April 14 – 19, 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:
- Storing Quilts on Wood or Pine — An extended, practical thread on protecting quilts from acidic wood shelving and walls using foil, Marvelseal, and Tyvek. (see the article on caring for antique quilts)
- Quilt Design Software (EQ3/EQ5/Blockbase) — Members discuss whether older quilt-design software is worth keeping versus upgrading, and a related how-to book.
- Northern Tissue Co. Fabric History — A look at a fabric company’s influence on quiltmaking, prompted by a member’s find.
- Antique Dealer Auction Report — A report on the William H. Bunch antique auction, including a betrothal quilt and other textile lots.
- Log Cabin & Hexagon Quilt History — Discussion of inscribed Log Cabin quilts and hexagon-pattern quilt history. (see the article on Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts)
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:22:57 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
If I Remember Correctly IIRC
I didn’t know that — I Googled the initials and learned something too.
Judy ” Ringo” in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
From: Patricia L Cummings
The following link will bring you to an expanded review of what I posted previously about the Calico and Chintz exhibit. At the end of my article, I have also added the link that DDBSTUFF had so kindly provided, as both of us who reviewed the exhibit have provided different information.
Hope you enjoy!
Pat
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 07:07:57 -0400 | From: “Linda Heminway” <ibquiltn@>
Hi! First, I’d like to thank all of you for your kind remarks and a few private e-mails about my search for my grandmother’s quilts. I will always search.
One member of this digest suggested that if I couldn’t find any of my grandmother’s original quilts that to make a quilt in honor of her might be nice. I do think I will do that, unless I happen to find one of her quilts along the way.
Two other thoughts. I have that EQ3 program as well and may as well toss it in the trash as far as I am concerned, I never could figure out how to use it. I felt it was the least “user friendly” program I’d ever attempted in. I “wasted” money on books, went through tutorials, even joined their mail list for awhile and gave up in total frustration. Yet, I have a quilter friend who I consider to be a “master” at it and she totally understands it. I do think that I am a “visual” vs. manual and book type of learner and no matter what I do, I’ll just never “get it”! So, Teddy, if you figure out what to do with your versions, do let me know. I never bothered to upgrade to the newer versions, I do wonder if they are any better at all? However, the Blockbase program is great, as far as I am concerned. As a person who does like to reproduce antique quilts, I can look through the Brackman encyclopedia and “call up” any block, print it out and get templates and often even foundation piecing in any size I want. I don’t use it often, but I think it’s great. And to Jocelyn, you remarks about oral history are really correct. My son and I witnessed a crime last fall. When the police interviewed both of us, we kind of saw two seperate incidences! These interviews with police happen VERY promptly afterwards as well.
Linda Heminway Plaistow NH
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 08:53:41 -0400 | From: Jo Horsey <jhorsey@>
At 09:59 PM 4/14/2004 -0400, you wrote: >The following link will bring you to an expanded review of what I posted >previously about the Calico and Chintz exhibit.
Pat, this is a wonderful article, and it gives all of us an inkling of how great it would be to view the exhibit ourselves. Thanks very much for sharing it! Jo, in Newnan Ga
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 09:43:53 -0400 | From: cptvdeoinil.com
Teddy asked: <<Does anyone know of a use for the early versions of EQ3 or Blockbase or “Too Much Fun” by Barb Vlack? My sweet husband bought me so much of this stuff when we got our first computer, but I didnt know how to use it. Now it is too out of date for my computer. It seems a sin to throw this away, and I’m not even sure it was ever used the first time. Must I accept that it is a dinosaur and just toss it?>>
RESPONSE: Welllllllllll, if your BlockBase is the original one, it’s DOS based and is a dinosaur. The BlockBase 2 that is currently available is infinitely better, is Windows based, has more blocks, has a fantastic search capability, and lots more features. I believe you can use your registration for BB1 to get a discount on BB2. I would highly recommend going for the BB2. BlockBase is Barbara Brackman’s “Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns” on a CD. It has nearly all the blocks (4000 of them) from Brackman’s book.
EQ3 is definitely a dinosaur and doesn’t hold a candle to what EQ5 can do. EQ3 is DOS based and EQ5 is Windows based. Need I say more?
As for “Too Much Fun!”, there’s some good stuff in there, if I do say so myself. It’s my first book, and it was written to offer ideas for using EQ3 at the request of the EQ Company, who also published it. You would have to translate the drawing and quilt tools to EQ5, but there are ideas there that I did not duplicate in books I wrote for EQ4 and EQ5. You could take a look and see if there is anything there that you might like to do. I still refer back to TMF occasionally to refresh my memory about drawing certain kinds of blocks.
