January 8 – 12, 1999
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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:
- Jacquard Coverlets and Overshot Weaving — Members discuss the mechanics of Jacquard loom punchcards, how coverlets were woven in narrow strips and seamed, and the distinction between Jacquard and overshot patterns.
- California Quilt Heritage and CA-Named Blocks — John Ordway tracks down the Jean Ray Laury California Heritage Quilt book and members share California-named block patterns from Brackman’s encyclopedia.
- Anne Orr Article in AP&Q Magazine — A QHL member’s article about quilt designer Anne Orr appears in the February 1999 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting.
- German Embroidery Translation — Several members help translate the German text on a blue embroidered piece, with discussion of High German versus Low German dialects.
- Shaker Textile Arts — A member recommends Beverly Gordon’s book on Shaker textiles and its coverage of Shaker quilting practices.
- Hidden in Plain View (Underground Railroad Quilts) — Members discuss the forthcoming Tobin and Dobard book on alleged quilt codes used in the Underground Railroad. (see the article on Underground Railroad quilts)
- Quilting in Russia — Maryjo Ordway provides a detailed firsthand report on the quilting and needlework scene in Russia, sparking responses about quilting traditions in other countries.
- Mourning Quilts as Bereavement Tools — A hospice nurse asks for help researching the history of mourning quilts, and members suggest connecting with the Names Project (AIDS quilt). (see the article on Victorian mourning customs)
- Muslin, Calico, and Jam vs. Jelly — A lively thread on the US/UK/Australian differences in fabric terminology (muslin and calico mean different things in each country) spills over into food-term confusion. (see the article on cotton and textile terms)
- Crazy Quilting Book Inquiry — Members try to identify a forthcoming crazy quilting book, with suggestions pointing to Christine Dabbs and other recent titles. (see the article on Victorian crazy quilts)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 20:44:34 -0600 | From: [from unknown]
Jacquard coverlets were woven on large looms on which the intricate designs created on the coverlets were determined by punchcards not unlike the obsolete IBM cards. …… The border design and the weaver’s name, date, and/or other device in the corners of the coverlet was his own creation.
These coverlets were woven in one long, narrow strip.
Hi, Coverlets with the names & dates woven in were also made on “simpler” 4 or more harness looms in an overshot pattern in which the names & dates were woven in with a hand manipulated pick-up method. These did not have the intricate curves, eagles, etc. but were basically block type patterns. There are still weavers today doing this.
GAil R.
in NE Wis.
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 19:25:48 -0800 | From: ptwkwhs [at] prcn [dot] org (N Mussellam)
Issue 36 (February 1999) of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine from Better Homes and Gardens contains a very interesting and informative article about Anne Orr written by QHL member Merikay
Waldvogel.
Thanks to Merikay, I have more info to give to my mother regarding a quilt that has been in her family for many years.
The Falling Leaves pattern designed by Ann Orr is in a quilt made by an anonymous Rancher’s wife in the Alberta Foothills and given or sold to my Great Grandmother. We are not sure how it came into her possession, as she owned a hotel in Nanton, Alberta. My mom remembers lots of quilts on every bed in the hotel, when she stayed there every summer. Some of these quilts could have been to pay a bill , or barter, or purchased. Anyway my mom is very pleased to learn more about the design.
Nina Mussellam in BC
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 10:36:35 +0300 | From: “John Ordway” <ordway [at] glas [dot] apc [dot] org
Greetings –
Thanks for all the private responses on CA-named blocks – I’ve got great places to jump from now! Still hoping someone will come up with a book on California quilt heritage projects – maybe there isn’t one? Dzien Dobry, my DH is pretty sure, is Polish for Good Day, or it’s used as a “Good Morning” Greeting. He doesn’t really speak Polish, though, so he doesn’t want to be a definitive expert on the saying <g. I’ll be signing off where I live, so I might as well explain now <g — we’re in the Foreign Service, and have been here for 3 years.
Maryjo in Moscow, Russia
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 02:40:19 EST | From: JBQUILTOK [at] aol [dot] com
DAR stands for Daughters of the American Revolution. To become a member, you have to prove you had an ancestor who fought in the American Revolutionary War. They have a museum in Washington, DC that features period rooms throughout American history. (Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to see them).
They also have a decent quilt collection & display several at a time.
The organization took some major flack in the 50’s over refusing to allow a black singer to perform in their building.
Janet
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 13:09:49 +0300 | From: “John Ordway” <ordway [at] glas [dot] apc [dot] org
Don’t want to bore people too much here, but I’ve been able to do some more tracking for my project.
