December 21 – 28, 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:
- The Fylfot and Swastika Pattern Name Debate Begins — A discussion opens over the historic “fylfot” or “running foot” quilt block pattern and its association with the swastika symbol, setting up an extended conversation about names, history, and sensitivity.
- Naming Turkey Red and Historic Yellow Dyes — Members trace the origins of the name “Turkey red” dye and discuss historic yellow fabric names like “butter” and “sunshine yellow.”
- Attachment Trouble and List Housekeeping — Kris reminds members that attachments and lengthy quoted replies can’t be sent through the list, and points them to the E-board for sharing photos.
- Holiday Greetings and a Weeded Book Collection — Members exchange Christmas and holiday greetings, and one offers a list of quilting and textile reference books she is weeding from her collection.
From: KathrynHerrmann@
Unfortunately, I have no detailed information about the actual pattern, only the name Double Dozen, and the fact that she purchased blue and white fabric to construct it.
Thanks for the offer, though, JJ. Let me know if you happen upon that pattern name from the 1860’s.
-Kathryn in Hendersonville, NC
From: Gail Ingram
Dear Friends,
As Christmas needs and I enter my kitchen to prepare for Christmas Eve Open House, I wanted to join all the others who have wished everyone on this list a happy holiday, merry Christmas, brilliant Chanukah. May the magic of the time lift your spirits and remind you of all that is good and true and blessed. I hope you are surrounded by family and friends and good food and good stories and that Santa brings you lots of good books and music. This is a special group, and I cannot remember exactly who I was before I became part of it. Cannot even recall becoming part of it. But I never cease to be grateful for the fellowship.
I hope it will not be unseemly to ask those of you who feel comfortable doing it to send a Christmas greeting to a young friend of mine who is with U.S. troops in the Middle East this Christmas. He’s a kid who has had lots of knocks in the world (7 foster homes by age 3, e.g.) but come out positive, hardworking, and a real gentleman. He comes from a little town in North Louisiana, and I think he would be happily surprised to know anyone much cared about him. Joan Kiplinger, I send him those old-lady cartoons, so you might send one yourself!
His name is Johnny and his email is Junaballer@.
Merry Christmas, Gail Ingram
From: joan kiplinger
Thanx for the email address, Gail. And he will get cheers. The only thing is you gave away my cover; now I won’t be able to sign off as Cosmo Gal. 😀 And in the same spirit as Gail, merry Christmas and a happy holiday season to all on the great list..
Gail Ingram wrote: I hope it will not be unseemly to ask those of you who feel comfortable doing it to send a Christmas greeting to a young friend of mine who is with U.S. troops in the Middle East this Christmas. His name is Johnny and his email is Junaballer@.
From: LinusDonna@
What’s the earliest date that you see blue and white quilts?
From: “Bill Volckening”
Hi,
I was reading through a quilt history document I found somewhere online, and it said that blue & white quilts started to become common around 1835. There may have been some earlier examples. I have a feeling the dates had something to do with the development and advancements in indigo dyes. Sorry I don’t have more information, but I hope this information is helpful. You may find more information if you poke around online…good luck, and please report back if you find any more info.
Cheers! Bill
From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Dear Friends,
December 22, I mentioned the email of a young friend stationed in Kuwait/Iraq and asked any who felt comfortable doing it, to drop him a holiday greeting.
I expected a note or two.
I should have known better: he has received many cards. Yesterday he telephoned me, and I was really happy I had made the request, for it was clear he was a little depressed, something uncharacteristic of this can-do guy. He said he had never anticipated such kind wishes from strangers. All, he said were individualized and heartfelt. This is a kid who tries hard and often successfully to hide his feelings, but he said they brought tears to his eyes. The surprise had saved his Christmas, I think.
And so I thank all of you who wrote. Know the time you took probably meant a lot more to him than many pricey gifts you gave.
I also have developed an alternative theory to explain disproportionately high rates of heart disease and related physical problems in the South. It’s not smoked meats, too much grease, fatty cuts of meat, or all the other usually named culprits. I think the statistic derives from too much entertaining and being entertained. I closed the door on my last guest Christmas Eve at 12:15 A.M.—and the first guest to the open house had arrived around 3 P.M. I could not loll abed yesterday and nurse my aching feet, for I had lunch guests and then had to drive 30 miles away for supper with a bunch of dear friends. Santa did not come to the Ingram cat and dog until almost midnight on Chistmas day. This schedule goes on for 2-3 weeks down here, though on a little slower pace. Not many silent nights.
