January 7 – 8, 2004
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:
- Wrapping Up the KKK Quilt Discussion — The thread closes with historical clarifications and a few more personal family accounts.
- An Amish Quilt Lecture at the Met — A New York lecture on Amish quilts is promoted along with related research contacts.
- A Stolen Quilt Alert — A member circulates a link to help recover a stolen quilt.
- New Members Introduce Themselves — New subscribers share their quilting backgrounds and interests.
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Marsha, some quilt! There is at least one other KKK quilt out there somewhere, because when I read your posting, I assumed this was it. Didn’t check the website until just now. It did not have names.
But this one is a very public, “subscription” quilt, suggesting an entire community’s affirmation.
What was the demography of its place of origin? A mixed population? And what kind of mixture? In other words, what fueled the KKK there?
Out of private curiosity, I wonder whether it was made in a region near the home of the bomber of the Oklahoma federal building?
Gail ingram
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: aol.com
In a message dated 1/7/2004 8:32:50 AM Eastern Standard Time, gingram@ writes:
> > Out of private curiosity, I wonder whether it was made in a > region near the > home of the bomber of the Oklahoma federal building?
Probably not, since Timothy McVeigh was from upstate New York….:)
Karen Evans
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: “Laurette Carroll”
Hello QHL’ers For those list members living in the Southern California area, our quilt history/study group will be starting off our new year, meeting in a new location in Escondido on Wednesday, January 14th. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. Anyone in the area interested in quilt history is welcome to join us.
We have been meeting for over 8 years now, and have enjoyed studying hundreds of antique and vintage quilts and quilt related items during that period. As an example, some of the antique quilts we have seen are fantastic early chintz quilts, antique friendship quilts, and antique/vintage children’s quilts. We also study quilt related items, like pillowcases and sewing items, as well as fabrics.
We have always had a “hands on” type of meeting, studying the quilts in an “up close and friendly” way. At our meetings we share quilts for studying purposes as well as information on quilt books and quilt articles, and any other possible sources of quilt history that may enhance our quilt history knowledge (spelled – obsession!).
The new meeting location is the Bits and Pieces quilt shop. 426B West 2nd. Avenue, Escondido, CA, 92025.
Hope to see some of you there. For more information please email me privately, Laurette Carroll rl.carroll@
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: “Lorraine Olsson” <svenpnc.com.au>
Just a little trivia here.
Our Nic was actually born in Hawaii (of Aussie parents of course)
Lorraine in Oz
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: Barbara Robson <robsonbhhfx.eastlink.ca>
Hi Kris and QHL,
Thanks for posting the link to my stolen quilt. I was surprised to see it here. I am slowly catching up after a busy couple of weeks and hadn’t taken the time to post it.
Yes, the quilt was stolen from the wall in my father’s room. He is a resident of Camp Hill Veteran’s Hospital here in Halifax (he is a WWll vet having served in both the RAF and RCAF as a Pathfinder). It was just a small quilt, bright and cheery, perfect for his room to brighten it up. It was taken at night while he slept. My name is embroidered on the back and I am quite well known in the Nova Scotia and Canadian quilt world, so I hope someone sees it some day and recognizes my name.
I never dreamt this would happen there or I would have secured it better to the wall. I had a second hanging in his room too but brought it home. I did make up a poster and put it where the quilt was. There are also posters around the hospital.
Thanks again Kris,
Barbara Robson Fox Point, Nova Scotia
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: “Denise M. R. Nordberg”
I just wanted the list to know that I received a very nice e-mail from the executive director of the New England Quilt Museum and that they are taking seriously my complaint about not being open at published times. And, Judy, the “Sleeping under the Stars” exhibit there was great even if I did have to go WAY out of my way to get back to it. They had in the vicinity of 40 antique quilts with at least 2 star sets/patterns that I have never seen before! And, since there exhibits are hung so that you can get right up to the quilt, it’s wonderful to be able to study the quilting and piecing/applique techniques. Deerfield has Lynn Bassett’s exhibit on for a little while although their winter hours are curtailed. Go to their website to check if you want to make a special trip. That exhibit’s catalog is now available and is well worth the 10.95 price. They don’t sell it at the Flynt center where the exhibit is (why???) but it is available at the museum shop in the center of Deerfield. The houses were beautiful, there was snow on the ground and many places were lighted with candles – only! Denise Nordberg in VERY COLD NE Pennsylvania
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: CarylSchuetz@
My husband’s great (or great great) uncle was hanged by the KKK in Mississippi because he was an Irish Catholic. The KKK felt threatened by not only African Americans and Jewish people, but also by Catholics. We learned of the death of that relative when we did my husband’s family geneology. Apparently, the uncle came from Ireland and chose to settle in Mississippi. Caryl
Date: January 7, 2004 | From: Gloria Hanrahan <gloriaak.net>
Since we had spoken about the Scots-Irish connection before I found one of the books I’ve read in the past couple of years to be of interest with the Klan symbolism.