I finally got the full name of the Jean Ray Laury book – it IS the California Heritage Quilt Project and now have Bette Feinstein of Hard to Find Needlework Books looking out for me. If anyone can get it for me, she certainly can. If people don’t know who she is, e-mail me and I’ll give out all the info – she is an old fashioned bookseller whose focus is any/all books on needlearts. At some people’s suggestions, I went through a part of Block Base from EQ and found even more CA blocks, but got tired after a bit. <g My printer just doesn’t like EQ and my Quilt Pro3 is on its way …. Does anyone know how good the block library in the Quilt Pro programs are?
Thanks,
Maryjo in Moscow, Russia
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 07:00:35 -0600 | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Announcing – Interesting magazine article by QHL Member Issue 36 (February 1999) of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine from Better Homes and Gardens contains a very interesting and informative article about Anne Orr written by QHL member Merikay Waldvogel.
Barb in southeastern PA <bgarrett [at] fast [dot] net
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 09:32:55 EST | From: QuiltFixer [at] aol [dot] com
Dear Johannes, thank you so very much for your kindness in taking the time to translate this for me! I am going to use the piece in my presentation of vintage Redwork and I knew I would be asked what it meant. The splash is a vintage piece from Germany and therefore is indeed old German. I know very little about the German Language, but I found it interesting that the history of one of my Redwork Quilts states that the maker was German American and spoke the “dialect.” This is from Burkes County, Pa. The quilt was made in 1913. I am curious to learn if the “dialect” was a slightly different German from the “old country.” One of the quilt blocks is a very well known one of Jumbo the Elephant. Since the name of the Elephant was spelled backward,
I wonder if she could not read or speak English at all. Very interesting.
Again thank you for your help. To the list: for anyone interested, lest everyone patience is worn out with translations, please write privately and I will happy to respond with the information. Toni B.
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 10:10:33 EST | From: Quilt97 [at] aol [dot] com
Maryjo, In Barbara Brachman’s Ency of Pieced Patterns which should be at your local library, she lists 2 blocks “California,” CA Oak Leaf, CA Rose, CA
Snowflake, 2 CA Stars, and CA Star Pattern. A picture of each is shown.
House of White Birches published Royal Stars of the States (50 majestic quilts with complete instructions) and Leman Publications has Spangled Sampler
Quilts, Commemorative all-star patterns for all 50 states in banner-raising sampler quilts.
I’ve made the Road to California block — if you place four together in a square, it also forms a secondary pattern.
Hope this helps.
Elisabeth in now chilly south TX On to my question: I have P&B’s Oakland Musuem repro fabric and would like to do something special for my DH, who is from CA — but am having a blank with “blocks” from CA. I’m overseas at the so my only reference materials are my own quilting books and the internet, which unfortuntely for once, has been less than helpful. I’ve only been able to come up with Rocky Road to California, California Rose (whig rose variation, I think) and there was a mention in one book of California Oak (no pic, though). Does anyone else have anything they could look through for me?
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 10:22:11 EST From: Quilt97 [at] aol [dot] com
Maryjo, One more thought . . . you might also use blocks such as Delectable Mountains,
Lighthouse, Beacon Light, Beacon Lights, Bear’s Foot, Bear’s Paw, Gold Nuggets, Golden Gate, Golden Gates or other items that would be associated with California. These were listed in Barbara Brackman’s encyclopedia;
skimming the index of it will give you even more ideas.
Have fun.
Elisabeth in south TX
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 11:02:59 -0800 | From: “pepper cory” <pepcory [at] bmd [dot] clis [dot] com
I used to be a weaver (in another galaxy far, far away-) and actually wove a few overshot pieces. There can be as few as four and as many as eight harnesses on a loom, so the patterns created can be quite complex. The width of the panels was limited by the ability of the weaver to “throw” the shuttle and most overshot coverlets feature panels 20-30″ wide, two or even three sewn together, although there’s no set width or number of panels.
If you’ve ever seen a competent weaver weave overshot of any width, it is real physical exercise. The weaver’s feet work the pedals which lift the harnesses and throws the shuttle back and forth across the “tunnels” created from the warp threads, some lifted and some flat according to the pattern. The waver slides back and forth across the highly polished bench-that’s where the narrow and slanted bench comes in. I have heard of itinerent weavers weaving patterns that when “translated” from their patterns (long pieces of paper which indicated the order of the warping of the threads through the different reeds –comb-like slots on the harnesses-) spelled out their own names. Many overshot coverlets were separated into their panels when portieres (curtains on either side of a door-) became popular in Victorian times. I have also seen coverlets composed of non-matching panels just as we make “scrap” quilts.
