May 1 – 12, 2005
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:
- Deaccessioning Guild Library Books — Members debate what to do with old quilt-history books that guild and public libraries no longer want, with The Quilters Hall of Fame offering to take donations.
- Identifying Thornton Burgess Embroidery Characters — A member seeks help identifying storybook animal characters on an old embroidered quilt, tracing them to Thornton Burgess’s turtle character Spotty.
- Antique Quilting and Curtain-Stretcher Frames — A thread on identifying an antique folding frame debates whether it was built for quilting or for stretching lace curtains after washing.
- Midwest Quilt Study Group Recap — A recap of a recent Midwest Quilt Study Group meeting is shared with the list. (see the article on quilt study groups)
From: Judy Kelius
Thanks Nancy… I also thought of Burgess but I don’t think they are his characters. Plus I’m sure I sold something (not a quilt) with similar characters several years ago that I was able to identify and date.
I think it’s spelled “Quaddie Quiltie” – a Ruby Short McKim pattern. I’m sure this block is earlier than her work, probably late 19th century.
From: “Karen Evans”
Remember that young woman who wrote to Dear Abby for advice on preserving an antique quilt? Abby advised her to have dry cleaned and stored in plastic, and I wrote to her (and posted my reply to the list) to tell her to find a museum or a quilt historian for advice.
Well, she printed my letter and several others about the proper care and storage of antique quilts! Let’s hope that other quilt owners read this and take the advice to heart – maybe it’ll do some good!
Karen Evans Easthampton, MA
From: “Lynne Z. Bassett”
Way to go, Karen! Good for you!
Best, Lynne
From: “Linda Heminway”
Just have to add something about my quilt guild library…. had a chat, by chance, yesterday with my guild librarian. She obviously doesn’t know much about quilt books, sadly, but just volunteered to do the job as no one else did – which is certainly kind of her. More than I was doing, for which I am now ashamed.
I was returning the book “Plain and Fancy” with the first “public” (as far as I know) photo of the Jane Stickle famous 1863 quilt in it. I’ll just bet many of you are familiar with this rare and out of print book. I mentioned as I returned it how I had taken it out once before and how thankful I was that a book so wonderful and rare was in our guild so that I could access it from time to time. She looked at me “funny” and said that it was “old” and she had been planning to weed it out of the guild’s collection. I was astounded by this and told her it was out of print and how hard it is to come by and that they are (and I know this for sure) snatched up on e-bay when they do become available. Then, I remembered the wonderful book on antique quilts that was in our guild’s UFO auction not long ago with a quickened heart and thought that she was probably weeding out many of the books that I totally cherish.
I took a few moments to explain how an out of print book like this was so valuable and an incredible resource for people who want to make a study of antique quilts and our quilting heritage. It might not be a new book, but certainly part of a core of quilt history books that any guild library, or even local library should have. I am really sad to think of the “loss” that might have happened if this book were to be “weeded out”.
At any rate, next year when they are looking for volunteers for the guild library, I must just have to do this. But, perhaps my “place” in all of this might be a “higher calling” in that I can get people like those on this list involved in creating a “core” listing for all of the guild libraries that we are members in. Is there a quilt magazine writer among us (oh Pat????) who might take this on and produce an article that can be used in a widespread manor to be a resource for guild librarians. I can’t stand that fact that someone might be “tossing” books that are so valuable to me and others both now and in the future. What if I had never had that chance talk with our librarian? What if other guild libraries are weeding out the very books that quilt historians down the road truly will need to gather knowledge?
I’m wondering if this group would like to develop a listing of books that are the BEST resources to quilters and perhaps we should all take these listings to our guild librarians? We really need to preserve our quilting heritage and unfortunately, those who volunteer to do the work in our guild libraries might not necessarily be the individuals who have any kind of grasp on this knowledge. Could those of you who have books that really ought to be in guild libraries post the names, authors and perhaps a “review” of what is in the book, limited to about a paragraph? I really want to take the time to provide my guild with this information. Thanks, Linda Heminway Plaistow NH
Second part of my post:
My first addition to the book list is: Plain and Fancy, Vermont’s People and Their Quilts by Richard Cleveland. I do not know it’s publisher and would suffice to say that it’s an incredible book on Vermont’s history and it’s quiltmakers of the past.
2nd: America’s Quilts and Coverlets by Carleton L. Safford and Robert Bishop by Weathervane Books, published in 1974 An outstanding book covering early quilting history, highlighting Linsey-Woolsey at the beginning and showing photos of rare quilts dating back into the 1970s and showing even quilts up into the 1970s. A “must” for a serious quilt historian. Photos are both in color and black and white.
From: “Linda Heminway”
back into the 1970s and showing even quilts up into the 1970s. A “must” for > a serious quilt historian. Photos are both in color and black and white.
Darn, will I EVER learn to proofread better?
I meant to say “back into the 1900s and even showing quilts up into the 1970s.
Thank! Linda Heminway
From: “Marcia Kaylakie”
Linda, I found that this was happening to our guild library as well. Apparently, some librarians check to see how often a book is checked out and make their decisions based on that. We lost the entire collection of AQSG Uncoverings that way. They had been water damaged and were sold off or thrown away, depending on their condition. I managed to rescue a few of them, but I believe it was a loss for the guild entirely! I think an article in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine or another widely read publication would be in order here. Marcia
Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser
From: Judy Schwender
If you have questions about Thornton Burgess characters, contact the Thornton Burgess Society. They have a fine website at: http://www.thorntonburgess.org/ The Internation Quilt Study Center has a Log Cabin quilt that is backed with fabric printed with TB characters. The TBS folks were wonderful to work with when I was researching the print.
