June 16 – 21, 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:
- Quilters Hall of Fame Donation Drive — The Quilters Hall of Fame’s Karen Alexander renews a call for donated items ahead of this year’s Celebration and auction.
- Researching an Eagle Quilt’s Motto — Members research the origin of a “Virtue, Liberty and Independence” motto appliqued on an eagle-medallion quilt, tracing it to Pennsylvania’s original state motto.
- The “Colored Friends” Signature Quilt — A member researches the history behind a circa-1930 fundraiser/signature quilt embroidered with the name “Colored Friends,” prompting members to share what they know of Black quiltmaking societies of the era.
- In Memory of Sharon Newman — Members share remembrances of quilt historian and appraiser Sharon Newman, who passed away, and organize a memorial scholarship donation.
- Museum and Auction News — Announcements cover a Baltimore-style album quilt at auction, a Shelburne Museum inquiry, and a New England Quilt Museum exhibit.
From: “Candace Perry”
I come into work this morning and my boss had picked up a donation from some of our elderly supporters…well, and what a donation it is! I was, I daresay, hyperventilating (those of you who know me know my enthusiastic nature…) A quilt top, Mosaic/Grandmother’s Flower Garden/whatever name you attach to this…could be 1840s but more probably 1850s, wonderful cotton prints (a Prussian blue TO DIE FOR)…mouth-watering, if that is possible. AND…a quilt, a Lone Star with appliqued roses between the points. Same date as the top. Excellent condition. I am beside myself. We often have great late 19th century quilts walk in the door, but rarely something like this — esp. as a donation. The only small issue with the quilt is that I believe the quilting is later, possibly 20th century. Both pieces come from cnetral Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, around the Worcester Township vicinity. The same donor apparently has a strippy quilt she has not yet given to us, but I will visit her and be appropriately enthusiastic, and it may come our way. Candace Perry Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Pennsburg, PA www.@
From: “Teddy Pruett”
Karen wrote:
I am >here again to ask if you could go on a treasure hunt in your sewing rooms >again to find some items you might once again donate.>>
Karen, Your note was timely – never, ever hesitate to ask for donations! My studio is brimming – to the point of overruning with junk. I was recently looking at all the wonderful things I thought I had to own or rescue from some dirty little thrift shop. Mary Sorensen does a lecture and shows a quilt or two of mine – and tells people that “My friend Teddy shops in places I would only go with rubber gloves and tongs.” Well, that may be a little exaggerted – but I will admit that I keep hand sanitizer in my car, and find the nearest fast food restaurant and go in and wash up to my elbows!!
Now, that being said, aran’t yall just dying to own my stuff??? I’ll try to find time to pack up some collectables and other goodies. Karen, what is the deadline for getting them there? Teddy Pruett
From: “Kathy Moore”
All you who are knowledgeable about Pennsylvania history, please dig deep and help me with this question.
In her book, Stars and Stripes: Patriotic Motifs in American Folk Art, Deborah Harding makes a comment on page 113 about the Pennsylvania state motto once having been the word “Dollie”. She doesn’t cite a source for the information!
Have any of you ever heard/read this? I need a printed source for this information. I’ve done a Google search but the number of mentions was overwhelming.
Knowing the resourcefulness and penchant you all have for fact finding I’m hoping you can help me.
I’m looking forward to your answers!!!
Thanks in advance, Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
From: “Nancy Gibbs”
I never heard of that before. The current motto, “Virtue, Liberty and Independence,” was adopted in 1778, so it seems a bit unlikely that anything else could ever have been a state motto. Possibly a saying of some sort during the colonial period?? It doesn’t make much sense though. Nancy G. in PA
“Dollie”????
Sorry, that doesn’t even vaguely possible. I’m agree with Izannah – the Pennsylvania motto and heraldic device were adopted so early that it’s difficult to see anything else preceding them.
