March 16 – 19, 1999
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:
- Who Quilts, Who Collects — Members answer a simple prompt — do you quilt, collect, or both — and the replies range from lifelong hand-quilters to collectors who’ve never made a stitch, sketching a snapshot of who made up the list in 1999.
- Sewn vs. Fused Appliqué — A technical back-and-forth over hand-sewn versus glued or fused appliqué, and what that distinction means for judging a quilt’s age and construction.
- Founding Quilt Study Groups — Anne Copeland describes starting Repiecers of the Past, a local quilt history and restoration study group, while Kris Driessen announces a new online quilt auction site for collectors. (see the article on quilt study groups)
- English Paper Piecing and Dating Clues — Sally Ward asks whether removing the paper templates from an antique English paper-pieced quilt destroys evidence a historian could use to date it. (see the article on Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts)
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:24:58 EST | From: MKSQUILTS@
I have been quilting for about 20 years and have just become more interested in quilt history. I have purchased several old quilts in the past and truly love them because I like to think about the ladies who made them and that I will never know personally.
I just completed a lot of research on antique Nevada quilts and gave a talk to a women’s conference in Reno.
I have been lurking here and really enjoying learning from you ladies. Also loved Toni B’s quilt flying story!
Merry Kay in n. NV
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:46:44 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett@
I’ve been making quilts for 31 years — starting with the old fashioned method of tracing around a square masonite template (I didn’t think a cardboard template would stay the same size through an entire Trip Around the World quilt). After a rash of baby quilts in the 70s I found I liked making historical quilts — looking for the “right” fabrics was quite a project during the 80s. Through involvement with several documentation projects, and reading everything I could find written about quilt history, I decided I needed to start making historical doll quilts so I could make lots of quilts. I now am nearing 100 doll quilts in my collection that show the progression of quilting from about 1780 to 1940, using both reproduction and vintage fabrics — more vintage in recent years. I also make bed size quilts — still with an historical look, except for the flannel ones I have fallen in love with because they are so soft and cuddly.
An auctioneer acquaintance once described the difference between a collector and an accumulator — I am an accumulator. That is someone who acquires anything and everything they come across (within necessary financial guidelines <frown>) that remotely connects to their main interest (quilting), but is not narrowed down to a specific category within the large topic (like only quilts from a certain time period).
So I guess I do both, studying the old, making the new, collecting vintage paper goods about quilting, designing my own patterns for my historical doll quilts (did I mention I was a math teacher and I think 1/4 inch graph paper is right up there with the rotary cutter as an essential quilting tool?) I actually make more new quilts than I buy old quilts — that pesky financial thing again.
Barb in southeastern PA <bgarrett@>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:54:27 EST | From: SAERoy@
<<My husband used to call me a professional quilt-supply collector, but he now prefers the term virtual quilter. (someone who reads the books, watches the programs, goes to the shows, and has pretty much all the labor saving devices devised, and enough fabric to blanket a third world country) >> I love that term! I’m pretty close to a virtual quilter. I do get projects done, but not very quickly. I piece, applique, and quilt by both machine and hand. My preference would be hand applique and hand quilting…but that’s one of the reasons why I don’t get things completed very quickly!
Sharon Ft. Worth, TX
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 20:39:11 -0800 | From: Julie Silber <quiltcomplex@
Hi, In looking through my paper “archives,” I came upon an original pattern from Laura Wheeler Designs of what we’re calling “Hosanna.” She calls it “PALM No. 469” and gives written instructions as well as outlines of the pieces which make the block, and a “Guideline for Arranging Patches.” No date on this one — a single, folded piece of paper measuring 16 x 21 inches.
Julie Silber The Quilt Complex
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:40:29 -0600 | From: Mary Waller <mswaller@
I quilt a lot more than I collect. So far, my collection of antique quilts I’ve bought numbers three, and that includes the $14.58 dead quilt from the thrift store because it’s a 1930’s quilt that was free-form machine-quilted. I have custody of my husband’s four family quilts until we die, then they go to the neices. I’ve quilted for about 20 years, but only became interested in antique quilts about five years ago. I don’t restore quilts, but I teach quilt classes and some sewing classes, speak on quilts, design quilts and occasionally make quilts on commission. I usually tell people I’m a professional quilter, but confuse the professional part with earning a living.
