May 3 – 6, 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:
- Writing and Editing for Quilt Magazines — An extended discussion among members who write for quilt publications about unauthorized editing and protecting a writer’s voice.
- Content vs. Patterns in Quilt History Books — Publishers’ preference for pattern-inclusive books sparks debate among quilt historians and authors.
- Kit Quilts and Their Documentation — A guild program on kit quilts leads to discussion of their history and how under-documented they remain.
From: “Nancy Roberts” <aquilter@>
You might search various websites and quilting bulletin boards to find collectors who are seeking issues of the magazine titles you have. Often they are listed under the buy/sell/trade classifieds. I found requests for copies of QNM, Quilter’s Journal, Quiltmaker, Traditional Quilter, Traditional Quiltworks, and others on the “Quilt Books Wanted” pages of www.hickoryhillquilts.com . I believe the Worldwide Quilting page has classifieds, and there is a monthly e-mail newsletter called QTN from yahoogroups.com that allows you to list quilt-related items for sale or trade. Research some of these– you may have just the issue that will round out someone’s collection. Nancy Roberts
Date: Tue, 04 May 2004 1 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
Pat — I can understand what you are experiencing. Years ago I had a friend whose article in a leading hobby magazine was a total disaster and made her look like an incompetant. Also didn’t reflect so hot on magazine’s editing staff whose rewrites and typos created that mess. Several issues later, in the tiniest print possible in the worst location of magazine, there appeared an apology. No offer to rerun article, of course. Sorry this happened to you. I enjoy your thoroughness and dedication to accurate reporting.
Patricia L Cummings wrote:
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 13:25:18 -0500 | From: “Karen Quilts Texas” <karenquiltstexashouston.@>
Nancy… I have several “collections” that I am filling too, and I usually fill those “holes” buying lots on Ebay – Then selling the duplicates. That way I fund my “habit”! Thanks for the sources. There is a tremendous number of places on the Internet serving quilters.
Date: Tue, 04 May 2004 15:51:32 | From: Judy Roche
I will be in Omaha this weekend for a Graduation-hope to get out to Lincoln on Monday to go to IQSC–any place else I should go? Thanks in advance! Judy Roche in Solebury Pa
Date: Tue, 4 May | From: Judy Schwender <sister3603@>
Hello Judy- If at all possible you should stay over till Tuesday. Then you could see the current quilt show at the Museum of Nebraska History, Patchwork Lives. Here is the link on the International Quilt Study Center’s website: The IQSC is open Monday. Unfortunately, the Museum of Nebraska History is not (museums are typically closed on Mondays.) Judy Schwender Graduate Research Assistent International Quilt Study Center
Judy Roche <jrocheqpil.net> wrote: I will be in Omaha this weekend for a Graduation-hope to get out to Lincoln on Monday to go to IQSC–any place else I should go? Thanks in advance! Judy Roche in Solebury Pa
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 22:50:55 EDT | From: Palampore@
I am sorry, I should have said that the tape is not Trenton Tape.(However, it did generate great discussion. Thanks for all the notes I got.) I have Trenton type tape on both palampores I own. The tape on the silk quilt is an off white binding tape. I need to look at it closer to determine the weave, and to compare it to Trenton. I have a quilt from NC with that binding tape on it and I think it is ca.1850. I will view closer with magnification to determine if it is machine produced or hand loom produced. I have a pattern for a tape loom. I have always fantisized about making it!!! The pattern is in: Early American Life Crafts November 1985, page 35, “How to Make and Use a Tape Loom”. It says that the tapes were made to “tie sacks shut, keep a hat on a head, hold up stockings, tie back curtains, and for many other purposes.” This one is patterned after one in the Hershey Museum of American Life.
This is a lovely issue filled with many fabulous crafts/patterns. I would never consider cutting it up. What about silk quilts in New Jersey? Were there silk merchants concentrated in western NJ? I went to an interesting reception last evening at the School of Textiles at NC State University(Raleigh, NC). The school is part of an incredible new state of the art campus. The reception was to celebrate (I guess that is the best term.) the relationship between the Historic Textile Museum in Lowell, Mass. and the School of Textiles. (They are doing this with many universities that have Textile Programs.) I got to meet the ex. director of the museum, school dean, etc.