Karen Evans
Have you checked with the local DRA chapter? I would be very interested if you found any information about your quilt also. What does it look like? cindy young, newark ca,
From: Karen Alexander
Teddy, believe me, I would LOVE to see some of your so-called =B3junk= =B2 head for Marion, Indiana! That you want to send some of it to QHF just set s my checkbook to vibrating already! It would be very helpful if you could have it in Marion at Jean Chamber=B9s home by July 11, but we do manage to find room for things that people arrive with at the last minute in their suitcases, too. Just to repeat myself: dig deep into those closets and sewing rooms, ladies (and gentlemen =AD Holice also has been generous to us!)= , and see if you too can find a few items to part with. (UFOs and unfinished projects are welcome too!) Send them to QHF care of Jean Chambers, 406 Gardner Court, Marion, IN 46952-1916. I hope the MWQSG (Mid-West Quilt Stud y Group) will once again be out in full force with their checkbooks unsheathed!! Ya=B9all were so GREAT last year at the auction! Weren=B9t there some incredible deals there! This year the MWQSG will hold their meeting in Marion AND be hanging a spectacular exhibit =B3Botanical Beauties=B2 for us consisting of 26 quilts ranging from 1850-1950. To reiterate: This year’s Celebration dates at which Bets Ramsey of Nashville, TN, will be inducted are July 14-17, with the auction Friday night, July 16. Some of our events: Merikay is doing her workshop on Kit Quilts (almost sold out) plus a retrospective lecture; Pat Nickols is doing her wonderful workshop on fabric dating; Laurel Horton is doing a FUN workshop that will allow you to take a little bit of fabric history with yo u to incorporate it in your next quilt, plus a lecture; etc etc. You can download a registration form from our website. We try to balance our seminars with quilt history and =B3how to=B9s=B2 an d find ourselves somewhere between a MUCH smaller version of a =B3how to=B2 event like Paducah and an AQSG seminar history-oriented seminar. We welcome any input from QHL members, both requests for specific programs to be considere d as well as exhibits you might like QHF to consider. (By the way, if any other quilt study group out there would like to put an exhibit together for a future QHF Celebration, please feel free to contact me and see what we ca n work out.)
Karen Alexander
From: Julie Silber
Hi Cindy, Thanks for your response and for your interest. “DRA”? What is that? Did you mean “DAR”?
The quilt is a friendship/signature/fundraiser, circa 1930 or 49. It’s out of Atlanta, I was told. Lots of individual names, all embroidered. Some with the amount of their donation — from 10 cents to 50 cents. A few blocks are from church related groups — “WMU” – ” BYUP” – etc. The block in question say “Compliments of Colored Friends.”
I am wondering who the “Colored Friends” might be, and if it is some kind of organization. I don’t know if the quilt is made by African Americans, or if, perhaps, the quilt is made predominantly by White folks and this block is indeed made their “Colored Friends.” I have read some Civil War materails by both African Americans and Whites which use the phrase “colored friends.”
I will get some photos of my (way-post-Civil-War) quilt and post them in a few days. Julie Silber
Have you checked with the local DRA chapter? I would be very interested if you found any information about your quilt also. What does it look like? cindy young, newark ca,
From: Loretta Woodard
Kathy–I think maybe you are misreading Deborah’s photo caption. I think she is saying that, although we don’t know who Dollie was, the motto, “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence” was the original state motto. For those who don’t have a copy of this wonderful book, I quote:
“VIRTUE LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE”… “Dollie” is inscribed in ink in the lower left corner and was once stitched in the upper left corner, but there is no provenance as to who Dollie was or where she lived. However, this phrase was the original state motto for Pennsylvania.”
The missing bits between are descriptive details of the pattern and layout for this eagle medallion quilt. The appliqued motto forms an arch above the eagle and “JULY FOURTH/1776” appears below.