From: “Jan Drechsler”
Judy, I have seen or may own some blocks with a similar design. Although, I would have called them bears, and maybe associate them with the Teddy Roosevelt bear era.
Bears walk upright, have longer arms and legs than turtles and in this redwork of yours, we have mama bear, papa bear and baby bear of the childrens story, not a cartoon.
Later, I’ll try to dig out my redwork to see if I am making it up about owning some!!!
Regards, Jan
— Jan Drechsler NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: quiltdoc@
Quilt Restoration; Quilting teacher
From: Karen Alexander
From AQSG Uncoverings 1996, page 75:
<<Near the end of the 1916 school year…Ruby published her first embroider y quilt series, a joint copyright with Thorton Burgess in the Kansas City Star, Sunday, May 7, 1916. Accompanying the composite drawings of the completed B3Bedtime Quilt,B2 the introduction to the odd little quilt states:…Twenty little Quaddies from the Green Meadows and Forest and Smiling Poo l [by Thornton Burgess] are coming, in funny little square shapes…>>
McKim was inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame in 2002. Jill Filo, who presented the paper on McKim at the AQSG seminar in 1996, also gave the Induction Lecture at the 2002 QHF Celebration. It was my understanding at that time that Jill planned to eventually publish a book on McKim. Has anyone heard anything more about the book or heard from Jill recently?
Karen B. Alexander President-elect The Quilters Hall of Fame P.O. Box 681 Marion, IN 46952 QHF Office: quilters@ Personal: karenquilt@ WEBSITE: www.quiltershalloffame.org
From: Cassie Kilroy Thompson
from NEW PATHWAYS into QUILT HISTORY: by Kimberly Wulfert, Ph.D. http://hometown.aol.com/npnarchives/archive/030222.html “Series of a pattern type were offered such as Ruby Short’s (McKim was her married name) rounded animal patterns called Quaddy Quilties. Thornton Burgess’s “Bedtime Stories” were her inspiration in 1916.”
(note the spelling of Quaddy). — Cassie
From: “Andi”
Linda Heminway wrote:
“I took a few moments to explain how an out of print book like this was so valuable and an incredible resource for people who want to make a study of antique quilts and our quilting heritage. It might not be a new book, but certainly part of a core of quilt history books that any guild library, or even local library should have. I am really sad to think of the “loss” that
might have happened if this book were to be “weeded out”. At any rate, next year when they are looking for volunteers for the guild library, I must just have to do this. But, perhaps my “place” in all of this might be a “higher calling” in that I can get people like those on this
list involved in creating a “core” listing for all of the guild libraries that we are members in. Is there a quilt magazine writer among us (oh Pat????) who might take this on and produce an article that can be used in a
widespread manor to be a resource for guild librarians.”
The planets must be in alignment, Linda. I am just completing a proposal to QNM on this exact topic. As they are publishing my article on donating quilts to museums later this fall, I’m hopeful they’ll accept this idea, too. I came to this idea while working with Keota’s librarian as we research the 1890 Keota redwork album quilt (http://www.iowa-history.com/quiltindex.html). Although we are fortunate to have most of our original newspapers in good condition dating back to 1873, additional materials such as the school’s year books are not always available. She was lamenting the fact that lack of space in the tiny museum room probably dictated what was kept and what was not accepted as much as anything. This reminded me of the Tallahassee Quilters Unlimited’ guild library, which grew from a couple of cardboard boxes to a big storage cabinet and promptly outgrew that. The hundreds of new quilt-related titles released every year are a boon – except when there’s no place to safely keep every title, old and new. Unfortunately, this is a common problem and I thought it deserved an article, so there you are!
Rather than provide a lengthy list of rare and out-of-print books in the article, I suggest methods for preserving the circulation of these items. I propose (in the piece) that libraries, guild or municipal, wishing to clear some shelf space consider donating quilt-related materials (including patterns, newspaper clippings of shows, show catalogs and other ephemera) to AQSG, IQSC, museums, university libraries, etc., and that they do their best to advertise book sales so interested non-guild members can avail themselves. However, if QHLers come up with a core list of rare and out-of-print books for guild libraries to consider sacred, I’d be happy to pass it on to QNM. I was ready to send this proposal off today or tomorrow, but will wait a bit to see if anyone has suggestions they’d like to see included.
Andi in Keota, Iowa
From: Karen Portwood
Hello all,
I am trying something different this time in that I am sending the recap closer to our next meeting. Enjoy!
********************************
The Midwest Fabric Study Group met on Saturday, March 12th at Jonathan Byrd’s
Cafeteria in Greenwood, Indiana. There were ten members and three guests present.
The topic of the day was “Tools and Toys.”
We started our day viewing the newly acquired quilts and ephemera our guests brought
to share with us. These three sisters attend Cindy Claycamp’s church. The things they
brought previously belonged to Louise Harding who was 93 years young when she passed
away last November. Louise left the contents of the house to our guests’ brother as he had
taken care of her in her later years. When cleaning out the house he discovered several
quilts, tops, blocks and boxes of ephemera. Viewing these quilts was like a “pop quiz” of
sorts. We saw quilts from three generations that spanned several decades.
