October 5 - 12, 2005 - QuiltHistory

Quilt Dating, Quilt History Resources, Regional Quilt History

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:

Museums Losing Ground to Math and Language Arts — Museum educators compare notes on school programs being pushed to justify themselves in math or language-arts terms rather than history. (see the article on quilt museums)
Tracking Down 1980s Quilt Article Reprints — A member looks for copies of quilt-related magazine articles published in the early-to-mid 1980s.
AQSG Seminar Wrap-Up and the Denver Snowstorm — Attendees check in on each other’s safe travel home after an early snowstorm disrupted flights out of the AQSG seminar in Denver.
Quilts for the Coast: Hurricane Relief Update — An October progress update on the Quilts for the Coast hurricane relief quilt drive.
Alliance for American Quilts Relocates — News that the Alliance for American Quilts is moving its offices to Asheville, North Carolina.
Decoding an Antique Quilt’s Sales Tag — A member offers to help identify and date an antique quilt based on the wording and format of its original sales tag.

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 22:39:53 +1000 | From: “Quiltstuff” <quiltstuff@>

Hard to believe that a quilt that elaborate could be even thought of using as a moving pad. So glad it will end up somewhere where it is appreciated

Suzy

> I had the pleasure of evaluating a previously unknown BAQ (dated 1847) > It was being used as a moving pad when Gentleman A was helping Gentleman B > clear out a house.

From: Donna Keating

For the person(s) looking for the “little blue Kenmore machine,” just go to the Sears.com website and search under Kenmore sewing machine. It’s the Mini Ultra 3/4 size.

Donna K.

N. TX

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 10:34:50 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>

http://www.weschlers.com/asp/search.asp?pg54&ps10

The BAQ is on page 54 (of 59) lot 540 in sale 1291

Have a wonderful time in Denver at AQSG, and tell all us stay-at-homes what you saw, did, and heard.

Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@

—– Original Message —– From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>

It will go up for sale at Weschlers Auction House, here > in DC, on October 22.

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 11:46:22 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

Brava, Gail, I concur. As a museum curator with academic background in ancient and American history, let me say that back in the day when I was a confused high school student, the history courses that were offered in my H.S. …well, to indulge my taste for contemporary vernacular, sucked. I was merrily teaching myself Egyptology at home while getting Cs in these useless classes. I would say that my high school was effectively able to alienate me from the study of American history, and I would not return to it until graduate school, when I found that I had to learn my country’s history to be a museum professional here. As a parent of a high schooler and a middle schooler, I find that social studies in our school district is not so bad, and my children seem to be learning…but in HS for my eldest is taking something known as “Humanities” which is apparently an amlgam of English literature and history. I actually thought reading Romeo and Juliet, and exploring Shakespeare’s historical context, might be marvelous…but so far it seems that my son has been making comparisons between Zefferelli’s (sp?) R & J and the more recent version with Leonardo DiCap. So we learn at home. At least my children are going out in the world knowing a little bit about everything, from Rasputin (a fave around my house)to Reagan. I dunno. My ongoing crusade for quilt history is ensuring that provenance and does not get separated from the quilt. Candace Perry

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 13:04:39 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533@>

I was recently told in passing conversations, something that I found rather amusing. Coincidently, this was from curators at two different local museums (one is a museum geared toward mainly children’s interests). Both of these museums work with area schools, with a large amount of their business coming from school field trips. They both were told that they are to gear their programs not to HISTORY but to math or to language arts. I found this to be quite puzzling and really a bit disturbing. Here are museums that filled with such wonderful objects that just beg to be inspected, observed and perhaps generate an interest in further research of a topic. Sure – math and the other educational subject matter can be worked into this, but does it have to be at the expense of learning the why and how of events past to the present?

Beth Davis

Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2005 09:10:43 -0800 | From: Gloria hanrahan <gloria@>

Beth said, “They both were told that they are to gear their programs not to HISTORY but to math or to language arts.

The testing pressure we are under in these areas is pretty intense. History is not tested in our benchmark tests or the high school exit exam. Funds, lots and lots of funds are riding on these test scores.

Gloria

Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2005 13:22:42 -0400 | From: Judy Kelius <quilts@>

Wow! Imagine that being used as a moving blanket . . . but I can believe it. Many people don’t realize quilts have any value! While I was working at a quilt museum, some workmen came in to fix the elevator on a day it was closed – they saw a quilt laying on a table nearby and took it and spread it on the floor to protect the elevator’s floor from being scratched! You can imagine my reaction when I saw what they were doing – they couldn’t read the signs “Quilt MUSEUM”? DUH! When I explained to them that the quilt they were using was valued at thousands of dollars, they were flabbergasted. (Thank goodness we noticed what they were doing quickly enough so no damage was done.)

