June 27 – 29, 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:
- Log Cabin Foundation Fabric Snips — A discussion of small diamond-shaped holes in log cabin foundation squares resolves into two theories: centering aids snipped by the maker, or possibly a mark left by a template.
- Genesee Country Village Quilt Exhibit — Gary Parrett and Beth Davis share details of the Genesee Country Village and Museum’s quilt exhibition in New York, and members compare notes on the show.
- Biscuit Quilts — History and Origins — Janet Bronston, Jennifer Hill, and others trace biscuit quilt origins back to 1970s craft magazines, with personal memories of making them and comparisons to puff quilts.
- Big Board Ironing Surfaces — Karen Quilts Texas describes her Big Board pressing surface, prompting other members to share homemade alternatives built by husbands and workshop tables.
- Oyster Suppers and Quilt History — Jan Drechsler’s research into old diaries mentioning oyster suppers raises questions about the overlap between 19th-century social eating culture and quilting circles.
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 16:36:21 -0500 | From: “Karen Quilts Texas” <karenquiltstexashouston.@>
Sue – I usually start in the middle and work out. Like you, I think it’s better to press the seams as desired on the back, then work out any errors on the front. I Do find that a bit of steam and/or a mist bottle of water can help in blocking tops that may not be pieced quite right in preparation for quilting.
A couple of years ago I bought a “Big Board” at a local quilt show. They are sometimes advertised in the back pages of quilt magazines. It provides a nice big work surface for ironing. It’s about 22″ wide by 60″ long (5 feet), and fits over the top of a regular ironing board. I also put my cutting board on it, and use it for fabric cutting too.
Sure makes ironing large pieces of faric or tops much easier. The top comes off, and you can put it against the wall. But I keep mine up all the time next to my sewing machine. It’s much easier to iron shirts or pants with it than with the regular board!
Karen A. Spring, TX
—–Original Message—– From: sue reich Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 3:41 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] A “pressing” question
I am taking advantage of the beautiful, clear, warm, low-humidity weather we are having in the northeast. I have some old quilt tops that are fresh off the line, gently laundered and brightened, and are ready to be pressed. This is my question. Hopefully, I am not the only quilter who has not mastered this “pressing” dilemma. Ladies, when ironing a quilt just how do you do it? I have been ironing quilts for thirty years, and still have not solved the problem of pressing the centers without bunching and wrinkling edges that have just been ironed. Do you all start in the center and work your way out around the quilt? Do you go around the edges and work your way in? Do you press the back first and then the front. Any other techniques that you recommend? Usually, I begin at one edge and press the entire row of blocks, do the next row and fold one over the other, and so on until I have work my way across the quilt. I press the back and then turn it over and press the front. So often, I have wished for a bigger ironing board and longer arms. Thanks in advance for your help. Sue Reich
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 14:54:44 -0700 | From: “Yellow Rose Quilting Shop” <YRQS@>
Talking about a “Big Board” used for pressing. My hubby cut me a 30″ x 60 ” piece of ply-board and I covered it with extra batting left over from a quilt then covered it all with a piece of bleached muslin. Placed my new board over my old ironing board and I have a lot larger pressing area in at a lot less cost….. PLUS if it gets dirty I just remove the muslin and wash it…..
Happy Quilting, Debbi Booth Yellow Rose Quilting in Atwater, Calif.
May God Bless & Keep Our Troops Save!
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 15:03:03 -0700 | From: “Yellow Rose Quilting Shop” <YRQS@>
Another way to make your own pressing table/workstation is to use 2 file cabinets or 2 pattern boxes. Place a piece of padded, covered piece of ply-board over them but leaving it all away from the wall so that it doesn’t “bunch” up back there.
Happy Quilting, Debbi, Atwater, Calif.
May God Bless & Keep Our Troops Save!