There were several nice utility quilts from the turn of the last century many of them containing
the same shirting fabrics. It was said that someone from the family would go to the nearby
shirting factory in Seymour, Indiana, to get scraps. One of these utility quilts was done in
different stripes using the block called “Bright Side” (see Brackman #2919). What great
graphic appeal!
There were several quilts made in the 1930s and 40s. The one that appealed to me the
most was a tree of life done in purple and white. We even saw a couple we believe would
have been made in the 1950s. One in particular was a blazing star with a spearmint green
and bright yellow fabric that we suspicion to be of 50s vintage and possibly a kit. All the
diamonds in this quilt seem to be uniformly cut as the center didn’t seem to have the usual
volcanic upheaval you usually see with this pattern. In the quilting designs, we noticed a
wreath design was used repeatedly on many of the quilts in the collection. It must have
been a favorite. From looking at the quilting stitches we decided the grandmother must
have been the best quilter of the bunch since the older quilts seemed to have the better
stitching and attention to detail. It was truly a treat to see such a collection as this one!
One of these ladies has started a website with photos of the quilts.
See http://www.geocities.com/doveinthewindow. They are in the process of documenting
the quilts and are on a “fact finding mission.” They welcome any information folks would like
to share.
After a satisfying lunch, we began looking at items brought by our members. We saw
several interesting advertising post cards and even some old photographs with quilts in them.
One of our members brought her collection of plastic toy sewing machines! Many being
“house brands” think JCPenny, Sears, etc. Another brought a small sewing machine complete
with carrying case that was sent to her all the way from England as a Christmas gift from her
son! Imagine her surprise when she opened that box. We should all be so lucky.
We also saw a couple interesting irons. One was rather large and heavy made of metal that had an opening in the top of it where you place the hot coals. Another was an electrified flat iron that still works! Its owner recently had it rewired.
We finished off the day looking at members’ latest finds. We saw an unusual trip around the world top that used tiny two and a half inch bow tie blocks in place of the traditional plain squares to achieve a concentric round effect. This top also had a three sided boarder with a primitive red tulip vine appliqué on it. We also saw a variation of the Winding Blades or Wandering Jew block (see Brackman #3786) set on point with alternating red calico squares. The setting made a secondary grid appear due to just the points of the pieced blocks touching at the corners. There was also an appliquéd red, green, pink, and chrome orange beauty with six rather large squares featuring a large flower in the center with scalloped wreaths forming two concentric circles around the center and a carnation type bud in each corner. This quilt had floral bud borders on two sides done in the same colors as the blocks.
Our next meeting will be at Hillforest Victorian House Museum in Aurora, Indiana, just south of Lawrenceburg on Saturday May 14th at 11:00am. We will begin the day looking at quilts and “High tea” will begin at 1:00 pm with more quilts to see afterward.
As a point of interest, Hillforest was the home of industrialist and financier Thomas Gaff and his family between 1855 and 1891. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992. Hillforest Mansion is located at 213 Fifth St., Aurora, Indiana.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Portwood
I collect quilt history books and have some that I think are relatively valuable. I have no folks to pass these books on to and so I asked my local library if they would take them and keep them if I bequeathed them in my will. They were not interested. Made me sad to think that no one will get them – but I guess my executor can always use e-bay ! If anyone has any any alternatives – let me know
Marie Johansen
From: Sandra G Munsey
For curious minds who wish to know — The name of Thornton Burgess’ turtle character is Spotty the Turtle. The reference is my 1944 (!) copy of “The Adventures of Grandfather Frog” in which Spotty saved Grandfather Frog from choking on a too large fish that the frog had tried to swallow. A little lesson from Burgess about greed. Harrison Cady’s representation of Spotty (shown on the endpapers of my 1944 book) depicts Spotty wearing a straw hat with a rolled brim, using an umbrella as a walking stick, and having a light colored shell with dark polka dots. On the endpapers of a copy of “Old Mother West Wind” with a copyright of 1910, but apparently printed during WW II and crediting the one illustration to George Kerr, Spotty has a very conservative black coat and wears a top hat. However, in my copy of the 1916 “Bedtime Quilt” by Ruby Short [McKim] Spotty the Turtle has a walking stick but no hat. The pattern copyright reads “(c) TM by T. W. Burgess and Ruby Short “Quaddy Quiltie”.
Again, for the really curious minds and quoted from a reproduction copy of the pattern — “Bedtime is quilt time, and here in the bedtime quilt – Twenty little Quaddies from the Green Meadows and Forest and Smiling Pool are coming in funny square shapes to make a picture cover for the tiny white bed.” “Quaddy Quilty No. 1” is Danny Meadow Mouse; 2 – Peter Rabbit; 3 – Mrs. Peter Rabbit; 4 – Chatterer the Red Squirrel; 5 – Prickly Porky; 6 – Hooty the Owl; 7 – Mr. Quack; 8 – Sammy Jay; 9 – Jerry Muskrat; 10 – Grandfather Frog; 11 – Paddy Beaver; 12 – Spotty the Turtle; 13 – Johnny Chuck; 14 Uncle Billy Possum; 15 – Bobby Coon; 16- Jimmy Skunk; 17 – Farmer Brown’s Boy; 18 – Buster Bear; 19 -Reddy Fox; and 20 – Striped Chipmunk. (My grandmother always pronounced that as stripe-ed, so I suspect Burgess did, too, on the radio.)
