April 12 - 16, 2005 - QuiltHistory

Fabric Identification, Oral History & Documentation, Quilt History Resources

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:

The History of Portieres — A deep dive into decorative doorway drapes (portieres) and their rods, complete with period photos and a Gone with the Wind aside.
Buckram and Fabric Stiffening — Joan Kiplinger traces “buckram”/”bockeram” as a stiffened fabric back to 16th-century England and Henry VIII’s inventory.
American Textile History Museum Closing — Members react to news that the Lowell, MA museum is closing and discuss what might happen to its collections. (see the article on quilt museums)
Deciphering a Mystery Inscription — A collaborative effort to identify the Slavic-language inscription found on an embroidered textile.
Remembering Amanda Miller — The list shares condolences on the passing of an Ohio Amish-country quilt shop owner.

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:39:02 +0100 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>

I remember Portiere Rods on doorways in both Grandparents’ houses. The rod stood out on brackets, about 6″ from the door, wider and higher than the door itself. One of the brackets was fixed to the rod, the other was fixed to the wall. The first was on a slider, the second on a pivot. Thus the curtain hung right over the gap between door and frame to stop draughts, but when the door was opened it slid and swung so that it didn’t catch on the wall and prevent opening. And the curtain didn’t have to be drawn back.

I can still smell the very heavy, dusty chenille curtains which hung on these rods. In the terraced houses where a coal fire was the only source of heat, there were ferocious draughts created as the air was pulled up the chimney… there was a communal yell if anyone left the door ajar.

I found an illustration in a Builders’ Merchants catalogue from as late as 1963 (although the styling is still Victorian) which I have put on eBoard under General.

Sally W

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:45:07 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>

Sally and all — portieres could be other than fabric. See the rope variety from Sears 1902 catalog on eboard. www.vintagepictures.eboard.com See general tab. I can imagine the dust created by the cloth drapes; must have been a real torture for those with allergies.

Sally Ward wrote:

> I remember Portiere Rods on doorways in both Grandparents’ houses. > The rod stood out on brackets, about 6″ from the door, wider and > higher than the door itself. One of the brackets was fixed to the rod, > the other was fixed to the wall. The first was on a slider, the second > on a pivot. Thus the curtain hung right over the gap between door and > frame to stop draughts, but when the door was opened it slid and swung > so that it didn’t catch on the wall and prevent opening. And the > curtain didn’t have to be drawn back. > >

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 13:24:33 -0400 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcoryclis.com>

When I used to attend a lot of auctions in the country (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky), sometimes I’d find what I called “country portieres.” These were coverlets, usually of the overshot weave blue/white type, that had been separated along their center joining seam. Thus the old-fashioned ‘coverlid’ became a farmwife’s version of fancy door curtains. Two sets I sewed back together because as an antique coverlet, they were worth more than separate curtains! Pepper in North Carolina

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:15:22 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

Your email addy isn’t going thru for me…sorry! The exhibit catalog is $7.50 total…make check payable to Schwenkfelder Library, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Thanks so much! Candace Perry

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 16:52:32 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>

> For those of you who dont have the great fortune of knowing Laurie Woodard > as a friend, you must know that not only is she knowledgeable about Hawaii > and it’s quilts, but she is unbelievably generous in sharing that knowledge. > And how’s that for a not-quite-run-on-but very-long- sentence, English > teachers?? Teddy Pruett >

It’s okay, but it ain’t Faulkner, Ms. Pruett.

An English Teacher

Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:43:53 -0600 | From: “gingham@” <gingham@>

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for info. on gloves for appraising. Especially Meg’s purple gloves. That really made me laugh because my recent journal quilt is entitled “no white gloves” and features a print with purple gloves–a rebellion against the white glove test for cleaning.

Sandra Starley in Utah

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 11:32:00 +0100 | From: “Celia Eddy” <celia.eddy@>

I’m happy to confirm that you can still buy the portiere rods, still in use on two doors in the library of an early Victorian house here in North West England. They operate exactly as descibed by Sally, with one bracket on the door and the other on the door-frame. The doors in question open on to a draughty hall, so heavy portieres (door curtains) are ideal. Ours, though, are not old or dusty (yet), but patchwork made by me in suitably faux Victorian style, using silk, satin velvet and whatever! One is just big Tumbling Blocks pattern, the other a Log Cabin variation. If someone will remind me how to put up pictures here I’ll do so.

