February 14 – 20, 2006
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 Weeping Willow as a Mourning Symbol — Members trace the weeping willow motif’s meaning in mourning-era embroidery and painted textiles. (see the article on Victorian mourning customs)
- Unusual Places Quilts Have Been Found — A thread of member stories about rescuing quilts from surprising locations, from a piling in San Francisco Bay to rummage sales.
- The Snood’s History from Fashion to Factory Safety Wear — A tangential discussion traces the snood from WWII factory hair-safety wear back through earlier fashion history.
- New England Regional Quilt Day Announcement — A member announces an upcoming quilt-archaeology event at a Massachusetts arts center.
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:37:00 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
Speaking as someone who collects/repairs sewing machines and currently has 9 treadles in her personal collection of which I do sew with them all……….You can’t…..The only one that you MIGHT be able to tell and only if it was fresh from the machine is a Davis vertical feed. Sometimes you will get a little bit of indention from the feed fork on either side of the stitching but only during quilting. You can’t tell a chainstitch electric from a handcrank chainstitch either…
Sharon in NC http://community.webshots.com/user/sharonsews —– Original Message —– From: “Margaret Geiss-Mooney” <mgmooney@> To: “Quilt History List” <qhl@> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 5:45 PM Subject: [qhl] “Treadle pieced”?
Good afternoon, fellow QHLers – In looking over the quilts up for auction at Cowan’s Auction, I kept seeing the term “treadle pieced” in the descriptions. How can one tell this, inquiring minds would like to know… <g> Regards, Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney Textile/Costume Conservator Professional Associate, AIC mgmooney@
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 10:05:36 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
Hearing Gail tell that story of the painting and the pest control man out loud is a treat everyone should share. Now that I have it down in writing I have it moved to my Gail folder.
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 22:49:44 EST | From: Mendofleur@
I have a few also…..
My mother was given quilts as gifts from her mother-in-law, my dear paternal grandmother, a farm woman who loved any sort of needlework, and as a child I remember the upstairs bedroom that was called “Grandma’s quilt room”. It always had a quilt frame set up with her current quilt in progress. Unfortunately, the quilts that my mother received were used for the annual church picnics and occasional days at the beach. These quilts were in shreds by the time I came to appreciate what they were. Now at the age of ninety, my mother does regret her lack of care and appreciation for these family treasures.
And…..several years ago while living in San Francisco, I discovered a nice quilt in the garbage bin of a house a block away from our condo. I was about to save it when my husband, horrified, squelched my efforts. Certainly it was germ-infested! (he concluded). Consequently, it has been the “antique I walked away from”, never to be forgotten. Next time……!
Also and to conclude: I went to a lecture at the Filoli Home and Gardens a few years back where Julie Silbur gave a wonderful lecture on Amish Quilts. At the end she suggested an interesting topic/lecture might be the quilts she had seen abandoned on roads and various places in her travels. I would be eager to hear more. This would make a delightful read… one should compile it.
Phyllis
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:26:40 EST | From: DDBSTUFF@
First, sorry about the Harriet Potters/ Harriet Powers mistake. Where was my head???
As for Clementine Hunter, she is considered an Outsider Artist and her works do sell regularly for very high prices. I posted on the Eboards, a picture of one of her quilts for sale at the recent Outsider Art Show in NYC. It was priced at $35,000.
Darwin
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:17:13 -0700 | From: “Judy Anne” <anne_j@>
>>I don’t believe I’ve encountered anyone over the age of three so self-assured as this gal (oh yes, it is Ms., not Mr) sounds.<<
Well, perhaps the fellow who copied my article on Amish quilts from my website may have gone one better. He put it on a page where he was selling what may have been fake Amish quilts. I’m not registered with ebay so my son wrote and asked him to remove my article. The seller wrote back claiming he was a lawyer and that everything on the Internet was public domain. He then went on to threaten to ruin my son’s ratings on ebay. We decided the article wasn’t worth the fight and gave up at that point. My son was selling antiques full time for his in-laws at the time and couldn’t risk his reputation as a seller.
I could find no way that someone who is not registered with ebay could report something like this.
Judy Anne
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 10:20:49 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
>I thought this quilt interesting. Did anyone see it?
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?>ViewItem&item=6252193281&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%>3AIT&rd=1
>This quilt took my mother three years to create using hand drawn sketches > >and computer generated animation……….
Into machine embroidered designs. The are charming and I wonder if the makers made the designs or bought them on a disk.
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:20:31 -0800 (PST) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen@>
Judy Anne (et al)
The minute you put something in writing, it becomes copywritten. For him to cut and paste your entire article is a major copywrite violation and you can sue both him and the server hosting the page, provided you notify them and give them the opportunity to take it down. If this is the case, I would give Ebay a call at 1-800-322-9266 or 1-888-749-3229. **AND** I would send them a certified letter notifying them of the violation. Their address is 2145 Hamilton Avenue, # 350. San Jose, CA 95125. If this miscreant is using your article on his website, you can find out who his ISP is by going to http://www.fasterwhois.com.
However, if he just excerpted something from your article, it may fall under fair use. Years ago, I was challenged by someone for using something of theirs which I felt fell under fair use. I contacted Scott Fine, an attorney who specializes in this sort of thing, (Fine Hummel, P.C., Attorneys at Law 410 New York Avenue, Huntington, New York 11743(t)631.351.2100) and he confirmed my belief. I responded to the person asking them to contact my attorney and never heard another word.
If he is just linking to your site, I think you are stuck. Although some big companies have managed to sue and get improper links removed, I doubt if it is financially feasible for us little folk. The best you can do is just ask politely, probably.
So Julie, don’t let this drop! Let us know what happens.