Pepper Cory (sorry for the long post)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 16:04:01 -0600 | From: “Gail Richter” <richter2 [at] frontiernet [dot] net
I don’t know much about German either(I switched out of Scientific German in college as fast as I could), but my grandparents came over from Germany just before the turn of the century. One time when I was asking for a translation of Merry Christmas my grandmother told me that there was ‘low German’ and ‘high German’ and that they spoke low German.
Also, several years ago my brother had an exchange student living with them from Germany. My mother brought out an old book that had been my grandparents and asked the student if he could tell us what the book was. He thought it was some kind of family medical/information book, but he couldn’t read the German either!
Gail R in NE Wis.
The splash is a vintage piece from Germany and therefore is indeed old German. I know very little about the German Language, but I found it interesting that the history of one of my Redwork Quilts states that the maker was German American and spoke the “dialect.” This is from Burkes County, Pa. The quilt was made in 1913. I am curious to learn if the “dialect” was a slightly different German from the “old country.”
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 17:28:23 EST | From: AG32040 [at] aol [dot] com
I would like to thank everybody that sent translations of my blue embroiderd piece.The translations had differences and that made it quite interesting.
Thanks again, AMY
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 1999 23:21:51 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett [at] fast [dot] net
In the fall the topic of Shaker Quilts was raised. While visiting the library before our recent snow I stumbled upon a book called Shaker
Textile Arts by Berverly Gordon. Published by University Press of New England in 1980, I was excited to see the word quilts listed in the index. My excitement was short lived however — there wasn’t much information, but here is what’s included in the book about quilts. The Shakers were industrious and productive — never hurried or pressured in their work. They mostly used wool blankets which conformed to the Millennial Laws which specified only 2 colors on bed coverings. Records indicate they also had special bed coverings (coverlets) and quilts. The Shakers are known for small subtle details in their work.
The record of the Children’s Order of the Watervliet, NY, community shows that in 1846 the girls pieced nine quilts and quilted thirteen.
Very few early quilts remain, and there does not seem to be anything consistently Shaker aobut them except for the usual fine workmanship.
Single-color linsey-woolsey quilts have been found, as well as various pieced and patchwork designs. To the author’s knowledge, no nineteenth century Shaker applique quilts have been identified. There are at least 2 Shaker crazy quilts in existence, both made around the turn of the twentieth century. Both are in keeping with other
Victorian quilts of this type, but one, made and used at Hancock Shaker Village, has an airy quality that is not quite of the same mold as its contemporaries. The two inch wide border is a cheerful pink rather than the more typical crazy quilt black, and there is none of the characteristic spider webs, insects, or other macabre images. Also, some of the patches are made from Shaker silk scarves, and one is complete with a Shaker blessing. A small piece of white silk was slipped into a typewriter in Harvard, Mass, in 1910, and the following inscribed:
Dear Annie Bell Tutle, I cannot find a truer word Nor fonder to caress you.
Nor song nor poem have I heard Is sweeter than God Bless You.
Josephine Jilson.
Shaker fancywork was often a little behind current fashions. They did not begin to make crazy quilts until after the turn of the century.
There are also two listings of items in the inventories for sale in 2 different Shaker village shops. Neither list includes quilts, but in both lists the items are smaller in nature — pincushion, tomato cushion, needlebooks, sewing baskets, etc. Being a book on textiles, most of the information concerns the fabrics themselves, and not the end products like quilts. Darn. Oh well, it’s a start.
Barb in southeastern PA <bgarrett [at] fast [dot] net>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 01:14:21 EST | From: KareQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
Here are some more interpretations of the translations from my linguist sister-in-law. I called Borders and ordered Dobard’s book on UGR. They said it wasn’t released yet, but they already had 7 people on the back order list!
Karen from Northern Virginia
German:
Let everything be ready at the right time.
(Zur = to the, rechten = the right (obj. cas) Zeit = time, sei = let [something] be alles = everything bereit = ready Dzien dobry (with acute accent over the n, not umlaut) means “good day” in Polish.