Celia Eddy

From: Palampore@

I recently found out that a museum has been opened in NC to pay tribute to the textile industry. “On Feb. 25, 2004, the dream of converting Glencoe Mill’s Company Store and Office Building into the permanent location of the Textile Heritage Museum became a reality.” They are open on Sat. and Sun. 1-4 PM, and are located at: 2406 Glencoe Street, Burlington, NC (exit 143 off I-85/40—-Follow NC 62 Norht about 4 miles—cross Haw River Bridge and take a left onto River Road which goes to Glencoe St.) This is the area of NC where the Alamance Plaids were produced. I am anxious to get to the museum so that I can see if they have any on display. It appears in their brochure that much of their display room is dedicated to showing what a Mill Village looked like. If anyone in the center of NC could report of the museum that would be great. Heading to the fabric store….. I have a question about stabilizing fabric. When was the open weave buckram type interfacing introduced? It appears to have a coating on it? I am working on a pre-1850’s coat that has some of this in the cuffs. I am pretty sure that it is added, but would like to have a ballpark date as to when. Not a quilt question….but was sure one of you would know. Lynn Lancaster Gorges New Bern, NC

From: “Lynne Z. Bassett”

> I have a question about stabilizing fabric. When was the open weave > buckram > type interfacing introduced? It appears to have a coating on it? I am > working on a pre-1850’s coat that has some of this in the cuffs. I am > pretty > sure that it is added, but would like to have a ballpark date as to when. > Not a > quilt question….but was sure one of you would know. > Lynn Lancaster Gorges > New Bern, NC

Dear Lynn,

Without seeing a picture, I can’t tell for sure about your buckram—but, buckram has been around for a long time. It was used for making bonnets in the early 19th century, at least.

Best, Lynne

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 11:21:06 -0700 (PDT) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>

Re portieres, I think the dress Scarlett O-Hara wore to visit Rhett in jail were made from the green velvet portieres at Tara. And I have had woven silk rag runners that were said to be portieres, not floor rugs but made in the same manner as rag carpet, and supposedly by the Shakers. Makes sense they would not be used for floor covering as they were all silk strips

Re the damaged inventory from the pipe that broke in my shop, does anybody have a suggestion about what to do constructively with the quilts that were damaged beyond saleability ? The fabrics are in fine condition, but stains and dye transfer are not removable in some of them without bleaching out or damaging them more. Is there a study center to which they might be donated, perhaps, rather than see the quilts/material cut up for restoration, pillows, etc? Advice would be appreciated. Amish from all communities, and some early and mid 19th century earth tone calicoes, are the quilts affected.. Thanks Laura Fisher.

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 14:44:53 -0400 | From: “Nancy Gibbs” <izannah1@>

Undoubtedly right, but much more memorable were the green velvet drapes and rods worn in Carol Burnett’s take-off of Scarlett’s dress!! Nancy in PA

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 15:00:13 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>

Lynn — Buckram or buckrum [UK] dates back to at least 1533, according to Furnishing Textiles by Pamela Clabburn. It has always been an open weave and heavily sized or gummed [coated as you note]. There are several other type buckrams, one a finer weave, another is scrim commonly used for cheap curtains and camera lens covering to mute features [Gloria Swanson’s closeup in Sunset Bvd] and library for book covers. Heavier buckram is made by glueing two pieces together. Linen, jute, hemp, cotton and hair were fabric choices often blended.

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 17:55:27 -0400 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcoryclis.com>

> Hello QHL friends, > I’ve kept my head low working this winter and spring but am about to come up > for air! I’ll be at the StenSource booth at Market per usual so please come > by. Am also doing Schoolhouses for both StenSource and the FabShop Network. > More news: I’ve got new lines of fabric with David Textiles’ new quilt shop > only division called Telegraph Road Studio. One line is Josephine (named > after a great-grandmother) a documentaries-based lush Victorian set of > prints. See page 37 in the new McCall’s Quilting for a preview of a few of > the Josephine fabrics. It has two colorways: rust and teal blue. Then > there’s Jazz Age. Think deco with a sense of humor. No flowers in sight! > Flying boxes, bubbles, stars, and a texture print I call ‘Torn Stockings.’ > Aagain two colorways: royal blue/orange/gold/ivory and > taupe/grape/lilac/sage/black. Meanwhile the strikeoffs are coming and I’d > better get busy! > Cheers from the NC coast- > Pepper Cory > >

Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 22:40:45 -0400 | From: Karen Evans

There are extensive references to quilts backed with “bockeram” in Henry VIII’s inventory of 1547, including several “cradle quyltes” of “holland cloth.” I assume this was the finer weave, probably cotton.