The Fiery Cross” is the fifth book in the “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon. Her books are set with Scottish characters and apparently the fiery cross was a symbol of battle in Scotland.
The lead character in the book goes through ritualistic ceremony and lights the cross before going to war. Considering that a good many Southerners descended from Scottish stock it would make sense that the cross burning would be a part of the Klan symbolism.
No quilts in the book though and I’ve always meant to study more on this since on my father’s side, the Scottish relatives were from Kentucky and Tennessee.
Gloria
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: macdowel@
In answer to a couple of inquiries, the Michigan KKK quilt is from Chicora (as it is signed on the quilt), a town in rural southwest Michigan — not all that far from Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids not that far from the historically important rural settlements of free and escaped slaves in Cass County, Michigan. It is NOT an area that has ever had a reputation as a hot bed of Klan activity.
Karl Rowe, the donor of the quilt was a high school history teacher who, though very much not proud of the fact his forebears were engaged in Klan activity, nonetheless knew that the quilt was an important artifact that could be used in positive educational ways. He also tried to find out more about those who signed the quilt but was unable to unearth more than the quote from the person who had embroidered the names on.
— Marsha MacDowell
PS: Just a note on Michigan’s Thumb area. It has gotten a bum rap just because McVeigh lived there. Having relatives in the area, vacationed along its shoreline, and been part of a team that documented its cultural traditions, I don’t think it is no more and no less a hotbed of racist or extremist activity than any other spot in the U.S., rural or urban, southern or northern.
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>
Hey Judy, Happy to comply. One of our strengths is working with small, underfunded institutions. I am going to put your request on “hold” as the insert detailing that aspect of our services is with the graphic designer. We decided ( for financial reasons) to do the basic brochure, then have inserts with color photos for each area of specialization. It should be done in the next two weeks. Newbie
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Newbie Richardson”
Karen, Sorry this reply is late – I’ve been too busy to read the posts. I can give you three names for historic textile cleaning: Museum Quality in Peekskill, NY (Hudson Rivier area) John Lappe is a 3rd generation drycleaner, also has his masters in conservation from FIT. He has done 18th c stuff for me. wonderful and not out of Line. Then there is J. Scheer & co. Rhinebeck NY – has been in the museum end of conseration cleaning for a very long time. I have several quilt collector friends who have used him. Finally, Dr.Margaret Ordonez of the Historic Textiles Collection at the University of Rhodie Island( she wrote (w/Linda Welters) the RI quilt documentation book runs a conservation lab where her grad students in textile conservation do the work – under her supervision. Like having your pet operated on at a vet school, the price is 30% less. However, Margaret can take a while – you need to prod her sometimes. Her work is superb. Your client should expect to pay a minimum of $500, probably more as that quote is about 2 years old. Newbie Richardson The Costume and Textile Specialists Appraisals, Conservation, 7 Exhibition Alexandria and Richmond, Virginia
—–Original Message—– From: Karen Erlandson Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:37 AM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Re: linsey-woolsey
I guess I should have been more precise in my original question. I am aware of the dangers of improper cleaning of quilts and other textiles. I do quilt restoration and find that most of my work comes from exactly this problem. I have a client with an antique linsey-woolsey quilt that needs some minor repair and she wanted to have it washed too. I told her I wouldn’t – but that I would check with those who might have experience washing this type of quilt. So, thanks to all who replied to me by saying “don’t” – I already knew that answer, but am still looking for someone with experience in such things.
Thanks, Karen Erlandson Quilt Appraiser, certified AQS Professional Quilt Restoration Quilt Historian and Lecturer
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: Teri Klassen <teresakbloomington.in.us>
Amy et al: I have not looked at the “chrysanthemum” e-bay quilt, but just wanted to mention there is a red-and-green applique quilt in Ricky Clark’s Quilted Gardens that I’m pretty sure has a thistle pattern, although she doesn’t call it that. sorry i can’t remember what page. i think it’s toward the back. but thistles were a favorite design on Jacquard coverlets made by Scots-Irish weavers, and I expect they transferred over to red-and-green quilts. it’s especially notable as a symbol of Scotland on a red-and-green quilt because those I guess were mainly popular with German-Americans. see some of you in a few days at the chintz exhibit in Louisville… Teri
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Laura Fisher” <laurafishernetlink1.net>
Hi all– come to New York City for Trish Herr’s lecture on Amish quilts!!
She is speaking at the Metropolitan Museum on Sunday February 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium.20
Perhaps we QHL people could meet and have a drink in the Museum cafe before or after her talk. Let me know!