I was blown away by the textiles and the technology at the school. They have created textiles from the by products of crab shells. Can you imagine?? And have also found that it contains a “healing property” so it is being used in Iraq when bandaging soldiers. (That is better than Super Glue being used on wounds in VietNam. I did a polymer chemistry research paper on that.) They showed us a machine that can knit a sweater with sleeves, and the fascinating part is that the sweater has no seams. They have one of those virtual body scanners that can be used to cut exact measurement one of a kind garments. I was in awe. I would like to be 18 and go to school there…………. Lowell obviously has some exceptional education programs, and has plans to expand tremendously with what they have available on the Internet, and what they can take to sites all over the US. My brain was truly stimulated, expanded, and oh, so tired by the end of the evening. My tired eyes must sleep. Lynn Lancaster Gorges New Bern, NC
From: “Babette Moorleghen”
Palampore@ wrote: I am sorry, I should have said that the tape is not Trenton Tape.(However, it did generate great discussion.
I would like to know how to identify “Trenton tape” which, for me has been a very interesting discussion. In reading through the e-mails which have been generated, I have pretty well come to the conclusion that I may have some of this tape, but not sure about it. I inherited all of my mother-in-laws sewing/quilting related items and have been in the process of finding out there is quite a bit that may have come from her mother who was also a quilter. I remember coming across some tape that is remarkably like what has been discribed and hopefully is still in one of the containers I have in storage. Thank you in advance for answering. This is a great list! Babette in Illinois
From: “Teddy Pruett”
I can relate to Pat’s feelings regarding magazine changes. I wrote an article for a magazine a few years back. It was beautifully illustrated and I was very proud to have done the article and grateful to be involved with the entire process BUT – my writing was “dumbed down” to about a 6th grade level. Mind you, I am aware of the need to edit on occasion, but this was not my writing at all, and I was mortified to think that people I know thought I wrote that way. Cest la vie. Teddy Pruett
From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
Dear friends:
I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support in your postings to qhl and in the private mail I have received from so many of you. I have been moved by your words. Thank you.
Late last night, I learned that a new graphic arts editor has been hired and she is already doing a terrific job in preparing the next issue. In fact, I may see page proofs on my next article by the end of the week. I am so pleased that my editor is going to take every precaution to avoid the situation I described from happening again.
We will need to have slides translated into print before I can post the article in question online, and I have not gotten those back yet. Yesterday, we did add an article on Victorian Trade Cards, similar to the one I wrote for the magazine awhile ago. Jim also wrote out the recipe for his version of Esau’s Potage that he made yesterday and served with homemade whole wheat bread. Such a guy! It is the best soup I’ve ever tasted. Enjoy!
Pat Cummings www.quiltersmuse.com
From: “Lorraine Olsson”
I too have had a similar experience here in Australia. Just a few months ago I submitted an article to the local newspaper. It was a fairly short concise piece, saying exactly what I wanted it to say and thanking a few relevant people who had helped me achieve my goal. (Building a small shopping centre). I asked for the finished article to be sent to me so I could be sure I was happy. It was fabulous, but when it appeared in the paper it was almost a different story. They even spelt my name wrong!!! I had a similar time with a local quilting mag a few years ago, when the editor decided she knew more about my antique quilt than I did, and made up her own tale about it. Maybe the real story was just not interesting enough……..
Cheers, Lorraine in Oz
> I can relate to Pat’s feelings regarding magazine changes. I wrote an > article for a magazine a few years back. It was beautifully illustrated and > I was very proud to have done the article and grateful to be involved with > the entire process BUT – my writing was “dumbed down” to about a 6th grade > level. Mind you, I am aware of the need to edit on occasion, but this was > not my writing at all, and I was mortified to think that people I know > thought I wrote that way. Cest la vie. Teddy Pruett
Scanned by PeNiCillin http://safe-t-net.pnc.com.au/
From: Patricia L Cummings
Teddy wrote:
…BUT – my writing was “dumbed down” to about a 6th grade level. Mind you, I am aware of the need to edit on occasion, but this was not my writing at all, and I was mortified to think that people I know thought I wrote that way. Cest la vie. Teddy Pruett
Dear Teddy:
I can understand this completely. The “dumbing down” effect goes across the board in America and there are numerous reasons for it. As far as quilt audiences, magazines have to appeal to a broad spectrum of people, so I can see why a situation like the one you describe could happen.