Mary Waller, Vermillion, South Dakota
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:17:52 EST | From: SaraLMcN@
I just wondered if in all the quilters (and some of wannabe’s), if anyone does any custom quilts? I need a quilt replaced due to water damage. The quilt was insured, but need an estimate from two potential quilters. I already have the fabric pre-washed, and not in flood water. Thanks to my insurance company, who had all of my fabrics professionally cleaned and pressed. (Yes, even all those 3-4″ squares and strips.)
If anyone is interested, or knows of anyone, Please contact me for details.
Thank you, Sara McNally
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:29:06 -0800 | From: “Catherine Kypta” <vger@
You bet ya, I quilt, by hand, piece by hand and machine, do restoration, appraisals, collect, buy and sell, give talks and demonstrations, give a class every year at the museum, buy way too many book, blocks, tops, quilts, etc!!!! Any never tire of antique quilts and textiles!
Catherine in Sacramento
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 07:48:04 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix@
The question was “do you quilt?” The answer is “Yes”. But I don’t do traditional work as a rule. I love my collection, I love restoration, etc. etc., but I hate making traditional quilts myself. I’m an artist by schooling/lifelong work, so my quilting has gone to miniature pictorials, and I do what I must to get the look I want. That means I use all sorts of NON-archival, NON-cotton stuff to make them ! <GASP> I spent 5 hours on Sunday creating a fused applique for the latest work (a tryptich) that is only 6×8. I’m a crazed fool.
But it wouldn’t have been possible for me without the traditional work.
I learned to quilt in ’76, picked it back up in ’86, started restoring by ’89, and went “pro” 4-5 years ago. I think about this stuff constantly.
Give up quilts? I’d rather give my first-born! (well, actually, you have to *have* a first-born to give it up).
Alan
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 09:03:08 -0500 | From: Merry May <cluesew@>
I began collecting quilts after I made my first quilt. At the time (mid-1980s) I was able to get nice antique quilts for $25 at auction.
Decided they were worth MUCH more than that after making one of my own!
— Merry May (a.k.a Inspector Cluesew & Jessica Four-Patch)
Schoolhouse Enterprises
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 09:24:37 EST | From: JQuilt@
let’s talk about applique that is sewn and applique that is glued/fused…
I really love appliqued quilts/wallhangings…both contemporary and traditional… but the glued-on applique quilts…always look like a kindergarten construction paper collage to me… I know it’s quick and easy to draw/trace a picture on to fusible paper.. then cut out the pieces and press/glue them on to fabric…but for my taste the look of hand appliqued fabric on fabric really adds a dimension to the piece…adds to the tactile sense of fabric.. the only place I really like glued-on applique is making paper gift bags… And of course I love the collages… done by artists Kurt Schwitters,Joseph Cornell, what do you think?
jean jquilt@
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 18:19:21 -0500 | From: “Lawrence Mulvihill” <mulvihil@
I have been lurking on this list since Christmas, thoroughly enjoying everyone’s input and gleaning much information on old/antique quilts, etc.
I have been quilting for about 15 years and purchasing quilt tops and baby quilts for about 4 years. My major constraint is funds 🙂 so I have given myself limits. The baby quilts have to be hand quilted and within a given price. My best ‘find’ was a large ziplock bag full of 4″ squares of double pink fabric and four patch blocks, enough to make a fair sized quilt for $15. Xenia Cord helped confirm my guess that they were from the 1880’s.
There are some fantastic conversation prints in that bag and one day I will make a quilt – but that’s another story. I also pick up lonely blocks as well and one day with do something with them too – what I do need is more ‘one-day’s’.
I do quilt, some are hand-pieced and hand-quilted, some machine-pieced and hand-quilted and some machine everything. I won’t tell you how many ufo’s I have but I do manage to finish projects. Lunch hours at work are good times to sit and stitch.
Brenda in sunny Montreal, Canada where it’s almost spring.
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:43:43 -0000 | From: “Jenni Dobson” <jenni@
Hi Alan especially! Re your enquiry about this maker. Not sure what you’ve already had from Sally in Yorks.