Kris
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 10:19:28 -0800 (PST) | From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>
Just for the heck of it, I am listing item numbers for several imported quilts that have recently been sold on eBay or are currently up for sale. Several are called antique, “rare”, others vintage (what does that term REALLY mean?), some are actually called “new”…..the descriptions are amusing and misleading. You might find these interesting to look at if you have the time.
There is one quilt being sold from a United Kingdom (GB) eBayer who refers to it as “an American quilt” and it is an import made in China (#7391018967). From the following list of numbers, the sellers are often selling several imports or linked to another eBay “store” or another selling site on the Internet–it’s interesting to check the Other Items from the Seller section. Then there are the rare few dealers who do identify the quilts as imports, made in China, or at least “new”. Most of them do not identify the country of origin or the fact that they don’t know what it is. Here’s the list of item numbers from eBay” 738920198 7390913542 7389196814 7385520260 7380136653 7385165549 7386758119 7385467108 7388920843 7390699714 7390700372 7386773064 7387084420 7379851035 7385421609 7387593373 7389290798
After doing some basic research, according to the Federal Trade Commission, the origin of bedding is a required piece of information for sellers to provide in the text of their ad…..eBay descriptions are ads as are the links to other active web sites where these sellers have a commercial selling site independent of eBay. Most internet selling sources for imported quilts–Spiegel, JC Penney, and others–identify the quilts as “imported” just as they did in their printed format mail order catalogs.
Refer to FTC bedding & labeling document online: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/thread.htm According to the language in the document : “Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts”
“Country of origin in mail order advertising38 Country of origin information must be disclosed in mail order advertising, such as catalogs, including that disseminated on the Internet. Product descriptions in these ads must include a statement that the product was either made in the U.S.A., imported, or both. “Made in U.S.A. and Imported” should be used to indicate manufacture in the U.S. from imported materials, or part processing in the U.S. and part in a foreign country. “Made in U.S.A. or Imported” should be used to reflect that some units of an item originate from a domestic source and others from a foreign source. “Made in U.S.A.” may be used only if all units were made completely in the U.S. of materials also made in the U.S. Of course, the description must be consistent with the origin labeling on the advertised product. (See also ADVERTISING AND CATALOGS, p.30.)”
The current document INCLUDES THE INTERNET sales and ads. So just lightly reviewing this, it might be that those vendors selling imported quilts on the Internet who do not state “imported” in their advertising are in violation of current bedding label laws as per the FTC document. When people remove the bedding tags & re-sale imported quilts ……….that just makes the indentification process more complicated. In many cases, the use of misleading terms like : antique, rare, vintage, heirloom quality, etc. just burden this issue further and boost the online auction price for those buyers who don’t know what they are looking at. For those sellers who are offering a wide variety of antiques & other items via an online auction, perhaps it is just better that they state “I don’t know if this is an antique or where it was made & there are no tags to indicate this.” That would be a lot better for the buyers instead of inflating a description that cannot be documented.
Second hand bedding or quilts is defined in the FTC document as separate from used mattress & box springs……..so far, I cannot find anything in that document that addresses the re-sale of used quilts and bedspreads–that might be an issue dealt with at state government levels. In Ohio, the bedding laws cover the labeling of bedding made in Ohio and the resale of used quilts & bedspreads.
This is offered just for your information.
Connie Ark in NW Ohio where it is 49 degrees (surprise!)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:40:19 -0800 | From: Julie Silber <quiltcomplex@>
Darwin et al,
Your photos reminded me of the late Charlotte Ekback who lived in Southern California, near Los Angeles. She had a collection of “Freeway Quilts” that she had collected off the sides of the many L.A. freeways over the years, some of them quite good! Yes, tire marks!
She showed a bunch of them one year at the AQSG seminar – long enough ago so it would have been one in San Rafael, CA – maybe late 1980s. She and I talked and laughed quite a few times about doing a museum exhibition of them.
Nostalgically yours, Julie Silber
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:25:45 -0500 | From: “Roberta (Bobbe) Benvin” <quiltsndogs@>
It is my turn to ask for the assistance of this group on a topic that I have wondered about for some time.
Whenever I see a weeping willow motif used on an antique quilt – either as a quilting design or done in applique – chances are that the quilt originated in either New York State or Massachusetts, specifically Boston.
Can anyone on this list tell me the significance or the symbolism (and, in these instances, there seems to be no connection to mourning) associated with the willow? And why does it appear to be a regional design?
Thank you, in advance, for your input. Roberta Benvin
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 16:48:43 -0800 | From: <chrisa@>
Since we are sharing stories and I am sick and can’t talk, email has become my life. Thank you all for such varied and lively discussions lately.
Back in the early 1990s, there was an antique fair in Pasadena, CA. It was inside of a building and much of it was furniture, glass, china, and finer arts, not my favorite type of show to go to, so it was also the last one I went to there. Anyway, at one booth of mostly glass items, my eye caught sight of a red and green applique, turkey tracks to be exact, with a vine border. It was covering a table, which was a box, placed on the floor!!! The items on top of it were for sale. When I inquired about the quilt, she didn’t even know what I was referring to. I pointed and she said “you want to buy that? Well I don’t even know what I would charge you. One end has been cut off” like I care I thought!! Sure enough, this beautifully quilted with wreaths and all, mid 1800s R&G applique had one end, the border and part of a row of blocks cut or torn on a slight angle. Didn’t matter, it’s beautiful folded or hung on a rack with the best view forward!
Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 23:32:42 EST | From: RAGLADY@
I believe the weeping willow is a symbol of mourning. It appears frequently in the embroidered and painted mourning pictures that were so popular in the early 19th century.
