September 17 – 21, 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:
- “Quilt” in Spanish, Italian, and Swedish — The multilingual translation thread continues, adding Italian and Swedish terms and debating the nuances of colcha versus edredón.
- Hand-Hooked Rug Documentation Projects — A rug historian describes a new Lancaster County hooked-rug documentation project modeled on quilt documentation days. (see the article on state quilt documentation books)
- The Phebe Warner Coverlet at the Met — Members trade tips for finding a striking 1803 coverlet on the Met Museum’s website and puzzle over its reversed imagery and “Mid-Atlantic” attribution.
- Did Germans Bring a Quilting Tradition to America? — A member’s question about German quilting history sparks debate over how much of a quilting tradition German immigrants actually carried with them.
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:44:38 +0200 | From: “Cristina” <cristina68telefonica.net>
To be honest with you there isn´t an specif word for quilt. A quilt is a quilt but if you say to someone in Spain that you have a “quilt” in your bed they won´t know what you are talking about. Some people call them “edredon”. However, Spanish people also say “edredon” when they refer to “duvets”. Best wishes, Cris
—– Original Message —– From: “Karen Erlandson” <quiltercooke.net> To: “Quilt History List” <qhl@> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 11:00 PM Subject: [qhl] need a Spanish translation
> Hi, > I need to know what “quilt” translates into in Spanish. Not the verb “to > quilt”, but the noun “quilt” > > Thanks!! > Karen > > > > > — >
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:07:45 -0400 | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
I just recently rejoined the list & saw the question about how to say thw word quilt in Spanish. I looked it up through Babelfish & the noun “quilt” is listed as edredon (with an accent marked over the o) and “to quilt” is al edredon. Hope this helps.
I’m glad to be on the list again. I learn so much from all of you!
Debbie Guidi Roselle, IL
There is a word, “edredón”, masculine noun. (El edredón means “down quilt, comforter, quilted blanket”), according to the University of Chicago Spanish-English/ English-Spanish Dictionary.
“Al edredón” makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and definitely does NOT mean “to quilt”.
Pat
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 14:09:48 +0100 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
SheMeows wrote: > Hi Karen, > “Quilt” can be translated as “edredón”.
So…’Eiderdown’,then? What a circular world!
Sally W
— Sally (‘Tatters’) Ward
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:54:21 -0400 | From: Bob Shaw <shaw.bob@>
The Alliance for American Quilts is pleased to announce its new webblog, which quilt artist and Alliance board member Karen Musgrave will be using to send daily reports on her experiences in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia over the next three weeks,. This is Karen’s
second trip to Georgia. She formed a quilt group on her first trip and
is returning to continue her teaching and to document the antique quilts and appliqu=E9 work of the country. She leaves on Saturday September 18th and will return on October 8. =A0 Karen will also travel with Irena Koshoridze from the State Museum and
Andrea Harris of the Eurasia Foundation to Aspindza in the mountainous
SW part of Georgia near Turkey and Armenia, where she will teach local
“mountain” women to quilt by hand while sitting on the ground. She will
also be traveling to Akahaltshikhe=A0to visit the textile collection of
the Akahaltshikhe Museum. =A0 You can read Karen’s postings and add your own comments and messages on
The Alliance for American Quilts webblog at: http://centerforthequilt.org/webblog/index.php
Check in daily to learn about the people and traditions of the Republic
of Georgia and about Karen’s experiences with with Georgian quiltmakers
and textile history!
For more information contact:
Robert Shaw, Executive Director The Alliance for American Quilts P.O. Box 5251 Louisville, KY 40206 502/897-3619 quiltalliance@=
From: Bob Shaw
Dear Friends:
Please excuse my flying fingers!
Here is correct contact information for The Alliance for American Quilts.
The Alliance for American Quilts P.O. Box 6251 Louisville, KY 40206 502/897-3819 quiltalliance@
From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
I said:
“Al edredón” makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and definitely does NOT mean “to quilt”.
The word “al” is a combination of “a” and “el” and translated means “to the”. The addition of “al” to a noun does not change that noun into a verb. All verbs, such as “to quilt”, in Spanish, end in either “ar”, “er”, or “ir”.