The Thornton Burgess Society (TBS) maintains two properties in Sandwich, MA. A house in Sandwich village is open in the summer with an appropriate exhibit and a small shop. The main property is Green Briar Nature Center, located at 6 Discovery Hill Rd. just off Rte 6A in East Sandwich that is a year round facility. This is the home of the Jam Kitchen (and lots of other home preserves and pickles for sale), a library, a lovely garden, nature trail, and classes for children and adults. There are many special weekend events – this month on the 13-15 is the Herb Festival with goodies to eat and plants to purchase. The Strawberry (and rhubarb) Festival is next and Blueberries and Cranberries are in their seasons, too. Although the TBS has a few staff members, much of the work is accomplished by volunteers. If you visit Cape Cod, it makes a pleasant visit. And, yes, the Burgess books are for sale. The society also fills mail and phone orders.
My husband and I are members of the TBS. We enjoy their preserves. Our grandchildren have learned much from their programs and classes. The Burgess Museum and Green Briar are great places to visit here on Cape Cod.
Sandra Munsey – on Cape Cod where the brave can now waterski.
From: Joan Kiplinger
Maria — Can you donate them to local quilt guilds or senior citizen centers or even churches which make quilts for charities.
From: “Karen Evans”
Try a local university library. They rarely discard books, and when they do so, it’s through a sale to other booklovers.
Karen Evans
From: Edwaquilt@
I found this happening with regular libraries. Not too long ago I found one of the early editions of the Ruth Findley book at a local library. First Edition etc. I went to the Librarian and asked if I could replace it with a newer version and was told NO that it would in time be weeded out and put in their annual book sale. I tried to explain that it was a valuable book but didn’t get anywhere with my proposal. I also recently bought a copy of “Old Quilts” by William S. Dunton and there in the front was the stamp from a library and the pocket for the library card.
Holice
From: “Steve and Jean Loken”
Karen, I just knew it was you when I saw the Easthampton tag. I’m sure glad she printed the batch of better advice she got. Abby is good at the “oops” thing. Jean in MN
Dear Marie,
Please please contact the AQSG research library collection at Univ Nebraska Lincoln and see whether your books are wanted. They lend or make available at their facility all kinds of quilt related books. You can check your collection against theirs online, but they may still want some duplicates.
http://www.h-net.org/~aqsg/Library.htm
American Quilt Study Group 35th & Holdrege East Campus Loop P.O. Box 4737 Lincoln, NE 68504-0737 402 472-5361 office 402 472-5428 fax AQSG2@
From: Karen Alexander
KarenB9s report on the Mid-West Study Group reminded me that I wanted to shar e with QHL members the list of exhibits that will hang in Marion, IN, during Celebration this year. Thanks to this group, we are going to have an additional exhibit this year! See the first one on the list below: B3Botanical Beauties: 1800-1950B2 (July 14-17, 2005) at Kendall Elementary School. Quilts from the collections of members of the Midwest Quilt Study Group. (I believe The Midwest Quilt Study Group has once again also chosen The Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration week in Marion as their gathering point for their July meeting.) Just in case there are any new members on the list, a little background info. The Quilters Hall of Fame is located in the restored home of early 20th century quilt designer and author Marie D. Webster. QHF was founded i n 1979 by Hazel Carter of Vienna, VA, as an adjunct to the Continental Quilters Congress. In 1992 Marie WebsterB9s granddaughter, Rosalind Webster Perry, donated the house to us as a headquarters for QHF, and we became a separate nonproft from the CQC. After 12 years of restoring Marie WebsterB9s Colonial Revival house, we officially opened last July. We now have 34 Honorees, with art quilter Bets Ramsey of Nashville, TN, to be inducted Jul y 2005 as our 35th. We are international in scope with 3 honorees from England. (Hopefully some of the other quilters from around the world will nominate someone from their region too.) We also have 4 male honorees. This is our 5th year for the contest. Exhibits that will hang concurrently in various locations in Marion, Indian a during Celebration week July 14-17: “Bets Ramsey: A Retrospective 1972-2005″ (July 14-17, 2005) at the Marion Public Library Carnegie Gallery B3Florence Peto’s Challenge: Little Quilts by Bets Ramsey” (July 5- Oct 31, 2005) – at The Quilters Hall of Fame. Some of the fabric for these small quilts came from the fabric stash of Honoree Florence Peto (1881-1970). B3The American Quilt Study GroupB9s Two-Color ChallengeB2 (July 5- Oct 31, 2005) – at The Quilters Hall of Fame. These wall hanging-size quilts are reproductions of antique originals. B3Quilting Arts MagazineB9s 2004 Trading Card ChallengeB2 (July 5- July 17, 2005) AD at The Quilters Hall of Fame. A selection from Quilting Arts MagazineB9s 2004 Trading Card Challenge. (see their Winter 2004 issue) “Quilts From the Heartland” (July 14-17, 2005) at Kendall Elementary School AD a selection of quilts from todayB9s quilters. Hope to see some of you in Marion this summer! Karen — Karen B. Alexander President-elect The Quilters Hall of Fame P.O. Box 681 Marion, IN 46952 (765) 664-9333 QHF Office: quilters@ Personal: karenquilt@ WEBSITE: www.quiltershalloffame.org
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 12:25:28 -0700 (PDT) | From: stephanie drake <gsadrake@>
Joan, thanks for the info on plisee vs. seersucker.