> In her book, Stars and Stripes: Patriotic Motifs in American Folk Art, > Deborah Harding makes a comment on page 113 about the Pennsylvania > state > motto once having been the word “Dollie”. She doesn’t cite a source for > the information! —– Laurie Woodard Project Director Hawaiian Quilt Research Project PO Box 491 Kailua, HI 96734
From: Gloria Hanrahan
Any chance it could be an off shoot of a Quaker group? Did they have any type of African American following post Civil War?
Gloria
From: “sue reich”
Julie and all, I have newsclippings from Ohio about societies of colored quiltmakers. They were called exactly that. The clippings are from the 1930s. I have a houseful of adult children and grandchild visiting but I’ll try to dig them out later and post. sue reich
From: “Lucinda Cawley”
Thanks Polly. I’m looking forward to entertaining myself while John works (not too hard, I trust). Cinda
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 11:22:07 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
The one-day, outdoor antique shows that are summer staples in northeastern PA are few and far between on the Eastern Shore (probably because it just too hot). Thanks to Nancy Hahn I discovered one in Delaware, held the Saturday before Father’s Day, that always has some fun stuff. Arriving at 9 a.m. when the show opened, I got some goodies yesterday. One of the dealers told me that the real treasures changed hands among the dealers as they were setting up. He asked me “What do three antique dealers do on a desert island?” Answer “Make a living.” Cinda happy on the Eastern Shore where it is actually cool enough to turn off the AC and open the windows
From: “Kathy Moore”
I’ve received some good information from you all and now realize that I was misreading Ms. Harding’s copy.
In its center, the quilt has the words Virtue, Liberty, and Independence appliqued in large red calico letters arching over a large red calico eagle. You can see it on page 113 of her book, Stars and Stripes.
About the quilt Deborah Harding wrote, “‘Dollie’ is inscribed in ink in the lower left corner and was once stitched in the upper left corner, but there is no provenance as to who Dollie was or where she lived. However, this phrase was the original state motto for Pennsylvania.”
I misread and misconstrued what she was alluding to.
My sincere apologies to Deborah Harding and you all. Thank you all for your forbearance and assistance.
Mea culpa, Kathy Moore
From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>
Looking for the info on the QNM out of print and back issues we discussed during the “What to do about old books etc”. Someone was donating and needed to get them to some beginning quilter. Need the year 1992 for a series of blocks. Thanks, Velia Lauerman,313-605-2171 108 North St.,Hudson,Mi. 49247-9705,
From: “Susan Wildemuth”
If Nancy Hornback is on the list would she e-mail me privately.
Also if anyone knows the status of the Signature Quilt Database, would you e-mail me privately.
Thanks Sue in Illinois
From: Karen Alexander
From the auction website:
a 16 blocks featuring chintz, fondu, printed and plain fabrics, techniques include multi-layer and cut-appliqu=E9, along with inked embellishments. Classic Baltimore blocks include Eagle with American flag, shield and liberty cap; open-work basket with lyre and bird; compote featuring watermelon and other fruit; cornucopia wreath with urn and bird holding “Th e Fountain of Health” banner; heart wreath with butterflies and birds; etc. Inked names include “M J Justin, Balt. Nov. 18, 1845″, Mrs. M. A. Bayne, Mary A. Pettecord, Louisa C. Pettecord, plus numerous others. Second quarte r 19th century. 82″ x 84”. Excellent as-found condition, minor fabric losses at inkings along with some light staining and discoloration, shows virtuall y no wear. Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000.
http://www.greenvalleyauctions.com/Auctions/Upcoming/2005JuneLot95.html
No affiliation etc. Just thought you all might like to see this one.
Karen Alexander
From: RBCochran@
Karen– Thanks for posting. It’s a beauty. Is it unusual that the quilting goes through the applique? –Rachel
From: “JESSICA VAUGHN”
Sue, Being an AA quiltmaker, I would be greatly interested in this info when you dig it out……
Jessica M. Vaughn Aurora, CO
From: “Jean Carlton”
Karen wrote: > From the auction website: > > Classic Baltimore > a 16 blocks featuring chintz, fondu, printed and plain fabrics,etc..