Thanks again for writing my young friend.
Gail
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 09:28:47 -0800 (PST) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
Now what are the chances of this….I have an elegant pre-1850s indigo and white applique quilt that has pineapples, and fylfots ! Here we go again, i will try to post it on the quilts board, but I am also attaching a photo to this email in case any benevolent qhl manager can post it from the receiving end.
Also, for anyone travelling to NYC in 2006, I am moving my shop, this week! We will be at 305 East 61st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10021, where we will be Laura Fisher at FISHER HERITAGE. Same variety and depth of antiques, but adding a line of new larger hooked rugs based on my favorite old ones.Formal announcements will follow.
Hours there will be Monday through Friday only, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. If any of you are coming to town, and need me to arrange other times for a visit, we can do so for late afternoon or Saturdays, but need advance notice to arrange it with the security staff there. Best to call first 212/ 838-2596, cell 917/ 885-3464, or email laurafisherquilts@; website laurafisherquilts.com
thanks and happy New Year to all. Can’t wait to see what unique quilts might surface in 2006.
Laura Fisher
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 10:54:45 -0800 (PST) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen@>
Oh, dear… attachments can’t be sent to the list. In fact, those of you who have seen your messages bounce or not post probably have realized you can’t include too much of the previous message with your message, too. Both restrictions are to prevent viruses from being sent to the list and/or really messing up the digest.
To post a picture, use our E-board. Just go to our website http://www.quilthistory.com and click on Gallery. Click on the post/edit link in the upper right hand corner underneath Vintage Pictures. The password is vintage. Then click on the tab where you want to put your picture and click on the add a note link again in the upper right hand corner under Vintage Pictures. Add your explanatory note with the picture as an attachment.
You don’t have to memorize those instructions! Everything relating to list management is on the website at http://www.quilthistory.com/subscribe.htm
Happy Holidays to one and all!
Kris
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 11:13:41 -0800 | From: Julie Silber <quiltcomplex@>
Happy Holi-Daze, all, Does anyone know the name of the mystery block I have posted on the Board today? And . . . Thanks to Darwin and Jean for help with HOW to post photos. Julie Silber
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:42:50 -0500 | From: “Bill Volckening” <williamvolckening@>
Hi All,
Now that I’ve learned how to post photos, I have posted a few shots of the Maple Leaf Kit Quilt we were discussing last week. The pictures are located on the e-board under “quilts” (see Kris Driessen’s instructions, “Sending attachments to the list”).
When I get a chance, I will also try to post pictures of some of the other quilts we’ve been discussing…
Cheers! Bill
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 13:47:43 -0800 | From: “Maureen” <maureen@>
Hi all, I’m weeding my collection and will bring these to the Goodwill unless someone wants them for the cost of media mail postage — $2.00. Please reply personally and not to the list. Happy holidays! Maureen Flanagan in Ashland, Oregon.