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 16:03:30 -0700 (PDT) | From: Dana at Material Pleasures <danabalsamo@>
Mine is not quite the “Big Board”, it measures 18″x48″ (I think) and I got mine at Walmart for $29.99…sorry, always the bargain hunter. It started in the basement where my sewing station is, but my husband liked it so much, it is now in the bedroom…along with my cordless iron that he has also take partial ownership of…he just loves my gadgets…caught him cutting wallpaper one day with my rotary cutter and mat…made him buy me a new set after that and he kept my old one. I have all my scissors labeled, he knows to fear death if uses the Ginghers.
My best, Dana
Material Pleasures Affordable Vintage Linens, Lace, Textiles, Buttons & More! www.material-pleasures.com
From: “Dan & Beth Davis”
Hello group,
At the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, there is currently an exhibit with their antique quilts.
There is a Log Cabin quilt from the late 1800’s, which appears to have been assembled in a lap-quilt or ‘Quilt-As-You-Go’ method.
What I find odd is on the back, the individual squares appear to have a very small hole cut on purpose in the center of each.
Has anyone seen this particular feature before and could you shed some light on the reason that this was done? My thoughts were that the quilt maker used this to center her center square-but I did not want to share this with the other docents until it could be confirmed.
Also, how early was the lap-quilt method used? This is the first early example I’ve seen.
Regards,
Beth Davis
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 19:10:11 -0500 | From: “Laurie Magee & Tom Blajeski” <woodmanvbe.com>
This is not a private response, but there are those of us Northerners who would be very interested as well! Laurie from a part of Wisconsin which is still underwater.
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 20:41:16 -0500 | From: Mary Persyn <Mary.Persyn@>
I have a log cabin quilt with 1890s through 1930s fabrics that is done in the “quilt as you go” method. It looks as imost of the quilt was assembled around 1900 amd then finished off about 1930.
Mary
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 20:43:41 -0500 | From: “weemsjm” <weemsjm@>
I might be way off but I find the carpet with a clean sheet under it to be the best way for me. Good for the quilt not my back. I have done this with quilt tops and finished quilts. I do iron all seams as I piece the quilt. You can straiten it out and pen down corners to help. I never screw up what I have all ready ironed. I have not hurt the carpet but I would not leave the iron in one spot to long.
Jeff
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 22:19:48 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
How about some details on the quilts at Genessee Country Village. I know I won’t get there until October. Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 19:22:00 -0700 (PDT) | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>
I sometimes find it helpful to use a smaller iron on quilt tops. Sometimes it is difficult to use the regular size iron and get it around all those small spaces and edges. I found a dandy old traveling iron at an estate sale and use it frequently for piecing, etc. It gets into smaller spaces with more ease.
Karen
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 21:46:47 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
> From: “Laurie Magee & Tom Blajeski” <woodmanvbe.com> >> Subject: [qhl] Re: Southern Quilt Study Conference > > This is not a private response, but there are those of us Northerners who > would be very interested as well! Laurie from a part of Wisconsin which is > still underwater. >
I have to say that we simply had not anticipated interest from the North. Will gladly add your and Barb Garrett’s name to our list.
This proposal grows out of a number of conversations about regionalism, the effect of regional culture on quiltmaking, and of the South’s place in the national quiltmaking history. And since we were trying to figure out who we were, we simply didn’t think anyone else would want to listen to us do that.
Yet, I recall another member’s listening to a long conversaation between 3-4 Southerners at last years AQSG and then being asked a question about what was being said. As if wakened from a dream, she shook herself and said, “I’m sorry, I’ve been listening o the WAY you girls talk and I just paid no attention to what you had to say.’ We’ll have none of that. <g>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 13:23:25 +1000 | From: “Lorraine Olsson” <svenpnc.com.au>
Oh Dear!! So it is not just folks from OS that love the Southern accent. I could listen to it all day <VBG>
Lorraine in Oz (Australia, which has it’s unique sound in the world)
Yet, I recall another member’s listening to a long conversaation between 3-4 > Southerners at last years AQSG and then being asked a question about what > was being said. As if wakened from a dream, she shook herself and said, > “I’m sorry, I’ve been listening o the WAY you girls talk and I just paid no
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:03:17 -0500 | From: “Laura Syler” <texas_quilt.co@>
Also, how early was the lap-quilt method used? This is the first early example I’ve seen.