Acolchar to quilt
The word most commonly used to mean quilt as we know it, is “colcha”. This word is commonly used throughout Latin and Central America and I’m told is the preferred usage by my Argentinian friend.
When I lived in Spain, quilting was not “happening” although it is increasingly in popularity now, in the northern part of Spain, especially in and around Barcelona. Spain is a very warm country except for the far north where I lived and there is no real need for warm bedcovers. It rains a lot in the mountains where I was (Pamplona). In fact, I suffered from bronchitis most of the time I was there, because of the dampness in the air.
In the essay that I wrote in response to the events of 9/11, entitled “Para Mis Amigas”, and still available on my website, I use the words “colcha” and “acolchando” (which means “quilting”) exclusively.
There are variances of word usage in the Spanish speaking world and now that quilts have become more popular in Spain, I would not be surprised to learn that they are using the word, (edredón) there, and applying it to a more current usage. However, in my experience with Spanish speakers, the word more commonly used is “colcha”, as I’ve already stated.
Some may doubt me and prefer to use the Internet translator source, but I must say that I received the grade of “sobresaliente” (A+) for my studies in Spain, and also was elected to the very prestigious collegiate honorary society for Spanish scholars, Sigma Delta Pi. At my induction into this society, I was honored to meet Jorge Luis Borges, a prolific author whose theme was often “labrynths”. He was very old then, and of course, has since died. I graduated with honors with 16 more credits in Spanish than needed for a major. Okay, shameless self-promotion…brag, brag, brag. You get the picture. 🙂
Have a terrific day!
Pat www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 10:40:12 -0400 | From: “Sharon’s” <sstarknni.com>
Interesting that Babelfish translates “acolchar” as “to quilt”, but doesn’t seem to recognize the noun form “colcha”.
Sharon Stark
From: <charter.net>
“Edredon” sounds like it would be the equivalent of “duvet” or “comforter.” “Colcha” is what they use in Portugal, and sounds much closer to “culcita” (Latin), “culte” (Dutch), “courtepointe” (French) and “quilt” (English – where it was occasionally written as “twilt” well into the 16th century!). It’s “yorgan” in Turkish, btw, and a quiltmaker is a “yorganci.”
Now – does anyone know what the word for “quilt” is in Italian or Swedish? Both those countries have native quilting traditions. I’m assuming it would be some derivative of “culcita” in Italy, but Sweden is another story.
Karen Evans (currently working on 16th century style silk cradle “twilt” while waiting for next temp assignment)
From: Gail Hurn <gailhurn@>
Colcha is also quilt in Spanish.
Another wonderful way to Learn to use EQ5 is QuiltUniversity.com. Minimal cost and wonderful guided instruction. And you can pick the topics you want to explore.
Gail
===== Gail Hurn Amish Quilt Connection http://www.amishquiltconnection.com
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 12:58:40 -0400 | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
From the book: Old Swedish Quilts by Asa Wettre:
“Patchwork quilts were associated with “simple folk” in Sweden and Holland. They spoke of “poverty covers” (armoededeken) and “beggars’ covers (bedelaarsdeken).”
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 12:30:37 -0500 | From: “Karen Erlandson” <quiltercooke.net>
I used the word supplied by Pat (thanks again Pat!) – “la colcha” and my audience (an ESL class – from Mexico – not Spain) understood exactly what I meant. Now, if only I could understand what they said . . . Thanks again to all who responded. Karen
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:28:53 -0500 | From: Jennifer Perkins <qltrstore@>
Has anyone ever seen a wooden full-size treadle machine? I saw one at the Granary Mall in Walnut, Iowa today, where I purchased a beautiful 1870 quilt for a steal of a price! Anyway, the machine had a big picture of the US patent listing posted beside it. It was patented in April 26, 1880 by John and William Webster in Springfield, Ohio. Listed price is $7550.00 I told the guy I couldn’t afford it, but I knew those who could! Their phone is 712-784-3331, and email is Granarymall@ if anyone is interested. They also had quite a collection of toy size sewing machines, some of which looked very unique! I have no connection, just thought that someone might really like this machine! Jennifer in Iowa NQACJ
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 14:35:40 -0400 | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
That’s great, Karen. This is National Hispanic Heritage Week!
