June 17 – July 1, 1997
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:
- Fabric Dating Terms — Members work out the meaning of the term “double pink” and trace an orange fabric back to quercitron dye, with a side note on hunting down reproduction chintz. (see the article on dating quilts)
- The Quilt-Cutting Debate — The list revisits the perennial argument over cutting up damaged antique quilts, including one member’s decision to turn a worn Sunbonnet Sue quilt into keepsake mini-quilts for her daughters.
- Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Renamed — A researcher explains that today’s Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern went by Honeycomb or Hexagon in the nineteenth century. (see the article on Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts)
- Books and Exhibits Worth Chasing — Members trade requests for the Calico & Chintz reprint and Grand Endeavors, and flag a Cornell exhibit of quilts spanning several cultures.
- Guild Logistics: Grants and Insurance — A grant-writing member shares tips for funding a guild’s quilt collection, and a comparison is drawn to how a living-history group insures its textiles.
- Feedsack Club Chatter — The Feedsack Club’s founder and members swap notes on collecting stamped embroidery goods and specific feedsack prints. (see the article on the feedsack story)
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 21:57:31 -0400 (EDT) | From: “Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Quilts” <oldquilt [at] albany [dot] net>
Are there any restorers in the Buffalo NY area on this list? I have a
customer bringing me a quilt to the NQA show in Syracuse next week and I
would like to refer it to someone other than Camille or myself as we are
both overwhelmed at the moment.
Speaking of which, while looking for a fabric the other day, I noticed I had
TONS of old batting. This is the stuff in the middle of tied quilts which I
have taken apart for restoration or for fabric. Does anyone want any of
this? I will send it free to anyone who can use it, or send just a little
bit to anyone who just wants to see what it looks like. Anything to get it
out of the house.
Lastly, the new Featherweight book by Nancy Johnson-Srebo is coming! Due
out June 30th, this book will have 184 pages with color photographs divided
into 19 chapters. This book isn’t as “must have” as Just New From the
Mills, but it will be invaluable to Featherweight owners. I am taking
pre-orders now – List Price: $19.95, but your price will be 25% less. Let
me know if you are interested.
Thanks!
Kris
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 19:19:00 -0700 | From: The Waites <swred [at] sedona [dot] net>
Dear Alan:
Glad you like the book GRAND ENDEAVORS from the Arizona Quilt Project.
I worked on the project and the book for 6 years; it was a real labor of
love. Emma’s quilts are really special and generously shared by her
heirs whenever asked. I think one was in the exhibit in Paducah called
GATHERINGS. It’s in the book too.
Regarding photographing quilts before and after restoration, why don’t
you purchase a photographer’s background stand. You could make a muslin
sleeve, pin the quilt to the muslin, run it up vertically and take your
picture. These stands are used by quilters all the time to display
quilts. They are lightweight and each side telescopes up and down so
you can adjust for whatever size quilt you want to photograph. They are
available at camera shops. Costs vary but you can purchase an
inexpensive one for around $110.
Audrey Waite in sunny Sedona, AZ
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 21:57:51 -0500 | From: LAURA SYLER <texas_quilt.co [at] airmail [dot] net>
I also have a question for the restorers. How to you set up your
quilts to take your before/after pics? I lay mine on the floor (cleaned), but I
don’t like the trapezoidal effect I get when photographing the entire quilt.
Using a ladder to get above helps, but doesn’t fix it. Ideas?
Alan
>>
Dear Alan:
Thanks for the interesting info on the swastika. Really interesting
stuff, ya know! As to your question on photographing quilts for
restoration purposes. I now have a photographers stand and pin casings
to the back of the quilts and hang for photos. For the really fragile
ones I use a 4×8 sheet of plywood and prop it up as high as I can get it
on a slant so that I can get as close to an upright photo as possible
and still have the quilt supported. Many times I do close ups of the
quilt damage and wait until the project is completed to do an over all
of the whole quilt ( again with the close ups of the repaired areas) for
documentation. It works pretty well, except that I have a tendancy to
take too many photos for my files & it gets *rather expensive*….. If
you have other responses that are different, please post to the list.
I’d like to “see” alternative methods.
Later,
Laura
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 22:19:01 -0500 | From: bgroelz [at] hamilton [dot] net (Brenda Groelz)
I attended the Kansas Quilter’s Organization retreat last week and had a
wonderful time! During show and tell, one of the members stood up with a
box full of quilted items to show. As she pulled them out of their tissue
paper wrapping, she commented to the group, “This is regular tissue paper,
not that expensive acid free tissue. They’re the same thing! I have
proof! Talk to me if you don’t believe it. There is no reason to spend
all the money on expensive tissue.”
I did ask her about it. She said that she has a friend who is a chemist
who maintains that ALL tissue paper is a wood product after all. Acid free
tissue is NOT acid free, but is merely treated to keep the acid from
affecting the fabric. But, this is not forever. Eventually even the
treatment won’t keep the acid at bay, so you are recommended to change your
acid free paper once or twice a year.