Teddy, if you think you may ever be interested in learning to use EQ5 and actually use it for quilt designing (personally, I wouldn’t dream of making a quilt without first producing or re-producing it in EQ5 to check things out for fit, variations, coloring, etc.), I know for sure you could use the registration of EQ3 to get a discounted price for EQ5. Call the EQ Company at 1-800-356-4219 to discuss that possibility.
As an aside giggle, I have to appreciate my husband’s wry sense of humor when answering someone’s inquiry about whether an old computer could be updated and/or fixed. What to do with an old piece of computer junk? His answer, “You got a boat?” In other words, it might make a good anchor.
Barb Vlack cptvdeo@
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 09:42:52 -0400 | From: Judy White <jawhite@>
Judy, I have snipped seam allowances when they wouldn’t lay flat. I imagine the quilts that you are reproducing are not going to be handled much so I don’t think it would cause a problem. I don’t think I would do it if I were making a quilt that I was going to use on my bed. Consider this a pat on the back and and okay to do it. Sometimes you just have to follow your best judgement.
Judy White Quiltmaker and Quilt Restorer in Connecticut
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:50:33 -0400 | From: Bob Shaw <shaw.bob@>
The Alliance for American Quilts held its first drawing for an “Aliiance Star” quilt print by Judy Severson yesterday. We are pleased to announce that the winner is Carol Butzke of Slinger, WI, who is a subscriber to this list.
Congratulations Carol!
We will hold another drawing as soon as 100 new people have signed up, so if you haven’t entered yet, now is the time. Like Carol, you will have a 1-in-100 chance of winning, far better odds than in any lottery I can think of.
You can enter the drawing at www.centerforthequilt.org. Sign up now; your chances are good!
All best wishes,
Bob
Robert Shaw Executive Director The Alliance for American Quilts Tel//fax: 802/985-0737 shaw.bob@ www.centerforthequilt.org
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 14:36:19 -0400 | From: ctquilting@
Yes, many thanks to those who know & have shared info on this exhibit. I checked at the Smithsonian online & found this same exhibit will be in my area this fall! It’s a wait but will be worth a trip over to Youngstown to view these great quilts. Again, many thanks! Susan W., usually just a lurker who enjoys your knowledge
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 16:56:34 EDT | From: Edwaquilt@
My feeling about this is that if the word quilt has been trademarked, then we all should write the trademark office and protest. I remember back in the early 70s when a well known quilter got a patent on traupunto, i called the copyright office and ask why and was told that the folks reviewing didn’t know any thing about needlework and didn’t question that it had been a technique in use for 100’s of years. I see nothing wrong with protesting an action like this to help educate those making these kind of legal decisions.
Holice
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 17:15:02 -0400 | From: Karen Evans
This reminds me of the time that a game company tried to trademark “Nazi” in connection with their Indiana Jones roleplaying game….
Karen Evans
From: “Kathy Moore”
Judy, I’ve snipped the seam allowance a few times when I had the same problem. I believe I even saw someone on a television program suggest it.
I have been pleased with the results and have seen no unpleasant consequences. But, you have to know, my quilts haven’t been around long enough to be a good test case.
Good luck.
Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
From: “jocelynm@”
On April 15, 2004, Edwaquilt@ wrote:
> My feeling about this is that if the word quilt has been trademarked, the n we > all should write the trademark office and protest.
Trademarks and copyright are two different things. A copyright prevents anyone else from using an author’s work (copy) without permission. A trademark prevents another BUSINESS from using a business’s name, logo, slogan etc. to compete with them.
A trademark doesn’t mean that people can’t use the word at all- indeed, mos t businesses are thrilled to have people refer to their product by their tr ademark, such as Coke, Kleenex, Xerox. It just means that I can’t go into b usiness as ‘Coke Quilts- They’re the Real Thing’. :)I can’t copy another bu siness’s trademark for the purpose of benefitting from the good name they’r e established.
A quilt-related example is that I couldn’t develop a one-day workshop and m arket it as Quilt In a Day- because I would be relying on Eleanor’s reputat ion, and hoping that people would enroll thinking she was going to be teach ing, or that she had designed the workshop.
Copyrwight protects the intellectual work of an individual (or company); tr ademark protects the good reputation of a business.