Laura Fisher —–30–
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Laura Fisher” <laurafishernetlink1.net>
Wow — what a feeling of magic, of power — to put a word out into the world of QHL — KKK quilt — and have it generate such a flow of information!!20
So… now…. does anyone have a picture of a (kkk – i’m putting it lower case ’cause I think we have adequate info on this scary group now) quilt?
I hope I can think of a different word every week about which I would love to stimulate a similar a river of information !!20
Has anyone got info on the White House Quilt I asked about a few weeks ago — Xenia, Cuesta, anybody out there??!! It looks to be a 1930s era quilt, with the picture postcard view of the White House with the columned portico and the circular fountain down front on the lawn, trees on either side, etc.
I would like to know if this was a published pattern, and by whom, or if it was someone’s original creation done in the format and deep pastel coloration of a 1930s applique. I’ve never seen or heard of another, and it’s being featured next week in the exhibition “Lame Ducks and Other Politic Animals: the Art of Politics” at The American Antiques Show sponsored by the American Folk Art Museum, Jan 15-18 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, New York City. Hope you all can come. I’ll be there along with Stella Rubin and Jan Whitlock with quilts and early textiles Come see us! 20 Happy New Year to all.
Laura Fisher ——_NextPart_000_00FD_01C3D58E.DBCD19F0–
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: Xenia Cord <xenia@>
Laura, I am honored to be asked in the same sentence with Cuesta for research information! All I have is a 50 page pattern booklet called White House Quilts, with a small (2″ x 3″) line drawing of the portico, fountain, tree on the cover. A slightly larger illustration of the full facade, with 2 trees on one side and on on the other side of the steps is on the title page. The patterns in the booklet, however, are pieced designs having some relationship, real or contrived, to familiar names from Washington.
The booklet is not identified by publisher, but has an introduction by editor Mabel Obenchain and art director Vera Lengel. (Cuesta?) An address on the back cover for ordering various garment and home sewing pattern books has a return address for Pattern Service, 1150 Avenue of the Americas, NYC 10036. The 5 digit zip dates it to the 1960s or later, I think. But this does not speak to your presumed date of the 1930s for the quilt you describe.
I suppose it would have been relatively easy to project the line drawing of the White House onto fabric and trace it, and certainly this technique was used in the 1930s.
Xenia
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Kathy Moore” <KathyMooreneb.@>
The January 7 comments from “palampore” showed up on my email as unreadable computer “garbage”. Can someone explain why and tell me how to fix it? All the other emails were fine. What gives?
Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: Marthapatches36@
Lynn, Your M_I+W sounds like someone I would have liked knowing. Who was she, maybe many on the list knew of he? 92 years may we all be so blessed.
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: Margareta.Faustcec.eu.int
On the subject of fiery crosses, I’d like to mention a tradition that somewhat shocked me when I first came here to Luxembourg, namely burning crosses as part of an end-of-winter celebration (February/March). In the dark they look eerily like the KKK crosses; I am told that they are in fact covered with old rags (a bit like scarecrows) or branches, meant to represent Winter (compare with the Eastern European tradition of drowning a figure symbolising winter in ice-free water). In Sweden we celebrate the end of winter (April 30!)with bonfires, no crosses there. It is interesting how those ritualistic symbols appear here and there and maybe go back to a common source? Happy New Year, everyone, Margareta
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcorymail.clis.com>
FYI-I was in Norway at mid-summer (June 21) and they celebrate the solstice by saving their old wooden boats bound for demolition until that day. Then they tie a tree branch to the top mast, tow it way out into the water, and set it afire after dark. What a sight! I was on a tour boat in the Oslo harbor (imagine a polka band playing Beatles tunes with a heavy “oompa!” beat-) watching an ancient Viking-esque ritual. Tiny burning boats all over the dark water. And yes, the tree tied to the mast looked like a burning cross. Pepper
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Do any of you Easterners ever consider filming a lecture such as this, assuming Trish would agree, so that those of us who can run into the city so easily can have access to it? I understand all the problems from copyright onward implicit in such a venture—but I bet there is a market for such a video/dvd.
In looking for (kkk) quilts <g>, we should remember that immediately after end of Civil War there were similar groups with different names, including Knights of the White Camelia. My own guess is that in that time period people were too busy scraping together food and clothing to be making quilts celebrating these, but they existed alongside the Klan. In my home parish, one of them devoted itself primarily to curbing incursions of “Jayhawkers,” poor whites from the hilly areas who made incursions into the more prosperous lowland farms/plantations.
Gail Ingram
Date: January 8, 2004 | From: “Candace Perry”
I would say that’s as issue with the Met, also… Candace Perry