Do others think the estimate for the BA at Weschler’s – $6000-$8000 – is too low? It looks in good condition from the photo.

At 10:34 AM 10/5/2005, you wrote: >http://www.weschlers.com/asp/search.asp?pg54&ps10 > >The BAQ is on page 54 (of 59) lot 540 in sale 1291

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 14:01:00 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>

If you want to know the truth, it’s because we poor institutions are looking for anyway possible to expand our audiences. (although I’m not sure if Beth was saying the schools told the museums this, or if it was an internal decision) History isn’t doing it. We have attracted the most school visitation in the past with our holiday programming — which is “fun” …we try to whack ’em with some of the good stuff when we have them in our clutches. Forgive me if I sound cavalier. We recently hired an educator with a marvelous art background, instead of history, because we needed fresh approaches to our school age programming. I’m thinking we need to have some sort of Reformation video game, you be Martin Luther or Zwingli or Schwenckfeld, something like that…who can recruit the most believers… Candace Perry who keeps soldiering on Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center —–Original Message—– From: Gloria hanrahan Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 1:11 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Re: why history publishers include patterns

Beth said, “They both were told that they are to gear their programs not to HISTORY but to math or to language arts.

Gloria

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 17:27:03 -0400 | From: “Alan” <alan@>

Absolutely. SF City council has decided that they will not allow the USS Idaho to moor permanently in the docks. Sort sighted in my view, because of the $$ they’re losing in tourist revenue (it was to become a floating museum). I saw Councilman Tom Ammiano in one of The Daily Show’s spots where they try and make someone look stupid. He needed no help at all. He said that SF was anti-war, and that it would only remind us of Iraq. Puhlease.

My father was watching, and he first looked at me and said *he’s* a councilman?? The he cracked that he was an embarrassment to gays everywhere. Only in SF.

Almost make me embarrassed to be a liberal.

Alan

Alan R. Kelchner Fiber Artist Http://www.alanrkelchner.com —

Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2005 06:54:18 -0500 | From: “Lorraine Forster” <circusvue@>

I seem to be working backwards. First, I enjoy history of most any kind, then I inherited a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt from the 30’s and now I am just beginning to learn how to quilt, I hope (don’t know whether I will have the patience required). My question is what do you all consider are the top 5 or so best books in regard to Quilt History. Also, I wonder if anyone has ever done a “Quilt History Timeline”?

Typing in, what should be beautiful real soon (fall foliage), Pittsburgh,Lo Circusvue

Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 19:03:30 -0700 (PDT) | From: Pat Cummings <pat@>

Dear Lorraine:

There is information about a quilt history timeline at the International Quilt Study Center website: http://www.quiltstudy.org/resources/timeline.html

Pat Cummings www.quiltersmuse.com

Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:32:22 -0400 | From: “Sandra Mackay” <mackaysl@>

“Hi all – I am trying to find some information on a quilt. …BUT the darn thing has been constructed as a SEVEN point star …”

Teddy,

I asked a similar question several months ago. I was also told by several people that they thought that the original plan for the blocks had been for 8-arms, but due to miscalculation they ended up with room for only 7. I was also led to an American Indian source.

While I have a few blocks where a mistake was clearly made as the blocks are not flat or symmetrical, I also have acquired many blocks that lie flat and were made by the same hands. I think that these were purposeful 7-pointed stars. I think that 5 of purposeful 7-point star blocks that I have originated in New England in the second half of the 19th century.

I haven’t found much to help explain the significance of 7-points. However, I have found out that some law enforcement groups use a seven-pointed star in their badges – so there has to be some sort of meaning associated with such a star.

I’m interested to see if anybody else on the list can contribute.

Regards, Sandy Mackay

Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:48:32 -0400 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>

I finally managed to ask DH about the 7 arm star.. He thinks it went to a 7 point star in commemoration of Pearl Harbor. It was the home of the 7th fleet which was in port during the bombing by the Japanese. Everything but the carriers and submarine escorts were destroyed. Since this is what got the US involved in WWII it makes good sense. ALSO Pearl Harbor was Bombed on December 7th 1941.