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 09:41:04 EST | From: Kittencat3 [at] aol [dot] com
<< The organization took some major flack in the 50’s over refusing to allow a black singer to perform in their building. >>
Actually, it was the late 30’s, and the singer in question was contralto Marian Anderson. Eleanor Roosevelt stepped in and arranged for Miss Anderson to perform on the Capitol steps. Ironically enough, several descendants of Sally Hemings got into the DAR in the late 70’s because of the Thomas Jefferson connection. The local DAR branch evidently accepted family lore before the DNA evidence proving the relationship. Lisa Evans Easthampton, MA [Note: I *could* join the DAR; a great aunt of mine did by proving descent from the same person, Captain Evan Evans of the Continental Army. I’ve never bothered. Heaven knows I have enough to do….:) ]
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 09:47:44 EST | From: Kittencat3 [at] aol [dot] com
<< One time when I was asking for a translation of Merry Christmas my grandmother told me that there was ‘low German’ and ‘high German’ and that they spoke low
German.
In which case your ancestors probably came from Bavaria. There *is* a difference between High German (Hochsdeutsch) and Low German (Plattdeusch) in terms of accent, idioms, and so on. High German is more academic, and closer to what’s spoken near the Baltic coast and in northern Germany. Bavaria and Austria tend more toward Low German, with Austrian being a bit different from either. I spent a summer in Salzburg when I was in my teens and ran head-on into some it.
My mother, who had doubled majored in German and English, was pretty shocked by what little German I had learned, since it bore almost no resemblance to what *she* spoke.
For instance, the usual greeting is “Guten tag,” or “good day.” In Austria, it’s “Gruss Gott,” or “God’s grace.” One of the most surreal experiences of the whole summer was watching a dubbed episode of “Bonanza.” Hoss Cartwright dismounting from his horse and yelling, “Gruss Gott, Papa!” instead of “Howdy, Pa!” was nearly as good as the time I saw a kung fu moved dubbed into Spanish on Univision….
Lisa Evans Easthampton, MA
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 10:38:35 -0500 | From: “Daniel & Diana Dillman” <deedillman [at] mail [dot] wideopen [dot] net>
I’m glad to be seeing info about coverlets. I have intended to do some reading about them because occassionally one will come up at the auction and goes very high, and now you’ve inspired me to do it now.
Yesterday I picked up two very nice Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilts and was lucky enough to have the estate family sitting in front of me. The man’s (he’s @60 years old) great grandmother and/or her sister made the quilts around 1900, he thought. I examined the quilts at home along with my Dating Quilts book, and suspect from the fabrics they’re probably not earlier than 1910. What fun being a quilt detective!
I also got a blue and white double Irish Chain, and a white on white from the same estate.
Both are old, but the family didn’t know who made them or when. I just know where. I haven’t examined them yet for any clues.
I have a neat historical story to share. I also enjoy antique samplers, but so far have only looked, not purchased. I was looking through an old (1983) Knoff’s Quilts, Coverlets and Sampler book at the Thanksgiving table after we’d finished eating. My son’s new fiance, Kriss, was with us, sitting right next to me. I noticed a birth/death sampler dated late 1700s with her surname, Towner, on it and the state was New York. I pointed it out to her and she became so excited. Her uncle had just finished a family tree and had sent it to her and she believed this was her family because she recognized the wife’s maiden name, Akin, and her family is from New York State. We borrowed the book, and sure enough, it was a sampler of her ancestors! Kriss’ uncle is trying to track down the sampler. I don’t know if he intends to try to purchase it, or just see it in person. At any rate, it was a very exciting discovery.
By the way, Kriss and Dave’s wedding is Oct ’99, but before that in May, my daughter’s getting married. We have a wonderful year ahead! For both weddings I’m planning to have friendship quilt blocks on each table for the guests to sign. Both couples will have an heirloom to pass on.
🙂 Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 18:48:58 EST From: BEVPEV [at] aol [dot] com As you already know, “Road to California” is the book on the California
Project. It has been out of print for a number of years. I would suggest www.abe.com for this and any other OP books. This company found more books at a lower cost than Amazon, in my experience. Beverly Pevarnick
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 22:08:23 EST | From: Beryana [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 99-01-09 17:11:18 EST, richter2 [at] frontiernet [dot] net writes:
<<
Hi, I don’t know much about German either (I switched out of Scientific German in college as fast as I could), but my grandparents came over from Germany just before the turn of the century. One time when I was asking for a translation of Merry Christmas my grandmother told me that there was ‘low German’ and ‘high German’ and that they spoke low German.
Also, several years ago my brother had an exchange student living with them from Germany. My mother brought out an old book that had been my grandparents and asked the student if he could tell us what the book was. He thought it was some kind of family medical/information book, but he couldn’t read the German either!
