August 6 – 7, 1998
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:
- Hair in Quilts — A researcher asks about the use of human hair in quilts, prompting members to share examples from pioneer and Victorian-era traditions.
- Wedding Ring Pattern History — A committee planning a quilt event asks about the history of the Wedding Ring pattern.
- Quilts as Maps in the Civil War — A member asks about the controversial theory that quilts served as maps on the Underground Railroad. (see the article on a Civil War quilt)
- Batting Reviews Continued — Further discussion of Thermore and other battings, with practical comparisons for different quilting styles. (see the article on quilt batting)
- Quilt Marking Research — Pepper Cory asks about marked quilts for a book on quilt marking techniques.
- Cheater Cloth History — A member shares a Quilter’s Visual Guide article on cheater cloth and printed whole-cloth quilts. (see the article on cheater cloth)
- Swastika Discussion Wrap-Up — Final thoughtful reflections on the swastika controversy, with members appreciating the civil discourse.
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 05:57:20 EDT | From: JBQUILTOK [at] aol [dot] com
I realize it’s been two or three weeks since these were discussed, but I came across a couple of references that may help date these. I was looking through some of the magazines in my collection & found these: In the November 1977 ‘The Workbasket and Home Arts Magazine’ there is an ad for Lil’ Duck Mending Kit. Pictured is a sketch of the duck on an octagonal base. He has scissors through the head, pegs for spools of thread and a little cup for a thimble. Text of ad: A perfect gift or make and sell item. Pre-drilled holes for easy assembly. Sturdy pine construction. Size of base 5 1/2″ by 5 1/2″. Stands 4 1/2″ high. Holds 6 spools of thread, thimble, and scissors.
Accessories not included. Sanded, ready for painting, decorating, etc. Cost $3.50 ea (Shipping paid) Save… 6 units only $18. 12 units at $30. Larson Wood Mfg. P.O. Box 365-2-5, Hayword, Minnesota, 56043 Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Free Woodcraft Catalog with all first-time orders.
Same-day shipping to assure plenty of time for the holidays.
The September 1986 issue of the same magazine showed the pincushion chair (w/ the seat that lifts for storage) in the ‘Making Cents’ column. No pattern, just directions to cut chair pieces out of cardboard, cover w/ material &
stuff. Sell for $5.
Annie’s Pattern Club Newsletter (Oct-Nov 1988 Number 53) was more helpful with the chair. They provided a pattern & recommended using plastic canvas instead of cardboard.
Given the nature of both publications, I suspect these items go much farther back in sewing history. But it also shows that their popularity remained high through the recent past.
Janet Bronston
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 06:23:39 EDT | From: JBQUILTOK [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-08-03 19:24:27 EDT, you write:
<< Except for Texas stars, I’ve never seen another 5 pointed one, >>
I have a reproduction of a 1898 Ladies Art Co catalog that showed a 5 pointed star quilt block pattern. I redrafted it using Block Base software – not the easiest task I”ve ever taken on. Was going to use it for my ‘block of the month’ series, but the pieces didn’t fit the guild newsletter space restrictions.
Janet Bronston
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 07:28:45 EDT | From: CToczek [at] aol [dot] com
The discussion on the swastika symbol has been fascinating…..so many good thoughts pro and con….lately from Lisa. *Do we shun the quilts made by Southern ladies as showing their support of slavery?*
And more: Do any of you have a flag/patriotic quilt? What of the massacre of Native Americans in the name of the Stars and Bars? And there’s the Mayan massacres and the Inquistion under the cross……and the Christian massacres under the crescent moon of the Ottoman Empire…just to name a few moments in time.
Having thrown those in the forum, I will conclude my own partaking in this discussion and move on to other quilt history related topics.
Thanks to all who’ve joined in.
Carla Toczek
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 07:51:48 -0400 | From: Jean Ann
what about the wedding ring? I am on a committee that is planning the activities for October which is Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness week. I dare say more women and children, and men too, have been tortured, murdered, abused, using the symbol of the wedding ring as the “excuse” for having the right to perpetuate such behavior, than under any other symbol. I am a survivor and escapee from such violence.
