canada and the Isle of Man before
coming to the US. A very informative, well researched article, and fits into
our present discussion.

Barb in southeastern PA

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 20:02:10 -0400 (EDT) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com

On 22-MAY-1997 09:32:18.5 debatqps said to JOCELYNM
> All blocks are dirty and I would like to soak them before going any
> further BUT, will the quilting design that is stamped onto the fabric
> disapear?
Debbie,
Bet on it. Of course, when you finish them and wash them, and WANT
the quilting design to wash out, it won’t.
Usually, it takes a couple of washings, but once I decided to take a
chance, and the first washing completely removed all of the design.
>like finished? Is there somewhere that has pictures of some of the
>old kits?
Perhaps the manufacturer does, if you know who that was. I’d doubt that
anyone else kept them, because they were probably considered too ‘common’ to
archive until they were obsolete. 🙁

Jocelyn

Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 21:11:26 -0500 (CDT)
From: Nancy Evans

At 09:30 AM 5/22/97 EDT, you wrote:
>My customer who is cleaning out her basement and bringing me lovely 30s
>quilt tops, brought in 8 eighteen inch quilt blocks from an applique kit
>(I could barely stop myself from jumping up and down when she pulled
>those out!!!). Four blocks are finished, two appliqued with embroidery
>floss and a running stitch and the other two whip stitched with
>embroidery floss, and the other 4 are in various stages of being done.
>All blocks are dirty and I would like to soak them before going any
>further BUT, will the quilting design that is stamped onto the fabric
>disapear?
>
>Does anyone have the vaguest idea of what this kit would have looked like
>finished? Is there somewhere that has pictures of some of the old kits?
>

Debbie: I don’t have any ideas about finding kit information, unless you
could get hold of some of the company’s old catalogs, or find an ad in an
old needlecraft magazine (or newspaper).

But I have a suggestion on cleaning the blocks while preserving the design.
That is: make a “back-up” copy of the quilting design you want to preserve.
Just lay a sheet of sheer tracing paper over it & mark out the quilting
design with a dot pattern. Then you can wash your blocks without worrying.
If the design does wash out, all you will have to do is pierce your paper
pattern and “re-stamp” the pattern, this time using the washout blue
markers! Looking at it this way, a washout just might be a blessing!!!

Hope this doesn’t sound too goofy. I have never been up against this type of
thing, but if I were, this is what I’d do. Anything would be better than
having to work on dirty blocks for weeks/months!
Nancy Evans – Nebraska Quilter

Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 14:40:29 +1000 | From: LiJoo <lijoo [at] vermont [dot] starway [dot] net [dot] au>

>Barb in southeastern PA
>
>wrote:
>many people appear to be answering questions directly to the person and not
to the list,
>which is not in the spirit of the list. It is upsetting to get a series of
>questions and a bunch of thank you for the
>information and no answers to the questions. Please continue to send your
>answers to the list so we all can learn.
>

I agree with you, Barb! I posted a question about a week ago, asking why it
is a problem to store quilts in plastic bags. I think most people replied to
me personally, which is fine, but I thought that we could always learn from
one another. I’m sure there are always newbies lurking on the list, who
would be interested in all the information they can get their hands on, and
in the process, also get to know all of us on the list already.

However, all this talk about sending to the list or not has made many people
fearful and cautious. I hate it! Can we pretend that all this never
happened, and go back to the way things were? The list was much more fun
then. It had personality! Remember all those jokes about ANZAC Day being an
air-conditioning day in Australia and New Zealand; adding a sheep to the
ANZAC biscuits recipe; and my all-time favourite, the one about ear spoons,
ear wax and oily hair.

If I wanted to get all serious, I would go read a book about quilts.
C’mon everyone! Let’s loosen up, relax, talk quilts, and be ourselves!

LiJoo – Melbourne, Australia

Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 14:41:50 +1000 | From: LiJoo <lijoo [at] vermont [dot] starway [dot] net [dot] au>

I put out a query about a week ago, regarding storing quilts in plastic bags
and caring for them. As I received quite a few personal replies, I thought I
would just let anyone, who might also be interested, know that if you want
me to forward the replies I got, I would be happy to share the information.

Look what all this talk about posting to the list, or not, has done to us!!
If this goes on, we are going to end up with a very cold, curt, bland list,
where everyone talks quilts like robots. Let’s stop this already, and go
back to the way things were!

Also, a huge thank you to all those wonderful people who took the time to
write me gloriously long, and short, e-mails about caring for quilts. I have
been making so many mistakes already. Leaving the quilts folded for ages,
without re-folding. Stacking them all one on top of the other, folded!
Keeping some in plastic bags. I was really glad to have so many people tell
me the all the best ways to look after quilts.

I only learnt patchwork & quilting last July and began collecting antique
quilts last November. However, I am pretty obsessed with quilts, so I have
quite a reasonable collection already and am glad that I have a better idea
as to how to care for them now. A million thanks to my wonderful “quilt care
teachers & advisers” on this list.

LiJoo – Melbourne, Australia – It’s so cold & not even winter yet!