Thanks Karen, for alerting us to that one – a delight to see. Will be eager to see what it brings.
Jean Carlton — (alive and well with some time, at last, to spare……and a back log of posts since December 04 to catch up on….decided to just jump back in now – I may never get to the old ones but I hate to miss anything so can’t bear to delete that folder yet!)
From: “JESSICA VAUGHN” <vaughn8047@>
Velia, let me understand your question? Are you looking for back issues of QNM? Or is there an article that you are looking for “what to do about old books”? Clarify for me, please. I maybe can help.
Jessica M. Vaughn Aurora, CO vaughn8047@
From: “Cindy Claycamp”
Hi Everyone, Just a quick note to let you all know about a wonderful quilt auction this weekend. I helped catalog 67 quilts from the 1840’s thru the 1930’s. Several wonderful red-green appliques,a very well done log cabin,lots of 30’s pieces. Many have notes on them about the makers,the place purchased,and the prices the collector paid. Two have labels from the Indiana Quilt registry. It was like quilt heaven going through them all by myself…I tried not to droll. They can be seen at www.auctionsandrealestate.com Enjoy!
From: “Ronda McAllen”
I am trying to get in touch with someone at the Shelburne Museum who would be able to help with information on a quilt in their collection. I have called and left messages for the textile curator and several other people for the last three months and no one will respond. If anyone knows the secret password would you let me in on it?
Ronda McAllen
From: Karen Alexander
New England Quilt Museum 18 Shattuck Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Exhibitions and collection Anita Loscalzo, Curator CuratorNEQuiltMuseum.org 978-452-4207 Ext.11
Museum hours are 10 AM – 4 PM Tuesday – Saturday; and May through December only, Sundays 12 – 4 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students/senior citizens; Museum members are admitted free. Handicapped parking is available.
http://www.nequiltmuseum.org/
Thanks
From: “Jean Carlton” <jeancarlton@>
Hi Just a reminder that the Minnesota book of quilts documented in our state is out (and getting rave reviews so far! 🙂 It’s a beautiful hardback book loaded with great photos, state history and personal stories. Order it here: http://www.mnquilt.org/
Jean Carlton ——=_
From: “Karen Musgrave”
CONTACT:
Karen Musgrave, Marketing and Communications Director
The Alliance for American Quilts
(502) 897-3819 (telephone and fax)
quiltalliance@
http://www.centerforthequilt.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Quilts 2006” Wall Calendar
Louisville, Kentucky, June 21, 2005- The Alliance for American Quilts has joined with Pomegranate Communications, Inc. to produce a one-of-a-kind calendar. “Quilts 2006″ is a high quality wall calendar (opens to 12″ x 26”) that showcases full-color reproductions of twelve quilts representing the traditional, the antique and the contemporary. In addition, you may read interviews by the contemporary quiltmakers featured in the “Quilts 2006” calendar, as well as hundreds of other interviews of quiltmakers, at Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories (www.centerforthequilt.org), the Alliance’s extensive oral history project.
The calendar retails for $13.99. However, The Alliance is offering its members a special on the calendar. This special discount offer allows members to purchase calendars for $6.99 each (limit 2 at this price) plus shipping and handling (plus 6% sales tax for KY residents). Please allow 15 business days for delivery. For information concerning membership or purchasing the calendar, visit www.centerforthequilt.org.
Pomegranate works in association with the world’s great museums, galleries and art resources to achieve the highest possible quality in reproduction and presentation. The Alliance is excited to announce that, based on projected sales of the 2006 calendar, Pomegranate has already asked The Alliance to participate with them to produce a 2007 calendar!