Gail R in NE Wis.
From my experience, having lived in Germany, just about everyone spoke high German (as that’s what’s taught in school) but each region also has their own dialect. Basically its just like here in the States–we all speak English but not always the same words. It all depends on where you live and what other languages have influenced your local dialect (eastern and south eastern would be more Slavic, western would be French (note Switzerland is a mix of German, French, and Italian whereas Austria would be more German and probably Hungarian/Slavic due to the Austro-Hungarian Empire). northern would be more Dutch/Danish, etc. Another thing to take into consideration is that at the turn of the Century, you also have Prussia. My Great-Grandparents were technically from Russia, but spoke German because they were near the border with Germany. Regarding Germanic dialects in the US, that can be compared to Creole in Louisiana. Languages adapt as they are needed–for example English itself over time. It adapts as the people using it need it and differently in different areas because of that as well.
As far as reading books, its the same—the typeface has also changed greatly over the past 100 years.
My ranting is done—for now.
Sarah
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 21:41:52 +0000 | From: “Monika Jones” <monikaj [at] mail [dot] cdsnet [dot] net>
Hi, just catching up on several lists ( sick 5 loooong days) Toni, this is how I translate it. “At the right time, let everything be ready (prepared )” Monika Jones monikaj [at] cdsnet [dot] net
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 07:03:49 EST | From: Tubeywooby [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 1/9/99 8:55:36 PM, QHL-Digest-request [at] cuenet [dot] com writes:
<< Still hoping someone will come up with a book on California quilt heritage projects – maybe there isn’t one? >>
I bought this Ho California book years ago and gave it to my best friend. It was on clearance and I think I paid $1.98!! It is a fabulous book, and I perused it yesteday again after your interest in it. Lots of antique quilts with the quiltmakers stories, and lots of great old photos of people in 1800s garb. Maybe we need to do a QHL photo at our next convention with all of us dressed up in old gard and do it sepia toned, with sour expressions? Just a thought…
Melissa YOung in sunny and cool Texas
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 08:03:37 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears [at] webtv [dot] net (Roberta Geanangel)
The photo idea is wonderful (dressing in “old garb” and having a sepia photo taken)…when are we all going to be together again? Williamsburg?
Lancaster? I want to start planning my dress!! And hat!
Roberta
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 08:26:23 -0600 | From: “Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Quilts” <oldquilt [at] albany [dot] net>
Kris At 07:03 AM 1/11/99 , Roberta Geanangel wrote:
>The photo idea is wonderful (dressing in “old garb” and having a sepia photo taken)…when are we all going to be together again? Williamsburg? Lancaster? I want to start planning my dress!! And hat! Roberta
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 07:42:11 -0800 | From: “Robins-Morris, Laura A” <lrobins [at] fhcrc [dot] org
Maryjo — How about telling us something about quilting in Russia? Is there a tradition of quilted bed covers? If so, what style (style of top and quilting too). Have you seen any quilted pieces in museums?
Given the cold climate, one would expect a history of quilted bed covers, quilted bed hangings, quilted petticoats, etc. Also, can you easily find fabrics, notions, sewing machines, etc? Are they Russian or imported? Have you run into any other quilters, either Russian or “imports”.
I think many of us would find this interesting if you’d like to share some of your experiences.
I know we have a some list members from other countries too, outside the US, and I don’t mean to ignore them. It’s just that I don’t recall anyone from Russia before and we’ve heard so much in the news about their shortage of consumer goods that I’m quite curious about it. If anyone from other places would like to tell about quilting in their country, both historical and present, please do so!
Laura in Seattle
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 11:11:14 -0700 | From: Adella <adellaharris [at] earthlink [dot] net>
I am new to this mailing list and would like to post a request for help in researching the history of the the mourning quilt. I am a very beginning quilter as well as a RN who volunteers for a local hospice.
We are interested in learning more about the mourning quilt as an aid to the bereavement process. Also, we would like to know if there are any quilt historians in the SF Bay Area who might speak on the mourning quilt at one of our community forums. Thank you so much for any help you might give us!
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 15:36:26 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co [at] mail [dot] airmail [dot] net>
I just received my copy of Hidden in Plain View by Tobin and Dobard from Amazon.com. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet but was surprised to receive it so soon because several of you said you wouldn’t be getting yours for awhile.
The dust jacket is attractive, and I’m anxious to start reading it.