Karen Evans

—–Original Message—– From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@> To: Quilt History List <qhl@> Sent: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 15:00:13 -0400 Subject: [qhl] buckram

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:03:24 +0100 | From: “Celia Eddy” <celia.eddy@>

Several people have asked to see pics of the patchwork portieres I mentioned. If you post to me personally (celia.eddy@) I’ll send them as Attachments.

Celia —–

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 08:55:26 -0400 | From: “sue reich” <suereich@>

Reported in the Bismarck Daily Tribune Bismarck, North Dakota November 26, 1889

Advertisements on the Quilt. Some brilliant woman with a business head upon her shoulders has invented a new fea- ture for church fairs called the advertising spread. Business houses and firms are visited and requested to send in their advertisements printed upon a twelve inch square of white cotton cloth. These are taken in hand by the young ladies of the church and the printed lettering entirely covered with the Kensing- ton stitch in colored silks. The squares are then sewed together after the manner of a patchwork quilt, the border neatly finished off with lace and ribbon, and the completed spread hung up in some conspicuous part of the fair hall so that he who runs may read. For this privilege the advertiser is not taxed at certain fixed rates per word or line, but is modestly requested to contribute whatever amount his pocketbook and bump of benevo- lence may admit of, the result being gener- ally more satisfactory to the fair organizers of the fair than to the contributor, who has at least the consolation of feeling that he has been fleeced in a good cause. New York World.

Offered by Sue Reich, from Connecticut, where Spring has sprung.

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 06:42:37 -0700 (PDT) | From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>

For those members on the QHL who have traveled through the Amish country in Ohio, a notable Amish quilter and quilt shop owner, Amanda Miller, has sadly passed away. For those of you who shopped there, prior to 4 years ago when the shop was “electricityfied” you will remember that they used only natural light or oil lamps on dark days. You will probably also remember the great big giant bed in the front room that was loaded with quilts that could be turned back for viewing. If you were fortunate enough to know Amanda, you won’t forget her. I was fortunate enough to work with her to compile Amish quilt shows for several years and her kindness, generosity, quilting knowledge, and sharp business sense made her a wonderful person to work with. She taught me a great deal about Amish quiltmaking in Ohio for which I will always be indebted.

For those of you who would like to send a note to the family: Family of Amanda Miller 4500 State Route 557 Millersburg, Ohio 44654-9479

The following announcement was posted to the Ohio Quilters List earlier this week.

Posted by Connie Ark

Amanda E. Miller Amanda E. Miller, 70, of 4500 Rt. 557, Millersburg (Charm), died Tuesday April 12, 2005, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born April 23, 1934, in Holmes County to the late John V. and Kathryn (Miller) Erb. Amanda was the owner of Miller’s Dry Goods at Charm and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

She is survived by one son, Roy A. (Janet) Miller of Berlin; two daughters, Mrs. Ivan R. (Katie) Barkman of Charm and Mrs. Paul A. (Mary) Troyer of Holmesville; six grandchildren, Eugene Barkman, Nathan Barkman, Anthony Miller, Amanda Troyer, Lori Troyer and Ryan Troyer; one sister, Mrs. Alvin (Maggie) Wengerd of Walnut Creek, and one brother, Albert J. (Verda) Erb of Charm. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Aden E. Miller, on Oct. 26, 1978, and one brother, V.J. Erb.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2005, at 9 a.m. at the John Oren Miller Jr. residence at 4507 State Rt. 557, Millersburg (Charm), with Bishop John B. Yoder officiating. Burial will follow at Erb Cemetery, Clark Township, Holmes County. Friends may call at the home at 4500 State Rt. 557 after 1 p.m. Wednesday and anytime Thursday. Smith Funeral Home at Sugarcreek is handling the arrangements.