The Center for the Quilt Online shares incredible, FREE resources with everyone who cares about quilts. At The Center for the Quilt Online, you can find:
. Quilt Query-Experts from our incredible board,-including Marsha MacDowell, Penny McMorris, Yvonne Porcella, Julie Silber, Merikay Waldvogel, Janice Wass, and
Shelly Zegart-will answer your questions about quilts, including care, display, history, restoration, and evaluation.
. Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories-The Alliance’s extensive oral history project, with hundreds of in-depth interviews with quiltmakers across the U.S.
. Quilt Treasures-Documentary web portraits of key figures in the great 20th century Quilt Revival-including Virginia Avery, Cuesta Benberry, Jinny Beyer, Jean Ray Laury, Bonnie Leman, and Yvonne Porcella.
. The Quilt Index-A growing digital reference library, with searchable information and
photographs of thousands of historic and contemporary quilts
. Boxes Under the Bed T-A national project to ensure the preservation of historic
quilt related materials, such as patterns, letters, and clippings from publications
. Special Features-Film clips from “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend,” “Hearts and Hands,” and “Quilts in Women’s Lives.”
. H-Quilt-The lively internet discussion forum.
The Alliance for American Quilts, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, implements its projects in partnership with institutions and organizations nationally, including three regional centers- the Center for American Material Culture Studies at the University of Delaware, the Great Lakes Quilt Center at the Michigan State University Museum, and the Center for American History at the University of Texas. Other Alliance partners include the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, and MATRIX, the Center for Humane Arts, Letters and Social Sciences Online.
For more information contact:
Karen Musgrave, Marketing and Communications Director
The Alliance for American Quilts
(502) 897-3819 (telephone and fax)
quiltalliance@
http://www.centerforthequilt.org
From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
I did not know the late Sharon Newman personally, although I have a number of friends who attribute their best quiltmaking skills to her instruction. And for some reason, she appears to have touched both their minds and their hearts.
I myself had only a brief correspondence with her, regarding the Deep South Quilt Study Group and a question I had asked onlist. At that time, I was touched deeply by what appeared to have been an uncanny coincidence of misfortune under which she was laboring. That conversation has haunted me ever since, for I knew so many who had learned so much from her and it seemed sad that she could not be made more unaware of their gratitude.
Would anyone like to join me in making a donation to the AQSG scholarship fund in Sharon’s name? Individually, our donations might be small, but collectively, they would help promote the study of quiltmaking.
If anyone is interested, please contact me off-list.
Gail Ingram
From: OzarkQuiltmaker@
Hi:
I’m not sure if my original post to this list went through so I thought a better send in again. It read as follows:
Hi Everyone:
Sharon Newman passed away last Friday after a brief hospitalization for a reoccurrence of cancer. Sharon was from Lubbock, Texas and owned a quilt shop there for 20 years. She was an author, teacher and AQS Appraiser. I had taken quilt history and appraisal classes from Sharon and learned so much from her. Her ability to identify quilt patterns and date fabrics always amazed me. I don’t have an address to send condolences to her children but if I do learn that information, I will post it to the list.
Kathy Kansier Teacher, Judge & AQS Appraiser Ozark, Missouri
From: Gail Ingram
Several have asked about my post re Sharon Newman. This post appeared on Vintage Fabrics List:
Hi Everyone: Sharon Newman passed away last Friday after a brief hospitalization for a reoccurrence of cancer. Sharon was from Lubbock, Texas and owned a quilt shop there for 20 years. She was an author, teacher and AQS Appraiser. I had taken quilt history and appraisal classes from Sharon and learned so much from her. Her ability to identify quilt patterns and date fabrics always amazed me. I don’t have an address to send condolences to her children but if I do learn that information, I will post it to the list. Kathy Kansier Teacher, Judge & AQS Appraiser Ozark, Missouri www.kathykansier.com <http://www.kathykansier.com/>
Anyone who wishes to join me in making a donation to AQSG scholarship fund in memory of Sharon, please notify me of your intentions so I can know when everyone has donated who wishes to donate.