Just recently, I was privileged to read my son’s master’s thesis. I had to pay careful attention when reading it to decode the words and try to envision what he was conceptually putting forth for information. The paper is an excellent example of scholarship and won him an award and an entry into a doctoral program. Yet, he longs to be published in other ways than in just the land of academia. I called him up and told him that if he wants to be published, he needs to use more simple language when writing for a general audience. People are just not that ambitious. They do not want to scramble to look for words in a dictionary. The type of writing that is rewarded in one venue, is aschewed in another.
There is a happy balance. When writing, one should use the most appropriate word for the task at hand. If that means a one syllable word, fine. If it means a much longer, more obscure word outside the scope of general usage, then that is the one to use. Clear communication is the goal. The written word should accurately impart information, not just be engineered to “wow” an audience as to how many “big” words are in someone’s vocabulary. In the past, I have read pieces of writing that were so verbose, so flowery, so euphemistic, they left me wondering why someone would write in such a way. I can’t think of any examples offhand, and am not referring to quilt history articles.
Several friends wrote to say that their impression is that people do not read today. They like “sound bites”, not in-depth reporting or considered reasoning. (If you have gotten this far and are still reading my note, then you can consider yourself one of the “thinkers” of this society). In writing, I purposely attempt to simplify language as best I can.
Have a terrific day!
Pat
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 08:16:11 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Is it possible to submit on condition of writer’s final approval, with the stipulation that “corrections’ will be for factual, not stylistic, problems?
gaaye
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 09:55:33 -0400 | From: “Nancy Roberts” <aquilter@>
Suggestion for Pat: If the magazine has a “reader letters” page, you might write a letter re-stating the important points which need clarificiation from your published article, referring to the issue number and/or date. Everything you wrote and posted to this group has been professional, reasonable, and tactful, so I’m sure your letter to readers would also be worded in a way that seeks to clarify rather than complain or blame. You could elaborate on the amount of research you accomplished while visiting the communities, and correct other misconceptions. Keep it brief and focused so that people will read all of it. I’d suggest that you contact the editor and request that such a letter be included in the next issue. If there is no reader’s page, your letter could be included on the editorial page or placed in a shaded box with a title such as “For the Record–A Clarification” or something like that. That way, you will address the issues personally and without edits. You might even suggest that a small photo showing the rounded corner be included. When you file the article or refer to it in presentations, you can also refer to the published corrections related to it. It seems the magazine should be agreeable to taking that action. Hope you can set the record straight this way. Nancy Roberts
From: Dawn and Greg Church
Hello all,
This is off topic so please e-mail privately if you can help.
I need information on transferring child drawn pictures to fabric. Best method? I have a laser printer and everything I’ve seen is for the bubble jet variety.
Anyone who can lead me in the right direction, please help!