In reading some of the later comments about the swastika, one from Lisa Erlandson and another, from someone else and I cant find the email. Let me clairfy, it is not the history of the symbol that is the problem… in the historical context we can see how what was once a symbol for good luck, and apparently chosen because of the good luck, can be changed forever to a symbol for evil. If the entire history is presented, including the tragic and evil ending, that is one thing. It is the idea that a small group of quilters can band together to CHANGE the symbol back to what it was before Hitler took it and used it so abominable, that is a problem. This just cant be done and to attempt to do so is what I find so disturbing. Living happily in Georgia, the south, and YES, i do object to the Confederate Flag being part of the Georgia state flag, especially as it was adopted as the flag in the early 1960’s to protest integration. This too, needs to change.
I still try to live each day, “respecting the dignity of every human being.”
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor email: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com
QUILT Magazine, Harris Publications Inc, NY, NY
QUILT magazine web site: http://www.quiltmag.com
My personal web site: http://www.mindspring.com/~quiltmag/jeanann/jaeindex.html Chat with quilters on irc: http://www.quilttalk.com
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 07:55:47 -0400 | From: Jean Ann
awww shucks, i was on vacation for the pincushion discussion. I have a collection of these pincushions.. both ducks and chairs. Guess I should get a picture of them and do an article on them in QUILT. I buy them because they are so cute. I also have a silhouette cut out chicken pin cushion/spool holder too.
thanks for bringing this up again Janet. I am looking at my funny little 1930’s pincushions with new and appreciative eyes.
P.S. you can buy them real cheap here in Georgia. Dont tell antique dealers here that they might have some value, i think i will try to acquire some more.
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor email: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com
QUILT Magazine, Harris Publications Inc, NY, NY
QUILT magazine web site: http://www.quiltmag.com
My personal web site: http://www.mindspring.com/~quiltmag/jeanann/jaeindex.html Chat with quilters on irc: http://www.quilttalk.com
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 08:00:00 -0400 | From: Jean Ann
Jocelyn, thanks for the information about garment dyed clothing. Now if we could just do this for our quilts, LOL…. make it up for the season.
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor email: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com
QUILT Magazine, Harris Publications Inc, NY, NY
QUILT magazine web site: http://www.quiltmag.com
My personal web site: http://www.mindspring.com/~quiltmag/jeanann/jaeindex.html Chat with quilters on irc: http://www.quilttalk.com
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 08:20:47 +0100 | From: “Karen L Martin”
x-mac-creator=”4D4F5353″
I am interested in information on quilts as maps during the civil war era. The official atlas of civil war battles gives quotes from Gen. McLelland who says that for the first two years of the war there were no useful maps – that they rounded up the troops and went out and engaged the enemy. It seems to me that quilts as maps would have been born of necessity. Any comments?
—
Karen Martin, Executive Secretary
Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
333 Moore Hall
Central Michigan University
517-774-3178 (voice)
517-774-2498 (fax)
Email Karen.L.Martin [at] cmich [dot] edu
*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–* “…just as the pieces of the quilt are sewn together with interlocking stitches, all people are linked together in the fabric of our world.”
–Teresa Gustafson
*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*–*
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 08:48:52 -0400 | From: debatqps [at] juno [dot] com
I love the new Hobbs Organic cotton. I like Harriets 80/20 blend also, which is what we sell the most of right now, but the new Organic is catching up in sales. I like it without scrim but I have customers who like it with. I really believe it all depends upon what you get used to. I have customers who love to hand quilt with Warm and Natural, while I love the batting for machine quilting, I think hand quilting it is like quilting through cement. We carry 5 types of batting and sell it all. It just depends upon what you are doing and what the quilt is going to be used for.
As for washing quilts, I think we have to look at each quilt individually. Is it museum quality? Is it going to disintergrate by washing it? Is it usable, displayable if you don’t wash it? When in doubt, have it appraised.
What good are they if they are too dirty to even be enjoyed?
I have washed all but one of my “collection”.
That one is an Ann Orr pattern that I think of all my quilts, is probably the only one I would think needs to be appraised. The rest are nice but “normal” quilts, certainly not museum quality, ones I don’t panic if I find one of the kids curled up on the couch under! VBG The Ann Orr one they have been warned not to touch! VBG
Debbie in NJ
_____________________________________________________________________ You don’t need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 10:07:38 EDT | From: Tmauvlus [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-08-05 23:48:42 EDT, qrs [at] albany [dot] net writes:
<<
This list was founded to be a research tool for people interested in antique textiles. >>
In an attempt to honor the above statement, I would like to post a query that is directly related to research and antique quilts. I posted the question over a year ago, but would like to renew it for those new to the list, or in the event that someone has come across the practice.