Karen Evans
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 06:36:16 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
If you do a google search for weeping willow symbolism you will get a whole list of sites with information — most of which say it represents mourning. I don’t know if it applies to quilts, and didn’t read all of them. This one site on the list is interesting — it states the symbolism used in Victorian Hair Art
http://victorianhairjewelry.com/symbols.html
It states mostly the symbolism of flowers, but also includes other objects like an anchor (hope), bird (winged soul or eternal life), conch shell (reincarnation), dog (loyalty).
Barb in muddy and the snow is melting, southeastern PA
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 06:37:28 -0600 | From: Pat Kyser <patkyser@>
The thread on odd locales of quilt finds reminds me of the one I found on a piling in San Francisco Bay while sailing there back in the early 1970s. I wrote a short article on it and sold it to Quilt World Magazine who then asked me to write a regular column for them. I wrote “Pieces and Patches” for twenty years, and still have “the quilt in the Bay.” It was so nasty from seagull droppings that husband Jim made me wash it in the Bay and later with a hose at our dock before I could bring it on board! I’ve always been intrigued by a ribbon sewn into it with the name “The Carleton” but do not know what that indicates. Because of its provenance, I keep it in the garage rather than in the house. Pat Kyser
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:00:00 -0500 | From: “Lorraine Forster” <circusvue@>
Just last summer on a trip to Erie, Pa., we decided to tour the local rummage sales. After a block or two, we came upon a house where their entire rummage was set upon a quilt. I approached the two women and told them that the quilt on the ground was quite possibly worth more than all else combined that was place on top and that some quilts were valuable beyond belief. Their jaws dropped and their mouths fell open since they had not an inkling of such a thing and the quilt was just being “used”.
LO CIRCUSVUE
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:12:54 -0500 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcory@>
Hi Pat-By any chance is it a wholecloth quilt? I read somewhere that some luxury hotels (I was thinking the Hiltons but maybe not, maybe Ritz-Carleton?) had commissioned hand quilted wholecloths from English quilters for bedspreads in the 1930s at some of their upscale hotels in the US. Could this be one? Musing- Pepper
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:32:24 -0500 | From: Judy Knorr <jknorr@>
Reading all the stories of unusual place where quilts have been rescued reminded me of an event in my own family. My mother remarried in the mid 90s and sold the house in southeastern Ohio where she lived and where my grandparents lived before we did. I went home several times during the year before she married to help her sort and clean out “stuff”. The house, an old Victorian in the middle of the small town, had a 2 story barn in back of the property. The second floor of the barn had become a depository over the years for many items from the house. Often the items were wrapped in old quilts for protection. When we were sorting everything up there I began rescuing the quilts and putting them in a pile to save figuring I would deal with them later. One quilt had become a nest for stray animals and was ripped and torn and shredded more than some of the others. My Mother put it in the pile to throw away. I rescued it, but she put it back in the throw-away pile. After a bit of an argument because I wanted to “keep that dirty thing” she finally gave up and let me have it. I wrapped it in a plastic bag and carried it back home to NY. I washed it gently and spread it out on the grass to dry. The quilt had been made by my Great-grandmother in the early 1900s. The blocks were four and a half inch Churn Dash in pinks and blues. I managed to find 5 intact blocks (out of the whole quilt) and made 5 angels with a Chrun Dash block skirt and wings made from the old muslin back. I gave one to each of my three sisters, one to my mother and I have one myself. I wrote the history on the back of each angel and they have become prized possessions for each of us. My mother was glad I saved the quilt! Believe it or not, I still have a bag with all the shredded scraps in it that I can’t bring myself to throw away! Judy Knorr
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 10:26:08 -0800 | From: <suereich@>
NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL QUILT DAY YOU ARE INVITED TO A QUILT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG Mill Pond Center for the Arts Durham, NH April 8, 2006 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $35 AQSG Members $50 Non-members
You may have joined us last year for our first New England Quilt Day at The Wenham Museum, Wenham, MA. Many of those quilts will be traveling to Japa n at the end of this year to be exhibited throughout the country. We are e xcited to announce our second annual Quilt Day. You will see quilts and p lenty of them, presented in an interesting new format. Participants will r otate between six tables; each with a specific focus. This white glove even t will provide you with a hands-on look at antique quilts ranging from the exquisite to everyday variety. Remember, there are no quilt experts here! We all come to table with an openness and willingness to share and learn. This attribute of generosity helps to make the world of quilt history so v aluable. We only have a partial list of last year’s attendees. Present AQSG attende es and those on are list will be receiving a brochure in a few days. We ap ologize in advance if you attended last and a you were not on our list. Pl ease send us an email and this will be remedied. Limited to the first 60 people. Bring a friend. Proceeds will benefit the American Quilt Study Group
EVENTS OF THE DAY
9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. …Registration
9:30 a.m..Welcome and Introductions 10:00 a.m…Quilt Archaeological Digs Table 1 Quilts with a Second Life Table 2 Nineteenth Century Blues Table 3 Machine Quilting Table 4 Wool Comforts Table 5 Festive Red and Green Table 6 Chintzy Quilts 1:00 p.m Lunch 2:00 p.mBrown Bag Special Place the quilt item that interests you most in a large brown paper bag to share quickly with the group. 3:00 p.mPlen ary Session 3:20 p.m..Closing Rem arks
For a brochure or further information, Contact: Cindy Black (contact info on file) or suereich@
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 11:32:28 -0800 | From: <chrisa@>
<<it with the name “The Carleton” but do not know what that indicates.>>
That sounds like a Hotel that was in SF. You might goggle it. You didn’t mention the date of the quilt- care to share?
Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 20:19:18 +0000 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
In the 1930s ‘quilt wives’ in South Wales and County Durham were comissioned to make bed coverlets and daytime pillow-slips for the bedrooms in the new wing of Claridge’s Hotel, London.
(‘Rural Industries’ published by the Rural Industries Bureau 1932, quoted by Dorothy Osler in ‘Traditional British Quilts‘.)
They were, indeed, wholecloth quilts employing traditional patterns.
Sally Ward
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 13:26:57 -0800 (PST) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
we don’t see many discarded quilts along the East River Dirve or West Side highway, nor on the mounds of packed snow or garbage piles in NYC. wonder why LA is has “em?!!
I loaned 2 quilts once to a multi media art exhibition in a new big expensive gallery in Soho. Thanks to the skinny little gallery assistants chatting up each other and not paying attention , one of my wonderful intricate graphic quilts got stolen off the wall by a homeless person who had wandered into the gallery, or so the girls thought when questioned about who was there and how could this happen. They recalled a guy who looked a little suspicioous… I walked around downtown for days after, hoping to spot some guy wrapped in my quilt, but no luck. If I gound him, would I have been able to wrest back my quilt from him?
Laura Fisher………..
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:09:26 EST | From: Blackeyesandysue@
I have often, maybe too often, done what I refer to as “mercy buys”. I buy what is left of a beautiful old quilt to save it from becoming a bunny or teddy bear or stocking, because you can still see the artistry in a faded, worn, torn, old quilt. My favorite “save”: I was leaving a flea market on a very hot day, on my way to the car I passed a van, the sliding door was open and the vender was apparently sleeping with his feet hanging out the door. On the ground in front of him a large dog was asleep on an old white “blanket” spread out on the hot ashphalt. As I trudged tiredly passed, I looked at the “blanket” more closely, it looked like a quilt. I kept walking but when I turned back for one more look, one corner was turned up showing green leaves. I told myself that I was not going back and wake that man up and ask to see his dogs blanket. I went a few more steps, stopped knowing, yes, I was going back. I went back and paid $20.00 for a 4 quarter red and green applique circa 1850. It was worn but charming and has forever been known as the “dog quilt” The best save: I stopped at a yard sale with my husband. He wanted an old cabinet radio that they were selling. I was passing time looking at some items they had spread on the ground on an old wool blanket. I began to look at the blanket more closely. I asked if it was for sale. They had not thought to sell it but said I could have it for 75 cents. I gave them 3 quarters, while my husband loaded the radio for which he paid $50.00 in what he thought was a real bargain. My old blanket turned out to be a very early , first quarter 1800’s maybe earlier, wool blanket with indigo embroidery, even men on horseback carrying rifles. It is a wonder early textile. I love to look at it’s detailed work. They still live with my other quilts. Safe for now. Polly Mello
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:41:53 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
At the bottom of the listing is my question and the seller’s answer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item7389906915&sspagenameADME:L:RTQ:US:1
I look at virtually every log cabin quilt that comes up for sale on E-bay and I thought this layout particularly striking. I just don’t see what it is in the style or “rhythm” that makes it African-American although I understand that the seller bought it from an African American family.
My date might be too late, (thinking of apron prints) but I still think the 20’s or 30’s is way too early.
Comments?
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 23:13:47 -0800 | From: “alan” <alan@>
Okay, you made go find my packing blanket <lol>. I got it back in, hmmmm, doing math …….. 1988, maybe 1990. My parents had broken down housekeeping for my father’s mother. They were kind enough to bring me some of the furniture and her car, and they brought it from NY to GA. You can imagine my surprise, when the uhaul was emptied and there was a quilt wrapped around the dresser. I snatched that thing up and told them I was keeping this. Sweet little c1880 nine patch with a sawtooth border, pinks and blues and shirtings. It’s quite tired, and I keep meaning to restore it (lord only knows I have the fabric to do it!). It has the usual wear at the two ends, and some of the patches are split. But it’s still sweet, and since it’s the only quilt from my father’s side that I’m aware of, it’s even more important to me.
Alan
Alan R. Kelchner Mixed Media Textiles http://alanrkelchner.com (in process) http://www.livejournal.com/users/sffreakish/
And even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despite, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.
Aeschylus, 3rd c BC
and then:
“And there is nothing to be done, The cathedral is sinking Under the weight of souls and tears and prayers Delivered unto the awful grace of God. “
(M. Tafoya)
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 05:02:26 -0600 | From: Pat Kyser <patkyser@>
Now, you kind people with thoughts on my SF Bay-rescued quilt had me going out to the garage at 4 a.m. for a look and to make some measurements.
It is not whole cloth, but is composed of rows of small strips, each roughly 6″ by 2″, all machine sewn to a pieced fabric inner layer, much like crazy quilts were done. Due to the fabric disintegration, lots of this inner layer shows and it is pieced either of a very nice woven black and white check (much tinier and heavier than gingham) or several odd whites printed with thin black stripes (maybe “shirting?”).
There never was any batting, nor was it quilted other than horizontal stitching attaching each 6″ row to the backing. The backing is/was deep maroon or wine polished cotton. Many of the 6″ by 2″ strips are gone, but the precise and tiny machine stitching is still there. The Carleton ribbon was just one of the strips sewn in, not prominently placed or anything like that. What is left of the fabrics are silks and velvets. I wonder if originally they were some kind of samples. I think the quilt must have been brilliantly colored and beautiful in its day, but it is woefully faded and shredded now. Only a True Pack Rat would have hung on to it all these years! I’ve always wondered how on earth it ended up on a piling in San Francisco Bay.
It was not bound, but the front decorative layer was turned under, sort of knife-edged to meet the backing. It is 60″ x 58″.