To the person w/ out of print quilt books. The New England Quilt Museum maintains a reference library that includes many out of print books. They have 2 sets (I think) that stay there and a third that is loaned out if a copy is available. Very valuable resource for us quilt historians. I’m sure they would be interested in what you have and whether or not your books would fill a void in their collection. Contact the NEQM in Lowell Mass. They have a website.
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Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 16:04:27 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
I haven’t read all the responses but I am almost positive that any local historical society/museum with a quilt collection would be DELIGHTED to receive them (and they’d probably be non-circulating, also! Another +). Many public libraries these days have somewhat different missions than in the past — responding to the changing needs of their communities. So don’t forget your little local museums…heck, anyone who would do that for us would have our eternal gratitude! Candace Perry
—–Original Message—– From: catz@ [catz@] Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 12:56 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Libraries and history books
I collect quilt history books and have some that I think are relatively valuable. I have no folks to pass these books on to and so I asked my local library if they would take them and keep them if I bequeathed them in my will. They were not interested. Made me sad to think that no one will get them – but I guess my executor can always use e-bay ! If anyone has any any alternatives – let me know
Marie Johansen
Date: Thu, 05 May 2005 20:41:30 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
Well, fiddlesticks!! Yall are doing a great job by attempting to save the “old and Rare” books in the guild libraries, but you are cutting off my source!! When Lori East was working with me doing appraisals at guild shows, the first thing I told her was to “Hit the guild boutique as early as possible!!!!” You should have seen us scrambling over and around each other, trying to pretend that we were being polite! There you can find the great books weeded out of the guild libraries, as well as the books put there for sale by guild members. I buy every one I see, even if I already have them, and I make them available to newer appraisers who can’t find the books. Well, now I will have to admit that ONE time only, I sold a book for an obscene profit……….. Teddy Pruett
_ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cidRetirement
When dealing with quilt guild libraries, there is a fine line between protecting old, out-of-print books and having them take up valuable storage to the good of no one. Our guild has several books “too valuable” to be loaned out & no method set up to allow anyone to read them. They occasionally get displayed at a noisy, crowded meeting with a comment such as “aren’t we lucky to have this?” My reply, No – you might as well sell it if you won’t loan it to me! A popular older quilter died & her legacy gifts to the guild were put in storage because it was wonderful to have them. No one gets to use them – we just have them.
And they wonder why I want to do less & less for the guild every year! I love my smaller, new guild that is more interested in sharing resources that building egos.
Janet
Morning Everyone, I learn so much for this list, that’s why when I need information on Quilt History I refer to this list because it’s the greatest.
I was wondering if anyone could help me find some information on family album quilts. At the University that I work at,their having a Art Show and I was asks if I has something to put on display,so I thought I would put in a family quilt that I did for a dear friend of mine, the title would be “Cherish Family Memories in Fabricâ€� Now I need to get some information on this subject….like signature quilts, family album quilts or memories quilts. Can anyone help me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks everyone.
Sandra in Illinois
God has cared for these trees,saved them from drought,disease, avalanches, and a thousand straining,leveling tempests and floods; but he cannot save them from fools. John Muir
From: “Susan Wildemuth”
Sandy,
The Iowa-Illinois Quilt Study Group had a study series on signature quilts. Here is the book and article list we created for signature quilts — maybe you could interlibrary loan some of them from your library – I too would be interested in knowing which university is sponsoring the art show. Also IIQSG would be happy to send you copies of the handouts we used for our Signature Quilt Study.
Signature Quilts – Books and Articles
Brackman, Barbara. CLUES IN CALICO. McClean, Virginia: EPM Publication 1989. ISBN: 0-939009-27-7 LCCN: 89-16873 Paperback.
Brackman, Barbara. “Signature Quilts: Nineteenth-Century
Trends.” QUILTMAKING IN AMERICA: BEYOND THE MYTHS.
Nashville, Tennessee: Rutledge Hill Press, 1994, 20-29.
Cozart, Dorothy. “A Century of Fundraising Quilts: 1860-1960.” UNCOVERINGS. San Francisco, CA: American Quilt Study Group, 1984.
ISBN: 1-877859-10-9.
Cozart, Dorothy. “The Role and Look of Fundraising Quilts, 1850-1930.” In Lasansky, Jeanette (ed.), PIECED BY MOTHER: SYMPOSIUM PAPERS.
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1988.
Clark, Ricky. “Mid-19th Century Album and Friendship Quilts, 1860-1920,” in Lasansky, Jeannette (ed.), PIECED BY MOTHER. Lewisburg, P A: Oral Traditions Project of the Union County Historical Society, 1988, 76-85.
Clark, Ricky. QUILTS IN COMMUNITY: OHIO’S TRADITIONS. Nashville, Tennessee: Rutledge Hill Press, 1991. ISBN: 1-55853-101-7
LCCN: 91-9132.
Cord, Xenia. “Signature Quilts.” BLANKET STATEMENTS. Nebraska:
American Quilt Study Group, 2003.
Cory, Pepper and Susan McKelvey. SIGNATURE QUILTS: TRADITIONS, TECHNIQUES, AND THE SIGNATURE BLOCK COLLECTION. Saddle Brook, New Jersey: Quilt Publishing House, 1995. ISBN: 1-881588-14-9
Fox, Sandi. FOR PURPOSE AND PLEASURE: QUILTING TOGETHER IN NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICA. Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press, 1995.