I just looked in a Spanish to Spanish dictionary. First I looked for “colcha” and the definition translated means “covering of a bed”.
On the other hand, when I looked for edredón, the definitions translated mean 1) plumage of certain doves of the north or 2) large pillow(s) that one places at the foot of the bed.
This info. is from /Iter Sopena: Diccionario Ilustrado de la Lengua Española/.
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 14:51:09 -0400 | From: munsey@
Trish: Are any other museums/states/whoever also documenting hand hooked rugs elsewhere in the country? Sandra on Cape Cod
Date: Fri, 1 | From: Feedsackfanatic@
I received the following notice about a vintage quilt show in Madison, GA from Sarah Maugliani, Heritage Hall:
It is my pleasure to announce that the Morgan County Historical Society is hosting a Vintage Quilt Show beginning on October 21st and ending on November 13th.
The show will include pieced and appliqued quilts that date back from 1850-1910. One of the quilts, sewn in 1852, is even signed and dated with a handprint. We will also be featuring several Amish quilts (the log cabin in wool and the Courthouse steps). In addition to the displays at the show, there will be two Red Work Quilts done by children and documented in Ohio and an 1865 Crazy Quilt embroidered and constructed of silk, satin, and velvet.
Jean Wacker has exhibited quilts throughout Georgia at Quilt Guilds. We invite you to join us here at Heritage Hall for this three week event. If there are any questions you have concerning this upcoming attraction, please give us a call at (706) 342-9627.
Paula in GA
From: Ady Hirsch
<adamroninetvision.net.il>
> > > >Now – does anyone know what the word for “quilt” is in Italian or Swedish? Both those countries have native quilting traditions. I’m assuming it would be some derivative of “culcita” in Italy, but Sweden is another story.
Quilt in Swedish is lapptacken (with an Umlaut over the a prnounced ae, lapptaecken) – much like the Dutch Lappendeken. Ady in Israel
From: Trishherr@
Trish: Are any other museums/states/whoever also documenting hand hooked rugs elsewhere in the country? Sandra on Cape Cod I am not aware of any. But if there are other groups wanting to do this, we would be happy to share our experiences. We have no idea what will happen right now. But we do have some enthusiastic people wanting to do this project. I can hardly believe that we will get the overwhelming response that we did with our quilt documentation. Quilts have such a personal place within families that I doubt rugs can match. But if you don’t ask you won’t know. I am excited about the project.
Trish
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 04 | From: KareQuilt@
Just stumbled across this gorgeous English uilt on the Met’s website
http://www.metmuseum.org/home.asp
When you get to the Met website (above) put the word “quilt’ in the seach window. Next click on “The online Collection?” A choice of two quilts will pop up.
Also check out the Met’s Antonio Ratti Textile Center http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/department.asp?dep
Enjoy both!
Karen Alexander
From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
Search for this too!!!!
Coverlet, ca. 1803 Sarah Furman Warner Williams Made in Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, America Gift of Catharine E. Cotheal, 1938 (38.59)
Judy, aka the Ringoes Kid judygrow@
—
> if you put coverlet in the search facility it comes up…thanks. kerryx
> Coverlet, ca. 1803 > Sarah Furman Warner Williams > Made in Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, America > Gift of Catharine E. Cotheal, 1938 (38.59) > > Judy, aka the Ringoes Kid > judygrow@ > >
From: Sally Ward
kerrybrack@ wrote:
>>if you put coverlet in the search facility it comes up…thanks. kerryx
What a fantastic piece. Hours of entertainment with the zoom facility <G>. I’m puzzled though about the squiggles on the urn, which look like handwriting sloping backwards. Can anyone interpret for me, or is it possible the site has put the slide up reversed? And who is sheperding the sheep? Is it a longhaired youth or a lady in trousers?
Also what does ‘Mid-Atlantic’ mean in the details listing?
BTW – a great detail for me is the way the maker represented the sheep, with the fleece trailing at their rear ends. So exactly ‘how it is’.
