November 18 – 23, 2003
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:
- “Pattern Quilts” vs. “Sampler Quilts” Terminology — An extended discussion distinguishes pattern quilts (utilitarian block catalogues) from sampler quilts, dating the pattern-quilt tradition to around 1870. (see the article on cotton and textile terms)
- Using Interlibrary Loan for Journal Article Research — A librarian member explains how the interlibrary loan system can help track down out-of-print quilt-related journal articles.
- Selling an Extensive Antique Quilt Collection — A member seeks advice on behalf of a client looking to sell or place a large antique quilt collection.
- Remembering Quilt Dealer Laurene Sinema — Members share condolences and personal memories following news of Laurene Sinema’s death.
- A Notable Letter from the QuiltHistory.com Website — Kris shares an interesting letter received through the QuiltHistory.com contact form.
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: “Bonnie Dwyer” <bonniedwyergwi.net>
Hi there,
Bonnie Dwyer, quilting librarian from Maine here.
I always urge folks to use their local, or nearby larger, libraries to request photocopies of journal articles via interlibrary loan (ILL). Maine and many other states have a wonderful ILL systems which allow one to request copies of anything in print (sometimes for a fee, sometimes free depending on the library filling the request), as long as you have the citation, or at least the journal name, date, and pages wanted. Most libraries that are part of a system will be pleased to fill such a request. It’s what we do!
Good luck. Bonnie in Maine where last year’s drought is *history*
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 19:23:28 EST | From: Edwaquilt@
I am looking for the remaining pages of an article published in “Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation” magazine in June 1930. The article is titled “Distilling History from Quilt Names” by Thelma Brackett. The article follows the article by William and Edna Dunton titles “Quilts and Quilting”. I copied the Dunton article some years from the periodical at the Library of Congress and didn’t see to get all the pages of the Brackett article. If no one has this article then I will try and get back to the Library of Congress and get the remaining pages.
Holice
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: <mreich@>
Bonnie is absolutely right about the (ILL) system. It is an armchair approach to research. I search at home and at my leisure. If I see something of interest I simply hit the “Request” button and within a few days the book is at my local library to be picked up. My local librarian is so helpful and is thrilled that the (ILL) system is being used by someone local. It is amazing just how many nineteenth century books I have been able to access this way. Many are these kept in the “Connecticut Rooms” of the local libraries, however, and are for research purposes only. By searching this way, at least you know where to go to access them. Bonnie, my question is this “Can I cross state lines with requests?” sue reich
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: “Mary Furber” <maryfurber.com>
Hello everyone,
I normally just lurk quietly, but got something in the mail today that I want to share. I went to see the exhibit at the Shelburne the week before they closed, and they were out of the exhibit books. I received my copy of the second printing in the mail today, and was reminded of how wonderful these quilts are. The news is that they are going to hold over the exhibit through next year, open May 1 – October 31, 2004. Anyone that did not get a chance to see them this year has a second chance. I may go again, and bring my husband this time!
Mary Furber Portsmouth NH
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: Kris Driessen
Occasionally, I get some really wonderful letters via the QuiltHistory.com website. I thought y’all might be interested int his one.
> This site is AMAZING! Thirty years ago I did some quilting, > self-taught but admired by friends and family. I gave up quilting > because I was a mom and held down a career, and time was scarce. > Recently I knitted a queen size bedspread for my grandson using the > LOG CABIN pattern. I want to know the story behind the symbolic use > of colors. The red center is the hearth…. but what else follows > on? I knew already that the black center was (might have been) a > signal to the Underground Railroad for escaping slaves. But what is > the legend behind the red center and pinks etc?
> I am sure someone on this excellent website can tell me > Your website has so inspired me that I want to take up quilting > once again and I shall join the Quakers Quilters’ Circle which > meets about 16 miles from me. Thank you for such an AMAZING treat! > How did I find you? I surfed “Quilt History” and you arrived. > Caroline Bariteau E-mail: cbcymru@ Phone # 540-822-9000
forwarded by Kris
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: “crossland_n_j Crossland”
Does anyone know of references to the term “Pattern Quilts”? Pattern Quilts were made from blocks that women made to use as a pattern. Blocks were sent in the mail to share and sometimes these “Pattern blocks” were made into a “Pattern Quilt.” These quilts are now called Samplers. Is there a period of time where these type of quilts were called Pattern quilts and are now called samplers? Does anyone know anything else about this, or is Pattern Quilt a bad term to use?
Julie Crossland, Hudson, NH
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 | From: “Newbie Richardson”
Dear List, I have a client/friend with an extensive antique quilt collection. She is interested in publishing some of her quilts’ patterns. Is there a comprehensive source for currently available quilt patterns ( not books, but individually packaged pattern with instructions) so she could see where the “holes” in the available patterns are. No sense reinventing the wheel!- or does the world need another quilt pattern from a period quilt? Thanks, Newbie Richardson Alexandria, VA
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 | From: “Jean Carlton” <jeancarlton@>
Sharon Newman’s Treasures From Yesteryear, Book One, pp. 58-64 discusses this type of quilt and has two examples.