Thanks! Dawn dngchurch@
From: “Velia Lauerman”
Have collected many quilters newsletters. Some of my mothers collection was not complete sew I kept collecting here and there. when I ran into magazines that were cut up the disappointed and found others in good shape . Even those cut out ones are valuable to quilters in our study group. If you are missing any I may be able to help. One of my biggest thrills, about 10 years ago, was to see the Quilters Newsletter cover quilts on display at Henry Ford Village in Dearborn (not Greenfield Village ) The residents there we impressed. Bonnie Leman loan them to Greater AA quilt guild . I stayed to help Merry Silber with her collection and digested the beauty around me dreaming of those people who had created the heirlooms. I had such inspiration ! I love to collect period magazines of any period. I also own a Victorian book from 1900 which is incredible. Some of the 40’s magazines have interesting ads. I could go on and on but I’v got to get sewing. Velia
_
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 21:40:58 -0500 | From: “Jocelyn Martin” <jocelynm@>
>>> I called him up and told him that if he wants to be published, he needs to use more simple language when writing for a general audience. People are just not that ambitious. Pat FWIW, my committee is always telling me that I need to make my writing more accessible. To me, it seems like I’m saying the same thing over and over and a person should be able to follow what I’m saying in a pitch black room, but apparently it’s not so obvious to the reader. 🙂 It isn’t just a matter of difficult words, it’s a matter of knowing one’s audience and writing in a way that keeps them on track with what you’re saying and where you’re going. I still find it very odd when people conclude that someone’s writing style, that happens to be above their heads, is a deliberate attempt to shame them and make them feel foolish, instead of feeling complimented that the author thought this level of text would be readable for them. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that perhaps the author/speaker used those words in the belief that they knew them too, instead of assuming the author chose them to make them feel ignorant.
One of my professors once assigned an article he had written, and on the day when we were supposed to discuss it, a student asked him what a particular word meant. The professor replied, ‘I have no idea,’ and the student said, ‘You used it in paragraph 4, page 239’ (or whatever). He read the paragraph a few times, and then he said, ‘Not only do I have no idea what that word means, I have no memory of ever writing that paragraph!’ <G>
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 23:38:59 -0400 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdoc@>
Lynn,
The Patterson, NJ silk mills were famous. There is a huge waterfall in Patterson that is often shown in the old Mill photos.
Today, patterson is a rough city. My cousin and his wife teach there. I can’t imagine why.
Jan — Jan Drechsler in Vermont Quilt Restoration; Quilting teacher www.@/~bobmills
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 | From: “Sandra Millett” <smillett@>
Dear Quilt Historians:
I’ve just joined your quilt history list when researching my new book. H ere are my thoughts on the discussion of bad editing, especially magazine articles since I’m multipublished in that area and am now working on my fourth quilt book.
The bottom line is to expect uneven/choppy editing and then be grateful w hen it doesn’t happen. And if it does, spit nails for a day or two and chalk it up to experience, then don’t resubmit to that publication. I understand, as this has happened to me. Personally, I would not recommend complaining in any form. It gives you a bad reputation, the complaint probably won’t be published and editors tal k, they change jobs frequently and have long memories. The best response is no reply, then if asked why you don’t write for ABC Publication any more, respond with a smile and say, “We have a difference about editing style. ” Publishing is a small world, an editor can do a lot of damage to your credentials by bad mouthing you. So I suggest you take the high road, an d make tracks to editors who know how to edit.
Hope these comments help with a painful situation. As writers, we’ve all experienced lousy editing. Sandra Millett Quilting the Savory Garden Trophy Club, Texas76262 smillett@
From: “Sandra Millett” <smillett@>
Dear Gaaye: In my experience, a magazine article writer seldom has the power to reque st a final approval for any article. For one thing, most editors are under such deadline pressure that there is simply not time to offer this–if yo u disagree with factual edits, it could go back and forth several times bef ore you would approve. I believe few magazine editors would agree to this.
Realize that they are also working on a tight space limitation for each article–balancing the needed ad revenue to articles. That is why it is so imperative to request a specific word count and sumbit no more than requested. If I’m told 1000-words, as I was by Beth Hayes at McCall’s Quilting, I submit 1000-words. I want as much print space as possible, write tight and give’m what they want. Which does not mean I’m not editing, but it does give you a better chance. Sandra Millett Freelance writer Quilting the Savory Garden
From: Anne Copeland <anneappraiser1@>
It amazes me sometimes how often articles are written on a subject and all the other articles or books that are written on the subject are not referenced. I coauthored a research paper with Bev Dunivent on kit quilts in 1994 and it was published in Uncoverings 1994. The paper was presented in Birmingham that year. We also wrote a book on the topic which interestingly enough did not get published, though it was well researched at that time and we spent a lot of money getting professional photography for the research paper and the book. I requested and received loans of kit quilts from all over the country. We are both published writers on other topics.