Sharon in NC

Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 06:50:50 -0700 (PDT) | From: CAROL GODREAU <imaquilter2@>

I hope I’m not breaking any rules by posting this, please feel free to let me know.

I just finished “Ahab’s Wife” and what a really nice book it was. What amazed me most was all the little quick takes on quilting that were dispersed throughout the book, which could be the reason It perked my enthusiasm. All kidding aside, I have found that many books have connotations to quilts or fabric and art.

Thanks for letting me share. Carol

Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 15:22:15 -0400 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>

Get a hold of Uncoverings AQSG beginning 1980 and help yourself to an open door to views from today’s and bygone quilt enthusiasts. Persistence breeds patience. Keep on keeping on with your sewing and learning . History is made exciting with real stories from real people through quilts. Velia

Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 00:03:53 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>

I read “Ahab’s Wife” a few years ago and really enjoyed it as well.

Another wonderful novel that you might enjoy is “Call the Darkness Light,.” by Nancy Zaroulis.

You can read the reviews by readers at this web site.

It is the story of one mill girl in Lowell Mass.in the early part of the 19th century; it is unforgettable as fiction and written with a rare historical accuracy which imparts a feeling for time and place.

Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@

Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 21:31:42 -0400 | From: “Louise” <ltiemannstny.@>

Hello, does anyone have copies of the quilt articles published in the 1980’s or so (1983-1985 confirmed). They were written by Enola Gish, Betty Hagerman and Helen Ericson. They took turns writing the weekly quilt column. The weekly paper was published in Baldwin City, Kansas (in Douglas County).

I’m not sure when these areticle started or when they ended, but I was viewing some microfilm at the library today for the 1983-1985 time period. Just about every issue had some quilt related article, along with photos of recently completed quilts and vintage quilts the ladies has seen at local quilt happenings.

If anyone has any information on these, please contact me off list. Thanks, Louise

Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 11:41:28 -0400 | From: “Anne Datko” <datkoa@>

Indian Summer Quilt Show, sponsored by Nimble Fingers Quilters of Rockville, MD, will be held Oct 15 (10-5) and 16 (10-4) at the Home Arts Building, Montgomery County Fairgrounds. There are about 270 entries in the show, 16 + vendors, a raffle quilt, boutique, etc.

The Nimble Fingers raffle quilt, which was made by 100 plus members, received a ribbon at the 2005 National Quilting Association show and at the Sotterly Plantation, Md, show. A picture of the raffle quilt and directions to the fairgrounds can be found at www.nimblefingers.org.

Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 17:19:12 EDT | From: Elpaninaro@

Good afternoon all,

Yaaayy it is finally here! A couple of times before I have mentioned a really unusual quilt I got at Festival last year- and this weekend I received it in the mail (layaway, and done just in time for Festival again in 3 weeks lol.)

In any event, this is about the neatest anything I have ever seen, but I am having a very hard time finding out more about the pattern itself, what meaning it might have had, or anything else to fill in the gaps.

Here are two photos I just took- one from afar and one close up of one of the 9 identical blocks,

http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/Pine1.jpg

http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/Pine2.jpg

On page 9 of The Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated I found the only other design even close to this quilt. That piece is indicated in the book as “Pine Tree, Coxcomb, and Four-Leaf Clover made in the mid-nineteenth century.” No other info in the book.

My quilt has a small paper tag attached with the following information- all phrases written here and there on both sides of the tag,

75 x 75 Applique 9 Block circa 1870s Red Green Cheddar Cherry Quilt or Rose & Pine Will be in one of the Vintage Quilt issues Beth Hayes Barrow (might be Borrow, Borron or Barron- hard for me to read the name)

In any event, I would be very grateful for any information anyone can share telling me more about this unusual pattern (cherries or pines for example) to help me complete the story.

I had not seen the backside of the tag when I bought this (too excited looking at it) and so I am assuming Vintage Quilt is a magazine. I will start that search today!

Take care and thanks for any help,

Tom Reddick.

PS- Have fun at Festival all who are coming! I can’t wait 🙂

Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 15:42:37 -0700 | From: “Carroll” <rl.carroll@>

Wonderful quilt!

In Barbara Brackman’s book Encyclopedia of Appliqué there’s 3 similar patterns, the closest is called “Foundation Rose and Pine Tree” and she references the Shelburne Museum.

In the Shelburne Museum “Quilts” book, the quilt is shown on page 55 with the same name, the date is “third quarter 19th. century”. photo is b/w.