I have no idea how old it is but I’ve always thought it looked very early or turn of the 20th century. I am an impostor in this group, lurk most of the time, for am neither expert in dating old quilts nor a collector. I just love the history and stories associated with them and you folks often “make my day” with your tales and comments.
I have come to “know” many of you with warm affection. Gail’s recent discourse on Nachitoches, LA, sent me to the internet to plan a stop there when I drive to Port Arthur, TX, next month to retrieve 23 of my own quilts that are exhibited there now. (museumofthegulfcoast.org) Cane River and Isle of Cane had me intrigued with the location anyway. As I drove there in January delivering the quilts, in a terrible rain storm all across Louisiana, I was tempted to stop in Rushton for a respite, but realized “my friend” does not know me from a hole in the wall! I’ve had the same experience in driving in New Jersey and thinking it would be nice to “drop in” on The Ringo Kid. And of course, I have wept with Sue Reich this past year. You are a very dear group and make a wonderful few moments in my day each time I log on.
Thank you! Pat Kyser in Huntsville, AL
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 21:48:26 +1000 | From: “quiltstuff” <quiltstuff@>
The date for later thirties seems right to me if the fabrics are dress fabrics. The seller mentions silks and nylons.. They seem very reminiscent of dresses from that period I have seen in crepe de chine. I think we re used to seeing the ‘sweeter’ cotton fabrics in that cartoon style when we think of thirties prints in cotton. Anyway just my opinion.
Suzy Atkins
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item7389906915&sspagenameADME:L:RTQ:US:1 >> >> My date might be too late, (thinking of apron prints) but I still think >> the 20’s or 30’s is way too early.
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 08:03:40 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger <jkip@>
If seller thinks there is nylon is this quilt, then this would up the date to post-WWII. Nylon was not available until after the war although there are instances where pieces of parachute nylon were sent home by servicemen as souvenirs. Just a thought.
J. G. Row wrote:
At the bottom of the listing is my question and the seller’s answer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item7389906915&sspagenameADME:L:RTQ:US:1
I look at virtually every log cabin quilt that comes up for sale on E-bay and I thought this layout particularly striking. I just don’t see what it is in the style or “rhythm” that makes it African-American although I understand that the seller bought it from an African American family.
My date might be too late, (thinking of apron prints) but I still think the 20’s or 30’s is way too early.
Comments?
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 07:58:01 -0600 | From: “Marcia Kaylakie” <marciark@>
Well, with all of the “saves” I’ve been reading, I have to tell you abou tthe one that got away! And it was right next door. Our elderly neighbors are such a nice couple, and when I first met them in 1993, I went over for a visit. I was shocked to find a lovely GFG wrapped around the lawn mower. I asked Roma if she would let me have it and she said she would have to ask Bernie. Imagine my surprise when he said no! He just didn’t want to part with his mother’s quilt ( OK… what am I missing here!!!) Said he never would and I had to watch the poor thing disintegrate. I even thought about sneaking inot their gagrage in the midddle of the night and doing a swap but I knew Bernie would know I did it! They are moving away now and the quilt seems to be nowhere in sight. Sigh….the one that got away.
Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, TX www.texasquiltappraiser.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 08:02:53 -0600 | From: “The Motls” <motl@>
I’m looking for quilt shows or exhibits in the Phoenix area during February 25 thru March 1. Thanks for any ideas, Chris
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 11:41:44 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
> I have come to “know” many of you with warm affection. Gail’s recent > discourse on Nachitoches, LA, sent me to the internet to plan a > stop there next month I was tempted to stop in Rushtone, but realized “my friend” does not know me from a hole in the wall!
Well, she WOULD if you would just show your face, Missie! And she would keep you from looking for the “Isle of Cane,” which to her knowledge, does not exist (Isle Brevelle is where you want to go). And she would tell you about the Natchitoches meat pies and where to get them (Lasyonespro lassie-yons). Plus, she would serve you freshly dripped (from a non-automatic drip pot) Community Dark Roast Coffee, which you could drink in front of a good fire in the living room or on the deck overlooking the azaleas, depending on what this impending icy front does to the latter. And, if you were not afraid of heights, you could spend the night in her guest room (the bed, a duplicate of a 19th-century Louisiana bed from Central Louisiana, did not anticipate the mattresses of our day) and meet Gens. Jackson and Stuart, family members of the canine and feline persuasion. Moreover, she would take you to a local eatery where Allan Grow, husband of the Ringoes Kid, was served a martini constructed by a waitress who had to read the directions in her big book of drinks (It was the first time anyone in the esteemed barbecue place had ordered a martini, she told Allan, who was charmed by her southern lack of pretension and her candor, though not by the drink she prepared).
Moreover, she would make sure you spotted the highest peak in Louisiana (Mt. Driskoll, 352 ft) on your way west. Also the spot where the real Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and filled with bullets and now the site of the Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days flea market, evidence that if you try and try again…..
What’s more, she would direct you to the best houses in Natchitoches Parish, for those out in the country, south of the town on Cane River, are still not gussied up, but have simply evolved through sundry generations of the same families. The land out there is also still what it was–country and farm land. And there is a superb furniture maker in town (Geo Olivier) whose shop everyone ought to see….
Well, Pat, you get the picture. Not the flat river land of the Tennessee Valley, but rolling hills and pine forests and slow moving bayous. Dollie Parton and crew of “Steel Magnolias” are said to have loved the place and experience, though not as much as the natives loved the experience of Dollie Parton and crew.
So say when….
And having been here, you will simply have to come back when the Deep South Quilt Study Group meets. For THEN you get to meet the TEXANS!
Gail
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 06:43:24 -0500 | From: “gb-best” <vitale@>
Judy,
I think your thoughts are more accurate for the log quilt.