We were told at the time that although publishers liked it, the book was too specialized. We have continued to try over time to get the book published, but the publishers keep telling us the same thing. But I have never seen one article on kit quilts since that time that has referenced our work, and I find it frustrating since others are aware of our publications, especially the paper which IS published. Cuesta Benberry gave us considerable help with the book and the paper. She wrote a forward for our book. We also interviewed others who helped us with good information, and all of them are acknowledged in our work.
I remember how challenging it was to do the work because there was so little available that we could get our hands on at the time and word processing programs were in their infancy. We put more than two years of research and other work and expense on the book, so this was not a five page book. I made a pretty extensive timeline as well, and it has been used by a number of people without any credit at all. Since that time, some very good information has turned up as is always the case, but I think it would be helpful for those doing research on the topic or those reading an article on the topic to have ALL the references available. There is no problem with a number of books on one topic because each author approaches it from a different angle, and the combined information is always valuable to all of us who love quilt history.
I am usually pretty laid back about most things, but when it comes to getting and giving credit, it just seems odd to me that it isn’t happening more. That said, I’m off to bed. Anne Copeland (Annie)
Date: Thu, 06 May 2004 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judysue@>
Hi Jan & all . . . did this happen to other areas that had factories a century ago? Several years ago I was visiting a friend in Massachusetts and decided to drive to Lowell before I met her because I had read so much about the mills in that area – she was shocked that I actually went there! It too had become “rough.” You could tell that someone was trying to improve it – there were several new townhouse complexes that looked nice from a distance but when you got closer, there were broken windows, graffiti, etc. This was before the Quilt Museum had opened there . . . hopefully it has improved since then.
From: Patricia L Cummings
Dear friends:
All of your letters, both privately and publicly, have helped me to get through what I perceived as a crisis and one to which I had no recourse. To put things in perspective, this was the 31st article I have written for the magazine, and I have been very pleased with this long association. The errors were due to human error, the crunch of a deadline, and oversight. While the glitches constitute a disappointment, having become accustomed to the very high standards of the magazine, they do not constitute a life or death situation.
To correct these items, for the record, I will state the following:
1) The article is the result of two day trips, not one, as stated in the headline.
2) Sharon, Connecticut is not a “mill town”, as stated in the headline.
3) There are two misspellings, one due to a last minute type-in of an added quote, and one due to a change in layout, at the very last minute. I had seen page proofs on this, but not the final set and these changes were added after the fact.
4) The phrase “English style strippy quilt” was changed to “English style strip quilt”, giving a totally different meaning. This may have been amended in a spell check. I really don’t know what happened.
5) The caption underneath a photo reads “Crown of Victoria”. Yet in the text, I have carefully explained that this was a misnomer in the museum files, as was later discovered by the curator who investigated further, after my inquiry. Let’s hope that people read the text, lest this quilt be permanently assigned this name as a formerly published name. “Crown of Victoria” may possibly be associated with a woven coverlet which was donated to the museum at the same time.
So, these are the items I was grousing about. Most people will probably never notice, but that is small consolation to me who just wants everything to be “right”. I mention them not to complain about my editor. She is very competent, an excellent editor, and a very good friend. I just needed to share this information with you because I know that you care. You want the details and you want them right, as do I.
In the spirit of truth, honesty, and friendship, I lay my cards on the table. It helps to know that others have experienced similar situations at times. We just have to keep trying to give all of this our best.
Pat www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 | From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>
I have read with great sympathy about the various woes of getting published.
I used to edit a state wide journal for the library media profession and as a former editor, I was highly motivated to write articles for which I would be paid instead donating my work.
When I started writing quilting articles, the very first one that was accepted presented a terrible dilemma for me. The editor claimed they “lost the article and all the pictures”….it took many letters and phone calls over a period of 2 years to get them to admit that….evidently they never had any intention of responding to my inquiries even though the article was submitted 2 years prior to an announced quilt show activity which was the focus of the article. That situation cost me valuable photographs and a 2-year time period where I could not re-submit the information to any other magazine for publishing. Lesson learned: follow up on all submissions and don’t ever deal with this publisher again. Had no trouble getting the same information published elsewhere. And yes, you do have to be careful about reporting mistakes….I usually hear from someone who knows me pretty well and they carefully read the article and make notes & copy it off to me. I in turn just send it in to the editor with a note that a reader send it to me……has worked wonders in the past.