Sally W in Yorkshire, UK (plenty of sheep <G>)
From: “Monica
Mid-Atlantic usually refers to the region of States that are midway on the American Atlantic coast – Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, states in that area.
I have a question of my own, too. In the 19th century quilt description, it mentions the German quilting tradition. I’ve tried searching for German quilts to see what I can find for early German quilts but all that I can find are Pennsylvania quilts. Does anyone know of any sites that address German quilting history? I’m just curious now.
Thanks! Monica in Maine
From: Barb Garrett
Hi Sally —
Wonderful coverlet. Growing up in PA, I was taught that Mid Atlantic meant those states along the Atlantic Ocean that weren’t New England (Maine, Conn, Mass, Rhode Island, Vermontt, New Hampshire), and weren’t “The South” (Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida). Which would leave the Mid Atlantic states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland — the middle.
Barb in southeastern PA where it finally stopped raining
From: “Karen Evans”
Alas, there’s very little on German quilting – there’s a German quilt from the 16th century in the V&A (pictured in Colby and Staniland) and a couple of medieval appliques, but that’s about it. Germans in Europe appear to have preferred applique to quilting; I’d be willing to bet that the “German quilting tradition” means “ethnic Germans in Pennsylvania making quilts.”
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help
From: Kris Driessen
This message is from Ann Lind, penlind@, who sent it through the quilt history website.
I was born Old Order Mennonite. My family names include Yoder, Bontraeger, and Bollinger. I am still Brethren, but also work in the
English world with computers. Some people on your site are asking if
there is a specific pattern that we use. No, we use many traditional
patterns that the English use. We tend to cherish and repeat the ones that are from faith. My favorite is the Crown of Thorns, and my
mother’s is the Peace Dove. Some of the names do not match the English names, because many of us who are Old Order still speak Old Dutch in the home. I quilt only by hand, and I cut each piece out one at a time with scissors. Also, I make rag dolls in the same way that my grandmother did and so on, with the hair of wool and each strand placed and knotted. I used to beg the mothers of my school friends to teach me to use a machine, but they would just laugh and shake their heads. I just wanted you to know that we do use many patterns which are the same, but have different names. Thank you.
Forwarded by Kris
From: Sally Ward
> Mid-Atlantic usually refers to the region of States that are midway on the > American Atlantic coast – Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, states in that area.
Ah! That makes sense. I was confused, you see, because when our more affected pop groups or actors start to adopt an American-tinged accent it is sometimes referred to as a ‘mid-Atlantic’ accent, meaning half-and-half.
Sally W Yorkshire, UK
From: “Laurette Carroll”
Hello Sally, the image is reversed, and the initials on the urn are PW for Phebe Warner for whom the coverlet was made. There are photos of this in America’s Quilts and Coverlet’s (Safford and Bishop). Laurette
From: “J. G. Row”
Hey, Moncia. You forgot Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. We’re all considered Mid-Atlantic too.
Judy, aka the Ringoes Kid judygrow@
From: Patricia L Cummings
Dear Monica:
In the UNL History of Quilts class that I took, we learned that Germans have no strong, early tradition of quiltmaking in their country. Even now, it is kind of a novelty. When my friend Tamara moved there a few years ago from Ukraine, she started teaching quilting and this was something very new to the area. Quilting is just starting to pick up speed in Germany but there is high interest.
Pat Cummings
From: “Monica MacDonald”
Thanks, Pat – it explains why I couldn’t find anything. The statement in the quilt’s description piqued my curiosity primarily because I’ve never really heard anything about German quilting and I wondered why I hadn’t. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything! <G> Karen, thanks for your insight, too – you’re probably right.
Just one more question today – is anyone else reading Founding Myths: Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past by Ray Raphael? Very fascinating and lots of food for thought. I am particularly intrigued with Mr. Raphael’s understanding of why these myths (Molly Pitcher, Paul Revere’s Ride and more) came into being and how these myths sell us short. Anyway, as I read, this book frequently puts me in mind of some of the myth-busting challenges facing quilt historians – there are many parallels that can be drawn, I think.