Carol Elmore Manhattan, Kansas
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 22:36:03 -0600 | From: rshink <mcr2 [at] musica [dot] mcgill [dot] ca>
This is my second plea . I will be accompanying hubby to Las Vegas and would love a quilt fix while I am there. Please E mail me privately with ideas. Have postponed repairing vintage quilts to do a memory quilt of the Ice Storm, now that it is a year ago . Thank heavens it is too cold for freezing rain and there is lots of snow, great quilting weather. I love the idea of a photo opportunity in Aug. I have a gown I made for our towns centennial ball . Now if our Canadian $ could just get better.
Back to quilting. Diane Shink
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 14:06:55 +0300 | From: “John Ordway” <ordway [at] glas [dot] apc [dot] org>
Well, Laura – here goes: Quilting in Russia.
I personally would love to hear about quilting history from other countries of QHL members!
There is quilting in Russia, and there are also Art Quilters in Russia.
There is also the same debate about professional quilt “artists” and quilt “amateurs” that we have in the US.
That being said, the quilt “movement” or industry here is nothing like it is in the US. There are probably 4 small well-known guilds in cities such as St. Petersburg, Ivanovna, Suzdal and Vladimir (which has long been the “seat” of hand- embroidery and white work in Russian for a couple hundred years.) Ivanovna before the Russian Revolution was where state-of-the-art fabric manufacturing was done on copper plates … those factories are just about shut down now. The copper plates are too expensive to maintain, and one would even wonder how many artisans are left that could even do that kind of etching. These guilds are small, but dedicated. Thanks to quilt artists like Marion Henrion and others, they have had good exposure to US quilts and art quilts and materials for a while. Marion (and some of her other art quilter colleagues) travels here every couple of years and meets with other quilt artists and then travels to some of the other cities.
There was an American woman here 2 years ago who really got into the Russian quilting scene and met with quitters often in Moscow and Ivanovna. We had an international quilting guild, too, but it all folded after my friend left. I have other obligations here and couldn’t take up her torch, much to my regret. During that year we had a lot of support from US companies and were able to get supplies and books donated to these guilds, which really have very little. They share supplies. They are thrilled to have access to Western books and the like, but are very proud and do not want to be “corrupted” – i.e. they don’t want to just copy quilts from US books.
The art quilts here are just like art quilts everywhere – fabulous, and some very good personal individual styles have emerged from using backgrounds in the historical textile/garment fields.
I think two of the quilt artists have moved to the US – they can’t earn a living here and usually can’t afford to do the necessary work it would take to show their quilts in the US.
There is not a commercial quilting industry here. Frankly, women don’t have the time or the extra money. Personal luxury time is hard to come by, even today.
Supplies are we know them are few and far between – white thread is always a challenge to find. There are some Pfaff kiosks around town, so one can get some supplies such as a rotary cutter, needles, pins, etc, but as my European counterparts know, those kind of supplies are often 2 to 3 times the price we pay in the US. Quilting fabric is non-existent – you just buy what is in the stores. Quilt artists use many different types of fabrics as it would be very difficult to get all cotton materials here for an entire quilt in the palette you might like. Historically, there is very little documentation on quilting here. In general, as in many places in Europe, it is called “patchwork”, although quilt artists do use the word “kvilt.” I’ve seen two antique ones, but that’s about it. Coverlets on beds have always been the standard European comforter Don’t forget that before the Revolution the country was really divided into the few that had a lot and the rest that had very little. The handwork legacy here is in embroidery, gold embroidery, drawn thread work, Richielu, lace, beaded work and the like.
On Singer:
Singer actually started a Singer sewing machine factory before the Revolution in Podolsk. I’d love to go there, but realize that even if I did, I’d never get into the factory. Singer sewing machines were sold in a store on the main elegant street in St. Petersburg before the Revolution.
The Art Nouveau building that until quite recently still had the Singer “globe ball” on its roof is still standing The store is now a huge bookstore, but the Art Nouveau grill work inside is still very evident.
Art Nouveau style here is called “Moderne”.
I’ve seen about 4 generations of old sewing machines here – I have two models One has a Scottish serial number (for you sewing machine fans it’s a model 27) – so how did that get here? Was it brought to Russia from England/Scotland or were parts shipped to the new factory and then assembled there? Immediately after the Revolution the factory was still obviously still tooled for “Singer” machines, so everything was kept the same on the machines, EXCEPT that “Singer” globe was now a globe of the world with the hammer and sickle on it. By the end of WWII the factory obviously was making it’s own version of sewing machines – ugly cast iron things. Sewing machines are still made there today, I am told.