Beth Davis
Beth, The Sanitary Commission Quilt that I had in my possession several years ago was done QAYG method, with each block bound like a potholder. Circa 1975. Laura Hobby Syler Richardson,Texas Certified Appraiser of Quilted Textiles Quilt Restoration Specialist Teacher, Lecturer, Writer Exhibits and Conferences
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:16:21 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533eznet.net>
Laura, Thank you for your response! That is so interesting! I will be working at the museum again this weekend, so I can inspect the quilt more closely, but I thought that the edges were raw on the back on this one. More in line of the raggedy edge quilts now popular. This does seem odd, now that I think about it-so that observation might be incorrect. I was participating in an overview last week in anticipation of the opening of the show when I saw the quilt, so did not have much time to inspect each one. I can also check the quilt more closely for the time period. I think that it was probably after 1875. What was the pattern used on the Sanitary Commission Quilt? Regards, Beth Davis
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:17:56 -0700 (PDT) | From: Judy Schwender <sister3603@>
Hello Beth- Several of the 72 nineteenth century Log Cabin quilts analyzed for the “Design Dynamics of Log Cabin Quilts: Selections from the Jonathan Holstein Collection” exhibition currently at the International Quilt Study Center were constructed by the method you describe. Unless a quilt is conclusively dated (ideally by signature and date on the quilt) we have no way of knowing when it was made, and therefore no way of saying how early a particular technique was used. My feeling on the subjects of dating is that we need to steer docents and tour guides away from specific dates unless such is available on the quilt itself, and encourage the use of date ranges. I wonder if the holes on the back are from pompoms that are no longer on the quilt??? Do you have any digital images you can post on the eboard? Judy Schwender
Dan & Beth Davis <bethdan533eznet.net> wrote: Hello group,
At the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, there is currently an exhibit with their antique quilts.
There is a Log Cabin quilt from the late 1800’s, which appears to have been assembled in a lap-quilt or ‘Quilt-As-You-Go’ method.
What I find odd is on the back, the individual squares appear to have a very small hole cut on purpose in the center of each.
Has anyone seen this particular feature before and could you shed some light on the reason that this was done? My thoughts were that the quilt maker used this to center her center square-but I did not want to share this with the other docents until it could be confirmed.
Also, how early was the lap-quilt method used? This is the first early example I’ve seen.
Regards,
Beth Davis
Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail – Send 10MB messages! –0-402893571-1088432276:47060–
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:18:27 -0500 | From: “Jean Carlton” <jeancarlton@>
Hi Another idea to make your own big board for ironing is to get that plywood, then turn your ironing board upsidedown in the center of it and trace it’s shape…..add furring strips or quarter round at those lines and the top will stay securely on your ironing board instead of slipping around. The thick padding for under tablecloths ( we called it ‘silence cloth’ when I worked in fabrics) is available at most all-purpose fabric stores as well as that silver teflon fabric for the top – if you want that – by the yard. I have not had the space for this yet but a friend’s husband made hers this way and I covet it. As for pressing those tops, I assume you are talking vintage tops that you washed? not newly made? Be careful if you press from the back at all – sometimes it’s necessary to get things to cooperate but I find it best to stay on the top side to avoid unwanted folds and to get those seamlines nice and flat. Jean Carlton
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:21:22 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533eznet.net>
Hi Lucinda, Here is the information regarding the quilt exhibit: Quilts Uncovered: Treasures from Genesee Country Village & Museum is the first-ever exhibit of the museum’s comprehensive quilt collection. More than 60 historic quilts highlight virtually every style from the 19th century. This spectacular show, shown in three locations in the museum, will feature whole-cloth and pieced quilts, the crazy quilt collection and quilts produced over the last 25 years in the historic village. Many pieces will be on display for the first time in years. In conjunction with the exhibit, the village will also offer hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
The quilts in this exhibition represent the work of women quilters from the earliest days of this nation to the turn of the 20th century. Throughout those one hundred years, a quilt made for necessity of warmth emerged to become an object of boastful pride. Once only possible for the well off or those who could afford hired help, quilting became affordable to all households by the end of the nineteenth century.