There are some differences in the quilt patterns, the most noticeable is that the Shelburne quilt does not have the 4 large leaves, just the smaller thinner leaves. Also the center rose is (apparently) one fabric where yours has 2.

You may not find an exact match for the pattern, because this was early when it comes to published patterns.

Laurette Carroll Southern California

Look to the Future with Hope

> having a very hard time finding out more about the pattern itself, what > meaning > it might have had, or anything else to fill in the gaps.

From: kathie holland

Vintage quilts is a magazine published by Primedia……McCall’s quilting, QNM, etc. http://mccallsquilting.com/legacy/v505_vintagequiltspreview/ Beth Hayes happens to be the editor of these magazines…. wonder if she sold the quilt? thats ironic that her name is on the tag. Kathie

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 06:52:28 -0400 | From: “Pat Sloan” <pat@>

I can tell you about the tag on your antique quilt!

I used this quilt (now yours) to do a ‘then & now’ version for McCall’s!! The Beth Hayes Borrow mean…Beth Hayes BORROWED it for the magazine.

Here is the ‘scoop’.

One year when I was at the Williamsburg VA show Beth called me and asked me to go to Cindy’s booth & ‘Pick’ a quilt I loved (and I LOVE THIS ONE)..to ‘remake’ for the magazine. Then Cindy sent the original to McCall’s Quilting for photography. They sent me a photo & the templates. I made a single block wall hanging that is a pattern in a McCall’s issue. The shapes are the exact size of the original quilt. Let me go find the issue….

We called the remake Cherry Cordial and it is made with my fabric line, Winter Blooms. So you’ll need to get a back issue of McCall’s Quilting, December 2004 to keep with the quilt information! http://mccallsquilting.com/curiss/1204_cherry_cordial/

Pat Sloan Home of the FREE Block of the Month…..Where are your shoes & socks…..and…..Remember it’s 5’oclock somewhere! http://www.Quilters@ sign-up for my yahoo group- Pat-Sloan-Quilts

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 09:51:32 EDT | From: Elpaninaro@

Wow- you have all outdone yourselves!

This is wonderful and I thank you all for the information so far. I will go find the issue of that magazine, and thanks too for the Brackman reference- apparently I did not search that book quite hard enough to find the similar applique patterns.

Take care,

Tom.

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 17:10:06 -0400 | From: QuiltsRI@

Many years ago I had a seven pointed star quilt that was signed and dated early 1800’s. I had it hanging on the wall of my shop for months before an engineer came in one day and pointed out that it only had SEVEN points. I had assumed it had eight points as it laid perfectly flat.

Cathy Smith

Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 13:44:11 -0500 | From: “Steve & Jean Loken” <sandjloken@>

Louise, I actually would love to hear more about this quilt series, and I suspect that many of us would, as well. Kansas is the heart of quilt country, and I’ll bet they had fascinating quilts and stories to share. Jean in MN

Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 15:04:39 -0700 (PDT) | From: Pat Cummings <pat@>

Wow, Tom! You’ve got a beauty there. I briefly thumbed through Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Appliqué and came up dry.

Then, I went to my personal stash of photos that I’ve taken at quilt shows over the years and found just what I was looking for, a similar quilt. The antique quilt in question was displayed at the Westminster, VT show a few years ago. The quilt has an orange/red color flower center, then four quadrants of circles starting with five green, then four red, three green, two yellow, and a final singular red, as best I can see from this old Polaroid shot.

There is a straight stem and two leaves on either side, in sort of a half crescent shape x 4 times (for each quadrant.

The picture you mention on page 9 of Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated has just two sets of circles that are opposite each other, a set of four green heart shape petals in the center, and opposite swags of what appear to be rose and/or tulip motifs. It looks to be a large scale design from the photo.

All three quilts have similar colors and treatment of the circles or dots. The Encylopedia quilt version has more rows, begins with three red circles and ends with a red circle.

Comparing all three quilts, they look to me like a variation of the same theme.

Yours is a wonderful quilt and well worth waiting for, you lucky dog! Wish I had a more definitive answer for you, such as a specific name or source of origin. I can bet maybe some other smart person out there will have the answer.