Two years ago I was really into this and all the lists on the www dealing with antique sewing machines – what fun. Unfortunately, I’ve had to basically give it up due to extremely limited free time now – guess what —
<g> I had to join the real world and work with kids going to college and all that <gg>. This is the first time I’ve been back on a list for a while!
I’ve spent some time here learning drawn thread work as I love the white work pieces. Learning the vocabulary has also been fun, especially as I didn’t even know the terms in English. There are a few general books on “handwork” published, but there was also a Russian version, believe it or not, of Therese de Dillmont (sp?) book for DMC on needlework published before the Revolution! Burda, (the German publishing house that includes dressmaking patterns, general sewing books and the like) has had many of its books published in Russian now, and Russian women are enjoying them, although they are not cheap for an average Russian. I’ll take a breath here and stop. I also must put the next sentence in as I know it will come up: I can’t accept donations for Russian quilters, much as I would like to. Many people often offer, but we are not permitted to receive things like that in the mail for others – it’s a complicated scenario involving customs laws for both countries.
I apologize if this post is too long for some people! I had thought about cutting it into two, but then left it.
Who else on this list is in a different country other than the US?
Maryjo Ordway Moscow, Russia
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 22:33:11 -0700 | From: Sven Olsson <sven [at] pnc [dot] com [dot] au
Hi Maryjo,
Thank you so much for your review of the quilting scene as you know it in Russia.
It is always interesting to hear from “other parts”.
Lorraine in OZ (Australia that is) where we are in the middle of a cool change after a heat wave in the middle of Summer.
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 06:52:43 -0600 | From: KAREN BUSH <Birdsong [at] worldnet [dot] att [dot] net
I have a question that came up on another digest I’m on. She’s from New Zealand, ordering from the States and wondered if muslin was the same as ‘calico’….I wonder this myself. Just what IS muslin….or Calico for that matter. Whenever I hear the term ‘calico’ I think of the stiff cotton with yellow and red print…yuk,….I know that’s not right, but,I couldn’t explain it to her. And muslin is…well, Muslin. Now, she’s got ME wondering. She’s talking about a Nice muslin, not the ‘utility’ muslin for her piecing. But, it’s really got me wondering. Is there somewhere on the net that would have this info?
Before you answer, is it alright for me to forward or at least USE your answers for her and the rest of us that “want to know”…?? kb — -Karen Bush/kb-http://www.idahoquilt.com -“QUILT AS DESIRED” THE “TELL ALL BOOK” of hand quilting!!!!
-Also, Visit me for HAND QUILTING SERVICES **************************************************************
“Start the way you intend to finish”
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 08:00:24 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix [at] mail [dot] jax [dot] bellsouth [dot] net>
Adella, If you’re interested in utilizing the mourning quilt as a bereavement tool, I’d also suggest you get in touch with the Names Project there in SF (y’know, the AIDS quilt). I had an opportunity to help during one of their “open-quilting” nights, and didn’t go. Really wish I had, but maybe next time. Since DB is out there, I have a good excuse to go again.
But talk to them about using it as a tool. They’re bound to have all sorts of practical advice.
Alan
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 09:02:03 EST | From: Meredit300 [at] aol [dot] com
WOuld like copy of Vintage again…also data on how to subscribe. I moved and decided I had no time to read everything…thanks….
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 08:19:15 -0600 (CST) | From: Nancy Evans <nevans [at] nebnet [dot] net>
Karen: it’s my understanding that Australians (NZ’ers, too, probably) call the cloth we know as “muslin” calico. I got this info from a machine quilter with whom I used to chat online. She backed her quilts with plain unbleached “calico”. Hopes this helps to answer your questions Nancy Evans At 06:52 AM 1/12/99 -0600, you wrote:
>I have a question that came up on another digest I’m on. She’s from New
>Zealand, ordering from the States and wondered if muslin was the same as >’calico’….I wonder this myself. Just what IS muslin….or Calico for >that matter.
Whenever I hear the term ‘calico’ I think of the stiff cotton with >yellow and red print…yuk,….I know that’s not right, but,I couldn’t
>explain it to her.
And muslin is…well, Muslin. Now, she’s got ME wondering. She’s
>talking about a Nice muslin, not the ‘utility’ muslin for her piecing.
>But, it’s really got me wondering. Is there somewhere on the net that >would have this info?