I am researching the use of human hair in quilts. Yes, you read that correctly. I have found it in various places, from a cross-stitched signature, flowers in a Victorian crazy quilt, Panels in the NAMES project, and more. I wrote a very small, very simple paper on this research last year, but it is far too interesting to drop –and, as far as I know, it is my very own, personal, unique research that has not been done before. (Goody, goody!!)
My question to you all: Have you ever seen, or have your heard of, any quilts that use human hair? It may be a lock placed in one of the new “memory” quilts, along with photo transfers, that sort of thing. It may be a family tradition that the maker puts a strand of her own hair in the batting. It may be a signature in an antique quilt . The AIDS people have been extremely uncooperative, so if you know personally of a NAMES panel that has hair on it, I would love to know. ANYTHING is grist for this mill. I have written letters all over the country, to museums and collectors, but Hair is never indexed, and has been difficult to find,. I KNOW IT IS OUT THERE!!!!! Any help you can give, or information you can forward, will be so greatly appreciated.
You can even print this note and keep it in the event you come across something. THANK YOU ALL!!
Teddy Pruett, Certified Appraiser and quilt lover in general, Winter Garden, FL.
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 10:21:53 -0400 | From: “A.A. Harkavy”
Thought I’d add my .02 on cotton batts — since the picture has changed somewhat during the past six months.
The question was re: ease of needling, and I’ll cover that. But as long as I’m here, I think I’ll do a core dump. <g>
I most recently tested three brands of 100% cotton batting. Quilter’s Dream Cotton, Hobbs 100% Organic, and Fairfield Soft Touch. Here goes:
1.
Natural (unbleached) batts are easier to hand quilt than bleached (white) batts of the same weight because bleaching toughens the fibers. 2. 100% cotton batts *should not* be prewashed because the batt will not hold up w/o top, back, and quilting
Quilter’s Dream Cotton is available in *four* weights. The thinnest is Request, followed by Select, Deluxe, and Supreme. Request and Select are suitable for hand quilting and are available in white and natural in a *huge* variety of sizes (craft, crib, twin, extra double, queen, super queen, king adapter).
Request is the easiest to hand needle, and Select is very pleasant to work with. Deluxe and Supreme are suitable for machine quilting only.
Quilter’s Dream Cotton can be quilted at up to 8 ” intervals, and I washed FINISHED pieces on hot, dried on hot, and they did fine. I might add that I have done eight quilts using Request or Select; all have been repeatedly washed and dried (I have kept track of those given as gifts), and they’re going strong.
The batting is very uniform in thickness and the package always contains a generous “over” amount (vs. stated size).
Both request and Select are far more drapey and soft than Warm & Natural after washing. This is not surprising, as W&N has a polyester scrim (binder) to hold it together.
Hobbs 100% Cotton Organic is not as uniform in thickness as Quilter’s Dream Cotton. It is slightly thinner than Request weight. Because it is *organic*, it has not been *scrubbed*. Though the *improved* current product is cleaner than its predecessor, there are still some seeds and plant residue in it. The old version was associated with a few quilters’ having oil spots on their quilts (Mimi Dietrich in particular), and when I called Hobbs about it at that time, their VP told me that the batt is “as clean as we can make it.” They maintain that this is still the case, which gives me no assurance that it is always *as clean as we would like it*. <g> It must be quilted no farther apart than 2″, gives a very drapey finish, and … I have it in four quilts … is very easy to hand needle, nice to work with … but I would not necessarily recommend that others take what might be a risk.
Fairfield Soft Touch is bleached white and comparable in weight to Quilter’s Dream Cotton Select. It must be quilted at up to 2″ intervals and seems slightly more difficult to hand needle than Quilter’s Dream Cotton. The finished product is slightly stiffer than Quilter’s Dream Cotton REQUEST in white, and stiffer than QDC SELECT in white (after washing and machine drying). On the other hand, it performs well over repeated washing and is a highly satisfactory product IMO. Finally, just to be thorough, Warm&Natural is not pleasant for me to hand needle. I find its finish stiff after repeated washing and drying, and, becaues it doesn’t shrink much, one doesn’t get much “relief” around quilting lines (and I quilt closely).
Hope this helps re: cotton batts.
Addy
<aardvark [at] ime [dot] net>
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 10:29:27 -0400 | From: “Lonnie Foley”
thanks Addy for the review on the batting, now has anyone used a batting called Simply Cotton and what do you think of that one?