This same chemist told her that regular tissue paper won’t release its acid
any faster, so you can just use regular tissue, and change it just as often
as you would acid free, and be money ahead.
NOW, PLEASE NOTE! I am soliciting opinions, but not offering one of my
own.
I really don’t know anything more about quilt conservation than what I read
in magazines, books and on QHL. So, I’m not offering this subject as a
“how to save money buying tissue paper” and I remind you that this is
something I was told, not something I’m suggesting.
. But, I’d like to hear what you more experienced quilt conservators have
to say about it. Any thoughts on the matter?
Brenda Groelz
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 07:36:12 -0400 | From: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com (Jean Ann Eitel)
hi everyone i am back from my vacation. I am also rested up a little.
when i got home i found a box with the makings of four quilts inside. three
from feedsacks and one from regular cottons.
A QUILT magazine reader sent them to me as she wasnt going to be able to
finish them. There were given to her by the newphew of the woman who made
them in the 1920’s. The woman lived in Hamilton, Ohio.
One top was finished, it is very scrappy, has feedsacks and other fabrics.
It is a Birds in the Air Pattern sewn block to block, very eclectic.
One is a Scuppernog Hill pattern with wide wedges. this is a strawberry
pink and white quilt and not finished. I had to remove one incomplete row
as there is no fabric to finish it off, then add a border. I worked out a
neat way to finish the edges of this pattern and wedding ring patterns that
is easy, easy, easy.
The other is a dresden plate with feed sack wedges in the plate but sewn on
cotton with sashings in that great lavender color so popular in the 20’s –
30’s. The round centers are anything but and very large and left to the
background fabric with reverse applique. I am appliqueing big yellow very
round centers to the plates, adding a border of reproduction yellow
squiqqly print plaid to the outside edges to finish it.
Then there is the Mars Candy Bar Box, dated 1958, that is filled with 6″
periwinkle stars, but they are not sewn into blocks. They are sewn six
together in rows of 2 stars by 3 stars to make a 12″ x 18″ rectangle. I am
planning to applique these stars onto various colors from the repro fabrics
that have the colors for that era. Then I will play with putting them into
a quilt…somehow. I have a couple of schemes in mind.. but need to finish
the blocks and see what happens. Once I took all the periwinkle stars out
of the candy box (giving a new meaning to quilter’s candy) I could not get
them back in. somehow they multiplied and I could fill two boxes and I only
have one!
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor
QUILT magazine – http://www.quiltmag.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 07:39:39 -0400 | From: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com (Jean Ann Eitel)
Elly Seinkevicz’s (can never spell that name right) has a new web address
that those intereseted in Baltimore Album quilts might want to visit.
http://members.aol.com/ellysienk/AppliqueAcademy
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor
QUILT magazine – http://www.quiltmag.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 08:33:45 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
sorry about the double post about the ROCKOME event.
Someone had posted a list of all magazines that accept info on quilt
shows/events and I loaned my copy to someone and never got it back..could
that be posted again? Thank you..Jane
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 09:17:59 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
Last year at convention, we accepted items from quilters who could not get
into the big show up the road from us, QUILTERS HERITAGE CELEBRATION..it
became clear to us that many can’t get to the big shows for one reason or
another..too far, too expensive for a booth, product doesn’t require a large
area, still has kids at home, working and cna’;t get off..so we offered to
accept their product/tool, we would demo it, hi lite it, display it,
depending on what it required..then the product was ours to add to our goody
basket raffle..since then, I have been asked what products got alot of
attention..many were patterns..books, and one in particular that was popular
with shop owers..was a square of chocolate with a quilt pattern on it..they
liked it because alot of shoppers are looking for something DIFFERENT for a
quilter who is hard to buyfor..non quilters don’t know what to buy us..KIM
BOXMEYER was the gal who sent us that..everyone wanted to buy them..but we
are not able to accept money/credit cards..but a popular item..
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 08:48:02 -0500 (CDT) | From: JP1311S [at] ACAD [dot] DRAKE [dot] EDU
I have written one grant proposal and it’s a really big job, almost a
part time job. Your public library should be able to help you, as they
write proposals often. Some libraries employ somone to just do that,
(very big systems). I am a children’s librarian. Oh, I just remembered
another grant I wrote. ONe was in conjunction with a school and we
were not accepted. Another was with the Iowa Arts Council to get
grant money to have a professional puppetry team come to our library
for our grand opening of our new building. I was accepted for that
one. I suggest you find someone in the field who would be willing to
read and reread your proposal. Ask the library to help you — the
bir the library, the more experience and information they will have
for you.
That word up there should be bigger, not bir.
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 20:43:02 -0400 (EDT) | From: LISA108 [at] delphi [dot] com
The medieval group I belong to has an umbrella policy covering all branches.
The seneschal, or administrative officer, of each local group is responsible
for calling the central offices in California and getting a certificate each
year that can be copied and given to the owner of each event site. Most
groups hold 3-4 individual events per year, so having that certificate is a
must!