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:05:03 -0400 | From: “sue reich” <suereich@>

Thank you, Connie for sharing sad news about Amanda Miller. Ironically, she and the shop have frequently been in my thoughts these past few days. I began to go to visit Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods in the 1970s when we were living in Ohio. My children were young then, and we had outings in Holmes County at least twice a year. I have taken many quilt tops to Amanda Miller to be quilted by members of her community. She was a kind and gracious Amish business woman. My favorite time to visit was in November, after harvest, while the corn stalks still stood in rows in the fields. Darkness comes early that time of year. I would purposefully time my visits after the gas lanterns were lit. They cast a special glow on the fabrics below, and their hiss harkened one back to an earlier, more simple time. Reminiscing in Connecticut, sue reich

From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcoryclis.com>

Hello QHL readers,

Greetings from windy and cold North Carolina! I’ve kept my head low working this winter and spring but am about to come up for air. I’ll be at the StenSource booth at Market per usual so please come by. Am also doing Schoolhouses for both StenSource and the FabShop Network. More news: I’ve got new lines of fabric with David Textiles’ new quilt shop only division called Telegraph Road Studio. One line is Josephine (named after a great-grandmother) a documentaries-based lush Victorian set of prints. See page 37 in the new McCall’s Quilting for a preview of a few of the Josephine fabrics. It has two colorways: rust and teal blue. Then there’s Jazz Age. Think deco with a sense of humor. No flowers in sight! Flying boxes, bubbles, stars, and a texture print I call ‘Torn Stockings.’ Again two colorways: royal blue/orange/gold/ivory and taupe/grape/lilac/sage/black. Meanwhile the strikeoffs are coming and I’d better get busy! Cheers from the NC coast- Pepper Cory

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:47:16 +0100 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>

I have just added two pictures of Celia’s modern portiere drapes, on portiere rods, to the eboard where I put the picture of the rod.

http://www1.eboard.com/

Sally W

From: “BOBBIE A AUG”

The American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Mass will be closing its doors in September. I don’t know what is going to happen to that beautiful building. It is my understanding that the collections may end up someplace in Washington, DC, but I’m not certain.

Too bad

Bobbie ——_NextPart_000_00DE_01C54148.06A981B0–

From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>

This is sad news. Do you think the Museum of Textiles [think that’s the correct name] might be the repository for these collections?? Is closing a sign of financial hard times or lack of patrons or viewers?? It’s just very difficult to imagine a museum of this repute folding.

BOBBIE A AUG wrote:

>The American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Mass will be closing its doors in September. I don’t know what is going to happen to that beautiful building. It is my understanding that the collections may end up someplace in Washington, DC, but I’m not certain. > > > >

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 12:06:16 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>

I haven’t had any answer to my plea of April 7th. Judy kelius had a piece like this but she didn’t know what the language was either. I always brag that somebody on QHL knows the anser to everything. Don’t let me down. I’ve pasted my original message below. Help!! Cinda, ignorant on the Eastern Shore

I think we’ve had this discussion before, but now it’s my problem and I can’t remember the answer. I saw a “splasher” embroidered in dull, blue gray. A girl holding a basket of eggs is standing with a couple of geese in front of a stove. Above her are the words (I have no idea what language this is so I’m sure my transcription is full of errors) “Kybapuya Mara za pyrakje uehe wruyur Fycke gara.” What is the language and what does it mean? Thanks

From: “Nancy Gibbs” <izannah1@>

I am guessing that it’s a transliteration of an eastern European language, Polish or Russian–something like that. For some reason, the geese make me think it’s more likely to be Polish. If you have the original version, you could go to one of the websites that translate texts and see if it’s possible to input it there.

Nancy in PA

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:36:21 -0600 | From: Xenia Cord <xenia@>

Hi, Cinda – thanks for the phone call re: Judy Roche. I will try her address once my email woes are over (maybe today, she said hopefully). Some of my mail is getting out, and some is getting in. Witness your email asking for a translation of the embroidered piece. This is probably either Polish or Slovak. There is a website where you can get things translated. Try Translation-free.com. Polish isn’t listed, but there is a search box.

OK – I will try to send this. I am sure I will get back a “refused” message, but some of my mail goes through anyway. Go figure.

Just to prove there is nothing new in the world of quiltmaking, here are two nineteenth-century advertisements for photo transfer.