Other thread makers existed, but when I began sewing seriously, I was taught to use Sylko, which then came in 40 and 50 grades. This thread was labelled 100% mercerised cotton (in one sequence or another). The mercerising was partly what distinguished this thread from other cheaper brands. If I recall correctly, mercerising was invented by John Mercer to counteract the tendency of cotton to shrink & as a bonus makes a cotton thread with quite a sheen to it. (& the term mercerising incidentally is still one way to tell how well T-shirts will stand up to washing!) The 50 was more highly spun & therefore finer & stronger & I was taught to use this in preference to the 40. The 40 seems to have been discontinued some time ago but though the Dewhurst name has gone (firstly into English Sewing Cotton, then absorbed into Coats & Clark), the Sylko brand name survives & it’s still my favourite thread – my machine runs well on it & it’s great for hand-sewing also, e.g. hemming down bindings. I buy basic colours in 1000 m reels.
Hope some of this added to what you’d already got.
Jenni in sunny, spring-like UK – but probably not after tomorrow! <G>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:31:59 EST | From: @aol.com
Yes. I taught myself to quilt from =How to Make a Patchwork Quilt=, published by the Farm Journal, back in 1982. I’ve made close to 60 quilts, throws, comforters, baby quilts, bodices, and so on. I’ve come to prefer tying rather than hand quilting because of chronic tendinitis in my right thumb (attributable to a former boss who was convinced I was faking an injury and denied me worker’s comp. I quit, but not in time to avoid the damage).
However, I can and still sometimes do hand quilt, usually in the back stitch.
My one masterpiece is the linen backstitched quilt I did in the style of the Guicciardini set from the 1390’s. It won an award from the medieval re- enactment group I belong to, and also took a blue ribbon at the Eastern States Exposition in 1997.
Right now I’m working on dyeing the thread and cloth to do a silk quilt in the style of the 17th century silk quilts written up in Antiques magazine last December. I don’t agree with everything the article said, but the quilts themselves are beautiful, and one in the same style would make a good accompaniment for the linen quilt.
Karen Evans Easthampton, MA
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 07:53:07 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix@>
Okay, Jean, I have a challenge – go to http://www.angelfire.com/fl/skitzofrenya and look at the picture on the front page. This is my website, and unfinished, but the picture is representative of my fused applique work. Not simple, not childish. The actual image you’ll see is missing probably 50% of the detail, but you’ll see the work. You’re right that fused applique can be simple and dead-looking. It’s often used as a way to not applique. But you should never <said with a smile-I’m not offended> generalize. Gets you in a peck o’ trouble sometimes ! I would dearly love to hand applique my work, but the pieces are teeny-tiny and/or intricate, and the hand applique just ends up looking lumpy (my skills are very good here, it’s to do with the size of the finished piece (1/8″ wide at times) and the seam allowances expected to fit underneath. But my work is modern, not traditional, and I am not wanting it to look traditional. I still don’t machine quilt, but even plan on taking that up to enhance the sleek, flat look.
Now if you don’t like the look of fused applique, that’s you’re taste, and whole ‘nother can of worms…
Alan who does worry about the achival qualities of his work, but wouldn’t do anything if he made only archival-quality pieces. As I allow my pictorials to get larger, I’ll be able to hand applique more.
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 08:36:52 -0500 | From: Maxine Farkas <MaxQuilts@>
<<let’s talk about applique that is sewn and applique that is glued/fused…
I really love appliqued quilts/wallhangings…both contemporary and traditional… but the glued-on applique quilts…always look like a kindergarten construction paper collage to me…
I really think that you are confusing technique with design.
<<I know it’s quick and easy to draw/trace a picture on to fusible paper.. then cut out the pieces and press/glue them on to fabric…but for my taste the look of hand appliqued fabric on fabric really adds a dimension to the piece…adds to the tactile sense of fabric.. It is true that the turned under edge of hand applique offers a dimensional feel/look that is unique to that technique. But it is possible to create work that has great depth and texture using fused fabric, and it has little or nothing to do with quick and easy cutting out of patterns, rather it involves careful use of color, light, and materials. I can often spend less time doing a hand appliqued piece than doing a fused piece . . . of the same size. And the hand appliqued piece will be less complex simply because the technique restricts the amount of detail I can introduce to the piece.