Lisa evans
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 21:04:30 -0400 (EDT) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 17-JUN-1997 19:47:22.3 JBCStewart said to JOCELYNM
>daughters. To me that was a way to keep her in mind, whereas having
>the quilt that couldn’t be used folded up in my closet would have kept
>her hidden. So, that is just a thought to think about. I,too, have
Hi!
Our family had a Sunbonnet Sue quilt that was heavily used by all three
of us girls, to the point that the top row of blocks was disintegrating. My
mother tried to restore it, but eventually decided that the REAL solution
was to make mini-quilts of it, so that each of us could have a piece,
instead of creating ONE quilt that had sentimental value for all of her
daughters to fight over! She took another quilt and, after discarding
the worn blocks, had enough to give each of the grandchildren of my
grandmother a block for framing, at a family reunion. As the only daughter
of her mother, she’d inherited all the quilts, and she didn’t think it was
right that the other grandkids not have some (but there weren’t enough
quilts to go around!).
Jocelyn
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 21:30:53 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
I was just talking with JOAN KNIGHT who is the curator of the VIRGINIA QUILT
MUSEUM in Harrisonburg, VA..they have four feedsack exhibits going in 4
different locations down thru the Shenondoah valley..hundreds and hundreds of
items to see seen..including alot of WW I memorabilia and old tools that
interest the men..I wanted to tell you about one item of great interest..One
of the exhibits is at the WOODROW WILSON MUSEUM and uinbeknownst to them, in
their collection, they found a feedsack that was sooo covered by
embroidery..you have NO IDEA IT IS A SACK..covered from top to bottom and
side to side..it was embroidered by a lady flrom Albania during the NRA
happening..and the embroidery is a portrait of WOODROW WILSON.. I can’t wait
to see it..BY ALL MEANS, try to get to the area and see these exhibits of so
much history..if you need info on them, I’ll be happy to post the info
again..Jane
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 07:09:48 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
When I was posting about the LOG CABIN pattern and a mummy wrapped in one and
rested in a museum in CA.., not the most recent thread about it, someone
posted back that the museum/mummy (a cat) was in ???? was it San Diego??
hope that person will fill us in again..jane
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 08:14:47 +0100 | From: The Lesters <jeanntom [at] utkux [dot] utcc [dot] utk [dot] edu>
I don’t know if ya’ll do intros on here or not, so decided to do it anyway.
Was feeling like I was being sneaky, lurking here in the shadows.
I’m Jean Lester in Tennessee. I make quilts (well, I start quilts) and
repair/restore quilts. I belong to all of the quilt groups that take
members.
I have noticed several people, that I know, posting and there are probably
more in the shadows–right? Hi Merikay, Pat, Pam.
I have one piece of information to pass along. That reproduction 30’s pink
WILL NOT fade. I needed 3 shades lighter to put in an old quilt and tried
everything including the By Jupiter stuff–not one shade!
I use a clothesline to photograph the befores and afters but if I need it,
I have a friend that has the photographer’s stand. If someone else hasn’t
borrowed it.
Jean And yes, I know I have one of the longest addresses known to the
Internet.
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 97 05:18:16 -0700 | From: beth_novak [at] om [dot] cv [dot] hp [dot] com
Can anyone explain to me what is meant by the term “double pink” and what it
means historicaly?
Beth
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 08:34:36 -0400 (EDT) | From: Quilt97 [at] aol [dot] com
> Our family had a Sunbonnet Sue quilt that was heavily used by all
three
of us girls, to the point that the top row of blocks was disintegrating. My
mother tried to restore it, but eventually decided that the REAL solution
was to make mini-quilts of it, so that each of us could have a piece,
instead of creating ONE quilt that had sentimental value for all of her
daughters to fight over>
Jocelyn,
What a great idea! A friend of mine had a similar situation, and had teddy
bears made for each great-grandchild her grandmother’s chenille bedspread.
Elisabeth in south Texas
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 08:43:23 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net>
Hi, Beth and QHLers –
Double pink is a term used to describe the pinks of the second half of
the 19th century, which were reddish-pink background with a second,
darker pink overprinted, usually in a tiny floral or “squiggly” design
referred to as seaweed or vermiculite. There were literally hundreds of
these designs printed; quilters “read” the color as red, and used it in
combination with clear reds, but also used it in other combinations in
quilts. It was also used for girls’ dresses. The design concept and
color, with modifications for current fashion, has been revived several
times: in the 1920s, during the “Colonial Revival,” when quilters were
striving for an old-fashioned look; in the 1970s, during the
Bicentennial phase; in the 1980s; and now. For the best reference, see
Barbara Brackman, Clues in the Calico (a must-have, anyway), where she
talks about the many different names for this generic fabric. Current
usage runs to terms like “bubblegum pink,” which is descriptive of the
color of some of the fabrics, but not an appropriate way to describe
something from the 19th century, pre-bubblegum.
Xenia, in Indiana
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 10:06:05 -0400 (EDT) | From: CToczek [at] aol [dot] com
I am perplexed and hope someone can offer some insight into the following
problem.