Quilting Hall. A Quilters wisdom: conversations with aunt jane Lewis. Mountain artisans quilting book McKim Ruby. 101 Patchwork patterns. That Patchwork Place. Kitchen Christmas Wreath Pattern
Textiles Cray. Levi’s: The shink to fit business that stretched to cover the world Finlayson. Denin, an American legend. Hein. Printing fabric by hand, beginning techniques Johnson. Design on fabrics. 2d edition
Stitchery Better Homes and Gardens Four Seasons in Cross Stitch Enthoven. Stitches of creative embroidery Kliot. Bobbin lace: form by the twisting of cords Stitchery: embroidery, appliqué, crewel (a sunset book) Terrace Hill Needle point designs: original designs from the Iowa Governors Mansion
Sewing. Bensussen. Making patterns from finished clothes Palmer. Pants for Any Body. Revised edition Mother Wilkes Sweatshirt Collar Pattern
Miscellaneous Kroncke. Mounting handicraft: ideas and instructions for assembling and finishing Savage. A Concise history of interior decoration
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 12:32:59 -0500 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcory@>
Hello fellow QHL’ers, Hope you had lovely Christmas days and didn’t have to do the dishes! We had a quiet day and then four friends came over for supper at 6 PM, just as the lights blinked on. I got my weirdo-favorite gift of the year–a fuzzy fleece Santa with reindeer toilet seat cover (wait-it gets better-) that has a button you press and lights start blinking on Santa’s nose and around the reindeer! It made for a lovely light display in the darkened bathroom but when our frightened cat Henry hissed and ran out of the room, I thought, “Atta boy Henry-tell ’em just what you think…” Lots of laughs with the guests but as soons as they left I whipped the offending seat cover off and am contemplating who to “gift” next year…. Christmas was modest, owing to a great deal of money spent earlier in the fall on feline health problems. Had to have two out of my beloved three kitties put down after struggling to save their lives (age and a heart tumor), then, silly us, adopted the stray tom (now called Henry) who turned up the day after (not kidding-the Cat Vacancy light must have been on-). Finally on 12/23 our little female tortoiseshell Bamboo turned up looking like a beaten prizefighter (imagine DeNiro’s face in Raging Bull.)The vet said she’d been bitten over the eye by a spider, possibly Black Widow, but is now on meds and mending. So you can understand why I go to the vets and say ‘Hello, home away from home-‘. Anyway…..I’m doing some research on color names, specifically the names stores and salemen used to identify and sell shades of yellow and orange fabrics, in the late 19th and onto the 20th century. For those of you who collect salesmen’s cards and other such ephemera, I’d appreciate hearing from you off-list. For instance, the orange-y gold we now call cheddar wasn’t termed that in 1880–what was it called? I do know that the pale orange of the 1920’s and 30’s was often called Mango or Tango. Many thanks for your looking and have a happy New Year. Pepper Cory in North Carolina
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:10:12 -0500 | From: “Lorraine Forster” <circusvue@>
Why are questions on-list and answers off-list. I am just left with a lot of questions to questions I never thought to ask. ???? For example, I’ll m ost likely never know what cheddar was called in the 1880’s. This only add s to the backlog of questions in my mind. Happy New Year to all.
Lo circusvue
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 05:56:38 -0800 (PST) | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>
John Ericson, Helen Ericson’s son, has set up an email site for his mother, who purchased Scioto Imhoff Danner’s quilts and business in the 1960’s. She is offering a catalogue and patterns from Mrs. Danner’s collection. If you are interested, the new address is:
www.mrsdannersquilts.com
Hope you are having an enjoyable week between the holidays.
Karen
__________________________________________ Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.@
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:18:54 EST | From: Mitzioakes@
I have heard of yellow fabrics called ‘butter’ and some ‘sunshine yellow’ over my years of quilting if that helps at all. Every area in the US (and probably world) has its own renditions and names for things. Where did ‘turkey red’ come from, is another question I have heard asked. Mitzi
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:59:17 -0500 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>
TURKEY RED , a dye from Turkey not the bird and not the deep red we tend to associate with that shade is an unending discussion lately. Even though we have gone over it there are still lots of interesting remarks. To set a somewhat ending to the question there are good points taken on line if you ask google . Just write in Turkey Red. Velia
From: Gloria <raglady@>
This was such a cute, whimsical quilt, I thought that list members might viewing it. http://antiques-internet.com/oklahoma/crantquilt/dynapage/IP50.htm
Gloria raglady@ CyberQuilters
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 13:32:42 -0500 | From: “Angela” <angela2mcalaska.com>
Hi! My name is Angela and I’m a quilter in SE Alaska. I have an 18-yr old son and a 14-yr old daughter. My son has chosen to make a Storm at Sea quilt for his senior project. He now would like to know its history for the paper he needs to write. If you have any information or resources you could steer us toward, we’d be very grateful.