I have found quilts very similar to that one in PA.
Look at the cheddar’s. Very PA.
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:58:42 -0500 | From: “Nancy Roberts” <aquilter@>
Thought this might be of interest to the list. If you are able to be in the Ocala, Florida, area you might want to check out the following exhibit of African-American Quilts of Florida. The quilts are part of a collection of Jean Tyson, a former antiques merchant in Micanopy, Florida. Beginning in 1985, when she and her husband moved to Florida, they began to collect quilts made by African Americans. There are 30+ quilts in the exhibit to be held at the Webber Center Gallery on the campus of Central Florida Community College, Hwy. 200, Ocala. Dates are Feb. 23-April 1. Opening day events include a lecture by quilt artist and poet Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney at 12:15 PM and an opening reception from 5-8 PM featuring music and poetry. In addition, several gallery walks with Jean Tyson will be held. You’d need to call for dates on those. Contact info: Joleen Gonzalez, CFCC, 352-854-2322, ext. 1664. Gallery hours are Tues-Fri 11 AM-5 PM; Sat. 10 AM- 2PM, admission is free.
The Tysons also collected paintings by The Highwaymen, African American artists from Florida who traveled around the state during the 1960s, painting and selling landscapes. I believe The Appleton Museum also in Ocala has some of these. A web search might give you more info.
I had an opportunity to see some of the quilts during hanging and I’m quite excited about the exhibit. These quilts are worth seeing. Hope you’ll be able to visit. Nancy Roberts
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:56:44 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
This is not quilt related—so far. But possibly interesting to some.
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities web site includes a site where people have been invited to tell their own hurricane stories. There, one gets a sense of the real.
http://www. hurricanearchive.org
Gail
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:49:44 EST | From: JKusnitz@
Hi, I hope you all can help me. A client brought me this quilt saying it was inherited by her son from a great aunt. She didn’t know anything about it but the woman was from upstate NY. It is about 81×83″, machine pieced, hand quilted inside each square with about 4 stitches per inch and knife edge finished. Upon closer inspection of the edges, I noticed a spot where there was a possible tag that was cut off. The woman thinks it was hand made but I doubt it. I don’t know if it was hand quilted when the great aunt got it or if it was done after purchase. The pattern of pieced blocks is repeated across the quilt. It kind of reminds me of that “Turning Twenty” pattern made of fat quarters that is available now. The fabrics are “sateeny” and very pilled. Some of the fabrics have a machine stippling design on the surface in different colorways of rose, burgundy, silver, and taupe.The gold fabric has a white paisley design that has worn off in some spots. My question is, have any of you seen a quilt like this and if so is it possible to date from these fabrics. I will post pictures on eboard.
thanks, Helene Kusnitz on Long Island
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 18:21:02 EST | From: Kaytriplet@
http://www.unionstation.org/exhibitDetail.cfm?listingID177
Barbara Brackman is speaking on the UGRR and quilts at the KC museum
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 21:33:22 -0500 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
This isnt totally quilt related, but sorta, and since you are a couple of thousand of my closest friends, I am dying to tell you about my weekend. Every year my small rural north FL community has a MAJOR reenactment of the war of northern aggression that took place a few miles up the road. People come from all over the country to reenact the battle. I’ve been out of town appraising quilts on this date for many years, so I havent participated in a long time. But I was home this year, and had the joy of participating in a drama called “Angels of Mercy.”
We have a local museum located in an old home in the historical district. We staged a nighttime drama by candlelight and kerosene lamps in an attempt to let people see the result of the local battle – after the actual battle, every house in town was filled with dead and dying soldiers from both sides. The guests were escorted to the wide front porch where several women (including moi) sat tearing and rolling bandages along with two 13 year olds, one of whom is my granddaughter. We discussed lack of supplies, food, medicine, etc., and set the stage for the interior scenes. (This is all in first person, we are in 1863.)
Inside, there is a female surgeon (yes, we had one here for real) operating on a patient, with several other wounded soldiers waiting their turn. She is digging a bullet out of the side of the soldier, realism created by placing a huge steak on the guy’s belly – real blood, real slicing, doncha know (and did you know that vanilla pudding with rice grains makes a very nice pus with maggots?) When the surgeon’s bloody hands remove a bullet and drop it into a dishpan, the local housewife who is attempting to help with the surgery gets hysterical, drops her tray, and runs to the room next door, where five or six wounded soldiers lay in the floor. She is comforted by a matronly type who, through her speech, gives more historical detail about the battle that has just been fought. One nurse is quietly singing hymns as she wipes the brow of the soldiers near her.
As the guests cross the wide hallway, they see a homemade coffin draped with a Confederate flag – draped, also, with a wailing widow. (That poor gal cried all night long, and I would have felt sorry for her, but her widow’s weeds were just too gorgeous – what a veil!!!) The next room has four soldiers, and a beautiful young woman reading bible verses to the wounded. One of the soldiers requests that she read a letter from his Mom – and he dies while she reads it. She reaches over and kisses him gently on the forehead, and says “This is from your Mama.” By then, there isn’t a dry eye in the house!!!!!! There is also a soldier in the hallway playing softly on a dulcimer.
So, guests are taken out the kitchen door to the back yard, where stretcher bearers and gravediggers are hard at work, graves and shrouded bodies everywhere – and a couple of ghosts, one of whom is a soldier who had just died and meets his dead Mommy on the way “to the light.”