<<the only place I really like glued-on applique is making paper gift bags…
??
<<And of course I love the collages… done by artists Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Cornell, What about work by Sandra Townsend Donabed, Terry Hancock Mangat, Susie Shie, Elizabeth Talford Scott, Clara Wainwright, if my memory wasn’t failing me I could go on . . . these are all quilt makers whose work could be described as collage.
<<what do you think?
I think that method of application of fabric to backing is a secondary consideration when deciding how to make a piece . . . what is most important is knowing what effect one wishes to achieve.
Now if you are talking about methods of applying sunbonnet sue to a quilt . . . my personal preference is to not.
Max a dedicated lurker student of the Chicago School of Fusing . . . New England Campus
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 08:25:23 -0600 | From: Mary Waller <mswaller@>
Heritage QuiltsPiecing Together the Stories March 6 – May 16 in the Exhibit Gallery in the Journey Museum, Rapid City, SD FMI The Journey Museum, 222 New York T, Rapid City SD 57701, (605)394-6923, www.journeymuseum.com (Changing Exhibit). I haven’t seen the exhibit yet. I’d be very surprised if there’s an exhibit catalog, but the quilts were selected from those brought in for a documentation project. Thirty-one quilts, ranging from an 1860 Family Album Quilt made by Mary Shults in New York State to 1950’s quilts are on display. Most are from the Midwest; several Crazies, pieced and applique. Signature quilts also from Ladies Aid Society, 1913, Hortonville, IN and 1929 Pansy, United Church of Christ, Hermosa, SD.
Antique sewing machines from the private collection of Darlene Wojtalecwicz also on display.
Programs in conjunction with the exhibit March 20, collector Kathy Rick’s trunk show, “A Century of Quilts”
March 27, Panel discussion on preservation, restoration, appraisal, home display and storage, Kate Bradley, Annie Brunskill and Mary Waller.
April 10, Valerie Begeman teaches a four-patch workshop for children ages 7 – 12.
April 17, Sharon Strand, Black Hills State professor, presents research on WCTU and its use of the quilting bee as a unifying tool.
April 24, Documentation Day II May 1, Lula Red Cloud, “Star Quilts and Their Meaning to the Sioux”
May 8, Joyce Jefferson and friends interpret “Hidden in Plain View”
Rapid City is in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota. Mount Rushmore is nearby. Hotel rates jump April 1, and pay close attention to the weather in March and April for surprise blizzards.
Mary Waller, Vermillion, South Dakota
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 17:08:21 -0000 | From: “Sally Ward” <sward@>
I want to ask a question of those of you who work with old quilts.
If you had an antique quilt about which you knew nothing at all, and = made of fabrics which were difficult to date, but could see that it was = made using a technique involving papers, some of which were peeping out = of a small area of wear or tear – would you remove those papers in the = hope of gleaning information or dating evidence, or would you consider = that the papers should remain unexamined where they are to retain the = integrity of the item.
Sally in UK
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:42:21 -0800 (PST) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen@>
I have some interesting news! My husband and I are going to be hosting a Japanese quilter. In Japan, quilting is not a hobby, but a profession. People study for years, often apprenticing themselves to a master quilter. They are then considered a student of that quilter for the rest of their lives. They do NOT take a class here and a class there the way we do. Chaiki (rhymes with Jackie) has already studied in France and Spain and we have her for her two month US tour.
This coincides nicely with our show schedule. She arrives here tomorrow and we are going to promptly bundle her into a car and take her to our first show.
We will be in Amherst MA for the Hands all Around VII Quilt Show this weekend. If you live in the area, stop and see us at Amherst College, Rte 116, Amherst MA. I will have my friend Shirley Jean Measures with me from Measures Up! She makes memory quilts and other wonderful things – she made a great banner for us. If her name sounds familiar, you must be an “Our Gang” fan. She was the little blonde girl who was in the group with Jackie Coogan, and later went on to star in movies with John Wayne and Lucille Ball.
April 8 – 10, 1999 we will be at the Feedsack Club Annual Convention in Lancaster PA.