From: “Anne Datko”
As you may remember, the insert “American Profile” had a really nice article on List Mom Kris Driessen and the Quilt Bus a few weeks ago. The issue today features author John Grisham and his love of Little League baseball in an article written by Beverly Keel. Grisham grew up in small Southern towns and baseball was the center of his universe, according to the article. And, in an exact quote from the article, with quotation marks to indicate that these are his exact words, “The ladies would be off in the bleachers watching, shelling peas, knitting quilts and talking about all the social activities….”
Now, I grew up in a small Southern town also but we didn’t knit quilts. Did anyone else????
AnneD —-
From: Patricia L Cummings
Ah, the influence of the Northern tissue Quilting Ladies who quilt with knitting needles rides again!
Pat
Date: Sat, 17 Apr | From: “Eileen Trestain” <ejtrestain@>
Many of the old needlework books from the 1800’s refer to and give directions for “knitting quilts”. In today’s vernacular, we might call those afghans, maybe, but many people still refer ot them as quilts. ——=_NextPart_000_006E_01C4245F.2C5B23C0–
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 23:17:05 EDT | From: SEHinzman@
Ah, the influence of the Northern tissue Quilting Ladies who quilt with knitting needles rides again!
And I did a small social commentary quilt about just that..with knitting needles on it..!
Susan Hinzman
Date: Sat, 17 Apr | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
I remember WWII, was a wee child and my father worked as head of civilian personnel in section of huge army base, Camp Livingston. Some of my most vivid memories are of that period.
I still want a 2-person jeep.
I still know what war is like because of that period—recall going to sleep watching unending line of lighted vehicles on highway about a mile away from our home—my mother was so sad as we looked through the dark night. A group was going to Alexandria to catch train to ship out for battle.
gi
From: Patricia L Cummings
Yesterday, the book /Jubilee: The Emergence of African-American Culture/ arrived. I have not had but just barely a chance to crack open its covers, but I want to report that the description of the quilt, as featured, in part, on the cover (the same one that we saw on the Antiques Roadshow), is identified as the “Shango quilt, circa 1830”, made in Arkansas. It is thought to have been inspired by the African deity, Shango. The block configuration can be clearly seen on the front cover. There is no mention of the quilt as having been owned by a black slave-owner, just simply as one having been made by a captive slavewoman.
This book was written by Howard Dodson, in collaboration with a number of well-known authorities on Afro-American history. and published by National Geographic in conjunction with the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture. The extensive photos, the layout of the book, and the information presented look very inviting and I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Laurie, for mentioning the title of this terrific book. People like you who are so sharing and caring are part of the reason I continue to want to be a part of this list. 🙂
Pat Cummings
Date: Sun, | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
Thanks to all who “gave me permission” to snip the seam allowances on this quilt with 4″ blocks. What a difference this has made in the look of the quilt. It is flat and not distorted at all. What I like best about this technique is that in all the plain alternate blocks all 4 sides have a shadow of the seam, not just 2 or 3 sides. When quilted this will add almost a trapunto feeling without having to add extra stuffing.
Thanks again
Judy ” Ringo” in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
From: “Sally Ward” <sallytatters@>
> Now, I grew up in a small Southern town also but we didn’t knit quilts. Did anyone else????
<G> On ebay UK there seem to be quite a lot of people who ‘crochet’ quilts !!! (but then there are also a lot of machine-made quilts from a factory in Scotland adopting the title ‘Durham’ :-O )
Sally W
From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
Thanks to wonderful Candace, I had a great time today at the preview for the auction she told us about. Since I love studying quilt construction, and spent a “good bit of time” with each quilt. That’s what is so wonderful about auction previews — if you dress like everyone else, people think you can really afford to buy the stuff you are studying so closely <grin>. Anyway, here are some notes I made to help you visualize the quilts a bit better. His pictures are wonderful, so hope you enjoy the notes. This is the list of quilt items — be sure to click on each quilt to get a nice size blow up of the quilt —
http://www.williambunchauctions.com/content/images/040420/HighSpeedCat/InvCat_0086.htm
#127 – machine appliqued and machine quilted — typical tiny machine stitches. Baskets hand pieced, blocks machine joined. Binding is only on the top — stitched wrong side to right side of back, brought around to front, and machine appliqued onto the front.
#193 – very heavily stuffed — thick stuffing. The pompom type berries the birds are hold in their beaks are interesting. Unfortunately, this was mounted above their showcases and you couldn’t get close <frown>.
#195 – Crude hand applique — black thread on the red and green pieces, white thread on the gold pieces.