My c. 1900 string-pieced, shirting-sashed, wool-batted, heavy country quilt
bled when I washed it yesterday; however the color bleeding didn’t come from
the obvious spots…seams. The details are as follows: I purchased this
quilt several years ago because I liked the orderly look the quilter had
created by sashing the strings with the striped shirting prints. I knew it
felt heavy and suspected there might be another quilt inside. Correct! The
binding has worn in places and, upon inspection, I found the edges of a VERY
worn and fragile quilt inside. Don’t get excited, no fabulous pieced
treasure there. By opening seams randomly across the top, I realized that
the quilter had used a deteriorated wholecloth, homespun quilt as her
batting… with wool as the original batting. The color of the homespun is
brown, but along seams I found traces of a gray-blue color which is beside
the point, anyway.
Back to the beginning: I decided to wash the quilt after noticing some dirt
spots on the top, possibly from little hands that like to touch the quilt on
the quilt rack! After water testing the darker colors-successfully- I
washed the quilt in the tub with ORVUS, rinsed well and sun-dried it in the
yard between sheets. Then I found the bleeding (not in the tub, after it
had laid out for a while.) Again, not at the seams, but as brown color
striations streaking through the larger fabric pieces…i.e. pink with brown,
gray with brown, shirtings with brown. Seems to be coming from INSIDE the
quilt, so my best guess is the dye of the ENCLOSED quilt has bled. Am I on
target here? Now what do I do? A hard lesson learned!
Help,
Carla in hot and sunny Texas
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 10:28:13 -0400 (EDT) | From: JQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
After reading the “To cut or not to cut, up old quilts” discussion over and
over again at regular intervals….I want to ask, is anyone else as tired of
this thread as I am now,
and have been in *all* of the previous discussions about the subject?…
Good Night! It’s your quilt do what you want with it… unless what you do
with it is something so new and different, you think *no body* has ever heard
of it…
jean
jquilt [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 10:35:52 -0600 | From: Elizabeth Richards <elizabeth.richards [at] ualberta [dot] ca>
This isn’t exactly a quilting story but my mother has cancer and isn’t very
sick yet but has been using the last six months to tell us “stories” about
her life and about her mother. Her mother was a quilter as was her aunt.
All my aunts sew beautifully but do not quilt. My mother doesn’t sew
because when they sat around the dining room table to mend one sister would
do her mending if she would read out loud to everyone. This would be in the
1920’s when the five girls were teens.
They received tatting pieces in every letter that my Grandmother was sent by
Auntie Doctor (so called because she was a doctor in Missouri after about
1900 – real name Sophie). My grandmother made underwear for the girls from
flour sacks. A neighbour commented once that it amused her to see my
Mother’s underwear with a picture of Robin Hood on the seat and the
underwear legs beautifully decorated with tatting.
I will try to unearth my information on acid free tissue and give a proper
answer but that might not be until September when I am getting my lecture
ready. Here’s an answer from my head.
There are different kinds of tissue used in museums – acid free
and buffered. The acid free is nuetral, pH=7. The buffered paper is
somewhat basic. It is felt that having nuetral materials with fabrics is
desirable because the degradation products of wood/paper are acid and will
eventually degrade textiles. The acid free paper doesn’t stay acid free
forever and will eventually have to be replaced (but after years not
months). (We have been using ours for about 10 years so I suppose it might
be wise to test it.) It is expensive and sometimes I think a better
alternative is to buy unbleached muslin and wash it and use it the way you
would tissue.
–
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 19:42:44 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
I would like to add to Beth’s question about double pink..it is also called
‘bubble gum’ poink, and I can understand that..but another name is PORTUGUESE pink..hope I spelled that right..Any input on that?? good question, Beth..
Jane
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 21:05:11 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
I know of a lady who seeks a supplier of stamped embroidered goods..she has
the names of DEMPSEY, FAIRWAY, TOBIN, AND BRUCILLA., also DESIGN for the
NEEDLE..does anyone know of any others? She is also looking for appliqu�
kits wholesale, and unquilted baby quilts..please email me privately..Jane
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 20:12:58 -0500 | From: LAURA SYLER <texas_quilt.co [at] airmail [dot] net>
Phyllis Twigg wrote:
>
> Today I came home with a box of 21 blocks which were paper-pieced
> onto newspapers dated October 1917. The blocks are strip pieced with a
> wonderful assortment of fabrics from 19l7 and earlier. Although I bought
> these blocks at an antique mall in Easton, Maryland, I would guess the
> blocks were machine stitched in Texas, as the newspaper used for the
> foundation is The Dallas Morning News . The articles are facinating to
> read, eg. Mexican horse thieves being pursued by the 4th Dakota Infantry,
> war news from Berlin, a political cartoon on U.S. Navy Recruiting, World
> Series baseball in Boston ( vs. Brooklyn), etc.
> The social comments are quite interesting. For example, “A great deal
> has been said and written about the educational value of the moving
> pictures, and something also about their moral effect on the young.”