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:57:49 -0800 (PST) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
OK folks–I thank you Kris for the instructions, have filed them so when my computer works properly again, I can try posting pictures.(something’s wrong–I press the little blue address links to connect to quilthistory site, etc. and nothing happens!! I think I need the $80 an hour computer rescue guy again, or need to find a computer geek to marry–this is getting expensive! Anyhow, I made a new listing on my website for this dramatic quilt: laurafisherquilts.com, find it under 19th c appliques, or 19th c. pieced. I couldn;t do close-ups cause the quilt is out on approval with a client, will digitally photo it when we finish the move. Meanwhile, this is a scan of a photo. The fylfots are the little curvy 4 arm pinwheel like forms around the pineapples. Will post close-ups so I can get qhl’s reading on the white-on-indigo print fabirc.
thanks all for your good wishes on my move–I usually stay in one place a very long time, decades in fact, so this is a novelty to me. wonder what will surface in the shop one the top layer gets moved!!
happy new year.
Laura Fisher
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 14:49:24 -0500 | From: “Roberta (Bobbe) Benvin” <quiltsndogs@>
For examples of the fylfot, please refer to my book “Antique Quilting Designs”, particularly page 90. To quote the text: “Known by such names as swastika, four-leaved clover, whirling swastika, spinning whorl, and pinwheel, this motif has very ancient origins. It is used repeatedly in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art and is almost as familiar as the ubiquitous tulip. The name I prefer for the symbol, probably because it sounds so Dutch, is fylfot, a Teutonic compound meaning “many footed”. From the many souces researched, the consensus seems to be that this is a symbol of good luck.”
[Incidentally, those of us who live in the eastern/southeastern areas of Pennsylvania, are more apt to use the term “Pa. Dutch” rather than “Pa. German”, but they are one and the same. When the earliest of the German immigrants arrived in “Penn’s Woods”, they explained that they were deitsch, which was mistranslated as Dutch. But the name stuck, except among those who wish to be historically accurate. I have used both terms interchangeably in the book, because I am both an historian and a Pennsylvania German.]
For those wishing to use a fylfot on their reproduction quilt, I also have a stencil which is available from myself or from The Stencil Co. (Hollis Turnbow).
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 15:43:11 -0500 | From: “Bill Volckening” <williamvolckening@>
Hi All,
A few years ago, I bought a really unique leaf and tulip quilt. I’d never seen anything remotely similar.
Recently, I found a remarkably similar quilt in a book (Robert Shaw’s book Quilts: A Living Tradition, I think it’s on page 44). I learned that the quilt was donated by Linda Carlson to the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and have been in contact with IQS about the quilts. We’re all hoping to have an opportunity to look at them together some time in the future.
I thought you all would be interested, so I’ve posted pictures of the two quilts at: http://www.quilthistory.com/ – in the “Gallery” section under “Quilts” – look for “Fraternal Twin Quilts”
The picture quality on the IQS quilt is a little dark – but based on the picture I saw in the Robert Shaw book, I think it’s very possible that these two could have been made from the same bolts of fabrics. We’ll know more if we ever get the two together.
Has anyone else ever seen a quilt of this pattern? IQS calls it a “tobacco leaf” — but it really doesn’t look like a tobacco leaf to me. The fabrics may be dyed with tobacco leaf dye. Personally, I think the leaves look much more like cut-leaf philodendron leaves.
Enjoy the pics! Bill Volckening
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 12:42:11 -0800 (PST) | From: Jackie Joy <joysbees@>
Just to add my two cents: “The lauburu or Basque cross has four comma-shaped heads similar to the Japanese tomoe.” From Wikipedia. It can face left or right, and has been around for a long time.
Mother of a half-Basque daughter.
“Roberta (Bobbe) Benvin” <quiltsndogs@> wrote: For examples of the fylfot, please refer to my book “Antique Quilting Designs”, particularly page 90. To quote the text: “Known by such names as swastika, four-leaved clover, whirling swastika, spinning whorl, and pinwheel, this motif has very ancient origins. It is used repeatedly in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art and is almost as familiar as the ubiquitous tulip. The name I prefer for the symbol, probably because it sounds so Dutch, is fylfot, a Teutonic compound meaning “many footed”. From the many souces researched, the consensus seems to be that this is a symbol of good luck.”