#204 – The signatures are done in back stitch embroidery. The brownish colors flowers, etc, might be repairs. Again, this was mounted on the wall above an 8 foot talk glass case, so I couldn’t get close enough. I kept peering through the glass case and only saw the bottom row close up.
#208 – A great PA quilt!!!! Binding is front to back, back is a nice brown print. But the coolest thing is the construction of the lily flowers. The flower blossoms are pieced, and then the flowers, stems and leaves are appliqued on a blue shirting background fabric. No piecing to set in the flowers — I hope you understand what I’m saying — these blocks are not constructed the “usual” way, but only the flower is pieced, not the background fabric.
#209 – Another great quilt. The shop owner says it’s “definitely NJ” — based on where he bought it. What makes it great to me is it’s machine appliqued — all the stuff in the corner squares and setting triangles — wonderful, neat, tiny stitches, sewn very close to the turned under edges — excellent control of her machine. The zig zag border is also machine appliqued — started as a white strip and then red and green dog teeth are strips of fabric appliqued down. Super cool construction. The girds in the triangle blocks have seed beads for eyes. And if you look in the top left square of the background, you can see a cross quilted into the block. There’s only one cross I think, and it definitely was “included” in the quilting design, as it doesn’t follow the pattern of the other corner.
#210 – This is definitely the most elegant quilt there — and no surprise, it comes from New England. It reminds me of what I saw in Deerfield this summer. In the center all the vines and flowers are crewel embroidery — tiny and perfectly done. The first border, with the flowers in the goldish background, is a printed stripe — the prints next to the goldish center strip are part of the same fabric — no seams. Beautiful construction and beautiful early fabrics.
You also need to go to this page, as a quilt is listed with the samplers – http://www.williambunchauctions.com/content/images/040420/HighSpeedCat/InvCat_0060.htm
#121 – All solids except the yellow has a small brownish square every once in a while, and the blue in the birds and bell flowers is a print.
But #23 — PA German Show Towel — is my favorite piece — that’s the one I’d love to own. The amount of documentation on it is incredible. What a beautiful piece.
I love previews — It’s a wonderful way to see and study quilts. Thank you Candace for alerting me to this opportunity.
Barb in warm southeastern PA
From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Several books have been mentioned on this list that shed light on the Several books have been mentioned on this list that shed light on the relationship between slaves and slaveholders, North and South.
Two I have not noticed are among the most noted authorities in this area of scholarship, Eugene Genovese and Elizabeth Fox-Genovese. They have written many, many excellent books that detail everything from who sewed what to the fabrics used and the cost of those fabrics. Such items, of course, come within larger frameworks. The footnotes alone are worth the cost of the books.
Both are superior, recognized scholars and continue to labor to establish the facts of history and to make sense of those for contemporary readers. E. G is now retired from Emory University, but continues to write.
Be aware that neither is particularly p.c. since rather late in their lives they joined the Roman Catholic Church and became a little more conservative. Yet, I’ve found their scholarship immaculate and their footnotes the sort that lead you to explore new ideas and aspects of hisory. Their extensive work opens a world forthe reader.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned the excellent “Mothers of Invention” either.
Gail
south.
From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
Thank you Judy for catching my number problem — that’s what happens when I type too late at night <grin>. The quilt I labeled 208 is really 207, and the one I called 209 is 208. I’m sorry for the confusion — here is the corrected commentary —
#207 – A great PA quilt!!!! Binding is front to back, back is a nice brown print. But the coolest thing is the construction of the lily flowers. The flower blossoms are pieced, and then the flowers, stems and leaves are appliqued on a blue shirting background fabric. No piecing to set in the flowers — I hope you understand what I’m saying — these blocks are not constructed the “usual” way, but only the flower is pieced, not the background fabric.
#208 – Another great quilt. The shop owner says it’s “definitely NJ” — based on where he bought it. What makes it great to me is it’s machine appliqued — all the stuff in the corner squares and setting triangles — wonderful, neat, tiny stitches, sewn very close to the turned under edges — excellent control of her machine. The zig zag border is also machine appliqued — started as a white strip and then red and green dog teeth are strips of fabric appliqued down. Super cool construction. The girds in the triangle blocks have seed beads for eyes. And if you look in the top left square of the background, you can see a cross quilted into the block. There’s only one cross I think, and it definitely was “included” in the quilting design, as it doesn’t follow the pattern of the other corner.