These quilts are a feast of color, pattern, technique and a marvel of ingenuity. For the most part, the stories of their origins are lost. We can glean only small pieces of information: a scrap of paper that was used to back a piece of fabric, a ribbon sewed into the block or a story that followed the quilt as it was passed down. The larger story, of which all these quilts play a part, is evident to the eyes: the triumph of design and style over utility.
The exhibit runs from June 15 through Oct. 31 2004. May – October Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays, except May 31, July 5, Sept. 6 & Oct. 11.
Note: July – Labor Day Tuesday through Sunday & holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Website with more information: http://www.gcv.org/programsAndEvents/quiltsUncovered.shtml
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 08:49:52 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen@>
I have a log cabin from the same time period that was also assembled in the Quilt-as-you-go style. The logs were fussy cut so the directional prints all go in the same direction. Neat.
Kris
— Dan & Beth Davis <bethdan533eznet.net> wrote: > Hello group, > > > > At the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, there is > currently an exhibit with their antique quilts. > > There is a Log Cabin quilt from the late 1800’s, which appears to > have been assembled in a lap-quilt or ‘Quilt-As-You-Go’ method.
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:11:04 -0400 | From: “Pam Weeks Worthen” <pamworthen@>
Beth,
It’s so hard to make guesses without seeing this quilt, but is the hole large enough that the block could have been pieced, the backing of the block applied right sides together, the edges stitched, then the block turned right side out through the little hole, and then finished as a knife-edge?
You weren’t clear about how the individual blocks were finished, so I don’t know if they are bound individually, or have a knife-edge finish.
I have several quilts made like this, but all of mine have blocks that are individually bound with very narrow binding, then whip stitched together. For lack of a better name, we have been calling them “potholder quilts”.
Xenia’s recent presentation in Nebraska included information gleaned from several sources on potholders. Her list of quilts, dates, and types of potholders will be more complete than mine at this point, but to my knowledge the earliest quilts made this way, in this country, are 1840 to 1850. I have one dated 1848 but have yet to do the research on the maker to see if that is her birthdate, wedding date, whatever.
I have one of hexagon shapes formed from three diamond pieces, just like the tumbling blocks pattern. The hexagon is bound, then the bound blocks are whip stitched together. Fabrics date c. 1880. Another consists of nine blocks, Album Patch, with signatures, dated 1858.
I’ve been keeping a list of people and musuems that have potholder quilts in their collections, as well as the books I’ve found them in, and eventually plan on doing more research, but have a few signature quilts higher on the research list for right now.
I would love to hear about more of you who might have these in your collections.
Pam Weeks Worthen in NH, also happy to brag about clear, cool, crisp, absolutely perfect, shining June summer days. We have been blessed, but we paid for this gorgeous weather last January. I have not forgotten 10 degrees below zero, farenheit, for ten days in a row. AND, I lost most of my roses and lavender. So, I will revel in this June weather, having mortgaged my quilts to buy lavender plants!
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:21:39 -0500 | From: “Karen Quilts Texas” <karenquiltstexashouston.@>
Well – My mother always told me that we were lucky to be growing up in the South… She was born in Louisiana, and ended up in Texas. All that humidity is good for the skin, she’d say, and that’s why Southern women have fewer wrinkles!! :-)!
I was never sure if she was serious about it or if it was just one of those old wives tales we grow up hearing. I do have to say, that at 70, my mom does have great skin… and still an awful lot of red hair mixed in now with gray!
So, I can’t complain too much about our 60+ inches of rain YTD! (Annual average is something like 54″ in Houston).