Kolter, Jane Bentley. FORGET ME NOT: A GALLERY OF FRIENDSHIP AND ALBUM QUILTS. Pittstown, NJ: The Main Street Press, 1985.
Lipsett, Linda Otto. REMEMBER ME: WOMEN AND THEIR FRIENDSHIP QUILTS. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Quilt Digest Press, 1985. ISBN: 0-8442-2650-5 LCCN: 85-9525 Paperback Edition.
McKelvey, Susan. FRIENDSHIP’S OFFERING: TECHNIQUES AND INSPIRATION FOR WRITING ON QUILTS. Lafayette, CA: C & T
Publications, 1990. ISBN: 1-9148-8130-2
Nicoll, Jessica F. QUILTED FOR FRIENDS, DELAWARE VALLEY SIGNATURE QUILTS, 1840-1855. Winterthur Museum: University of New England, 1986. ISBN: 0-912724-15-3 – Paperback.
Sue in Illinois
Thank you to all who responded with ideas and suggestions about my books ! Now, at least I know that they won’t just be tosses willy nilly into the rubbish. I am, relatively, young. The response from the library made me wonder though……. Many thanks , once again… you all have such a wealth of good information ! Marie Johansen
From: Karen Alexander
Sorry my long post about QHF many exhibits in July came out so garbled. I still do not understand how to avoid this. It really tries my patience whe n I open a digest and see what a mess my post created! And I know it is NOT fun to try to read. If anyone would like me to repost it, I could try again. Or just email me privately and IB9ll send it to you directly by email.
I would like to also put a plug in for The Quilters Hall of Fame when it comes to passing on older books from Guild libraries. QHF would consider an y books by Honorees of QHF (There are 35 now and IB9d be happy to send you the list upon request.) If we already have the book in our archives, they would go into our research room. If we already have it there, it would go in out gift shop to help raise funds for QHF.
Karen — Karen B. Alexander President-elect The Quilters Hall of Fame P.O. Box 681 Marion, IN 46952 QHF Office: quilters@ Personal: karenquilt@ WEBSITE: www.quiltershalloffame.org
From: “Bonnie Dwyer”
Hello all,
Bonnie Dwyer here. I am just catching up on my email, so please forgive the late reply to this thread.
I would like to share the librarian’s perspective on this topic, and it will likely be a minority opinion. Having many years’ experience in various types of libraries, I can understand the need to remove unused books from collections. The librarian is charged with maintaining a collection that is appropriate to its guild’s mission and to the needs and interests of its members. I don’t know about your guild, but mine has few members who are interested in quilt history. Instead, they want pattern and technique books. Damaged and unused books are the first to go in a case like this.
How they are disposed of is another matter. In my experience, few are thrown away, but are instead sold or donated. If a public library were to attempt to find an appropriate market for books on each special interest topic, they would become bogged down in the process. One can only hope an out-of-print or rare book in good condition would be recognized for its value and sold or donated accordingly.
I don’t think every guild can be expected to maintain an archive of Uncoverings, for example. Instead of tossing them, perhaps the guild could offer books in good condition to a larger public or academic library, or to a quilt museum. I know AQSG wants to place one set of Uncoverings in a larger public or academic library in each state; I recently arranged to have a set donated to the Maine State Library.
And a reminder: one should be able to borrow such items through interlibrary loan.
My two cents.
Bonnie Dwyer,
Back from Paducah – WOW is all I can say about my first experience seeing the quilts up close and personal!
From: Susan Kraftcheck
I recently acquired (from a knowledgeable antique sewing machine collector) a folding quilting frame with stands. It is reported to be from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s time period. This frame has nails protruding up at 1 inch intervals on all four rails. I have found one reference from the quilt history list to a basting frame that is constructed like this. The backing fabric is forced down over the nails and then the batting and top are pinned and basted over it. I cannot imagine quilting on it though…… Can anyone shed light on this for me? Also, I am looking for information on building a quilting frame typical of the civil war period for use in reenacting. I would be most appreciative if anyone could point me to a resource. Thanks so much for your assistance. Susan in Ontario
Your frame sounds more like a curtain stretcher. Lace curtains were dried on contraptions like this to keep them smooth & straight.
Janet
From: Xenia Cord
To Susan, re: the frame she acquired. There was a frame similar to the one you describe that was used to stretch lace curtains after they had been washed. The curtains were made with small loops along the edges as a part of the decoration, and these were hooked over small finishing nails in a rectangular frame to bring the lace piece back into shape as it dried. Is it possible that this is what you have?
Traditional frames came in as many varieties as there were women to describe them and men to make them for their female relatives and friends. Depending on who settled an area (since you are interested in a frame for reenactment), the frame styles varied. In the US there seem to have been two basic forms: those that stood on the floor and those that were suspended from the ceiling with ropes.
Floor-standing frames were often rectangular, composed of rigid ends in some configuration (X-shaped, II-shaped, T-shaped), with holes in the top crosspiece, into which the long poles fit. The long poles, on which the quilt was rolled, themselves had either a hole through their ends that would hold a pin or nail to keep them in place, or one set of ends had fixed gears, and the corresponding rigid end had fingers that fit into the gears to hold them in place. The Amish in my area use 4 poles of 2 different lengths, and these attach to free-standing corner bases. The bases have a long nail protruding from the top over which the holes in the long poles fit to create a fairly rigid rectangle. Alternately, they use C-clamps to hold the corners.