Stevens Point Journal Stevens Point, Wisconsin May 24, 1884 — If you want your photograph transferred to a handkerchief, napkin or crazy quilt, call at W.C. Huff’s gallery over the post office. He can do this work from any negative now in his gallery.

Stevens Point Journal Stevens Point, Wisconsin May 31, 1884 — No place carries with it more happy memories than the old home. If you and your children would en- joy its presence through life, have W.C. Huff take a picture of your house and surroundings and transfer it to squares of cloth, to form a part of each quilt made by members of the family. sue reich ——_

From: Ark Quilts

There was a recent article about the black embroidery work on linen in a quilt magazine……….I cannot remember which one. I have a hanging similar to the one you described. The language was not German or Swedish, but Slavic. European immigrants to the U.S. often made or had hangings with sayings on them as a remembrance of their homeland. I cannot remember whether this was in Quilter’s Newsletter or American Quilter or another publication, but I was relieved to read the article because the German teacher at my school and my Amish friends could not translate it. Sorry I have no clue where the info was published. Connie Ark Where the NW winds are blowing……

From: Joan Kiplinger

Per a Polish friend — language is not Polish nor does she think it is Hungarian/Ukraine which tend to have the same sounds and similar spellings. She suggested something from the Cyrillian alpahabet. I’m not sure if Bulgaria and Romania are in that category.

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 14:56:48 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

Sent the query to the museum list. If you don’t find out anything in the meantime, there’s a good pooibility we’ll get something out of the museum folk! Candace Perry

From: “Susan Wildemuth”

This is a forward about the closing of the Textile Museum in Lowell and food for thought about small and large textile musuems throughout the United States.

“I believe that the closing of the textile museum in Lowell is “sad” news but it should be a wake up call to everyone who cares about textiles and large or small museums and collections.

Although Lowell I am sure is a much larger museum than the one with which I am associated, finances are huge problems especially for small museums.

I volunteer, and I know how some on qhl feel about volunteer curators, but I volunteer as a director and curator of an historical village and quilt and textile museum. Our docents are paid, as is our executive director of the historical society which is the supporting agency. We pay all the bills.

We are a fairly large toursit area and are the largest Amish/Mennonite community west of the Mississippi. As an historical village we have been going 30 years, without much help from grants or the government.

This has been the hardest winter we have faced in those 30 years. It may be that the utilities for the main building, the only building open in winter and the one with textiles and quilts, were $1700-$1800 per month or it may be because we needed an executive director for our tours and hired part time with our chamber of commerce paying half of the wage. Whatever the problem, we have come to depend on the income from quilt enthusiasts, makers, collectors, visionaries of textile museums, and the IIQSG.

The IIQSG or Iowa- Illinois Quilt Study Group has taken on being an educational auxillary group of the village. More groups and lovers of preservation for textiles need to feel a cause like this if any textile museum that is not funded by foundations or local, state, or national government is to survive.

I would like to urge everyone on qhl to check out the textile museums in their areas and find one to visit and donate to, even in small amounts on a regular basis. Pennies make dollars.

Anything in the east that happens–be it collecting or preservation committment, slowly moves west and I am hoping when it hits Iowa we will be able to save our historical village because people care.”

Marilyn Woodin Kalona Historical Village Kalona, Iowa.

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:56:50 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

Here ya go!!! Straight from TN!

Good Morning Candace, It is Slovene. My “rough” and “rusty” translation would be: the girl is talking to the bird and she is saying that she is working (or slaving) too hard. Best Wishes and have a wonderful Spring weekend! Wesley

Wesley S. Creel Administrator of Programs Pink Palace Family of Museums 3050 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38111 U.S.A.

—–Original Message—– From: Lucinda Cawley Sent: Friday, April 15, 2005 12:06 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Please, I’m begging you

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 16:13:45 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

Uh oh. I thought it was the last word and here’s another one… “What did he say he wanted for dinner *- the geese or the eggs?” No indication of language though. Makes sense — cute!

From: karequilt@

Cinda, I will send it to my sister-in-law who teaches Slavic languages at Berkley and is one of the foremost experts in Bulgarian in the country.