Karen A. Spring, TX
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:13:49 -0500 | From: “Charlotte Bull” <charlou@>
Hi…my husband made me a Big Board before they were selling them by that name. I used several layers of old mattress pad and covered it with muslin layers. I’ve recovered it several times. I find it useful in ironing slacks too! Recently I noted that the original thin plywood had warped a bit due to steam pressing. I think I’d love a bigger big board but mine is 18″ x 60″. It now is the centerpiece of my diningroom!!! Big pieces or lengths get pushed over onto the diningroom table which now also holds my big cutting matt, so I guess “It ain’t a diningroom, no more!” : ))) But I have to drape it with towels as the cats chose it as their viewing the woods and bird watching location due to the big 5′ by 10′ window. It is very difficult to protect my fabric from cat hair, so I use one of those lint rollers on the board frequently. I keep cats out of the actual Sewing Studio. As well as the Bedroom antique quilt storage rooms. But they enjoy the Quilt Library & Computer room. This is an 8 room quilt studio! 50% off limits to cats! and dogs! And I don’t even go into the attic!!! I have no desire to see that inner sanctum of addicted savers of everything! cb But I know there is fabric & trims up there! I feel so sorry for my children! : )))
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:29:58 -0700 (PDT) | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>
Hi, Beth,
Pat Pauley needs to be credited for the entire show from its inception. She has been hard at the planning for two years. If you want to know about a particular quilt, I am sure she can tell you about it.
I am trying to remember the particular quilt you are writing about. Was it in the large room of the gallery in a corner and was one edge not complete?There are at least three log cabins that I am recalling. Was it a completed quilt or just the top?
Karen
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 16:37:41 EDT | From: Jccullencrew@
In a message dated 6/28/2004 10:46:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,20 bethdan533eznet.net writes: : Treasures from Genesee Country Village & Museum is the first-ever exhibit of the museumE28099s comprehensive quilt collection. M ore than 60 historic quilts highlight virtually every style from the 19th century. Hi, where is the museum located? NY state? Please let us know. Thanks. 20 Carol Grace
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:21:34 -0400 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
I don’t like to put links to active ebay auctions on QHL because I don’t want it to look like I’m advertising the auction, but I’m breaking my rule because this quilt is a must see in my opinion. There is so much history in this quilt — it is definitely a “one of a kind”. The pictures are fabulous — close ups of every block. You can spend a long time just studying the stevengraphs — what a collection! Judysue has outdone herself with pictures — she knows that’s what we enjoy seeing <grin>. I hope you all enjoy —
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category2221&item3733237174
I have no connection to the auction, but I do know Judy, who doesn’t know I’m posting this. Thanks for letting us study the quilt in such great detail, Judy.
Barb in southeastern PA
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:21:12 -0400 | From: “Patchwork Secrets” <patchworksecrets2@>
I wish I could see pictures..lol.. I wonder if these are all “quilt as you go” or are they foundation pieced on a muslin type backing? IE: string quilt style. Several of the crazy quilts I have are actually foundation pieced but never had a backing put on them. One came from a lady who called it a summer quilt for the porch bed. She had a small screened in porch they slept on in the heat of summer and she would string piece on foundations and never back them for use out on the porch. She was in her 90’s when I purchased the piece from her and I am pretty sure she had done these when her kids were young. Her oldest daughter is now in her 80’s so the dates would correspond.
Sharon in NC
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:37:42 -0400 | From: “Karen” <charter.net>
That is *amazing*. And in wonderful condition. Wish I could afford it!
And by a weird coincidence, I just finished reading a marvelous book about the Columbian Exposition (The Devil in the White City). Fascinating time, and a fascinating quilt!
Karen Evans
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:38:43 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533eznet.net>
Hi Carol, Wow, where is my head today—gave all that information on the exhibit Quilts Uncovered: Treasures, then forgot to add the address for the Genesee Country Village & Museum! It is located in Mumford, New York, which is located 20 miles southwest of Rochester and 45 miles southeast of Buffalo. Easy access to the New York State Thruway is available at exits 46 and 47. Their phone number is: (585) 538-6822
The show is being held as a prelude to the “Magical Threads A Kaleidoscope of Quilts” Quilt Show presented by Genesee Valley Quilt Club on October 16th & 17th at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. The club is orchestrating with 4 more museums in the Rochester area to show their own antique quilts during that weekend: Rochester Museum & Science Center, the Landmark Society of Western New York, the Rochester Historical Society and the Susan B. Anthony House. This might be worth a trip!!!