Good luck. Just a note….the AQS had a classified ad in the latest issue of Quilter’s Newsletter that calls for “quality manuscripts for books and magazine articles” if anyone is interested.
Cheers–it’s finally spring in NW Ohio. It might hit 70 degrees today! Hoo-ray!
From: “Sandra Millett” <smillett@>
Dear Pat: Thank you for your extended comments about the article. Enlightening and understandably frustrating. Sandra Millett Freelance writer Quilting the Savory Garden
From: “Charlotte Bull” <charlou@>
I have been reading for pleasure, not for editing purposes, the recent letters on articles that have been overly, and inappropriately, edited. Many years ago when I was a student at the U of NE – but, unfortunately not in Textiles – I was caught between extremes. I was writing compositions for Literature classes and news articles for Journalism classes and personal opinions for Speech classes. I assure you that it was not an easy situation. Yes, there are varied expectations, depending upon your Audience, your Reader, your Teacher, your Editor, and even the advanced student who serves as Grader/Reader for the Teacher!!! Actually being a student in a Drama class is also the opposite of being a student in a Speech or Debate class.
To put it bluntly, you have to write anything totally dependent upon the reader, but first of all upon the Editor! Would you write the same letter to your grandchild in kindergarten that you wrote to your daughter-in-law, her mother, and would you write the same letter to your own mother that you wrote to your employer? It is a big pain. That is why I quit writing as a career! I was sick of being Edited. But, I’d quit Teaching because I was sick of being the one who Edited (i.e. Graded papers!) Now I can look at it all and laugh! I just write to Like-minded Friends and I just give programs to Beginners who want to learn and are not afraid to interrupt and ask a question! Too bad it took me 50 years to learn this!!! : )))
However, I think Pat has a great solution, as do many of you. Start a web site and write & edit yourself! My solution was to start a guild and be the Newsletter Editor for 18 years! Boy, I sure wish I could start over and major in Textiles and be a Quilt Museum Curator with my own Web Site! But I’d have to own the Museum and Be my Own Boss – isn’t that rather like the funny poem “I’m My Own Grandpa” ???
What this all means is that we need each other! You are the only ones who understand me (well, put up with my writing!) and understand my topics as well as my frustrations. We need to feel comfortable in giving and accepting and sharing! Thanks for writing – I love every letter I get to read! I start every day with you all as my inspiration, my education and my amusement. You are the kind of Reality Chat List I can truly enjoy! Charlie of Oz
PS: The American Quilt Study Group Regional Meetings are terrific places for face to face and finger to fabric meetings. We folks in the newest group, M.O.K.A. (states of MO, OK, KS & AR), had a fantastic day in Missouri on May 1. Almost 50 were signed up! Our next meeting will be August 6-7 in Wichita, KS. Send me a private letter if interested in details. I’m not from KS, but I can tell you it will be terrific, “I guarantee it!”
From: “Sandra Millett” <smillett@>
What a great idea about sending in the published article to the editor wi th reader comments about errors. It’s something that I’ll file away and use when needed, and will pass on the hint to my writing group. Sandra Millett Freelance writer Quilting the Savory Garden
Date: Thu, 06 May 2004 11:53:11 – | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
Charlie — you hit upon some good points. Everyone has three vocabularies — hearing, reading and speaking and do not necessarily use the same words depending which mode you are in. Thus a radio or TV station who must capture immediate attention would air “John Smith, prominent banker, indicted today.” A newspaper or other publication which has a little more time to be explicit would write “Local banker and financeer who was just elected president of the National Banking Assn., John Smith, was indicted today.” In speaking, your friend would rush up to you and say “My gawd, did you hear what Johhny just did!!” Each time you write, you have to separate yourself from two vocabularies so as to direct your thoughts and words in the best way possible to your intended audience. Think someone else on this list also pointed that out. Having been an editor and in corporate communictions management for more than 40 years, one tows a fine line to adhere to alloted space yet retain the writer’s original script.