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 | From: “Maurice Northen” <3forkshighstream.net>
Yes, Jean is correct. Sharon Newman’s book dates pattern quilts 1870. She has 2 photos. I have an article where they are called a quilt catalogue. If you want photos from the book, we will need permission? Joan of the South
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 | From: Teri Klassen <teresakbloomington.in.us>
Pilar – Bravo on your quilt history talk. It’s great you could introduce quilting to a who new group of women. Otra vez! Teri in Bloomington Indiana
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 | From: “Phyllis Twigg” <ptwigg@>
Fran Fitz (from Maryland) asked me to let others know that she will be off-line for a while. Unfortunately when she came home this afternoon she discovered her house had been burglarized. Parts of her computer were taken as well as her cameras, etc. If you need her address or phone number, please contact me privately. Phyllis Twigg
Thought I would send this out to the group: I am considering a backup iron and wondered of any one had any thoughts on cordless irons, good, bad or indofferent? I was thinking of the Orek iron, are there more out there? Marcia Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, Texas 512/502-0383 www.texasquiltappraiser.com
Hi Marcia, I have a Panasonic and like it a lot. Has it’s pros and cons. I like the freedom of no cord…great for basting with fusible batting, and great that the kiddies don’t get snagged in the wire. It doesn’t hold its heat for long, though. But when it’s first charged it is very hot and I can press the wrinkles out of anything. Mine is about 4 years old…went for $99, then, and I got it on ebay for half price. I heard Maytag just came out with one but I haven’t gotten around to checking it out yet. I am pretty sure Rowenta has one, too, but I am not a Rowenta fan, just my personal opinion, I know some people swear by them. Good luck, Dana, NJ Material Pleasures www.rubylane.com/shops/materialpleasures
I have an old Black and Decker (flea market find but brand new, one buck!) and love it, but I don’t use it at the ironing board, just beside my machine on a pad to press seams as I am going. It is great not to have the cord in the way, and I don’t need to turn it off, just leave it off the cradle. Much better than a mini-iron. I’ve heard other people complain about using them at the ironing board since they cool down as you are working and putting them back on the cradle to reheat can interrupt your work. I guess it all depends on how you plan to use it.
I have the new Maytag, I’m very happy with it. I do wish that it held more water for the steam option.. It takes a while to remember to put it on the cradle to reheat instead of just putting it down on the ironing board. Chris
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 | From: “BOBBIE A AUG” <qwltpro@>
Pattern quilts were a way of cataloguing quilt patterns in a utilitarian manner. The sampler quilts that were so popular in the late 1970’s untilrecently were not a record of patterns but simply a way to “sample” diff erent techniques. Applique, curves such as drunkard’s path, piecing – ga ining the skills and experience to master particular techniques. By “sam pling” these different methods, a beginner could decide what they liked t o do best while learning technique. So, technically, these two types of quilts served different purposes.
Bobbie Aug
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 08:47:29 -0600 | From: “Charlotte Bull” <charloumo-net.com>
I was pleased to read Bobbie’s comments re the term Pattern Quilts vs. Sampler Quilts. I wonder if part of the differentia between the two would not be that Pattern Quilts have blocks of all sizes and fabrics and quite often have no sashing. Perhaps you might think along the lines of the recently popular Country Set quilts, although these are carefully planned to look random!!! : ))) I have seen Pattern Quilts (well, what I now would term that since you’ve taught me the name!) in which blocks were even sliced in two pieces in order to bring the rows into the same size. Sometimes I’ve noted several blocks of the same pattern design but different sizes, or other obvious experiments. Would you say that the Pattern Quilts rarely have sashing or lattices added? Am I thinking right? What I am seeing in my mind is a total lack of obvious planning. A random piecing together of interesting blocks of many types & colors. Am I thinking correctly? A NAIVE Vintage Country Set?
It is gray, wet, cold here – I ache in every bone! But I’m going to go & explore some very old quilts & tops that I’ve not looked at for ages, thanks to your interesting comments! Then I’ll start looking through some books I have not read for several years! You all sure know how to excite and inform and encourage! Thanks! c
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 | From: “Penni Pitre”
> Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 5:35 PM Subject: Laurene Sinema
> Dear Friends, > Our sweet friend, confidant, and mentor, Laurene Sinema, has passed from > this mortal life > to an eternal one. She is now in the loving hands of our Lord and Savior > Jesus Christ. I’m sure by now she has met up with treasured family members > and long lost precious and dear friends. My heart is heavy and full > realizing the lost to myself and to you. I know the Sinema family will be in > our thoughts and prayers and will appreciate those prayers on their behalf. > I pray that the comforting Sprit of the Holy Ghost will be with all the > family and friends of this admired and respected lady. > Funeral services we be held at > The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints > 1835 East Missouri > Phoenix, Arizona > Saturday November 30th > 10:00 a.m. > > All my love to you, > Claudia >
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 | From: Sewquiet@
This news is so sad, I met this lady twice, and twice she was kind and full of grace. My sympathies to this family, may God be with them and her.
Bernice Hatch