Lonnie
—–Original Message—–
From: A.A. Harkavy [mailto:aardvark [at] ime [dot] net] Sent: Thursday, August 06, 1998 10:22 AM
To: QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com
Subject: QHL: Cotton batting test results
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 10:53:29 EDT | From: MimaMoa [at] aol [dot] com
I have a new e-mail — marilyn [at] crl [dot] com. I’ll put in a delete for this name and add to the new name.
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 11:06:06 EDT | From: RBCochran [at] aol [dot] com
Teddy–
Off hand, I can’t think of a quilt that has hair in it, although I recall (but can’t cite sources at the moment) that when linens were cross-stitched with initials and/or numbers for household inventory, sometimes human hair was used. Some of those linens might later have been incorporated into quilts (Florence Peto, for example, used antique linens in a number of the quilts she made), but I don’t imagine that the hair “laundry markings” would have remained in tact.
Can anyone else recall this practice?
–Rachel
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 10:51:18 -0700 | From: Kathleen Ballard
Teddy wrote:
I am researching the use of human hair in quilts.
******
Wow! Just when I think every interesting twist the a road can make has been mapped, undiscovered territority turns up just around corner. I have never heard of this, but, at least historically, it makes sense. I believe I have read that ladies *saved* their hair in hair savers. One product of this recycling were combs that matched the ladies own hair color. I guess if it is already saved, it would undoubtedly be used in other, more sentimental ways.
How interesting! I am sure some of my hair has ended up in all my projects—quilts, knitted and crocheted items, probably even baked goods!
🙂
But it would never have occurred to me to use it in these projects on purpose. I wonder if human hair has been used in crocheted and knitted items? I will have to mention this thread on the crochet list and see if there are any historians out there!
Kathleen
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 11:09:04 EDT | From: RBCochran [at] aol [dot] com
Addy–
I know you were discussing mainly cotton battings. How does Thermore compare? I’ve been using it a lot, but Quilter’s Dream sounds like something I’d like to try.
–Rachel
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 12:26:22 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan”
It’s my understanding that when you receive flames, you should address the issue to Kris, not the list in general. Not only is it impolite to repost comments to the list without permission, I also don’t think the rest of us want to be dragged into the fray. Once is bad enough, but four reposts in one digest is unconscionable.
Alan
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 10:42:43 -0500 | From: Maury Bynum
CToczek [at] aol [dot] com wrote:
> The discussion on the swastika symbol has been fascinating…..so many good thoughts pro and con….lately from Lisa. *Do we shun the quilts made by Southern ladies as showing their support of slavery?*
> And more: Do any of you have a flag/patriotic quilt? What of the massacre of Native Americans in the name of the Stars and Bars? And there’s the Mayan massacres and the Inquistion under the cross……and the Christian massacres under the crescent moon of the Ottoman Empire…just to name a few moments in time.
> Having thrown those in the forum, I will conclude my own partaking in this discussion and move on to other quilt history related topics.
> Thanks to all who’ve joined in.
> Carla Toczek
Thaanks! Maury
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 12:16:03 +0000 | From: Jocelyn
Kathleen Ballard <klb1316 [at] pressroom [dot] com>
Subject: Re: QHL: hair in quilts
Message-id: <153E4743D95 [at] sw1 [dot] socwel [dot] ukans [dot] edu>
> But it would never have occurred to me to use it in these projects on purpose. I wonder if human hair has been used in crocheted and knitted items? I will have to mention this thread on the crochet list and see if there are any historians out there!
Kathleen,
In the Arthurian legends, one of the knights (Percival, I believe), was given a swordbelt as he went off to search for the Grail, which was woven by his sister, who was a nun, from the hair that had been cut off when she joined the convent.
I had a friend decide to try weaving her own hair. She opted to use combings, instead of shaving her head. <G> Her report was that it was definitely do-able, although straightening the hair out after she cleaned her hairbrush was by far the most laborious part of the job. She was an experienced wool-spinner and weaver. She ended up with a relatively small strip of ‘cloth’, but suspected that if she’d had as much hair as Percival’s sister to work with, she might actually have been able to make an entire belt. OTOH, she continued to doubt that it would be strong enough to support a sword.