Well, this is simplified, of course, but I am telling you, it was magical. It was so real – and truly helped people to realize that the battle we commemorate wasn’t about funnel cakes (You see the first thing on my list!!) and kiddie rides and parades – it was death – horrible, painful, heartbreaking death. Hundreds of people attended, and it was just wonderful. I didn’t’ work too hard, but a lot of other people worked on this drama for months on end. This drama was written by one gentlemen, by the way, and was his dream, so I guess I have to make some sort of disclaimer here. *no copying.* How was that??
To make this quilt related, during the drama we did not make eye contact nor interact with the guests, so the next day we were on hand at the museum to answer questions and just be “people at the house.” I sat on the front porch in an old rocker, with my antique sewing implements and hand pieced on a quilt that is a repro of one I saw years ago. I cut out the pieces – a few thousand million itty bitty triangles – in 1999, and thought this was the perfect time to get started on this piecing!
As I sat there, looking absolutely stunning in my wonderful period dress of black-ground wallpaper striped fabric with madder paisley and tiny white cuffs and collar – complete with an authentic Civil War brooch of woven human hair and jet stones- and my heavy, long blond platinum locks parted in the center and held back with a snood – and my enormous hoops letting in rushes of fresh breeze underneath mountains of petticoats – ah, it was glorious. I realized that I was the most perfectly content of any time within recent memory. Sitting there in the breeze, greeting guests to the museum, and hand piecing brought the most calming, restorative, amazing peace.
Any of yall who know me know that I am laughing hysterically at the “absolutely stunning” description of myself! NOT TRUE!! But – I can tell you that wearing period clothing honestly transforms you in a way. Your posture, your bearing, your demeanor changes somehow. As we walked the downtown festival, hoops swaying gracefully, posing for photos, I caught glimpses of this woman in store windows, and was stunned to see that she made the same moves as I. Had it been sepia toned, I would have felt as if I had entered the twilight zone!
I have spent every spare moment since Christmas making the clothing for my granddaughter and myself. I cussed, I fussed, I fumed, I kicked the dog after re-setting the sleeves for the third time —- and it was all worth it this weekend. One final note and I’ll let yall go – this wonderful fabric that I used for my dress was the envy of all the gals there who knew period textiles. I found it in my quilt stash – twelve yards of vintage Peter Pan that was just too perfect. Most everyone else wore plaids – I was the lone wearer of a striped format print. So smug, doncha know??? Teddy Pruett, in war-torn north Florida.
Teddy Pruett Currently Craving A Cultured Existence www.teddypruett.com
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:25:52 -0500 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>
Good evening all, I am catching up on posts and notice that no one actually tried to answer the question of whether the “outsider” artist’s quilt was “worth” the large sum of money it was being sold for. I have been thinking a lot about that question recently, as I have been asked to second guess the work of another professional, so I will try and answer. I have been given the assignment of providing a second opinion on a quilt that was appraised by someone whose reputation I am familiar with – and whom I respect. I have reviewed the file on the piece and the two page description, professional condition report, and the valuation – but other than the value conclusion, there were no comparables offered to support the conclusion. I have as much information as my professional colleague except I have not actually handled the piece – but the photographs are very good and very clear and no attempt has been made to sugar coat any flaws. Suffice to say that the provenance on the piece is important. I was trained by the American Society of Appraisers and theirs is the methodology that I will use to ESTIMATE the value of the quilt.( None of us is clairvoyant) I have been asked to provide the Fair Market Value: a made up figure that supposes a willing buyer and willing seller doing business with no unspoken or unrevealed information – nothing withheld. A hypothectical “in a perfect world” scenario that reveals (according to the IRS) what the intrinsic value of the piece is. In order to figure out what this value might be, I first evaluate the quilt as it relates to other similar pieces: condition, design, execution, provenence.( Mid 19th c. applique to mid-19th c applique, etc) Then I will decide which “market” it should be evaluated in.(antique, vintage, celebrity, etc) In the case of this piece, I will also look to see if it is more than “a quilt” and if I should look for comparables in the arena of “Americana” or American Decorative Arts/folk art. So as Laura pointed out, it could conceivably be compared to a weathervane, or hand crafted pottery – or whatever. When I feel that I have located several comparables, I then zero in on three or four that I feel are the closest to reflecting the same value characteristics as the piece in question. These may all be quilts – or they may be found in other areas of the decorative arts ( in this case) – or in the “outsider art” world ( in the case of the earlier discussed quilt). The point here is that “decorative art” apples are compared to “decorative art” apples and not to “craft” apples. If this was a garment, I would determine if it was an icon of “Haute Couture Fashion” or if it was an icon of “historic clothing”. A Channel suit from 1928 cannot be compared to a gentleman’s wool broadcloth suit of c 1780. Once I determine what market I need to research, then I delve into that market – what makes the buyers buy? who are they? what is their motivation? Many buyers of historic Americana, for instance, are upwardly mobile professionals looking to diversify thier investment portfolios. However, they are afraid of the art market as they do not understand it (few do) but they feel that they do understand American history. So as there will never be another strand of Jackie Kennedy’s pearls – or General Washington’s letters, etc, it is a “safe” investment. There is no emotion in their purchase, no real love of the object. None of these guys would rescue a quilt from the roadside! If my comparables were sold in an auction setting I try and find out what was happening in the auction room – was there a feud between two collectors? Was there an uninitiated, first time, buyer who wanted the piece “come hell or high water?” Was the weather bad – keeping some key people away? I was in the room, some 3 years ago, when one nice, but ordinary c 1890 dress went for 5 times the price of six virtually indentical lots – except this one dress was a size 20 – and the two dealers bidding were each that size! Then and only then, do I come to a value conclusion. I write up my opinion and how I got here. I explain all the steps I took. I compare the piece to the others and how it does and does not fit. The value estimate comes out of that analysis. I don’t generally have any idea of what that value will be – it comes out of the analysis. So, when I and my colleagues help out local charites by doing “quilt appraisals” for $5.00 – are you getting your money’s worth? Certainly – because 95% of the quilts we look at are easily classifiable. We know what things are selling for ( just like I used to know how much each brand of disposable diaper sold for some 20 years ago… We keep up with the market) They are then comparing apples to apples, or pears to pears, Depression GFG to Depression GFG. The outsider artist’s quilt is not so easily classified. The question you must ask is: ( and I think Gail did) is this quilt part of the body of her work as an artist? – or did she just stitch on a quilt to keep her hands busy while she was being a docent(?) at an histoiric site.? Only then can you evaluate the asking price. I hope this helps explain why some quilts sell for way more than others. Newbie Richardson
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 19:23:07 -0800 (PST) | From: Joni Branscome <dechintabooks@>
Thank you for sharing that! I really enjoyed it.