Before you answer, is it alright for me to forward or at least USE your >answers for her and the rest of us that “want to know”…?? kb
>– -Karen Bush/kb-http://www.idahoquilt.com
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 09:42:50 EST | From: [from unknown]
Thank you Maryjo for the complete and wonderful description of needlework in Russia…I have a niece that goes to Ukraine every year…She’s a business/marketing teacher in a community college in Massachusetts….. she goes there to teach those subjects, in an institute…I send a little sewing/quilting supplies with her to a quilter in Kharkov… just thread and needles,if nothing else, are really appreciated… would be nice if some guilds in the USA could adopt some guilds in Russia and some of the other republics/states.
jean jquilt [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 07:48:53 -0800 | From: Kathy Tavares <kmtavare [at] uci [dot] edu>
Does anyone know the name of a new book on Crazy Quilting that is coming out in the next month? They spoke of it at our guild last night. I didn’t get a chance to get the particulars (author, when & where available).
Kathy T.
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 14:38:58 -0000 | From: “Sally Ward” <sward [at] t-ward [dot] demon [dot] co [dot] uk>
In the UK, muslin is very fine openweave fabric that we would use to wrap steam puddings or to strain jelly (by which I mean our ‘jelly’ not your ‘jelly’ which we call jam) (still with me?). Calico is the plain cream fabric which you call muslin but comes in different weights. The fine stuff is lovely for quilts, but you can also buy progressively heavier and coarser weights which are intended for upholstering furniture etc. Your US books often confuse the UK beginner who tries to include ‘our’ muslin in a pieced quilt, and I personally made the mistake of using upholsterers calico instead of the real thing (I thought it was a cheap bargain) and as well as being very coarse to work with, it shrinks massively (intentional – once furniture has its base upholstery in calico it is deliberately shrunk to tighten and fit). Of course, at that stage I didn’t know about pre-washing either!
Sally
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 13:21:20 EST | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 99-01-12 13:07:01 EST, sward [at] t-ward [dot] demon [dot] co [dot] uk writes:
<< In the UK, muslin is very fine openweave fabric that we would use to wrap steam puddings or to strain jelly (by which I mean our ‘jelly’ not your ‘jelly’ which we call jam) (still with me?). >>
In the US, we call this cheesecloth.
Presumably, this name comes from the fact that it would be very useful for straining the clabber from the whey in cheesemaking. We use it primarily for straining – I’ve never heard of it being used for sewing. Since I have a Brit husband, I know the difference between UK jelly and US jelly – but I’m confused about why you would need to strain jelly (which we call Jello or gelatin) – ? Maybe this is a step when you don’t use the packaged sort – ??
Melissa
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 14:16:21 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net>
“Mus’ be jelly; jam don’ shake like that!” Between US and UK, we really are 2 countries separated by a common language. In the US we have jam and jelly – jam contains fruit, pulp and seeds, and jelly is “clear” and is made from only the juice of the fruit. In order to separate the pulp from the juice, the cooked mass of pulp and juice is pressed through a cheesecloth (“muslin”?) bag, and the bag is then suspended over the cooking pot to drip out. The juice resulting is made into jelly.
My Webster’s New World Dictionary refers to muslin as deriving from the town of Mosul, in Iraq, and is defined as any fine cotton of plain weave, often dyed or printed, and especially of the quality used for sheets and pillowcases.
Cheesecloth is defined as a thin cotton cloth with a loose weave, from its use in wrapping cheese.
Xenia – who’s not from either place!
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 15:58:01 -0800 | From: “pepper cory” <pepcory [at] bmd [dot] clis [dot] com>
Asking for a little help from the QHL list-my sister is looking for the Cossack Men’s Shirt pattern from Folkwear. My nephew’s in “Fiddler on the Roof” and she needs to make him a shirt. Please email her at peddie [at] wwd [dot] net if you can help her find that pattern. Many thanks, Pepper Cory
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 16:26:24 EST | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 99-01-12 06:35:18 EST, sven [at] pnc [dot] com [dot] au writes:
<< Thank you so much for your review of the quilting scene as you know it in Russia. It is always interesting to hear from “other parts”. >>
I second that – and I must say that Maryjo’s post made me count my blessings!
We sometimes forget how much we have here in the U.S., in terms of convenience and material items. I’d much rather have the problem of how to store more fabric or how to squeeze more fabric $$ out of the budget, than scrambling around trying to find white thread and basic cotton fabrics, and then paying premium prices if I find them. Maryjo, I would imagine that ordering fabric and supplies through the Internet would be a solution – ?? These days, I would think that might be a good way to expand both the market for online quilt shops, and the opportunities for quilters around the world to find things. Or is shipping too prohibitive – ?
Melissa