As for how common it was….well, the storytellers were mostly men. I find it hard to imagine that a person who was not familiar with fiber-working could imagine up something as fanciful as weaving your own hair….and have it actually WORK. So while it might be pure happenstance, I think it’s even more likely that women of the era used their hair for making love tokens, or for embroidery, and male storytellers were familiar with that practice, and just extrapolated it into making a swordbelt (since there was supposed to be something mystical about the hair of a nun, its use in this manner was a sort of divine stamp of approval. <G>)
Jocelyn
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 13:52:30 -0400 | From: Debby Kratovil
> Off hand, I can’t think of a quilt that has hair in it, although I recall (but can’t cite sources at the moment) that when linens were cross-stitched with initials and/or numbers for household inventory, sometimes human hair was used.
In my research for the article I wrote in a recent NQA Quilting Quarterly entitled “Friendship Quilts” I have a line:
“One quilt discussed in Nancy Tuckhorn’s book A Maryland Album reveals that the name “Agusta” is worked in fine cross stitches using hair!” but for the life of me I can’t find the page. But I will hunt for it and get back to the list.
There is a whole group of folks who are into Hair and special wreaths, etc made from human hair. I know because it is an article I uploaded (as webmaster) for the Country Collectibles website. The article is called: “From Hair To Eternity” and deals with all the Victorian collecting of hair, etc. It appeared in the Spring 1998 issue and is there for the reading along with some pictures:
http://www.countrycollector.com/spring98/hair.html
If you check our links page there is an entire website dedicated to all this hair-stuff! http://www.hairwork.com – Victorian Hairworks Debby Kratovil — Quilter By Design
mailto:kratovil [at] his [dot] com
http://www.his.com/~queenb
Paper Piecing Patterns & More!
Mac Pfaffie 7570
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 14:10:41 -0400 | From: “Judy Grow”
—–Original Message—–
From: Jean Ann <quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com> To: Judy Grow <Judygrow [at] blast [dot] net>
Date: Thursday, August 06, 1998 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: QHL: clamping fabric
>judy i have done this too, but then i get out of the car and find the pins still in my clothes. it is especially bad when i am wearing shorts and have stuck all those pins in my bosum.
>Jean Ann Eitel, Editor email: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com
>QUILT Magazine, Harris Publications Inc, NY, NY
>QUILT magazine web site: http://www.quiltmag.com My personal web site:
http://www.mindspring.com/~quiltmag/jeanann/jaeindex.html
>Chat with quilters on irc: http://www.quilttalk.com
Jean
I don’t have the same problem. If you look at the door on the passenger side of our Honda and Suburban you will find a neat pattern of yellow pin heads, usually in a triangular shape, like bowling pins. They are always there for emergencies. No pins in my bosom!
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow [at] blast [dot] net
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 14:32:31 -0400 | From: “Judy Grow”
Amazon.com failed me on my order of “Indigo Textiles” by Gosta Sandberg a month ago, and I found it a few days ago in the most wonderul shop in our area called “The Spinnery”. This shop specializes in things wool related — spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing. It is one of those places you just like to be, whether or not you are going to buy something. Anyway, I am reading the Indigo book very carefully, line by line, page by page, illustration by illustr…… whoa! What’s this? On page 52, the photo showing Joseph Koo block printing the resist for an indigo fabric! Something very odd has been carefully placed on the edge of his work surface! It’s a newspaper, and what I can see on the page doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the work in progress. On the upper right corner of the page is a very buxom and almost naked woman, and from what I can see, a very beautiful woman!
This work that Joseph is doing must be very boring, and he must need a whole lot of distraction to keep him going at it, notwithstanding that he is a “living treasure”, one of the last peiple in the world blue-printing in the old style. In the photo he seems very intent with the work at hand, but he must have to look over to the newspaper often for inspiration.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow [at] blast [dot] net
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 13:54:26 +0000 | From: Jocelyn
> It might have been difficult to keep paper dry. I don’t think that a quilt as a map would have been specific, if for a slave on the run it could have been very general and coded to keep its secret.
Karen,
Barbara Brackman discussed the ‘quilt as map’ in her book about Civil War quilts (although not as thoroughly as I would have liked). She addressed the point with looking for the first-known examples of Log Cabin and Underground Railroad/Jacob’s Ladder quilts. Her conclusion is that both are tribute quilts, the Log Cabin to Lincoln, and neither were in common usage during the era of the Underground Railroad.
I, OTOH, attack the problems by logic alone, not by extensive historical analysis. So what I have to say is, admittedly, not factual, but intended to lower the probability of a legend being true.
Quilts are big, cumbersome and heavy. Both soldiers and escaping slaves needed to travel light. Neither had the ability to protect the quilt from getting rain-soaked, drenched while crossing rivers, etc. A soaked quilt would be an obnoxious object to have to carry on, both from weight, smell and the clammy feel.