PS: Hazel Carter is recovering very nicely from her open heart surgery of 10 days ago. She was home in 5 days! She has a long slow road of recovery ahead of her but is making great progress and expects to be in Marion, Indiana, July 16 for Bets Ramsey’s induction into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Karen Alexander

From: Karen Alexander <karenquilt@>

How sad to learn that Lowell is closing!! I can sure relate to the struggle to keep a museum open. The Quilters Hall of Fame is a much smaller facility than Lowell. We too have to contend with a volunteer curator as well as volunteer docents due to lack of funds. And our heating bill is one of our big monthly expenses in the winter. In fact, everyone is volunteer except our part-time Administrative Assistant. We survive on the kindness of strangers and the support of quilt lovers and quilt history lovers like all of you! Anyone within a 2 hour driving distance? We would love to have your help with planning exhibits and putting up and taking down exhibits or leading tours or graphic designing or handmade items for our gift boutique in the Marie Webster House! Or just become a member and renew faithfully each year. That would be an enormous help! And don’t forget the quilt contest (wall hanging size) using Xenia’s new line of reproduction Bannister Hall chintz fabric! (See our website for details at www.quiltershalloffame.org.)

Thanks to all of you who are members and who support us!!

Karen Alexander Press Secretary The Quilters Hall of Fame

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:55:47 -0400 | From: Debby Kratovil <kratovil@>

Just my thoughts: when I saw this, my first thought is that it looks strangely like the gibberish generated when print media needs a filler. I am not a language expert, and I haven’t been following the list for awhile, but some words appear African (I lived on the continent for 4 years), some Eastern European, and others – well, just like someone put their hands in a bowl of Alphabits and grabbed some letters. Forgive me if I’ve gone haywire here, but could this just be a sentence or two originally meant to be nothing?

“Kybapuya Mara za >pyrakje uehe wruyur Fycke gara.” — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil http://www.quilterbydesign.com Visit my workshops page for guild programs!

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:10:33 -0700 | From: Charles Woodford <haq@>

Slovakian (or whatever is official language for Czechoslovakia) with a Bohemian twist.

Barbara Woodford

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 06:33:38 -0700 (PDT) | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>

Thanks to all of you for your generous information about Portieres. From the picture in the little book, the curtains looked like coverings of some sort over a window, but obviously must have covered a doorway.

There was a discussion on the list a while back concerning the transfer of patterns and blue lines. Here is Mr. Perkins’ suggested method for transfer:

“To transfer a design from paper to the ground of a light-colored stuff, the best way is to trace the design on tissue or other thin paper, to lay the material flat upon a table, and fix the place of the pattern upon it very exactly. Then put a piece of carbonized blue or black paper, face downward on the material, between it and the paper pattern, and with a stiletto, metallic pencil or knitting-needle, or other hard pointed, but not too sharp instrument, retracing the design, taking care to keep the paper pattern from slipping, and that the fingers do not press so heavily on the transferring paper as to cause the color to come off unduly. The ordinary carbonized paper is easily procured. The objection to it is that the color may come off too readily, and a shade of blue or gray be left on the material, especially if the latter be at all of a rough or woolly texture.”

Guess I hadn’t thought of carbonized paper being present in this time period. It would be interesting to know when it became available to the public.

Karen

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail – Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 11:17:30 -0500 | From: Mary Persyn <Mary.Persyn@>

A story about the financial woes of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell MA can be found at

http://www.lowellsun.com/front/ci_2663153

I visited the museum last July and was surprised at how few people were there.

Mary

— Mary G. Persyn Associate Dean for Library Services Valparaiso University School of Law 656 S. Greenwich St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 465-7830 FAX (219) 465-7917

Mary .Persyn@

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 23:02:24 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>

Begging really does work. Thanks to everyone who chimed in on the mystery language. The consensus, including the Xerox online translator, is that the language is Slovak (Slovene). As I said, I know that my transcription is flawed. It was difficult to dechiper the fancy letters. I do not own the peice so no picture is available. Candace, can you ask whoever suggested “What did he say he wanted for dinner…” what language he/she thinks it is? Cinda on the windy Eastern Shore

From: KareQuilt@

My SIL who teaches Slavic languages and speaks several others responded as follows when I sent her Cinda’s “phrase”: << Not really possible to do a translation of the sentence below as it is much too garbled. I have a feeling someone may be mixing different alphabets, in any case it’s close to nonsense as it stands. All I can tell is that someone named Mara is doing something. Sorry.>>

Karen Alexander

From: Judy Kelius

So what does this one say? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7312785142