(http://members.aol.com/feedsack1/conference.html.) If you stop by, be sure to ask for me as I plan to take a lot of the classes, and I am sure I will be taking Chaiki to the Quilters Heritage Celebration down the street.
More good news for me – as some of you know, I am the “mom” for Quilt Guilds Worldwide (http://www.quiltguilds.com). I was recently contacted by PBS and they plan to feature the site in an episode this fall! Happy Snoopy Dance! If you are a member of a guild, please do me a favor and check your guild – I would like this site to be as complete and accurate as possible.
I’ll be posting information on Chaiki as soon as I meet her – we are on pins and needles in our house. Even the BOYS are cleaning.
Jocelyn and I are frantically trying to get the green food coloring out of our hair – who knew that stuff would be so tenacious? We got a bit carried away in our house, dying the milk, the butter, the cream cheese, even our white cat (yes, I am kidding.) This resulted in peals of laughter, however, our own J. G. Row provided the funniest event. She sent me a screensaver which I was assured was safe to watch. I downloaded it and called my husband over it while the kids were in the other room. We watched a leprechaun walk across the screen and drink a glass of beer. He keeps walking and finds another, larger, glass of beer which he promptly downs. The leprechaun continues walking – sorta – and a glass of beer the same size as himself pops up. After a struggle, he drinks that and immediately lets out a gut wrenching B*E*L*C*H. From all four corners of our house, our cleaning kids yelled, “Daddy!!!!” My poor husband sputtered his denials, while I fell on the floor laughing. Thanks, Judy, it will be years before he lives that one down-)))
Kris
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:57:25 -0800 | From: Mark Kriss <mkriss@>
Here’s an update on the quilt top initially thought to be an “Australian convicts quilt”.
Diana Leone sent the quilt top to Margaret Rolfe in Australia — who, as many of you know, is an authority on such quilts — for her hands-on assessment. We just heard back from her today that the initial dating of the quilt (second half of 19th century) is probably accurate but the origens of the top are more likely to be American than English or Australian. As a result, the quilt has been withdrawn from auction. In its place, we’ll be offering several extraordinary quilts from the collections of Diana and others. These include, among others, an extremely fine “Floral Chintz Sampler” made by Grandma Bonsall in 1830, a beautiful “Flower Garden” quilt from the 1930s, and two exquisite “Daffodil Appliques” made by Lucille Sanders in 1975.
For a sneak preview of these items, see <http://www.quiltcollector.com>, then select the “Listings” button.
We’ve learned a lot from this experience. Going forward, we’ll be setting up an Advisory Group to vet quilts — prior to auction — in order to get an independent assessment of the authenticity and accuracy of the auction information provided by sellers. This should be a great learning tool for all concerned as well. We’ll be making a more detailed announcement about this group soon. We also are encouraging quilt sellers to consider using independent appraisers, and have provided an open listing of quilt appraisers on the website. See <http://www.quiltcollector.com>, then select the “Quilt Info” button. If you are a quilt appraiser and would like to be listed here, email us at info@. ************************************************ Here’s specifically what Margaret had to say about the quilt “It is undoubtedly a lovely quilt, with all its intricate piecing. It has been nicely restored and finely quilted. However, I see no evidence to connect it with Australia in anyway, or even with the UK for that matter. It has been pieced in the American way (i.e. not over papers). Not that this is definitive, but mosaic quilts were more likely to have been pieced over papers in England. My general impression is that it is more likely to have been made in the second half of the nineteenth than the first.
However, I am sure that there are more expert people than I am as to dating the fabrics.”
************************************************* Thanks again for all your interest and feedback.
Best regards, –mark P.S. We’re still accepting submissions of antique and contemporary quilts as well as other quilt-related items such as antique/toy sewing machines for the Opening Aunction. The deadline is March 31st — just 2 weeks away!
+ – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – + Mark Kriss <mkriss@>
Quiltcollector.com Online Quilt Auctions for Discriminating Buyers www.quiltcollector.com phone650.857.9035 + – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – +
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:46:48 +0000 | From: shirleyb@
Brenda You say you live in nice and warm Montreal. You are making me homesick. I was born and lived all of my life there until 1986 when I moved to Nova Scotia. Raised in the East End and final home was in Pointe Aux Trembles. I wish I had investigated quilting while I was there because in those days fabric could be bought everywhere unlike where I live now.