Best,

Pat Cummings www.quiltersmuse.com

— Elpaninaro@ wrote:

> http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/Pine2.jpg

Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 18:53:37 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>

Dear list Per the thead about Washington/First ladies fabric scarps. Washington memorabilia was a big deal during the General’s life. Folk were constantly dropping by Mt Vernon and asking for souvenirs. Mrs Washington got very tired of giving away souvenirs! The point is that it is entirely possible that scraps of Washington clothing were incorporated into quilts and other made up decorative textiles. There are several documented artifacts in museum collections. In one related family collection, there is Gen Washington’s imported Indian printed cotton banyon ( dressing gown) with a huge hole cut out of the back – it was given away in small pieces as rememberances. Short of having reliable provenace, as has the NE Quilt Museum. the only thing would be to test the fabrics for age and twist of the fibers and dyes, etc. Newbie Richardson

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:11:55 -0700 | From: “Carroll” <rl.carroll@>

Hello Tom, The pattern I thought was the closest is number 13.13 in Brackman’s Appliqué book. I have posted a photo (of the photo) of the Shelburne quilt and description to the eboard. Not exactly the same pattern but pretty close.

www.vintagepictures.eboard.com/

look under the “quilts” tab – Foundation Rose and Pine Tree.

Laurette

for the Brackman reference- > apparently I did not search that book quite hard enough to find the > similar applique patterns.

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:54:32 -0500 | From: Jennifer Perkins <qltrstore@>

Is anyone home yet from AQSG? Were you able to get out before the big snowstorm hit? Concerned!! Jennifer in Iowa

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:41:17 -0600 | From: “JESSICA VAUGHN” <vaughn8047@>

I’m home, but I live in SE Aurora, a suburb of Denver. There weren’t many planes going out today, so I hope everyone has a safe trip home. AQSG was awesome. It was my first time, I met the most wonderful people and I’m already planning for 2006! As part of the local planning committee, I was too pooped to pop, but I tried to keep up with everything going on. The Silent and Live auctions were to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought way too much stuff and I’m supposed to be leaving on vacation tomorrow. Headed southwest, away from the snow, going to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and back home.

Jessica M. Vaughn Aurora, CO vaughn8047@

Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. – St Francis de Sales

Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 07:12:27 -0500 | From: “Virginia Berger” <cifba@>

> Is anyone home yet from AQSG? Were you able to get out before the big snowstorm hit? > Concerned!! > Jennifer in Iowa

HI-

I got home from AQSG late yesterday afternoon. We drove and left Sun. after lunch in rain. I know that at least one lady that was going home to UT was talking about waiting before she left. Sounds like it was worse in the mountains west.

AQSG was wonderful! Everyone is so friendly and approachable and it was great to put faces with names I had seen on this list!! Sorry I can’t write more–need to catch up with my regular life!!

Virginia in back in Iowa!

Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:24:26 -0400 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcory@>

October Update on Quilts for the Coast (Hurricane relief quilts)

Hello quilting friends-Here’s the latest on the Quilts for the Coast project. Right now about 300 quilts, the majority children’s or smaller lap quilts, have arrived at The Quilted Butterfly in Morehead City, NC. More quilts for the Gulf Coast victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita are arriving daily but it’s never too late to help with hurricane relief. We are especially in need of full-size (adult) quilts so here’s your chance to still be part of this worthwhile effort that aims to get quilts to people, right where they live and right when they need it. Think of it–a warm quilt just in time for Christmas!

Quilts for the Coast is the brainchild of Patti Brown (owner of The Quilted Butterfly) and Debbie Woods-Tyer (Sewing Solutions-Pfaff of New Bern NC). They’ve joined forces to put out the word: make a quilt for the Gulf Coast hurricane victims and your good works might be rewarded here on earth! If you make a quilt and turn it in to Quilts for the Coast, your name is entered in a “thank-you” drawing (which Patti and Debbie stress is NOT a contest). A small quilt is entered once and a full-size quilt is entered twice. “Entered for what?” you ask. Either a Pfaff Quilt Expressions 2046 sewing machine or the Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter with Inspira Quilting Frame-your choice! (And Debbie and Patti are paying for this out of their own pockets.) The selected quiltmaker’s name will be drawn December 2. So it’s not too late to do the right thing-please help us make Christmas a little brighter down on the Gulf Coast. Send as many quilts as you like-remember, these quilts are going to real people, not just to the storage room of a large organization!

Make sure your quilt(s) get shipped to arrive by December 1!