Paper and ink maps may well have been too sensitive to water, but there’s another option that’s far more practical than a quilt: the embroidered linen sampler. Small, easily portable in a pocket, and quick-drying, it could be consulted by a mounted man without spooking his horse. The detail of a pen and ink map could almost be replicated with a thin line of stitching (that presumes that ink was not sufficiently waterproof for drawing directly on fabric….which seems to be a huge stretch, considering the album quilts and quilts that had inspirational thoughts written on them. Surely not all of them were intended never to be washed!)
The perennial objection I have to the log-cabin-as-station- identifier is that the color of a central square is not visible clearly from a safe distance. You have to be fairly close to most LC quilts to be able to determine that the central square is black, and not red–especially if dark red is an option! If you were an escaping slave, hiding in the woods, would you really want to leave cover to walk right up into someone’s yard to see the color of the blocks on the quilt? Not very likely. I think it is FAR more likely that if quilts were used as a signal, they were used to signal to white neighbors who were bringing a wagonload of hidden slaves, as to whether the coast was clear, since a white man could drive right up, exchange pleasantries, and excuse himself to go home again, if he arrived and found the wrong color of quilt on the line. But for groups of slaves to travel for hundreds of miles, from house to house, each bedecked with a black-centered log cabin, stretches my belief in the stupidity of slave-catchers. (plus, as Brackman says, there’s no evidence that LC quilts were made at the time of the UR). As for Jacob’s Ladder being a map to freedom…I’d love to find someone who could explain to me HOW. I wouldn’t care to set out for Minneapolis using a map like a JL quilt! The pattern repeats over and over. How does each repetition convey different information? I’d theorize it had to do with fabric placement, but I’ve never seen pictures of, or heard of, a quilt that didn’t use a great deal of repetition in fabric choice–eg, all the triangles in all the blocks are the same color. Nor have I ever heard a report of one of these quilts having unusual quilting lines that don’t fit into the overall design, so that they might form a ‘map’. Brackman makes the point that if you turn the JL block on point, it’ll form vertical (ie, north to south) stripes…which may be the origin of the legend. At any rate, we’re back to the question of how foolish were slavecatchers, anyway. If this were common and routine, wouldn’t they just look for the quilts? Or listen for the singing of the spirituals that supposedly were clues and maps? Perhaps it happened once or twice, but it’s hard to believe that it happened often. Then, if the quilts weren’t used for signals, how did we get so many of them? I believe Brackman has that right….they were made as commemoratives, years after the fact, and were given fanciful names. An ‘Underground Railroad’ quilt wouldn’t have to mean that it was used on the Underground Railroad, no more than that the Whig Rose quilt portrays the type of roses raised by Whigs. When we consider how long and diligently people have hunted for a quilt with family history or other provenance documenting its use as an UR quilt, and how none has ever surfaced, despite its obvious financial value, I think that’s the most compelling evidence of all.
Jocelyn
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 18:50:05 -0400 | From: Bizmark Storms
In response to Teddy’s request about hair in quilts, a quilting acquaintance recently included a locket containing strands of hair from herself and her husband on a crazy quilt. This was based on the ritual of Victorian women wearing a mourning broach containing hair from their deceased children or close family members. She had somewhere encountered an antique crazy quilt that included a traditional mourning broach, and decided to put a positive spin on the idea when she made her own crazy quilt with “living” memories. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Bizmark.
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 20:08:01 -0400 | From: Jean Binns Smith
I’ve already stated strongly my oposition to reviving swastika quilts, but this is in the interest of quilt history.
I have a quilting friend who lives in State College, Pa. who has a swastika quilt in her collection.. I talked to her today. She is a quilter and collector and a former antique dealer. Several years ago she purchased a blue and white swastika quilt from a woman living in State College. She determined the pattern to be Indian Swastika or Crazy Ann She doesn’t know any back ground on the quilt. She dates the fabrics as late 1800’s or very early 1900’s. Several different blue fabrics are used to make the blocks.. The pieced blocks are set on point, and alternated with plain white blocks. The batting is cotton, and though she has found small pieces of dirt, she can’t find any cotton seeds.
She says the quilting in the plain blocks is beautiful, 10 stitchs to the inch on top. She has no desire to sell the quilt, but would be willing to share a photo in the interest of research. If you are interested, mail me your snail mail address and I will pass it on to her.