The simplest floor frame is two long poles that lie in the groove created by the uprights on 2 ladderback or “mule-eared” chairs. At the 1836 outdoor museum outside of Indianapolis (Conner Prairie) this is the form they use in the “poorer” log homes, while at the doctor’s house they use a frame more like described above.
Ceiling frames are often square, and historically could have been in either the main room or the bedroom. They were let down to working height and quilters could work on all 4 sides at once.
In any case, the quilt was either “lashed” (basted) to the frame along strips of canvas fixed to the sides, or pinned in place.
English frames, the sort that might have been repeated in Canada, may be different. Perhaps Sallytatters will chime in.
Anyway, this may be more than you ever wanted to know –
Xenia
From: Joan Kiplinger
Janet and all — ditto any sheer curtain; stretchers were standard household needs up through end of WWII and even into the mid-50s until nylon reinforced and Fibrerglas sheers became the standard.
From: louise-b
It is true that usage is a big part of retaining library materials and one has to hope that the person who then checks the discards has a wide knowledge of classic books in any field.
OTH, several years ago I participated in our guild inventory and hoped to get rid of some of the earlier pattern and technique books and, found to my dismay, these were being used and therefore did not meet the criteria for removal. In our guild library we are now over a thousand books and overflowing our two storage cabinets. The history books are probably the least read and do need protection. I am sure that we do not have all of the early history books either which is equally dismaying.
Louise — in mid-Missouri
From: Sally Ward
> English frames, the sort that might have been repeated in Canada, may be > different. Perhaps Sallytatters will chime in.
For once I was keeping quiet <G>.
I’ve seen one or two pictures of what may or may not have been folding frames, or frames on custom built stands, or frames with wooden ratchet wheels. But as Xenia said, designs were as many and various as the people who used them. Chair backs and ceiling pulleys were used for support, as were folding trestles such as the husband might use for joinery. Frames were often a variation the system with on two heavier cross members with slots to take two lighter stretchers, the latter drilled with holes into which pegs were slotted. I think we tended to use them in a narrower, rectangular shape and rolled the quilt round as we worked – rather than stretching the whole quilt out in one fell swoop. That may point more to solitary work, or just a couple of people, rather than large communal quilting bees.
Sally W
From: “Suzanne Cawley”
Hi Everyone!
Thanks to all those who responded with information about archaically appropriate muslin fabrics!
For those of you who love coverlets as well as quilts, the Gilchrist Gallery in Cumberland,MD will host a great coverlet exhibit during June 2005. Fifty to sixty coverlets of various weave structures will be on display from several states. An all day seminar is planned for June 18th which includes three lectures, a gallery tour, and a show and tell session.
If you are interested, please contact me and I will gladly forward more detailed information.
Suzanne Cawley In wild, wonderful Keyser, WV
From: “Lucinda Cawley”
I’ve been distressed since 9-11 by the sight of Jersey barricades marring the national Mall, metal detectors at the Library of Congress and having my bag searched at the National Gallery. Yesterday I went to Dover, DE (the state capital) for a garden tour. The Governor’s House (Woodburn c. 1790) was open for the tour. There was an extremely good looking state trooper at each of the doors, not concerned with searches and security, but welcoming visitors: purses, backpacks and all and pointing out special details of the exterior of the house. People were free to wander the first floor with docents in each room. On the side porch a costumed quartet played 18th century music. Under the trees in the gardens where children were playing hoops and learning contra dancing were tables well supplied with punch and wonderful cookies baked by the governor’s chef. AND wonder of wonders, sitting at one of the tables chatting with the visitors, with nary a body guard in sight, Ruth Ann Minner, the governor, herself. I went over, introduced myself (she was very gracious even when I confessed I was not a constituent) and told her how delighted I was to see a government official who trusts the American people. It’s not good to be scared all the time. It doesn’t suit our national character. Forgive the digression; I wanted to share an experience that made me happy. Cinda on the incredibly beautiful Eastern Shore just back from watching dolphins patrolling the beach at Assateague
From: Karen Alexander
This is a good one.
http://www.uclick.com/client/wpc/cl/
Karen Alexander
From: Karen Alexander
TESTING! I think I have managed to figure out how to turn HTML off so that I can post a message without a lot of garbage appearing — I hope. I will test my assumption by listing the six great teachers that will be out The Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration during Bets Ramsey’s induction, July 14-17. The teachers will be: Laurel Horton, Pat Nickols, Merikay Waldvogel, Patricia Cox, Marilyn Goldman and Bets Ramsey. If anyone would like the complete class description list by e-mail, feel free to email me personally. If you would like a hard copy with registration form, e-mail the QHF office at quilters@, give them your snailmail address and ask for the packet of Celebration info.
Let’s hope I have it right this time! Karen Alexander
From: “Lloyd E. Miller”
I have an antique frame that consists of four hand-made wooden clamps, the wooden screw member pointing up and the side piece (picture the upright section of a “C”) extending down to form the leg. The 4 separate rails which get clamped into these clamps have ticking tacked along one edge to which the backing is pinned or basted. We have used this frame successfully for a guild project for many quilters at one time. I also made two shorter rails to use with it so I can have a narrower configuration.
The wood in the legs appears to have been salvaged from some other project, if some unexplained cut outs and cut off tenons mean anything, but they were still fashioned with great care, the legs being neatly chamfered. My husband and son, both woodworkers, marvel at the expert construction of the clamps which still work as smoothly as when they were first made.