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 15:17:25 -0800 (PST) | From: Dana Balsamo <danabalsamo@>
Hi Gloria, That was adorable!! Cindy has wonderful quilts. My best, Dana
RAGLADY@ wrote: This was such a cute, whimsical quilt, I thought that list members might viewing it. http://antiques-internet.com/oklahoma/crantquilt/dynapage/IP50.htm
Gloria raglady@ CyberQuilters
Material Pleasures Affordable Antique and Vintage Quilts, Linens, Lace, Textiles, Buttons & More! www.material-pleasures.com
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 18:48:28 -0600 | From: “Merry Endres” <merryme@>
This is awesome! I’m going to try to draw it in EQ5 as I think it would be fun to make from all my 1930’s scraps. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Merry
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:55:17 -0500 | From: “Roberta (Bobbe) Benvin” <quiltsndogs@>
For some reason, I insist on misspelling Holice (Turnbow’s) name, as I noted with embarrassment in my previous posting. Please forgive, Holice.
Bobbe Benvin
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 10:55:00 EST | From: JLHfw@
Dear Pepper, Your Christmas celebration sounds great, especially the Santa seat. I think my Kaiser would have had the same reaction. He is a Tonkanese with good taste as is his friend Marissa who allows us to live in Her House. My sympathy in losing your kitty friends as well. Marissa decided to stop eating three years ago after being terrorized by my son’s huge Maine Coon. She was in liver failure when I got her to the Vet’s. It took 5 1/2 months, yes, months, of IV and tube feeding, barometric therapy, and lots of TLC at the clinic before she decided to eat again. I can’t imagine what the bill came to as I was never charged for her care. I think Dr. Tierce saw her as a challenge. Now she is sitting on my lap helping me type this note. Wishing you and the kitties a happy new year. Janet in Fort Worth
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:23:45 EST | From: Jquiltc@
Talking about cats. I sent an email to some friends whose cats love laying around the computer. The email was one of those that you answer questions and get a score. the cat fall over on the key board and answered one of the questions. Correct!
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:32:28 EST | From: JLHfw@
Never underestimate those cats! They are smarter than we are! Janet in Fort Worth
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 13:27:22 EST | From: Maggmalone@
This has been bothering me since it happened, and I thought I’d throw it out to see what you think about it.
In my last book, 5500 Quilt Designs, was a pattern called Swastika. A lady purchased the book and was quite irate to see this pattern listed. She was so furious, she returned the book and wrote the publisher, complaining about the insensitivity of even including this name in the book. I understand that this symbol has bad connotations to many people, but am I wrong that she overreacted? This pattern has been around since ancient times, and the quilt pattern predates World War II by many years.
I didn’t even think about recent times when I included the design because it is so old. What do you think?
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:58:15 -0600 | From: “Merry Endres” <merryme@>
Does she just object to the name “swastika”, or the design itself? The symbols has been around for a long, long time, predating the nazi’s bastardization of it. You can read about it here: http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html And yes, I do think she was over-reacting, but it was probably through ignorance- that is, not knowing that the symbol originated elsewhere.
Hugs, Merry
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 16:53:42 -0600 | From: Xenia Cord <xenia@>
The woman upset over the inclusion of a quilt pattern called “swastika” in Maggie Malone’s pattern compendium needs to get a life!
The Shorter O.E.D. dates the *word* to 1871, from Sanskrit, meaning “well-being, or luck. A primitive symbol or ornament of the form of a cross with equal arms with a limb of the same length projecting at right angles from the end of each arm, all in the same direction and (usu.) clockwise.”
If you google the word and its history, you get descriptions of 3000 years of images, and the following oddities:
“In the early part of the twentieth century Rudyard Kipling used the swastika as his coat-of-arms, Coca Cola made a swastika-shaped lucky watch fob, American pilots used it on their planes when they fought for the French in World War One, it was the symbol for the Ladies Home Journal sponsored Girls’ Club and the Boy Scouts. A town in Ontario was named Swastika in 1911 because of a lucky gold strike.”
I sell antique quilts and understand the sensitivity to the design; many of those with disposable income are in the 50-80 age range, and the symbol has only one meaning. So they will not even look at quilts with “Flyfoot,” “Crazy Ann,” or other swastika-like designs. One woman even turned down a c.1880s quilt because one of the mill engravings used therein was a tiny swastika.
Xenia
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:35:08 EST | From: Jccullencrew@
In a message dated 12/28/2005 2:53:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Maggmalone@ writes:
In my last book, 5500 Quilt Designs, was a pattern called Swastika. . I understand that this symbol has bad connotations to many people, but am I wrong that she overreacted? This pattern has been around since ancient times, and the quilt pattern predates World War II by many years.