> My favorite, however, is the following: “I believe there should be a law
> passed prohibiting the making of clothing that is not decent to wear. Some
> people buy nearly all their wearing apparel ready made and they buy these
> tight skirts and slit skirts because there are no others on the market. I
> would get the cloth and work a week on a dress before I would wear one that
> showed my stockings half way to my knees.” The stitching goes throught he
> paper right there and cuts it off, so I will never know how this poor woman
> presented the rest of her dilemma.
> Yes, I did buy them for the fabrics on the front, but I’ve spent more
> time looking on the back.
> Phyllis
Phyllis:
What do you plan to do with the blocks? I have some that I got from my
grandmother and took to the copier and copied the paper side for
posterity before removing the papers ( I saved what I could of those,
too) If you do make copies, I’d love to see them sometime.
Laura
In Richardson, just north of “Big D”
-Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 22:18:09 -0400
From: “Phyllis Twigg” <ptwigg [at] radix [dot] net>
To:
Carla, I have Blockbase on my computer (Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia).
I’ve frequently seen Kansas City Star patterns mentioned as a reference. Do
you know if the 1,001 patterns are included in her work ?
Thanks, Phyllis
———-
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 21:46:43 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net>
Hello to all: That “orange” fabric Hiranya asks about was in some
instanced dyed with quercitron, which I believe was derived from some
part of the oak tree. Antique dealers don’t call it “Cheddar” for
nothing! In poorer grades of fabric where there is extensive sizing and
excess dye, and a low thread count, this stuff will turn your hands
yellow (like eating Cheetos!) and will continue to bleed forever. Also
quilts with this as a part of the design may transfer color from that
fabric to others if folded and stored in a moist or humid atmosphere –
just the contact between fabrics will cause the transfer.
Washing quilts with this color can be dicey – it is possible to end up
with a yellowish cast to other fabrics, without measurably improving the
quercitron colored fabric itself. Best advice is to lie down until the
urge to wash the quilt goes away!
Xenia
(I will summarize the excellent conference in Paducah on 20th century
quiltmaking in a day or so)
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 23:04:57 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com
FWI’sW
This is a closed item from the ebay auction web. The seller speaks very
highly of this quilt that was quilted in India. At least (s)he’s honest
about it up front. Seller was asking $245 to start the auction. No one
bid.
I’d like to hear feedback on this.
<A HREF=”http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=bgb3340″>AuctionWeb
Item
bgb3340 – ‘Hearts’ Quilt *PIC*
>>The highest quality textiles have long been a trademark of India and
>>this quilt stands true to that tradition. DESIGNED IN THE U.S. and
>>hand-quilted in India, this new, large king measuring 100 x 110 is made
>>of downy-soft 100% cotton and features a border of mauve hearts joined
>>by a country blue sash, with pastel block-prints throughout. This quilt
>>features eight stitches per inch, a finished edge and an abundance of
>>beautiful hand-quilting to secure the 100% cotton batting.
>>Please take the time to view the picture as it is well worth it! Feel
>>free to e-mail us for the close-up shot of this quilt.
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 23:17:12 -0700 | From: bwblack [at] sprynet [dot] com (Barbara Black)
I need some information on what quilters charge to hand quilt bed sized quilts,
and also finishing ufo’s (hand applique, binding, etc.) I have several friends
who would like some ideas of what others charge, as they are taking on these
types of projects. Perhaps posting to the list would help others, too.
TIA, Barbara Wunder Black
bwblack [at] sprynet [dot] com
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 17:50:34 -0700 | From: nomad1 [at] ibm [dot] net
Hi Xenia,
Many thanks for your info. You are soooo right mate! That yellow kept
coming no matter how much I rinsed so I finally did stop. Fortunately
for me I washed it alone so it did not get onto other stuff. The quilt
is dry & hanging up in my sitting room & looks lovely, though up close
it still looks grotty in places.
I will put a tag at the back, so that some day when I pop off, this info
will not be lost!
Susanne ( suewho) my pal in Ohio, reminded me of that Buttermilk receipe
that washes off stains too & when queried about bugs growing, reminded
me oh so gently as is her lovely manner to wash with detergent
afterwards! Duh! as my son would say! I can be a Dundahead at times
Susanne! Thanks mate! Much appreciated. Susanne, did post the receipe to
QHL earlier, if you did not get it & would like it, I am sure S will
post again.
Hiranya :>)
While you guys are toasting, we Down Under are trying to warm our
toesies..purposely in this chilly weather!!
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 07:22:27 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com
In case anyone is interested:
A while back, there was some discussion about cigarette flanals. There
are
some up for auction at ebay. Here’s one of them. There are other
cigarette textile collectibles too.
<A HREF=”http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=yyl34261″>AuctionWeb
Item
yyl34261 – 1930’s Cigarette Pro
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 07:43:44 -0500 | From: LAURA SYLER <texas_quilt.co [at] airmail [dot] net>
Barbara Black wrote:
>
> I need some information on what quilters charge to hand quilt bed sized quilts,
> and also finishing ufo’s (hand applique, binding, etc.) I have several friends
> who would like some ideas of what others charge, as they are taking on these
> types of projects. Perhaps posting to the list would help others, too.