The Quilted Butterfly Sewing Solutions 110 Little Nine Road or 1505 S. Glenburnie Rd. Morehead City NC 28557 New Bern NC 28562

Patti, whose hometown used to be Waveland, MS (the true Ground Zero where Katrina came ashore) and Debbie thank you! And if you want to see pictures of almost unbelievable devastation the national media hasn’t shown you (apparently more obsessed with the post-hurricane flood-damaged New Orleans) go to gulfcoastnews.com and look at some of their archives.

Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:04:18 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>

Dear List Don’t know why my first post did not go through – let see if this works. I was commenting on the thread of Washington memorabilia that has popped up in silk quilts, etc. recently. Gen. Washington and Mrs. Washington were cult figures during their lifetime. They were constantly being pestered by folk “dropping in” at Mt. Vernon – and Mrs. Washington got very tired of giving away tea cups! After his death, some of the extended family sort of cashed in on his fame and did indeed “sell” or give away as souvenirs all kinds of scraps, locks of hair, etc. Depending on the proveneance ( ie which side of the family) the items may or may not have been genuine. There was a famous – now notorious – auction held in the late 1890’s by his great-nephew in which all of the items were fake. Museums are still trying to sort that mess out! One museum I have consulted with has an Indian cotton printed banyon ( dresssing gown) which we believe was Gen. Washington’s – it has good provenence, right side of the family, etc – with a huge square cut out of the back – the fabric was cut up into small squares for souvenirs! So while it is entirly possible that silk scraps made it into commemorative quilts in late 19th c – there is no way to tell if they are “real” without testing for type of silk, twist, dyes,etc. Remember, most of our “filiopietist” organizations ( DAR: decendents of folk who fought in the Revolutionary War, Colonial Dames: direct decendents of signers of the Declaration of Independence, etc). Many of our original preservation societies were started in the 1880/90’s after the Centennial when there was a backlash of patriotism and “we were here first” against the huge Eastern and Southern Euopean migrations into the US. But Mt Vernon was rescued from ruin in the 1850’s and Gen. Washington’s own officers formed the Society of the Cincinatus in the 1790’s: Direct decendents of officers under his command. Lets just say, he was bigger than Elvis! Newbie

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:53:33 -0700 (PDT) | From: karenquilt@

AQSG Denver was incredible! The Denver Planning Committee did a SUPERB job – thanks to the co-chairs, Janet Finley and Mary Ann Tavery!! The opening night was great fun with a couple dozen of us out on the dance floor doing our best to Line Dance — some more successfully than the rest of us! The Live and Silent Auctions were FANTASTIC – thanks to Jan Thomas and Lori Stubbs and their committee! (I had to take a whole extra box almost the size of my suitcase on the plane with me!) Jessica Vaughn and Carol Born, thanks for all your great work with the AQSG Bookstore! (And for “moving” all those Great American Quilt Revival documentary DVDs that QHF was selling! They sold like hotcakes.) The staff of the Rocky Mt. Quilt Museum not only showed us a great time at the museum, but most of them were also on site at the seminar doing all kinds of jobs — like that fantastic exhibit that Martha Spark, Cindy Brick and their committee hung in the lecture hall at the hotel. Thanks also to Artie Johnson and Brenda Ames and all the other members of the Rocky Mt. Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild who volunteered to cover the Registration Table and Hospitality room — and also for ferrying some of us over to Red Rock Community College where their guild had an exhibit hanging. Judy Zigliniec put together a great selection of Study Centers and Bobbie Aug a great selection of Roundtables! Connie Nordstrom and Cindy Hamilton kept the Show & Tell moving along at a good clip while the AQSG members shared some INCREDIBLE quilts. None of us will EVER FORGET Jan Thomas’s reaction to a quilt that Julie Silber shared!!! What an unbelievable co-incidence and story! (I am going to run out of superlatives pretty soon!) Jan was so moved she couldn’t’t talk for crying. (Jan or Julie, please share that quilt story with the list! Also, whoever bought the “Sayings” quilt at the Live auction, please share that story with the List!) The tour I did of QNM and RMQM was wonderful – thank you Pat Moore. (Missed the Red Rock and lunch part of the tour due to some business meetings.) I had dreamed of visiting QNM’s headquarters ever since they moved into that building in Golden and opened their gallery some 11 or 15 yeas ago. It was such a pleasure to meet Mary Leman Austin, Vivian Ritter (22 years with QNM – 2nd only to Mary Austin in years of service); Jan Magee (11 years total, I think) and Lois Verna (6 years?), plus Brenda Groelz of Quiltmaker. (Jane Crutchfield, are you ready to tell the world about that fantastic QM quilt you are making?) Oh yes, the VENDOR’S! Well, there went some more money thanks to Jan Sears and her committee! And last but hardly least were our two LIVELY auctioneers – Julie Silber and Laurel Horton!!! I know there were other committees who were more behind the scenes – like publicity and volunteer coordinator (Barb Gardner) and audio-visual (Glenda Brown and Scotti McCarthy) as well as the other tour leaders whose tours I did not take — Noreen Raphel, Moya Hansen, Timmie Stewart, Jeananne Wright and Diane Schlagel! (Did the tour group that went up into the mountains on Sunday get back okay? <g>) I hate to leave anyone out but I know I probably have!! If there was any “shadow” in our “sunshine” this year it was that three of the founding members were unable to make it: Cuesta Benberrry, Bets Ramsey and Joyce Gross. We missed you HUGELY and salute you each for the legacies you have creaated and for your dedication to AQSG all these many years!