From: “jocelynm@”
On May 6, 2004, Anne Copeland wrote:
> It amazes me sometimes how often articles are written on a subject and > all the other articles or books that are written on the subject are not > referenced.
Anne, Is your article abstracted for computer search?
I ran into a problem a few weeks ago. I had an article, Xeroxed, in my file s, but the journal name and date of publication weren’t on the article. I h ad the dickens of a time finding that out! This article would not ‘hit’ on any database I searched. I’m not sure how I found it in the first place, bu t I eventually found another article that cited it.
In this day and age, if it isn’t computerized, it’s hard to find. With onli ne journals, it’s easier to find the text once you have the reference, thou gh!
From: “Charlotte Bull”
Hi…I just had nostalgic memory hit me in the head a moment ago. One factual article I wrote on “family camping” for a children’s nature magazine got complaints. The editor had included photos that did not fit the location or season. She’d dug them up out of the files! She wanted to romanticize the article by adding a pretty bird and a famous snow covered mountain peak. Both were major mistakes! The readers blamed me.
Pat, please know by our stories about our experiences, that you are not alone! We understand your concerns. If any of you who have never been “edited” do find spelling or punctuation errors in a magazine, don’t blame the author. There are many others involved in the publishing/printing procedures. However, you may find some silly errors about quilts in fiction books. You know, a girl solves a mystery in 1705 by using a Victorian Crazy Quilt made out of silk ties! Or an Amish man sells red & green floral applique quilts in the pioneer days of the West! Now those ARE the author’s errors!
Okay. It’s late. I’m rambling. My apologies. CB
From: Anne Copeland
Good point Jocelynn. When we wrote the book, the Internet was not even available so it was really difficult to get information–not necessarily so difficult, but majorly time consuming. We used Microsoft Word when it had just come out, so there were many things we practically had to do by hand.
We are looking into CD publishing, and also looking into other areas besides the quilt world, such as women’s history. Really, the kit quilt industry is mostly women’s history, and it has always fascinated me that so many women ran successful businesses as early as the turn of the century when women didn’t have the vote. The industry in general was incredibly innovative during hard times. Wish businesses today could be run so well.
Thanks for the numerous kind letters that you all sent. I guess all of us who have put a lot of work and love into a research project want to be able to see some results. I know the book is good and that is not bragging. We addressed many aspects of the industry. The photos were the most fun though. I put an ad I think in Quilter’s Newsletter requesting use of people’s quilts plus I contacted many folks I knew who had them, and also others contacted us. Peace and blessings, Annie
From: louise-b
Our guild had a wonderful program this Thursday night about kit quilts. One of the members was showing her mother’s quilts which were primarily kit quilts. At least 12 were shown and there were more that different family members had.
First time that I have really seen them up close. One baby quilt was shown in Darlene Zimmerman’s article – the three pigs one. Most were florals.
Louise Bequette
From: “Anita Loscalzo”
I couldn’t let the comment pass about Lowell having been “Rough” — true enough in the long past. Now it is a wonderful destination for art, textile and quilt lovers. The Lowell National Historic Park headquarters is a block away from both the American Textile History Museum that is now showing a wonderful Hawaiian shirt exhibit through June and the New England Quilt Museum, with [my plug, sorry] “Free Motion Masterpieces” on display through May 30. A link to the NEQM exhibit is http://www.nequiltmuseum.org/Exhibitions.shtml
Please come — the quilts are fabulous!
Anita Loscalzo
From: “LR Cawley”
I’ve been reveiwing the Uncoverings articles on 20th century quilts and quilters. How I wish that Anne and Beverly could find a publisher for their book on kit quilts! Cinda on the Eastern Shore (my posts, of late) are not showing up on QHL. Is there a black hole?