> TIA, Barbara Wunder Black
> bwblack [at] sprynet [dot] com
Barbara:
Perhaps you missed the posts a while back. I am working on a research
article compiling information on labor costs for hand piecing, quilting,
applique as well as machine methods of the same and how they vary in
different parts of the country.
To All: I AM STILL COLLECTING INFO IF YOU HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME. I am
moving into phase II and will be sending the questionnaire to quilt
guilds. I have contacted several publications and asked if they would be
interested in assisting in the research and am waiting to hear from
them.Barbara, if you would like a summary of the info I have so far
e-mail me privately. I have a growing list of others that are waiting
for the results. However, the info is slow in coming.
Laura
Summer has set in in N. Texas 106 THI yesterday
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 07:35:52 -0500 | From: LAURA SYLER <texas_quilt.co [at] airmail [dot] net>
KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com wrote:
>
> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 1997 01:32:03 -0400 (EDT)
>
> FWI’sW
> This is a closed item from the ebay auction web. The seller speaks very
> highly of this quilt that was quilted in India. At least (s)he’s honest
> about it up front. Seller was asking $245 to start the auction. No one
> bid.
>
> I’d like to hear feedback on this.
>
> <A HREF=”http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=bgb3340″>AuctionWeb
> Item
> bgb3340 – ‘Hearts’ Quilt *PIC*
> >>The highest quality textiles have long been a trademark of India and
> >>this quilt stands true to that tradition. DESIGNED IN THE U.S. and
> >>hand-quilted in India, this new, large king measuring 100 x 110 is made
> >>of downy-soft 100% cotton and features a border of mauve hearts joined
> >>by a country blue sash, with pastel block-prints throughout. This quilt
> >>features eight stitches per inch, a finished edge and an abundance of
> >>beautiful hand-quilting to secure the 100% cotton batting.
> >>Please take the time to view the picture as it is well worth it! Feel
> >>free to e-mail us for the close-up shot of this quilt.
This is just the kind of quilts that they were selling at Arbor Rose in
Childress last Winter. The ones they had, workmanship was fair to good,
fabric selection was odd, definately not P&B, Hoffman or anything else I
recognized. AYS…At least they are honest about where they are made.
Laura
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 09:08:07 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
in reply to MARY CROSS..when I selected a name for THE FEEDSACK CLUB, I felt
‘feedsack’ encompassed them all, almost like being ‘generic’..they are
referred to as flour bag, flour sack, sugar sack, sugar bag, salt sack, salt
bag..
in Ar they are referred to as ‘chicken linen’..in some areas they are known
as ‘pretties’..
.when we went to the store we came home with a ‘bag’ of groceries, my aunt
who lived in the country brought hers home in a ‘poke’..at my home in
Pittsburgh, cannded food is in a ‘jar’..at my home in VA..it is in a
‘tin’..so either and any can be proper., Flour, salt, sugar, rice..all are
FED..a bag is a bag..
Mary, you also mentioned the bags at the HOOVER MUSEUM..I am proud to say
that one of members, BELLE HINKHOUSE, was one of those instrumental in
bringing about the book written on the bags that went to Belgium..some of the
slides of those bags are in my program I use for lecturing, and also in ANNA
LUE COOK’S book ‘TEXTILE BAGS (another description) THE FEEDING AND CLOTHING
OF AMERICA..AN IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE..for we collectors of
feedsacks..a bible on bags..and I would like to mention that in OCT , ANNA &
I will be in BEMIS, TN..for a special feedsack event.JUDSON BEMIS being one
of the forerunners in making bags..email if more info..jane of THE FEEDSACK
CLUB
www2.netcom.com/~leelman/feedsack.html
www.his.com/~queenb/feedsack.html
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 12:22:26 -0400 (EDT) | From: QuiltFixer [at] aol [dot] com
Hi, I’m back after a trip and a return to family illness. Now able to enjoy
the QHL postings again.
I hope those of you who take Quilter’s Newsletter Mag. read and enjoyed the
article about our San Jose Museum of Quilts and Testiles. I am a volunteer
there and work on the collection. It’s a wonderful and worhthwhile thing to
do. I am learning something everytime I go. If you are ever in the vicinity
of San Jose, Calif., be sure to come and see us.
I am presently reparing a 1800’s quilt that is very similar to the l930’s
Grandmother’s Flower Garden. I would like to know the name of the block to
tell my customer. If any of you know what, if anything, it was called in the
1800’s, please help me out.
I will be working on a beautiful Crazy Quilt next. (late 1800’s) I am
looking for scraps of brocade and silk. Do any of you have some to share
and trade? I hate to go out and buy, would rather have the fun collecting
for this project. I know they can not be 1800’s, but might find some that
are not available today. Would appreciate your help.
I enjoy this list so very much and have already used some of the information
I have learned!
Toni Baumgard
QuiltFixer [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 09:30:10 -0700 | From: “the great and mighty oz” <osborne [at] iinet [dot] com>
Norma,
I don’t have first hand knowledge, but it seems to me that June was having
health problems. I wonder if she moved?