Hi, where is the museum located? NY state? Please let us know. Thanks. Carol Grace
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:01:19 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) | From: “Sandra Millett” <smillett@>
As the author of Quilt As You Go, I’d be interested in knowing if the Log Cabin was sewn/quilted in strips or individual blocks. Block by block quilting presents major assembly problems.0D 0D Sandra Millett0D Author, Freelance Writer0D Quilting the Savory Garden, Krause Publications0D Needle ‘n Pen columnist, The Quilter Magazine0D 0D 0D
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 20:07:22 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533eznet.net>
Hi Karen, Yes, Pat has done a spectacular job!! I’ve told her I was really impressed by her exhibit, yet she tells me that she thinks I may be more knowledgeable than her—yea right (laugh)!! I told Pat & Jill Roberts (Gallery curator) that I would try tap into this group for their opinion as to this quilt-as no one was really sure of the technique used and the reason for the small holes (too small, I think to have been used to turn the squares—thinking more for centering the first square). This Log Cabin was hanging near the center of the large gallery-where you could easily see both sides. It was the largest log cabin-in brown & tan cottons (I think-we went through the entire village in under two hours last week!) I will not be able to get a picture of the quilt for another couple weeks, unfortunately.
And thanks to all to have responded to this question! Gee I should come out of woodwork more often! Now I will crawl back…
Beth
Hi, Beth,
Pat Pauley needs to be credited for the entire show from its inception. She has been hard at the planning for two years. If you want to know about a particular quilt, I am sure she can tell you about it.
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 20:16:43 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533eznet.net>
Hi Sandra, I would say that it was block to block, although as you say, this would have been difficult to do. I may need to take a trip over to the museum before next week, when I am working there-as there seems to be quite a bit of interest in the quilt!! In the meantime, I will send a note to the curator to ask her to take a look at it again for me—I really thought that the edges of each square was raw, but after seeing the information (the potholder technique, pillow method with a knife edge, turned through the small hole-but it is a very small hole!) provided by all the list, that perception has to be wrong. I will get back to the group with more details.
Beth
As the author of Quilt As You Go, I’d be interested in knowing if the Log Cabin was sewn/quilted in strips or individual blocks. Block by block quilting presents major assembly problems. Sandra Millett
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 20:39:34 -0400 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
Beth Davis wrote:
> but I thought that the edges were raw on the back on >this one. >More in line of the raggedy edge quilts now popular. This does seem odd, >now that I think about it-so that observation might be incorrect. > Hi Beth –
If the raw edges of the block joinings show on the back, you may be talking about a quilt top rather than a quilt. The concentric rows of stitching could also be piecing stitching rather than quilting stitching. I’ve seen a fair number of log cabin quilts where the foundation fabric becomes the back of the “quilt” — no separate batting and backing fabric — just sew the strips to the wrong side of the foundation fabric and you have a 2 sided block.. This sounds like it could possibly be what you have — without seeing it <grin>. When these have become “quilts” here in PA, the raw edges you mentioned are either folded under and slip stitched — like lap quilting — or there is a separate piece of fabric sewn over the raw edges, hiding the edges and making a windowpane type appearance. Picture bias tape over all the seams — only it’s straight of grain, not bias. Looks very effective and is seen in quilts from circa 1850 on up.
I remember seeing holes in the center — pinprick size holes — but can’t remember when or where — will keep thinking.
Barb in southeastern PA
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 23:31:49 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
I have just posted 4 photos of a quilt I own made in the late 19th century in the quilt as you go technique, although there is no quilting. The blocks were pieced on the wrong side of printed cotton and then were put together, first one side, then the other. I would assume the fronts were stitched together first. No extra stitching shows on the front of the quilt. What look like quilting stitches on the back of the quilt are really the piecing stitches.
http://vintagepictures.eboard.com
After much travail I got the photos posted — but in the wrong place. They appear on the General tab, the first page, unless Joan moves them to the quilt page.