I didn’t even think about recent times when I included the design because it is so old. What do you think?
Hi, I think you are correct in including it in your book. It is part of quilting history and so historically correct, plus it is an old design like the others included in your book. I understand how this has been bothering you, but you cannot change the past, and this pattern was part of it. My DH who was in WWII was chided for showing a flag with the same design to the Boy Scouts as part of a program on the flag and WWII. He felt awareness of our history was important so the same mistakes aren’t made again. We are all trying to be sensitive to others, but the fact is, history is what it is and cannot and should not be changed. I hope you feel better since there was no bad intent when you put the patterns together for your book. Regards, Carol Grace
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:42:13 EST | From: JLHfw@
I can understand someone being offended, but indeed the Nazi’s adopted an ancient pattern. It is found in many Native American pots and rugs as well. Perhaps the reader was not aware of the age of the pattern. Additional names, beside swastika might make the age of the pattern more understandable. Janet in Fort Worth
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:07:28 -0500 | From: “Bill Volckening” <williamvolckening@>
There’s a neat little article on about.com:
http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm
Personally, I think any public discussion or presentation involving these loaded symbols need to be well-precluded (buffered?) by some discussion about the history of the symbol.
Many years ago, I taught an art history class at a community college. At the time, Robert Mapplethorpe was a hot topic. We looked at images in the class, but before we did, I prepared the students by explaining what they were about to see — and I allowed them to decide whether or not they wanted to see these images. If they didn’t they were free to go.
As with the Mapplethorpe images, people may be better able to handle the swastika symbol if they have some information and discussion before they need to face the image. Sometimes when they are directly confronted by strong images without warning, it’s shocking, and a lot of folks really can’t handle it.
Bill
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:40:55 -0500 | From: “Karen Evans” <charter.net>
Swastikas are still a good-luck symbol in India, and in certain Native American cultures. The pattern should definitely be included.
Karen Evans
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:42:21 EST | From: Mitzioakes@
I personally think some people have too much time on their hands – if they were experienced and/or knowing quilters they would know that this pattern preceeds the Nazi use of it. There is just too much politically correctness around today. I have your book and love every one of the 5500 patterns. So there is my answer Mitzi from Vermont
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:31:14 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
> I personally think some people have too much time on their hands – > There is just too much political correctness around today.
> So there is my answer > Mitzi from Vermont
Amen! (Let your disappointed buyer run with that one!)
Gail from Louisiana
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:54:12 EST | From: MargaretFahey@
I don’t even make the pinwheel block because it reminds me of a swastika. However, it certainly belongs in a collection of patterns since it existed during and before WWII. A catalog of patterns does not endorse any political feelings about any one pattern.
Those of us of a “certain age”, do have these feelings which I am always surprised to feel at odd moments like that. However, I know they are my feelings and I try to balance them with current reality. I guess that several of the patterns we now embrace once had such feelings attached. Does anyone have a list? Weren’t they created because of feelings? We don’t shun the Whig Rose, or keep it from being displayed because we feel angry about the politics.
Just as I write that, I must confess that what the swastika represents does not come close to the example I just gave. Perhaps Native Americans have a symbol they detest, or Black Americans. Are they also quilt patterns? Kind of an interesting subject now that I think of it.
Because my grandmother made me a Sunbonnet Sue quilt, I liked it with its remembrance of her other sewn garments. Naming whose apron, dress, sunsuit, etc. from the patched blocks was always a fun “quiet” time for my cousin and myself. Then in Quilters, the musical, a very different reaction to the pattern is expressed.
We are our experiences I guess. But a collection, or an historical accounting, etc. must include all. Otherwise, what might be omitted without anyone knowing? I would miss Sue, although I have not pieced the old dear.