Please make checks to AQSG and memo =B3scholarship fund.=B2 That way, you get tax credit, AQSG gets gift, and there is no danger of my absconding with th e donations.
I will collect checks, write letter to AQSG, find who in family should be notified and include that in AQSG.
I apologize for not including the above post. I paid no attention to fact i t was posted to Vintage Fabric, not Qhilt History list.
Gail Ingram
From: “Lucinda Cawley”
It was a picnic even if we were inside and the food was yummy. It amazes me how much wonderful stuff this group comes up with. Wednesday seemed like “chintz day” with many early quilts to drool over. Nancy Hahn, our source for all things British, was home again with copies of “Through the Needle’s Eye.” (Nancy, of course, was greeted by the age-old question “What is Sally Ward really like?”)
We saw a couple of pieces that would fit nicely into the York Castle Museum collection. On pp. 12-13 is a bedcover that looks very much like a large piece of linen (no seams) with a crochet edge (maybe a Victorian tablecloth?) decorated with early chintz appliqués of Arabs, exotic birds, monkeys, lions with an oval medallion in the center. There were a number of quilts that elicited comments that many of the fabrics were not quite what we expected (for instance, a top of 6-point Stars c. 1830), could they be English? Yes, I think they well could be.
Nancy showed us a linen framed center quilt (1810) which we know was made in England, no batt (I guess I should say wadding) but quilted. There was a most unusual quilt, c. 1880, made to look like the old-fashioned photo albums (the kind with the tabs at each corner). In the center of each block fabric was fussy cut to look like a photo image of a woman. It was a good day for baby quilts: a nautical theme from the 1940s in red, white and blue with little animals in sailor suits (very cute), a Snow White crib cover and pillowcase, a feedsack with animal shapes quilted in, a very early (1810?), very English looking baby quilt from VA, tiny Ocean Waves c. 1860 and a fabulous, like-new double sided 1840s Four Patch and Random Patch.
A lovely Nine Patch variation from the 1830s had a brown and pink chintz border of roses and carnations. My 1840 crazy pieced diamonds set in zigzag strips with it’s great earlier chintz border got an enthusiastic reception (I had made an emergency “tell me what to do call” to Hazel Carter before buying it). The prize for elegance goes to an 1840s Orange Peel made of a single lovely blue and pink floral chintz and white. Also from the 1840s was a Long Island Strippy of large squares on point (love to see big chunks of early fabrics).
We saw two c. 1900 Mennonite dresses: one grey and one black. An incredible Lone Star from southeastern PA in brown, orange, green and double pink (c. 1870) came out of Barb Garrett’s fabled attic. We saw an Amish sheet and pillowcase set beautifully embroidered “Annie King” from Intercourse, Lancaster, Co. and five (count them 5) Amish scissors holders. Suzanne Cawley immediately produced hers and scolded me for not bringing my scissors holder. She was somewhat mollified when I confessed that I had just bought a second one last weekend.
Suzanne, Barb and I share a weakness for the bizarre. There was an Amish Irish Chain (peacock blue and bright pink) with great quilting, a lovely fine wool crepe probably 1930s. Also unmistakably PA was an 1850s Whig Rose with an appliquéd vine border: turkey red, double pink, poison green on a double blue background–all the bells and whistles.
The 20th century was represented by a Grandmother’s Flower Garden with lots of Disney fabric–busy, busy, busy with no paths between the flowers, a white quilt with a lovely inner border of green and yellow appliquéd morning glories, a red, white and blue version of Ruby McKim’s colonial history embroidered blocks.
I started with the off-beat Photo Album quilt and I’ll end (although there was a lot more we looked at) with the Parcheesi Board quilt. It was predominantly red with green bars and squares very like the game board (maybe 1890)-curious. Cinda on the Eastern Shore getting ready to go to Texas tomorrow