I’d try writing to her in care of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine. They’re
sure to have her current address, as she lives in Colorado and keeps in
contact with them. They won’t give you her address over the phone, so
you’ll have to do it through the mail.
I’ll ask around here and see if I can come up with something for you, but
it seems she’s sort of dropped out of the picture for a bit.
Brenda Groelz
Gray Wind Publishing
Brenda Groelz Designs Foundation Patterns
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 13:56:30 -0400 (EDT) | From: KirkColl [at] aol [dot] com
There has been lots of discussion about chintz recently. We currently have
some glorious chintz from the 1820’s and 30’s up through the 1860’s — the
prices range from $125 to $275 per yard.
If you need chintz for a restoration or for samples for your collections let
me know. This is all lightly or never used — great condition. We have
color photos available on private page on our website. Send an e-mail if
you’d like to take a look and I’ll send the address.
Just a comment on quilt top prices from a dealer’s point of view. Fabrics
from the 1930’s are now selling for $20-$25 per yard and more. Much higher
for clean, nice 19th century. A good quilt top that is clean and ready to
quilt for $100-$125 is a real bargain when you figure you don’t have to to
the piecing and you are getting 5-8 yards of fabric.
Regards,
Nancy Kirk
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:59:32 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com
Does any one know where I might find a picture(s) of clothers worn by
toddlers during the 1920’s or 30’s or 40’s, especially what may have been
made from feedsacks? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
@>–>– @>–>– @>–>– @>–>– @>–>–
Kimberly J. Boxmeyer (kboxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com)
Bristol, PA
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 97 16:50:15 PDT | From: John & Cinda Cawley <cawley [at] epix [dot] net>
The Johnson Museum at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York is showing
Uncommon Quilts: Treasures of the New York State Historical Association from
now until August 24. I saw the exhibit last June in Cooperstown and plan to
see it again. There’s a little of everything in this exhibit, as there
appears to be in the Association’s collection. There is an amzing pictorial
applique known as “The Commerce Quilt” which depicts the activity on the
Delaware River c. 1835, a spectacular chintz Star of Bethlehem, wonderful
whitework, a Carolina Lily in a four block set with a border of those funny
little trees that quiltmakers in upstate NY favored in the mid-nineteenth
century. The museum is open Tue.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., phone (607)
255-6464. It is one of my favorite college museums; the building is great,
designed by I.M.Pei, it is as “high above Cayuga’s waters” as you can get
and the view is wonderful. One of those never ending magazine lists
recently rated Ithaca as the most enlightened city in the U.S. That may be
open to debate, but it’s a lovely town and fun to visit, lots of great
restaurants. Hope some of you can get there.
Cinda
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 97 17:14:30 PDT | From: John & Cinda Cawley <cawley [at] epix [dot] net>
What we now think of as Grandmother’s Flower Garden was called Honeycomb
or Hexagon in the nineteenth century.
Cinda in Scranton
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 97 16:36:47 PDT | From: “Tuck” <kyort [at] nemonet [dot] com>
After a friday that ranks as one of my top ten WORST day I had a saturday
gift from
the quilting gods.
DH and I went on R & R to a farm auction. Just for fun. Not in quest of
the
perfect antique or anything. There was a box of plain white feedsacks
(great for repair or
reproduction) I got the box (and three other boxes) for $5. I looked
into the other boxes,
and found that I also had a dozen feedsack pillow cases.
And a small flat box….unopened….
containing a pair of Red Ryder Junior Suspenders. With Bright
cowboys….That one little box
should pay for my fabric for a month!!!
And I got an old wooden ironing board – for $4 going price in the shops is
$25.
And a garbage bag with old material & a stack of print feedsacks was mine
for $3.00. Wait – it gets better!
At home I pulled out the feedsacks to pet them….and I kept going in the
bag…
Stuck at the bottom were
18 Dresden plate blocks
36 large bow tie blocks
28 nine patch blocks in all sorts of wonderful vintage plaids.
AND we ran into a buddy who deals in antiques – he asked me if i would be
interested in
the cute little black sewing machine he’d just gotten. He quoted me the
model number, and a fair price
(it was all I could do to keep from dancing!!) I went to his house and,
you guessed it – a fabulous
Featherweight – complete with attachments, case, book, and the top tray to
the case!!! I was so excited my
hands were shaking.
Sometimes Things do go right!
Just had to share….
Cindy
“I don’t want that much organization in my life!!! I want my Junior
Mints!!”
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 18:37:47 -0400 (EDT) | From: AJSNGS [at] aol [dot] com
Cindy, It sounds like you had a wonderful day at the farm auction on
Saturday! We all wish for finds like that!