Snowbird
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:00:43 -0800 | From: “Anne Copeland” <anneappraiser@>
I started out with quilting years ago also, and quickly realized I was never going to be one of the world’s great quilters. I guess you could say I am quiltingly challenged. But my love of these quilts led me to many good quilting friends, among them Beverly Dunivent and Kathi Reyes and Pat Nichols. Pat was doing verbal appraisals at a quilt show, and after I heard her speak, I realized there was still some hope for me in the world. So I went for it and became a quilt appraiser certified by AQS. I met Beverly in my class and we decided to become quilt appraisal partners, even though we lived in two different towns in California. We did in fact end up doing the great quilt research on kits all because Beverly saw one in a window and said, “Someone should write a book about kit quilts.” Obviously from the length of this letter, I am not writingly challenged, so that was all it took. And my friend, Kathi Reyes provided further direction for my quilt “career” by suggesting that we needed some form of quilt study that was local and more often than once a year. So we founded Repiecers of the Past three years ago, a quilt history/quilt restoration study group that meets monthly. I also put out a monthly newsletter for the group which is full of “quilting meat.” If you would like to receive a sample issue, just drop me a line via e-mail and I will put one in the snail mail for you. We may be small, but we’re interesting. So for all of you wonderful, talented quilters out there, isn’t it just great that there is someplace in quilting for each and every one of us? I am also so glad to be on board, and grateful for this QHL. Though I don’t often join in the discussions (for which you will probably be glad), I do read them and love hearing everyone’s info and subject matter. Anne Copeland anneappraiser@
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:16:05 -0800 | From: “R & L Carroll” <Robert.J.Carroll@>
Hello!
Sally, I don’t think that you would diminish the integrity of the quilt by removing the papers as they are inside of the quilt and cannot be seen anyway, unless some one removes them. But even if it were otherwise, I COULD NOT RESIST THE TEMPTATION to check those papers for a date!!! It is very exciting to find a date on papers used for English paper piecing or paper foundation piecing. You will have to always keep the papers with the quilt somehow, maybe in a little cloth bag basted to the back of the quilt. Let us know what you find.
Laurette in So. California
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 10:12:29 -0600 | From: Judy Smith <judy@>
For those of you traveling to Lancaster, PA in the near future, you may be interested in visiting Lancaster Co., PA Resources for Quilters at http://www.quiltart.com/lancaster.html … If you know of any shops that should be added to the list, please send a brief description to me at judy@ .. Enjoy! –Judy ========================== Judy Smith -=- http://www.quiltart.com/judy judy@ -=- judy_smith@ -=- QUILTNSEW@ Visit the Quiltart Home Page -=- http://www.quiltart.com
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 11:05:05 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co@>
Do I???
I started quilting in 1978 when I was teaching first grade and hand painting needlepoint canvasses, wanted to make a king size log cabin quilt for my bed, but discovered that there was a *whole lot more* to quiltmaking than that, put down the needlepoint and havn’t picked it up since then.
Soon I started teaching workshops for the newly formed Quilter’s Guild of Dallas and in 1980 I opened Texas Quilt Co. Back then we were still doing hand piecing using the “new” plastic template sheets, quilt as you go (gag!) and fighting the fabric companies to give us good quality 100% cotton goods! The only 100% cotton thread we had was quilting!
Even though we ended up teaching many of the “It’s ok” piecing methods in the shop and selling rotary cutters by the cases, I still preferred the hand techniques. Owning the shop led me to buying and selling antique quilts for the store. ( I too have that problem of being a dealer…I get too many that I just cant part with!) That led me to restoration and appraising and finally my certification with AQS (took me a while, hey Bobbie ?<G>) Even though I sold the shop in 1985 after Jessica was born people still called me about restoration, appraisals and quilt history information. I’ve continued doing restoration, appraisals and lectures on quilt history all along, and about 3 years ago went to Gainesville, Tx and did a program for the guild there. Met Karen Erlandson, their president at the time who mentioned that she had a few feed sacks (try a closet full!)
and the rest I think most of you know.