On to Conneticut!

Karen Alexander

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:12:13 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533@>

Hello Karen and all, The Estes Park/McGregor Ranch tour on Sunday, in spite of the problems-such as the bus was over an hour late (!!) was fantastic. The weather wasn’t cooperating either, with rain and low clouds. Noreen more than made up for it with her colorful stories of the history of Colorado and Estes Park. I think that most of us snoozed on the way up (a little tired from those late nights, perhaps?) but by the time we arrived at McGregor Ranch, was raring to go. It is a real working ranch, handed down through the family since it was established (date?) by Muriel’s husband, who died, leaving Muriel to run the ranch with her three sons (hope that I got that right). The museum, which is normally only open during the summer, is a display of pioneer western ranch life and equipment. There was an amazing assortment of quilts there, which we checked out and tried to give the curator of the museum a little more information on. And then we can’t leave out the elk herds that we searched for and finally found, peacefully grazing on the near-by school lawn.

We ended up at the local Senior Citizen Center, where we enjoyed a very nice meal with great cookies for dessert. We then was treated the most wonderful experience with Jean Ann Wright’s entertaining stories. We almost could taste the dust of the Oregon Trail! Her collection of quilts that she shared with us was the best, and I have such a appreciation for the work that Jean Ann does in researching the quilts and their provenance.

I held on to the wonderful memories as we sat for 4 hours in the plane on the runway while the snow piled up!! It was a long trip home…

Beth Davis

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:57:49 -0500 | From: “Karen Musgrave” <karenmusgrave@>

The Alliance for American Quilts has announced that it will move its offices to Asheville, North Carolina in summer 2006. The Alliance has been invited by HandMade in America, a nationally recognized craft and economic development organization, to join them in new offices currently under construction in downtown Asheville. The offices are part of Buncombe County’s effort to encourage the further development of Asheville as a premier center for craft and design. As a national organization devoted to the dynamic field of quilts, The Alliance is a highly prized partner in this endeavor.

There is a rich tradition in quilting of making do with little, of taking small scraps and combining them ingeniously to create a gorgeous artifact whose magnificent whole transcends its humble parts. The Alliance has done this all along by being nimble and creative, forging itself into a sophisticated and practical organization that serves the quilt world in many ways. “Limited funds, the sweat equity of our board, members and supporters, and pure passion have fueled The Alliance for the last ten years and brought us to the accomplishments and reputation we have today,” said Alliance President Shelly Zegart. “We need a stronger engine – dedicated office space and full-time staff – to keep the work going and growing. Our move will give The Alliance a chance to gain the broader recognition it deserves – and quilts more of the recognition they deserve.”

The Alliance was chosen from many organizations for the coveted space with HandMade. Rebecca Anderson, HandMade’s Executive Director, said, “HandMade chose The Alliance for American Quilts to share our new office space because of its national presence, use of technology, and innovative thinking about handmade objects. This joint venture will bring together different, but complementary organizations, resulting in a synergistic relationship, enabling each to grow in ways we might not otherwise.”

Thanks!

Karen Musgrave

Marketing and Communications Director

The Alliance for American Quilts

www.centerforthequilt.org

Join us! Become a member!

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:03:12 EDT | From: Palampore@

I found a wonderful site today that many of you will enjoy. It is very long—42 pages!