My guess would be that there were many variations of a quilt frame, many designs dependent on the ingenuity of the quilter’s husband or father.
I also have a set of 4 hand wrought iron clamps that came with a note saying “These clamps with their screws father made when they lived on Rupert Mt. and the quilting bars for mother when they were young and happily married…before 1847.” We believe this was Rupert Mt, Vermont.
Linda Miller in upstate NY
From: “Charlotte Bull”
If you get Digest on Monday, the cartoon that comes up is for the day you’re in and not the day Karen referred us to, so click up above it on the word Previous to go back until you get the Sunday May 8 cartoon! It really is quilt related. A Smile is a good way to start the day. cb
From: Susan Kraftcheck
Thanks you so much for the input I have received about my frame. It is certainly possible that it was a curtain stretcher… I am not familiar with them, but since it has the protruding nails, that certainly make sense. I have continued to correspond with the man who sold me the frame, and his wife made 2 or possibly three quilts on this frame during the late 1970’s. She died in 1986, so he knows it was prior to that. He remembers the frame being set up in the basement where he now displays his extensive sewing machine and sewing related collection. He thinks she fastened heavy fabric to the sides of the quilt and wrapped it around the nails. As I recall, in the 1970’s it was difficult to find experienced quilters or quilting information in many areas, so maybe she just assumed it was a quilting frame and made it work…..
Xenia, you mentioned that the style of frame would vary, depending on the region where the quilter lived, or originated…. my DH’s reenactment unit is the 21st Mississippi….. thank you so much for referring me to a museum where I can see early frames….. we usually travel to Indiana at least once a year, so will try to make a visit next time I am there…..and no…. your response was definitely not more than I ever wanted to know… <VBG>
If anyone knows of other examples of pre-1860’s quilting frames within a day’s drive of London Ontario, that would be great…… and we will be traveling north through Michigan to Sault Ste Marie next weekend…..
Susan in ON
From: “Anne Datko”
Did anyone else see Hecht’s ad in Washington Post today? I quote “…’some of the most miraculous works of art America has produced’ have been replicated and are now available to you. A piece of history, a story from the heart… a quilt from the soul. Exclusively ours!” Twins start at $99.99….
My guess is that country of origin is not US!
AnneD
From: Karen Alexander
Apparently the website page I gave you changes its cartoon every day so if you checked it out, you may have seen the May 9th cartoon instead of the May 8th cartoon. I had intended to share the May 8 cartoon because it is about quilting. I thought the May 9th department store cartoon was a hoot too and sent it to several friends today. If you are interested, go back and check the quilt cartoon out. <g> Click on the same link http://www.uclick.com/client/wpc/cl/
Then scroll down until you find the archive list on the left side of the page (fairly small print). Choose the date May 8 and then click.
Enjoy!
Karen Alexander
I have 4 – 8-10 ft. long rough boards (1 X 4’s) with holes drilled every 2 inches. I have always thought it was a quilt frame, but never quite sure why it had holes the entire length of the boards. Would this have been tied on the corners and hung from the ceiling? Unfortunately 1 of the boards was cut by an employee who needed a scrap piece of wood to support an item to be shipped. Arghhhhhhh…….. My husband asked why he didn’t use a regular board instead of one with precisely cut holes running down the length of it? He had no idea.
We plan to be traveling to Alaska in July with our 3 children(20, 18, 14). This will be our 50th state together!!!! If anyone has comments on traveling in Alaska in the Achorage, Denali, Fairbanks, & Seward area we would be most appreciative. We will be there a little over a week. Any good quilts/textiles exhibits? Please email me privately (_palampore@_ (palampore@) ). Thanks!
Lynn Lancaster Gorges Historic Textiles Studio New Bern, NC
P.S. I also own curtain stretchers that my husband bought thinking that they were for quilting. I can’t in my wildest dreams imagine any way you could quilt on those things. The nails stick up all around the edges like pins. I would like to hear other collectors talk about their collections. How do you store them? How do you display them? Has it gotten out of hand? What was your goal, if any, when you began this passion?
As a quilt collector I recently had the “ah-ha moment” when I realized that my quilt collection is out of hand. Now I have to figure out how to get it under control. I collect — 1) signature quilts, 2) NC quilts 3) teal/orange/brown quilts 4) palampores of all ages 5) Alamance Plaid quilts, and then a mish mash of things I like. Why did I begin this? I was doing textile conservation work on Civil Uniforms, etc. and decided that I wanted to do quilt conservation and restoration. In the process I fell in love with quilts, and the passion has definitely gotten out of hand. I also had a fantasy that I was going to do workshops on antique quilts here in New Bern or on the road. That was a fantasy because I think that we are too out of the way. I did a lecture on antique quilts last week in a town near New Bern and 6 people attended. They had lots of people who had said they were going to be there, but they didn’t show. They had even announced it at the guild meeting for 2 months and there was a guild meeting that morning to remind them. My theory is that they didn’t show because they didn’t make them pay in advance. I see that all the time with museums. They give free lectures, or you pay when you get there, and the attendance is lousy. I had a wonderful time with those 6 people, but it was certainly sad for the museum employees. Fortunately I got paid a set fee so I didn’t have to be paid based on the low attendance. All of this is making me reflective on —– Why do I have all of these quilts? Off to sew on a CW hat, Lynn Lancaster Gorges