Monica in Maine
From: Barbara Robson
The Rug Hookers Guild of Nova Scotia have done an extensive documentation of mats here. They took on this project after a couple of their members volunteered for a Nova Scotia Heritage Quilt Project documentation day. They were quite fascinated with the process and all that we had learned. I believe they based their documentation form on the one we use for quilts. It is my understanding that they have registered thousands of mats/rugs. here is a link to their project…
http://www.rughookingonline.com/registering/registering.html
Our quilt documentation project has over 10 quilts registered so far and I feel we have barely scratched the surface. We hope to get going again in the spring.
Cheers,
Barbara Robson Fox Point, Nova Scotia Canada
From: JBQUILTOK@
Years ago, my husband & I were both in the Air Force (He retired, I got out after 10 yrs). One of my first original quilt designs was a wall hanging to commemorate our time in uniform. I used the back of one of his light blue shirts for the center & appliqued silloettes of a male & female head wearing AF hats. I put a flag pole w/ an American flag between them. On the sides, I did a strip for each that has our stripes sewn to it. The top corners have our ribbon bars. Name tags, insignia, his sharp shooter medals & anything else that I could incorporate are stored on it.
This went to guild one night for show & share but has things that mean too much to me to hang in a show where little things tend to disappear off quilts. It was an early project & I’d do a lot of things differently if I ever had to remake it, but we’ve gotten a lot of compliements on it & we’ve really enjoyed the reminder of the great blue-suiter days after I married ‘a southbound assignment’.
I agree that anyone who wants a military career keepsake needs one custom designed for the service member. And any quilter with a relative or close friend in service should volunteer to do it for them!
Janet Bronston
From: “Brenda & Roger Applegate”
I am going to Washington DC this week to see the native American exhibit with my family.
Can anyone direct me as to where I can see an exhibit of quilts? My guys will not be very patient and I know they will complain if I intend to visit too many exhibits.
Thanks.
Brenda
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 04 | From: Senopera@
Brenda,
Do you mean the new Indian Museum?? Bring comfortable shoes – it will probably be jammed!! It has just opened.
The DAR Museum is in that general area and they always have quilts on display, tho sometimes more than others. And the Smithsonian always does as well. Take a look at their websites and see what’s currently up.
Sue
From: MMiller138@
I live in Springfield, Ohio and would be glad to find out any info on the treadle by the Webster Bros. I am sure our Historical Society has that sort of info…let me know if you are in need thereof! Mary Miller
From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
The DAR Museum at 1776 D. St. NW is usually the best bet for seeing quilts. However, I just got a notice of a quilt and sampler exhibit opening Oct. 7 so the gallery may be closed for installation. Call ahead and check. 2-879-3241. Cinda on the Eastern Shore
From: “Merry
Jeff, I have never used Quilt Design Wizard, so I can’t say anything about it, but I do own Electric Quilt 5, and it is a wonderful program. Not only is it very user friendly, which makes it perfect for beginners, but you will be amzes at what this program can do. Go to www.electricquilt.com to learn more. You will love it. I am not affiliated with Electric Quilt, yadda, yadda, yadda- I am merely a very satisfied customer who has used their products for years, and their customer service is absolutely the best! Good luck in your choice!
From: “Monica
Sorry, Judy – you were all lumped in under “states in that area”. I hadn’t had my coffee yet, what can I say… Monica in Maine (in cold, cold New England)
From: patkyser <patkyser@>
RE: Dear Monica:
In the UNL History of Quilts class that I took, we learned that Germans have no strong, early tradition of quiltmaking in their country. Even now, it is kind of a novelty. When my friend Tamara moved there a few years ago from Ukraine, she started teaching quilting and this was something very new to the area. Quilting is just starting to pick up speed in Germany but there is high interest.
Pat Cummings
Back in the eighties, my friend Ginie Curtze lived here in Huntsville, Alabama and took quilting classes from me. She went home to Konstanz, Germany and has put on larger and larger quilt seminars/festivals each year. I taught for her several times in the 90’s. Additionally she has taken the Esprit collection over there to exhibit, had Nancy Crow and many other “big name” American quilters over to teach. She is doing a great deal to promote quilting in Germany. If anyone is interested in contacting her personally, email me privately. As a result of her efforts (and that of others, of course, too) quilting is thriving, even booming in Germany now. Pat Kyser