I just joined this list and it’s nice to see a Floridian here! I moved here from Tampa. I grew up here in northwest Alabama, but lived in Tampa for several years. I’m not sure what part of Florida you live in…other than north. I used to like the area around Mayo, up in there.
I looked briefly at your website and want to check it out some more later on when I have time. I LOVE the Fractured Wedding Ring quilt! That is the sort of quilts I want to create when I finally get around to DOING something. I love traditional quilts, but lean more towards the whimsical, artistic quilts. You combine the two! I like it! I can’t wait to spend some more time on your website.
My “thing” is yoyo quilts, but I’m thinking of buying a modified long arm quilting machine thing…a Janome machine and a NewJoy frame, if anyone knows what that is. I really don’t know what on earth I’m doing, but I know WHAT I want to do, if that makes any sense. I have always had a fascination for quilts and wanted to do more, but always worked a gazillion hours a week and never had time to do anything, but then I became disabled, lost everything I owned and had to move back to my hometown. I was kind of lost and dazed for a while, but I’m getting better and this time off has been wonderful for my spirit and it has gotten me back into quilts. I’ve been in a quilt guild for a couple of years and just “absorbed” everyone else’s work, but now that I’m feeling better, I am doing more of my own stuff, or starting to.
Anyway, your post was a terrific beginning of my stay here! Thanks! I just developed an interest in the history aspect of quilting after watching a public television thing on some women in South Alabama…Gee’s Bend, I think is the place. I love getting involved in the historical romance of a place, but I live in Alabama. I could find nothing about Alabama that didn’t make me ashamed. However, after watching that documentary, it hit me that my interest in quilts was my way I could embrace my heritage somehow…through quilts. In spite of all the horrendous things that happened here, creativity and love did shine through in the quilts. Both my grandmothers quilted…more out of necessity than a desire, but still. It inspires me that, in the midst of depression, people could take “leftovers,” so to speak, and create beautiful, warm heirlooms.
Well, didn’t mean to ramble on, but brevity is not my strong suit. About me, I’m 45 years old, living alone in a big old two story frame house that I LOVE. I just moved here in December and it is my dream house. I am trying to fix it up a little at a time as time, money and energy permits. I have really bad arthritis and fibromyalgia, depression and panic attacks, but I had gastric bypass surgery in August and have lost almost 100 lbs. so am getting around much better and am feeling better, so life is looking up! I still have a long way to go, but I’m getting there. I don’t have any children or pets (I’m allergic to both.) I do have family in the area who live just a few blocks away, my elderly parents and a sister and her family.
That’s probably more than you all ever wanted to know about me, but wanted to introduce myself and tell Teddy that I enjoyed the post!
Hugs to all, Joni
Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:26:55 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Oh Teddy Pruitt, you wore a snood (Never mind the hair jewelry: it’s actually making a comeback and I know a place one can have a piece constructed to her custom order)! A snood. Just like Melanie Wilkes. I ‘swan!
Only today I was perusing the catalog from Vermont Country Store and spent considerable time over the 2 snoods offered therein. Not that I planned to purchase one, of course, but I just had never paid much attention to snoods. Remembered seeing pictures of them in thirties and early forties movies, but that’s not like seeing one in real life. So I truly oggled these two snoods. The catalog even provided instructions for donning their snoods.
Did you feel at all like Melanie Wilkes when you wore your snood?
I shall never eat vanilla pudding again!
Gail
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 23:31:10 -0500 | From: “Karen Evans”
They’re pretty common at SCA events, actually…it’s a reasonably good way to camouflage short hair if one does not wish to wear a veil or head cloth of some sort. I tried it a few times but my hair is too long, so I switched to veils about five years ago.
And yes, I felt like I was in GWTW the first time I wore one….:)
Karen Evans aka Mistress Sarah Davies in the SCA
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 09:03:14 +0200 | From: adi hirsh <adamroni@>
Thank you Teddy for ths wonderful description – almost as good as actually being there. As for snoods – over here they’re quite popular among orthodox Jewish women. Observant women are required to cover their hair after marriage, and while the older generation and the stricter Orthodox Jews still prefer wigs, the younger and more “with it” sects (I suppose I have to call them that – different schools of Jewish thought, with their own leaders and rabbinical courts) prefer a snood. You can actually tell them apart by their headgear – the less strict would wear a crocheted snood that you can see the hair through, usually decorated with beads or crocheted motifs, and leaving the hair above the forhead exposed. Women belonging to a stricter sect would wear a fabric snood that completely coves their hair, while young and trendier women prefer snoods made of bandana fabric, ot some exotic oriental silk shawls which they tie in some complex fashion to form a snod. Funnily, until th is post I never equated their snoods with 19th century feminine headgear. Now I shall think of GWTW whenever I see an orthodox woman with her hair in a snood 🙂 Ady in Israel