We started the Vintage Quilt & Textile society a little over 2 years ago.
It has been a wonderful experience. We have over 170 members *internationally*! Karen gets out our monthly newsletter and I chair our quarterly Quilt College conferences (which BTW are available to travel!).
Many of you on the list are members and we appreciate your input to the meetings and articles for the newsletter. Through all of this , I find that I don’t get to make as many quilts as I would like, the restoration stuff keeps me hopping as does the appraisal gigs and lecturing. I still love to hand quilt and try to have a project going that can go with me when I travel. My goal this year is to get Karen up to speed on applique so that she will stop referring to it as the “A” word. and work some more on my Dear Jane quilt!
Happy Quilting ….restoring, collecting, appraising to all!
Laura In cloudy but storm free N. Texas
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 11:34:47 -0600 (CST) | From: magee@
I have managed to accumulate several different sets of embroidered blocks. One set is McKim’s birds for sure(not full set). I have the patterns for these. I also have a set that I think are McKim “quaddies”
because of an illustration in an Uncoverings‘ article(have 7). Does anyone have the patterns for those or know where I can find them? The third set look like nursury rhyme figures(5) in a Kate Greenaway style. The fourth has a chubby child with a dutch boy haircut and a dog doing different things(4 Blocks). This set is not as delicate or detailed as the Kate Greenaway ones. I am willing to copy and send snail mail to you if it would help identify what I have. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I started quilting as a child with my mom. I finished my first quilt, a grandmothers flower garden at 16. I now mostly collect blocks, tops and quilts and work with vintage fabric. I do make about a quilt a year to use as a spread and these I have machine quilted and they get washed.
I’m working toward becoming an appraiser as my senility career change as I’ve already done my midlife career change. I also collect every book I can find on antique quilts and textiles.
I have located two places in NE Wisconsin where one can get a woolbatt washed and carded. One is J. Courtney Woolen Mill in Appleton and the other is Embarrass Woolen Mill in Embarrass(near clintonville).
Laurie in sunny and getting warmer(sort of) Oshkosh, WI
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 12:47:44 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord@>
Groves Publishing Co. (P.O. Box 33068, Kansas City, MO 64114, (816)361-1505) sells Ruby Short McKim patterns, bound, in these series Bedtime quilt – 20 designs Jolly Circus – 12 designs Nursery Rhymes – 20 designs Alice in Wonderland – 20 designs Colonial History – 24 designs Flower Garden Quilt – 27 designs (the one w/picket fence border)
Farm Life Quilt – 26 designs Peter Pan – 20 designs Bird Life – 24 designs and others.
No affiliation, yadda, yadda…
Xenia
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 14:55:17 -0500 | From: Nancy Roberts <robertsn@>
Hello all- To answer a previous query about who makes quilts and or/collects vintage quilts, here’s my reply. I am both a quiltmaker (since the late 70’s)
and collector (after that time, when my appreciation for what goes into making a quilt was more developed). I provide a good home for several quilts that would otherwise be neglected.
Re fusible webI like fusible web. I’m grateful for a variety of quiltmaking techniques, and fusible web is an excellent choice for some designs. I recall that in one of the Miniatures from the Heart contests, a prize was awarded to a Baltimore Album-style mini. It was made with fusible web and the edges of each piece were finished with an unbelievably fine buttonhole stitch worked in silk thread. It was exquisite and the blocks were only 3″ or 4″ square.
Each one included lots of details that would be found in full-size blocks.
I’ve also seen some wonderful folk-art quilt patterns that call for fusible web applique. Fusible web may not be the culprit in a look you don’t care for in quilts.
Karen, your silk project sounds incredible! Have a good weekend, all. Nancy
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 20:03:37 -0500 | From: “Daniel & Diana Dillman” <deedillman@>
Hi! This is Dee from South Central Pennsylvania. I’ve been seriously quilting for two years and love it. After reading the disappointed remarks about the quality of QNM, I was wondering what your favored quilting magazines are? We’re right on the edge of spring here with a 12″ snowfall on Sunday, and 60 degree temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday, so now there’s no more snow! I have 12 Mondays left until I retire from teaching and can quilt full time. Oh joy!