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 17:00:59 | From: Margareta.Faustcec.eu.int
Hello everyone, I’m sure one of you experts out there can tell me if it’s safe to store quilts in a (newly made) pine cabinet. The wood is waxed but not sealed. Should I perhaps cover the shelves with something before putting my quilts on them? I’m quite excited about this piece so I’ll describe it- bought from a company specializing in replicating traditional European furniture (sorry, no website). It’s a copy of a French “meuble =E0 farines” – maybe staple goods such as flour were stored on the shelves, but then, on one side, there are drawers for storing jam pots – and when mother turned the key and locked the door to the shelf part, the drawers were partly inside the door too, so noone could steal the jam! Anyway – happy to hear advice about storing quilts there. Margareta
Date: Mon, 19 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judysue@>
Hi Margareta – I would certainly suggest that you put something between the wood and the fabric to be safe. How about a heavy piece of plastic? That way you could still see the wood but would protect the fabrics from the acid in the wood. This sounds lovely! – Judy
Date: Mon, | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
There is an excellent product called Marvelseal that is a barrier film used for lining in museums — wood should always be lined, IMHO. You could also use Tyvek, which is wonderful for many applications. Both are availabel through Gaylord (www.gaylord.com ) Candace Perry
Date: Mon, 19 | From: “Sally Ward” <sallytatters@>
The problem we have had with pine furniture is seepage of resin from the knots even when waxed…. one on my bedhead grabbed my hair every night for years ( I resolved it by swopping sides with DH) so I would never put fabric straight on it.
I wondered about using freezer paper, shiny side down?
Sally W
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 15:51:14 | From: Trimble4@
Did I dream this discussion or did we really hash out whether or not log cabins were somehow related (in shape and form) to hexagon patterns? It seems to me that Don Beld was the proponent for the connection?
I just happened to think of it today when I was browsing Stella Rubin’s website…she has, lo and behold, a hexagon log cabin here: http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/catalog/Antiques:Decorative_Art.html
Forgive me if I’ve somehow dreamt this, but I thought it was interesting. I couldn’t quite “see” the connection at the time but now I can!
Off to Paducah! Lori East
From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
When storing quilts, the more barriers between wood and cloth, the better. One place that I store quilts is in a large closet with wide, built-in shelves. We painted them white and then covered them with acid-free paper. It is important to change the paper frequently because the ph of the paper will change over time and though acid-free to begin with, will start to degrade and will resume some of its former acidity. Paper is made from wood, and wood is an acidic product.
One of the best bets is to use a folded, white, 100% cotton sheet that has not been washed in detergent. Detergents or perfumed soaps attract chewing insects, something you don’t want in the storage area.
Plastic of any kind will encourage the growth of mold and mildew so it is not a good choice.
In addition, I usually grow a plant called Artemisia. This is a natural repellent to bugs. I dry shoots of the plant, tie it together, and hang it in this particular closet. Of course, pieces of cedar will have the same effect and are often sold in “cute” shapes and hung with a piece of leather cord.
Hope this information is helpful.
Pat Cummings
From: Judy Schwender <sister3603@>
Hello- Here at the International Quilt Study Center we have a Log Cabin quilt that is inscribed with the maker’s name, “Mary Groff,” and a date, “1871.” Do any list members know of any inscribed Log Cabin quilts that predate this quilt? If so, I would appreciate knowing the particulars. Please email me off-list at sister3603@. Thanks so much- Judy Schwender Graduate Research Assistant International Quilt Study Center Lincoln, Nebraska
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Date: Mon, | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
Forgot to mention that polyacrylic can be applied over wood, either bare or painted, and makes a good sealant.
Avoid using polyurethane as it will emit fumes that are damaging to quilts.
Pat Cummings
From: “mgmooney” <mgmooney@>
Good afternoon, all – My favorite to recommend in this situation (storing quilts on pine) is to cover the shelves/wall with heavy duty aluminium foil (pinched together if you need to “seam” it). Think Costco or the like if you have a lot of shelves to cover and get one of the “food service” packages (a huge amount for a very reasonable price). You can just lay the foil on the wood first and then cover that with a piece of muslin/sheeting so your family and friends don’t think you have absolutely and completely lost it! When you first tear the sheet off the roll, hold it up to a light to verify that there aren’t any little/large pinholes in it. And of course the first sheet will always be too small! Avoid the use of tapes, tacks, etc. to attach to the wood surfaces. I just fold an excess amount to run up the back of the wall and/or sides to keep the textiles/quilts isolated from those surfaces, too. MarvelSeal would be my second choice – it should be applied with a hot tacking iron. Regards, Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney Textile/Costume Conservator Professional Associate, AIC mgmooneymoonware.net in rainy Sonoma County