Margaret
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:27:17 -0600 | From: “David H.” <dahubertswbell.net>
Swastikas cause people to react.. a Burning cross causes a reaction.. Soon someone will take issue with a block called Katrina or Rita. You were not wrong. That’s what it is. Should we change Mark Twain’s books because he used the N word? There is a real cost in rewriting history so it is more comfortable. My 2 cents
David in St Louis
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:10:07 EST | From: KathrynHerrmann@
Hello, I have seen the swastika pattern in many of the older pattern books including Carrie Hall’s ‘The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America’. Carrie Hall’s notes say it is an ancient Egyptian and Navajo Indian religious symbol representing the cosmos. Webster Dictionary says much the same only giving the Nazi symbolism second billing. I seem to remember the word ‘Swastika’ is from ancient Sanskrit, which means the Indian peoples of Asia must have used it also. The Nazi party began using the Swastika in 1935.
The popular pattern ‘Crazy Ann’ has a Swastika looking design in it and has fallen out of favor also. I see no reason why in can’t be included in a pattern book on quilts. I think the woman who was upset is overreacting out of ignorance.
Just my two cents!
-Kathryn Hendersonville, NC
P.S. I was considering making a ‘Crazy Ann’ quilt for my mother-in-law who, coincidentally, is named Ann.
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 19:36:22 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Re: swastika, flyfoot, running foot.
Thought I would add one note. In my late teens, I became fascinated by the symbol. It was and probably still is the logo for Vanderbilt University Press, from which I bought a number of books at the time. It was one of those things that stayed in my mind because I could not figure how it got to be called what it was called, suggest what it suggested. Couldn’t even guess at how it came to have the symbolic importance it had (pre Hitler’s bully boys).
Then, when my son was in the eighth grade, I went to my first track meet. My son was running with the high school varsity team in the 800m (half-mile) event. This is an event of measured running and strategy, and the spectator has time to observe the runners for a good while, unlike in the speed events. It was held in a university track stadium, so the view was good. As the runners entered the far section of track, I was struck by the beauty of their form–arms, legs moving in perfect pattern.
And then it came to me what that pattern was—the running foot.
Ancient as man, universal, beautiful in the way it represents the fluid motion of man’s body—-no matter what else it represents.
Years ago a friend gave me a quilt-block Christmas ornament that used this emblem. For the first time, this year a guest told me it made him uncomfortable. I suggested he move to a seat where the creche would be in his direct line of vision. All of us have private associations that limit us, but we need not condemn the rest of the population for not sharing our limitations. There are lots of things to look at.
One of the first years I taught second-quarter freshman composition, I inadvertently assigned an African-American boy a research paper on Robert E. Lee’s post-war career. I had gotten students to fill out a questionnaire that included an interest inventory as well as a paragraph. For those who wrote fluently, I assigned papers of literary analysis that lent themselves to a variety of organizational patterns. For the more limited writers, I assigned topics that tended to organize themselves chronologically, a real help on the fast quarter system. The young man who got the assignment was in ROTC, liked history, and had a writing sample that suggested the latter approach. So he got Lee’s post-war career. I didn’t know names yet, so he was anonymous to me.
As I handed out the cards with the topics on them, I said, “Mr. Harper…” and to my dismay a well-built black (“black” was “in” then) boy rose and came forward. I managed to say, “Mr. Harper, if you will drop by my desk after class…..” and then went on just as if I had good sense. The kid came as I had asked, and I explained my situation and told him I could understand he might find the assigned topic objectionable. I offered him a variety of other topics. He said, “I’m fine with this. I’m interested in history” and looked at me as if I were a little weird.
It was the beginning of a friendship. That kid was no writer, but he worked daily on that paper, brought it to me page by page for advice, ended up with an A in the course and knowing how to plan and develop an idea in writing. In the process, he learned about someone like himself, though with a different skin color, a man who did not give up or go quietly into that goodnight. The boy’s response to my assignment suggested much about him and maybe much about p.c. He took what he got, he gave the project his very best, and he ended with a fine piece of work. Three years later he would be the last pick of the last round in the pro-football draft, only to end up being Walter Payton’s blocker and Rookie of the Year for the Chicago Bears. His coach and I were the only people who were not surprised, for he was modest in appearance and behavior.
Yet, I’ve wondered what would happen were that incident to occur today on a university campus. Frankly, I imagine one assistant professor would be looking for a job.
I think M. should do what Wm. Makepiece Thackeray’s little anti-heroine did with that big fat copy of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary she got as a graduation prize—throw the book at the complainer.
In a season of peace, Gail