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 19:45:00 -0400 (EDT) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 28-JUN-1997 12:18:41.3 nanday1 said to JOCELYNM
> Hello. I need your help! I have been lurking and reading the posts on
> this list and have come to the conclusion that the people here know
> their quilts! I realize this is not necessarily on topic, but I need to
> know how to wash new fabric! I have about 30 or so yards of recently
> purchased new fabric that I want to wash so that I do not have any
> problems with bleeding after the quilting projects are completed. Is
>is okay to wash multiple similar colored fabrics together? Do I need to
> add vinegar or some other product other than laundry detergent to the
> wash? I want to wash and iron my fabric this weekend so that I can
Angel,
I realize I’m answering this too late for you cutting out the quilt
this weekend, but here’s my method.
I soak the fabric in extremely hot water. If I bought several pieces
together, they all get soaked together. <G> I check it after a few minutes,
and if the water is colored, I put in a piece of white fabric and let it
soak, too. If after several hours of soaking (including draining and
refilling with hot water), the white fabric is still white, it’s a GO.
The hot water will shrink the fabric as much as it can possibly shrink.
I do this the day I bring the fabric home, to get rid of any finishes that
might be on it, as I am allergic to some fabric finishes.
I use this technique for quilting and clothing construction fabric, and
have never had a garment shrink or bleed later.
I don’t like to use the washer, even for large quantities of fabric,
because cut edges will fray. Using a sink or a washtub for soaking smaller
amounts of fabric means the fabric comes out less frazzled. I then hang it
on a drying rack and let it air dry, because the dryer will fray cut edges,
too.
Jocelyn
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 19:45:08 -0400 (EDT) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 29-JUN-1997 10:32:47.5 texas_quilt.co said to JOCELYNM
> collection. Much more affordable than DMG’s. I have over 500 original
> clippings that were given to me years ago, but would like to have them
> in chronological order (most of mine have the dates omitted).
Laura,
There is an index book, where the patterns are described by name. I
don’t think it lists the actual publication dates, just the page number, but
on the actual page, there’s the publication date.
Have you tried getting these books via Interlibrary Loan?
Jocelyn
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 19:53:50 -0400 (EDT) | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
Kim, I have a little sunsuit and also a romper suit, hand embroidered..they
are part of my items I use in lecturing..and part of THE FEEDSACK CLUB’S
exhibit.not for sale, tho..jane
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 21:08:22 -0700 | From: “MaryAnn Beattie” <maryann [at] nb [dot] net> (by way of Quilting Heritage
ListServ <qrs [at] mail [dot] albany [dot] net>)
To: QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com
Subject: QHL: Re: ….The auction gods smiled on me
Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970630235816.4347af16 [at] mail [dot] albany [dot] net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
>Sometimes Things do go right!
>Just had to share….>
>”I don’t want that much organization in my life!!! I want my Junior
>Mints!!”
Hey Cindy,
WOW! you did hit the jackpot…! Congratulations on the quilt blocks,
fabric and machine …good things always happen to parrot-heads (‘-D)!
Brenda, I just might have to have that pink flamingo pattern…
“If we weren’t all crazy…we would go insane…”
Mary Ann
maryann [at] nb [dot] net – “Growing old disgracefully” in Apollo, in SW Pennsylvania
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 21:08:24 -0700 | From: mlhinc [at] swbell [dot] net (by way of Quilting Heritage ListServ
<qrs [at] mail [dot] albany [dot] net>)
To: QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com
Subject: QHL: Unidentified subject!
Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970630235818.4347883c [at] mail [dot] albany [dot] net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
I am mending old quilts found in east texas and want to know more about
native american indian quilting history. thanks, Mar.
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 11:47:44 0100 | From: “Audrey Cameron” <audrey.cameron [at] virgin [dot] net>
Someone on QuiltBee list asked about the origin of prairie points. That
seems a good question for this list. Any ideas?
Audrey
aurdrey.cameron [at] virgin [dot] net
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 13:52:56 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/ is the address for the ebay auction web. It is
an auction that is run via the world wide web. People from all across
the States (and elsewhere I assume) put up stuff for auction they want to
sell quickly. The auctions usually last 7 days. Lots of antiques,
collectibles, and vintage items including quilts and tops.
@>–>–
Kimberly J. Boxmeyer (kboxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com)
Kimberly’s Confections
PO Box 1206, Bristol, PA
phone: 215-788-1010 fax: 215-788-8988
creator of a Chocolate Quilt and other quilt related chocolate products
member of The Feedsack Club: Put our April convention in Lancaster, PA
on your calendar for a great time to learn about, buy, sell, and swap
sacks!
www2.netcom.com/~leelman/feedsack.html
www.his.com/~queenb/feedsack.html
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 14:39:56 -0400 (EDT) | From: KBoxmeyer [at] aol [dot] com
Some machines, like mine, have different spin cycle settings, esp
designed for delicates. Probably better to use the slower cycles for
delicate quilts.
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 17:09:43 -0400 (EDT) | From: Quiltfix [at] aol [dot] com
Not much going on here, but after reading Nancy’s note, I had to put in my
own two cents. Her chintz is gorgeous! I used it for the broderie perse I
just finished restoring (talk about serendipity – she got the fabric about
the same time I got the job). Definitely worth a look.
Alan