Jean Smith, Bellefonte, PA.
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 22:03:50 EDT | From: Tmauvlus [at] aol [dot] com
The people on this list are the greatest!!
I have had several e-mails already today concerning the hair research. Let me assure you, if there is mention in the typical “quilter’s” or quilt-historian literature, I have found it.
In my research, I’ve also become quite knowledgeable about the Victorian practices of hair weaving, wreaths, jewelry, etc. I even went so far as to buy a Civil War era hair brooch! I think it is marvelous, even tho one lady said she would not sleep in the room with it! Anyway, I really worked long and hard in my original search, so I’m looking now for quilts that are more “in hiding”.
I am truly grateful to all of you – keep the posts coming, please! I would rather have you tell me aobut something I already know than to miss a chance to learn more.
Teddy Pruett
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 23:08:00 -0400 | From: Jean Ann
I live in a town that was the site of one of the major civil war battles, the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Sherman and his troups were held up here for two weeks keeping them from going to Atlanta and allowing many supplies for the Confederacy to be moved out of Atlanta. I live one half mile from the battlefield. It is a big National Park now…. One big field that I drive by was the major battlefield where thousands of Union or Federal troops died. When I drive by there I can almost “feel” the blood of all those young men crying out! War is a terrible thing.
On the other side of the battlefield there is a farm that has been in the same family since before the Civil War. It is the Kemp family. I met the elderly woman who still lives on her family’s farm. She showed me a quilt that the Federal troops stuck a bayonet through and then dragged through the red Georgia clay. There was a rumor that her ancestor had buried a big chest of gold coins somewhere on the farm before the war. The Federal troops wanted that gold. She said if there was gold there no one has ever found it. The father of the family who supposedly buried the gold was killed in the war.
The quilt is in a Lone Star design and the big bayonet hole is still in it. The family over the years tried to wash out the red clay stains but they persist. She asked me what to do with the quilt as she has no children. I suggested she donate the quilt along with the writtin family oral history about the quilt to the Welcome Center and Archives building at the Kennesaw National Battlefield Park. So far she has not done so. I sure hope she does, this is a treasure that many would enjoy seeing, quiltmakers and not quiltermakers….
There are some family treasures that should stay in families and others that should be shared, particularly when family members may not treasure the object or the history.
Jean Ann Eitel, Editor email: quiltmag [at] mindspring [dot] com
QUILT Magazine, Harris Publications Inc, NY, NY
QUILT magazine web site: http://www.quiltmag.com
My personal web site: http://www.mindspring.com/~quiltmag/jeanann/jaeindex.html Chat with quilters on irc: http://www.quilttalk.com
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 22:39:26 +0930 | From: Karen Bush
I agree with everyting Addy posted about the batts, and in the same order,too. There is just one addition I could make, the l00% cotton batts CAN be washed, but, WITHOUT any agitation, and put in a cool dryer. I used to have to do this for some designers, they Insisted on their battings to be washed. I finally told them to do it themselves. They did. But, I also discovered, it was a LOT easier to quilt without the pre-wash. I think the density changed with the washing and made it harder to quilt. That said, Addy is right, there is really No purpose in washing the l00% cotton in the first place! 🙂
On the question of Thermore, I LOVE it. Although it is a poly, I STILL love it! 🙂 kb
—
********************************************************************* http://idahoquilt.com
NOW AVAILABLE- “QUILT AS DESIRED”
The “TELL ALL” book of hand quilting
KAREN BUSH- PROFESSIONAL HANDQUILTER, AUTHOR
Member of the Professional HandCrafters
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 00:13:16 -0700 | From: Patty
This is not directly related to quilting, but will, I think, show our ancestors passion for saving human (and rarely animal) hair.
I have my Mother’s photo album (fascinating…front page of ww2 headlines) and at a family reunion in the late 30’s/early 40’s a lock of each attendee’s hair is mounted with a numeric key to a group picture and notation of relationship (i.e. Great Uncle Ned DeWitt).
These locks of hair are secured with red thread and taped to the page above numeric key, etc. They are still very flexible, and silky in texture. The color has not faded or changed as far as I can tell. Based on this limited example, I would not be surprised if hair used in quilts is still there. I *don’t* recall the source of this information: sometimes a lock of hair was sewn into the batting of a quilt.
FWIW,
Patty
mailto:friend [at] cyberverse [dot] com
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 21:58:02 +1000 | From: nomad1
Dear All,
So glad that the flame wars are now over and that we are back on track. I would like to pose a question I asked some time a go, but did not get any reply to.