_http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/homespun.htm_ (http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/homespun.htm) Southern Homespun: Articles in Civil War Era Newspapers

Any clue who put this together? It is wonderful for research of home textile production during the Civil War. I stumbled upon this site when I was doing research on homespun plaids prior to 1820. Happy reading. Lynn Lancaster Gorges New Bern, NC

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:41:51 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen@>

Probably someone named V Betts who goes to the University of Texas. Did you read the letter taken from the dead soldiers body? It was from his mother. She sent him patches for his jeans and asks him if he wants his blanket. How sad!

Kris

— Palampore@ wrote:

> I found a wonderful site today that many of you will enjoy. It is > very long—42 pages! > _http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/homespun.htm

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 14:23:32 -0700 (PDT) | From: karenquilt@

Snowstorm? What snowstorm?

My plane was due to leave Denver Monday at 10:44 AM. Karen Porter and I left the hotel about 7 AM with the fearless Kathy Metalica volunteering to be at the wheel (of Marilyn Leucke’s rental car) and Marilyn running shot gun trying to read signs that were quickly being obliterated by the wet snow. We arrived at the airport at about 8AM without too much trouble (other than reading snow covered signs!). I boarded my flight at 10:00. We sat in the plane on the tarmac from 10 AM until 11:30 waiting to be de-iced when the pilot finally decided to turn the engines off to save fuel. However, when he tried to start back up to move forward in line, the auxiliary booster engine wouldn‚t kick in so we had to be towed back to the gate for repairs ˜ which means we lost our place in the de-icing line! Got back in line at 2pm and were finally de-iced and cleared for take-off about 6:15 pm! Arrived SeaTac about 8PM. (Was supposed to have arrived 12:30 noon). Too late to catch a ferry to the island so crashed at 9PM at the hotel where I had left my car and hit the road Tuesday morning at 6 AM, catching the 8:50AM ferry home. (AQSG member Anne Dawson also from this island had an 11:30AM flight out of Denver and was off the ground by 2PM. Originally we were in line ahead of her plane but, as I said, lost our place when the auxiliary power wouldn’t start our engines back up!)

The thing that made the whole day bearable was the fact that when I checked in at the gate at 9:00AM, Alaska Airlines was allowing folks to upgrade to first class for a mere $50, so I took advantage of the offer — not knowing I was going to be sitting in that seat for almost 10 hours! But what a difference it made!! Plus, I was right near the door so that I got fresh air when we were parked at the gate for repairs for the door was open the whole time. I had a small wall hanging in my carry on that I had bought at the AQSG auction (made by founding AQSG members Barbara Brackman and Carmel Reitman) and used that to keep warm when the door was open. Everyone on the plane kept a good attitude. We felt so sorry for the pilot and crew though. We barely squeaked under the Federal regulation time constraints – for they had been on duty 13 plus hours when we finally took off.

I actually got a lot of work done while sitting in the plane for I went over all my notes from my meetings with QNM staff and my impromptu encounters with the RMQM staff members — as well as other AQSG members that I talked QHF business with, etc and got my “To-Do List” all in order before we left the ground. I also read three of the Uncoverings papers and a chapter from a science book I picked up at the airport. So the day was not lost! All’s well that ends well!

Karen Alexander

Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:49:02 -0500 | From: “Rosie Werner” <rwerner@>

Dear List, I am looking for information about Helen Erickson, who took over Sciota Danner’s “Mrs. Danner’s Quilts”. Is she still living? If so, is there an address or way to contact her? Thanks. Rosie Werner

From: Lynn Lancaster Gorges

Kathleen Reyes (Kathi) shared with me the site where the article I mentioned about “southern homespun” originated. It was written by Vicki Betts, Prof. Librarian, Cataloging and Reference, University of Texas at Tyler. Go to this woman’s site. It is incredible if you enjoy researching textile production during the 1800’s. She has compiled a wealth of information!!! I have lots of work to do today, but I would much rather spend the day reading all of her research. Thank you Kathi!!! Lynn Lancaster Gorges, New Bern, NC

From: Palampore@

Here is the website—- _www.uttyl.edu/vbetts_ (http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts) She is also easily found by doing a yahoo search using the name, Vicki Betts. Do you Texas folks know this person? Happy reading. Oh, I never heard a word about the Bear Paw pattern. Any history on it would be most appreciated. All I know is that it became popular during the last decade or 2 of the 19th century. Lynn in New Bern, NC

From: pkeirstead@

The description of this quilt for sale on Ebay (item #7355600795) says probably made around 1920. It seems older to me. Any ideas?

Peggy Keirstead Richardson, TX