J. G. Row, aka Judy Ringo judygrow@
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:01:17 -0700 (PDT) | From: Donald Beld <donbeld@>
Hi, I recently gave a late 1890’s silk Log Cabin to the Lincoln Shrine in Redlands, Ca that has the maker’s name and who she made it for on it–made in Shreveport, Louisiana, that fits the description of the quilt you all have been discussing. It is assembled in individual Log Cabin blocks in the potholder method with a solid green back over the entire quilt that has tassles in the center of each block on the back the same color as the back to anchor the back to the top–so it is not quilted, but tied.
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:12:10 -0700 (PDT) | From: Donald Beld <donbeld@>
I’m sorry, what I was trying to say was that the holes on the New York quilt could have been for the tassles. Also, I posted a photo of the quilt I gave to the Lincoln Shrine on the vintagepictures.eboard.com site–but I didn’t take a picture of the back. Sorry
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 01:15:56 -0400 | From: KareQuilt@
Howdy everyone! I have successfully immigrated from Northern Virginia to the San Juan Islands, Washington State our final nesting place, God willing, until they carry me out feeeeet first! It was VERY emotional leaving that quilt gang back in Northern VA, MD and PA!! Hubby (born and rasied in this area) has not retired, only telecommuting now to his job in Maryland from the house he inherited from his folks. Those of you who are going to attend AQSG in Vancouver, WA, in October, will be only 5 hours south of our new location and will get a taste of the incredible beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I hope my FIL is not turning over in his grave, but I converted his large lovely garden and tool shed (12x18) into climate controlled year around storage for my genealogical and family files. MY MIL’s large quilt studio in the house has become my quilt research library as well as quilt studio, as has one of the extra bedrooms. (Give a quilter an inch and shell take two rooms every time!) I am about half unpacked but things are on hold for the month of July while I fly back east to help run the Grand Opening of The Quilters Hall of Fame. I hope we are going to see a number of you there!! We have two fantastic Honoree Quilt Exhibits plus two other exhibits, one the Founders (Hazel Carter) Exhibit of early 19th century quilts, plus quilts by contemporary Indiana quiltmakers. Plus Quilts all over Marion, IN, in shop windows; lectures and workshops by 12 Honorees; and the Book Launch Party for our first QHF book(covers all 34 Honorees)!! (You can order the book after the Grand Opening through our website or by contacting the office at quilters@.) The Grand Opening is a 4-day event (Thurs July 15-Sun July 18). See our website for more information www.quiltershalloffame.org
Gaye, I want to know more about your southern quilt gathering!! You would plan it after I leave the area!
Cheers! Karen Alexander
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 07:44:00 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
I moved them to quilt page.
J. G. Row wrote:
> >http://vintagepictures.eboard.com > >After much travail I got the photos posted — but in the wrong place. They >appear on the General tab, the first page, unless Joan moves them to the >quilt page. > > > >
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 09:56:50 -0400 | From: Paul and Nancy Hahn <phahn@>
I, too, have a wool and challis log cabin quilt top, foundation pieced on c. 1880 squares of various patterned fabrics that have small (1/8″) diamond shaped holes carefully snipped in the center of each foundation fabric. I brought this to FVF last year, Barb, that may be where you remember seeing the small holes on the back of a log cabin. No one there could figure out their purpose. There is not evidence of a tie having been there-that was our first thought. They were not turned inside out through this hole as the foundation block edges are raw where the individual blocks are seamed together. And, the holes are too tiny to have pulled much of anything through. Someone thought maybe they were to mark where to eventually put ties, but, once a back would have been put in place, you would not have been able to see the holes in the foundation blocks. And, on the right side, the center blocks are bright red wool squares-you could easily “eyeball” where center was is you were worried about centering ties. The 20-some inquiring minds at Fran’s that day had no answer. Hope someone else can come up with something!
Nancy Hahn