Has anyone found in their quilt research as to when the first cheater cloth appeared? The reason is that I found a wonderful double pink quilt in Ohio that has vines and roses and buds and baskets all outlined in black and coloured within in pinks and greens and a smidgen of yellow. It reads late 1800’s to me but I want to make sure. Hope my descriptions make sense. I really would love to hear from any who have come across antique/old cheater cloth.
In regards to use of hair in quilts, I have read somewhere of the tail of an appliqued horse being made of plaited hair. Afraid I just cannot remember where I found it.
Thanks to all for the lively discussion that sure is wonderfully distracting in Sydney where it is cold, wet and windy!
Hiranya :>
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 09:18:32 EDT | From: Quilt97 [at] aol [dot] com
Carol,
You might try checking the yellow pages for a company that sells flags.
Elisabeth
>>Does anyone out there know a source for patriotic bunting? I want new
bunting not antique bunting?
Carol Elmore >>
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 09:20:40 -0400 (EDT) | From: quiltsnbears [at] webtv [dot] net (Roberta Geanangel)
In a booklet called,”Colonial Quilts” published in 1932 by Successful Farming there is the following offer;”Eastern Star Quilt (not illustrated) The reproduction of the Eastern Star Emblem makes a very beautiful patchwork quilt. The center star measures 72″x72″,with a 6″ border,making the entire quilt 84″x84″.Comes ready stamped,in the correct Eastern Star colors,red,green,blue,yellow and white. Order No. 152-A All materials for top of quilt,stamped ready to cut and join together. Best quality sateen. $5.95
Complete Cutting Guide,perforated quilting deign,stamping powder and color chart,order No. 152-B,$1.00″
Take your place in history..sign and date your quilts!
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 09:53:55 -0400 | From: Sally Eagar
Hi All,
There is an article in the “Quilters Visual Guide” That talks about the “cheater cloth” fabrics. They were created in the 1860’s to be used primarily as quilt backs……. Or at least that is the author’s contention.
There is a lovely photo of a dutch windmill patterned piece in reds dark browns and black that dates to the 1860’s.
Hope this was helpful,
Now returning you to your regularly contributing members <G>
sal
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 12:12:51 EDT | From: Tmauvlus [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-08-07 09:21:52 EDT, quiltsnbears [at] webtv [dot] net writes:
<<
In a booklet called,”Colonial Quilts” published in 1932 by Successful Farming there is the following offer;”Eastern Star Quilt (not illu >>
BINGO!!! Aren’t we powerful as a group??
Teddy
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 14:17:21 -0700 | From: “pepper cory”
Here’s a general query: in doing research for a book on quilt marking, I’ve come across many different ways folks used to get the designs on their quilts. For you collectors and researchers: I need info concerning the blue in the pounce pads sometimes used to dust on designs. Think it was laundry blueing powdered? I only have encountered blueing in liquid form. What is the blue in carpenter’s pounce pads? Blue chalk? Interested in the templates and stencils used-have samples of cardboard templates to be traced around to metal shapes. Others? Anyone have an old set of feathering templates of metal? Interesting aside-I have Amish quilting templates cut from bonnet buckram. Got in an auction box. Interested in all marking info but am up to here with water marker horror stories. Thanks- Pepper Cory
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 14:38:48 -0400 | From: Steve Greco
I don’t know much about hair in quilts but I do know that the ear= ly pioneer women here in Oregon made Hair Wreaths where they took their hair and mad= e very intricate wreaths, then framed them exactly like you would a piece of lin= en work.
There are several on display at Champoeg Park (historic park where Oregon= ‘s political history was born) and probably in other pioneer museums in Oregon as well= =2E
It makes sense that they would use hair since traveling on the Oregon trail was arduous and one was lucky to have much left by the time they got here= =2E
If you would like me to do a little research on how you could fin= d out more about these wreaths, e-mail me and I’ll see what I can do.
Rachel Greco
Grandma’s Attic Sewing Emporium, Inc.
155 SW Court Street
Dallas, OR 97338
1-503-623-0451
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 18:58:59 -0400 | From: Lynn and Debbie Cupp
Just bought the new Quilting Today (issue 68) and our own Cinda Cawley has an article (along with others) entitled
Red and Green Appplique Quilts: 1840-1870
Very nice, Cinda.
Debbie waiting for the quilt fairy to bring another red and green :>