From: ZegrtQuilt@
Looking for 19th Century Schoolhouse Quilts!!! Schoolhouse Quilt Exhibition Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival, January 2005
I have been asked to curate an exhibition of 19th century / early 20th century Schoolhouse quilts for the Festival. I am looking for twenty interesting examples in good condition and seek your help!!
This will be the fourth year for the Festival, to be held at Tokyo Dome. They will be seen by approximately 300,000 people over the 9 days of the Festival. It is a wonderful opportunity to introduce great examples of American quilts to a broad Japanese audience.
I am asking for your participation if you have one example or several that you are willing to lend. If you know of another person or institution that might have examples, please send me the information for your contacts.
The quilts will initially be sent to my home in Louisville to be photographed and processed. They will be sent together from Louisville to Tokyo. NHK, the sponsor, will pay an honorarium to borrow the quilts and will cover all insurance, all shipping, and photography. I will do condition reports at both ends of the trip. I will also be in Tokyo for the installation. . At the festival the quilts are handled as they would be at a museum.
I will need the quilts in Louisville on December 1, 2004 and they will be returned to you no later than March 31, 2005.
For your quilts to be considered, please let me know pertinent details and send a photograph (preferably jpeg) to zegrtquilt@ or mail to Shelly Zegart, 300 Penruth Avenue, Louisville, KY 40207 (phone number 502-897-7566).
With many thanks in advance for your help,
Shelly Zegart
Shelly Zegart zegrtquilt@ 502-897-7566 www.shellyquilts.com www.centerforthequilt.org
Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 | From: Palampore@
Have our travel plans for New Zealand. Will be there from June 21 to June 29. If there are any NZ-QHL members I would love to hear from you so that I can hit some quilt shops. Please email privately— palampore@
Thanks, Lynn Lancaster Gorges, New Bern, NC USA
From: Judy White
I agree with you Cinda. With all the articles being written in quilt magazines about kit quilts, the interest is out there and we on this list are definitely interested. It would seem that a publisher such as C&T or AQS would pick up on the subject right away.
Judy White in beautiful, sunshiny Connecticut
From: “Carla Toczek”
Hello,
I am in immediate need of an AQS certified appraiser in the Kansas City area, MO or KS side. The closer to Ft. Leavenworth, the better, but I am willing to meet at a location convenient to both myself and the available appraiser. Any information would be appreciated.
A private email response would be fine.
Thank you,
Carla Toczek Fort Leavenworth, KS
From: “Karen”
There’s also Schiffer, which publishes a lot of books about 20th century collectible textiles (as well as Schnuppe von Gwinner’s quilt history book), and Rutledge Hill Press, which published Merikay Waldvogel’s book on the World’s Fair quilts from the 1930s. Some of the most interesting quilt books come out from the smaller presses because they can afford to take a chance on a small print run; there’s also self-publishing and web publishing, either of which could give a leg up.
And if there’s interest in kit quilts, especially from well known quilter, *mention it in the query letter*. Publishers are there to make money, and being able to say something like, “Jane Jones, author of Sunbonnet Sue and Her Little Friends,” has expressed great interest in this book,” or “I’ve spoken at 52 quilt guilds on this topic in the last two years and have received many letters of interest,” can’t hurt.
Good luck, and keep us posted. I’m starting to work on my own Quilt Book On Obscure Subject and am definitely there in spirit….
From: Kris Driessen
Something y’all might be interested in:
The Softer Side of Hard Times: Kentucky Depression-era Quilts Presented by the Kentucky Historical Society April 17, 2004 – August 28, 2004 Keeneland Changing Exhibits Gallery Kentucky History Center, Frankfort, KY
Although made during one of the most uncertain times in American history, Kentucky’s Depression-era quilts secured the state’s role in the national quilt revival of the 1930s. They embodied the important role women played in holding families together. Images, room settings, and interactive elements will capture the context of the approximately thirty quilts featured in this exhibit.
This exhibit is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Kentucky History Center in downtown Frankfort. Group tour package available this summer. For more information, call (502)564-1792 or visit history.ky.gov.
Exhibit Web site: http://history.ky.gov/Museums/Changing_Exhibits.htm
Kris
