March 13 – 18, 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:
- Patents, Copyrights, and Quilt Patterns — The patent thread widens to copyright questions, including public domain rules and publishing a sunflower pattern.
- Von Gwinner and Books on Worldwide Patchwork — Members compare Schuppe von Gwinner and Averil Colby with newer books such as Quilted Planet and recommend where to find them.
- Kaleidoscope and Double Wedding Ring Histories — A dealer asks when the Kaleidoscope pattern first appeared, and members point to books and offer notes on a Double Wedding Ring variation.
- A Missing Victorian Motto Quilt — A dealer reports a borrowed quilt missing after a Nashville exhibit, and members point to lostquilt.com and eBay watching.
- Naming a Palampore Bed Hanging — A guild member asks about a bedcover found in donated estate fabric, and members explain palampores and their likely age. (see the article on caring for antique quilts)
- Kansas City Star Patterns and Their Rights — Members ask who holds rights to the Kansas City Star quilt patterns and where the old columns can be found.
From: “Sharon in NC”
Yes a technique can be patented. A very good recent example is the “Cotton Theory”.. The drawbacks.. Teachers will not pay the exorbitant fees she requires to be able to “teach her methods”…Also the patent itself is online so anyone who wishes to can go there and learn the technique free of charge. There has also been much discussion concerning the issues of age of technique and viability of enforcement. Bottom line I have not seen any designer other than this one get a patent. The time and expense is very high and it is a big turnoff to teachers who can be very advantageous to selling and promoting a designers patterns. I believe you are a member of the quilt designers and can find tons of discussion there concerning this very topic in the archives.
Sharon
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:28:22 EST | From: RAGLADY@
Thanks for the reply, Sharon. The “Cotton Theory” is, of course, what I was referencing in my prior message. I knew I had seen discussions about this subject, but couldn’t recall what list it was on. I’ll do some searching the Q-designers list … and will do some online searching for the information on the patent itself.
Gloria raglady@
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:10:11 EST | From: RAGLADY@
Thanks Christine for this link to Betty Cotton’s patent. I went and finis hed
my spaghetti sauce while it was loading <grin>
Interesting reading – but it still leaves me puzzled as to why a patent was issued for a technique that has been in use for many years.A0 She certainly laid out her case with lots of details and pictures. I presume it was the fact that she named a specific part of the technique ie the flat fell seam?? I recall doing that type of seam as a senior in HS in HomeEc when making a jac ket and that was 40 years ago.A0
Another question – does anyone know what effect, if any, her patent has had on other designers who have long used the same type of technique.
I appreciate all of the responses and information sent; thank you.
Gloria raglady@
From: “Quilting Mite”
While I do not know if patent should or should not have been issued, I do know from looking at what she does, it is Not the traditional flat fell seam. A flat fell seam is flat, the fold is sewn down. What Cotton Theory does is leave the fold loose and sew over the original seam.
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:14:48 -0500 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
Maybe the name of the group should be Fran’s Vintage Fun. I had so much fun in Bird-in-Hand, PA over the weekend that I needed all day yesterday to recover. On Friday it was necessary to turn a 3 hour drive into seven hours of antiquing and fabric shopping. The FVF banquet made sure that we were all well-fed and happy by the time of Polly Mello’s presentation “Humor and the Macabre Needle Arts.” Polly is Texas’ answer to Teddy Pruett when it comes to setting a scene. She had decorated the meeting room with spider webs, Halloween lights, a smoke (mist) machine, spooky music. When she began showing quilts she directed her holders to “Move the tarantula off the plastic bins.” This is the talk you want to hear if you’re looking for a different slant on American needlework. For example there’s the lovely appliqué album quilt with a block featuring a tombstone and weeping willow and the inscription “In memory of the dead” and scrappy Stars quilt with embroidered names and the explanation “All in heaven. Polly is fond of unusual animals. Her creepy silk rat pillow was a big hit, as were the obi embroidered with owls and pumpkins, the flower basket adorned with appliquéd owls and the Prince’s Feather quilt with appliquéd whales in the border. She showed us many Snake quilts and lots of conventional designs in unexpected colors, especially orange. A truly jarring orange and black Irish chain may well have belonged to a loyal Princeton alum (even I who love orange can think of no other explanation). This feast for the eyes was accompanied by dramatic reading culminating with Edward Gorey’s Ghastly Crumb Tinies and the awarding of the coveted chocolate coffin. Saturday morning Peggy Armstrong was bracketed by the Cawley twins-separated-at-birth. I talked about “Quilts 1900-1950: Commerce, Contest and Celebrities” Suzanne’s talk “A Century of Calico: Children’s Clothing 1850-1950” combined a power point presentation of images from her collection of vintage photographs showing the evolution of children’s dress with the real stuff. I love it when my friends go off on a collecting tangent and I can go along for the ride. Suzanne has taught me a lot lately about coverlets, photography and vintage clothing. Peggy shared her collection of “Early Children’s Sewing Machines.’ I should have counted. There must have 40 or 50 including some owned by Dawn Heefner. This is a subject about which until Saturday I knew absolutely nothing and it was fascinating. We had a four hour lunch and shopping break which we put to good use blitzing the Farmer’s Market for chili dogs and candy and then appointing Barb Garrett as our leader set out to make a major contribution to the economy of Lancaster Co. The proprietor of first whop we stopped at in the aptly named village of Paradise appeared dazed by our onslaught. He kept muttering something like “I didn’t expect this until the quilt show” (Quilter’s Heritage Celebration, no doubt). I found a Centennial bandana (I’ve been looking for one for ages), a Delectable Mountains quilt (1880) and a pieced crib coverlet (1870). At 4 p.m Phyllis Twigg did a great presentation on advertising trade cards, “Buy Me:I’m Best.” Phyllis did the best power point presentation I’ve ever seen. I’m not just talking about the bells and whistles like the cascading letters of her name or the sound effects (although that was pretty impressive). Too often presenters insist on reading their bullets. I know how to read,thank you. Phyllis used the images on the screen and the bullets as taking off points to provide more information. This was the perfect way to allow a large group close up views of the small cards. After dinner with an Amish family we had the second round of show and tell. Everybody had new stuff from the afternoon’s shopping. Debby Cooney started off Sunday morning with “Mason v. Dixon?: Cradle Quilt of PA, MD, 1830-1900.” What a treat to see so many lovely baby quilts at once and of so many different styles. Debby admitted that her favorite is a Frederick Co., MD chintz appliqué with graceful reverse appliqué laurel leaf borders. It is exquisite. My favorite might have been the Star of Bethlehem in low contrast chintzes reminiscent of the Savery quilts of Philadelphia, but then I always like Pennsylvania quilts best. Seeing a single one of these treasure would be enough to gladden a quilters heart, 30 of them in an hour causes palpitations. Dawn Heefner took us all along on the “Textile Tour of France” which Deb Roberts is offering again in September. After tantalizing us with her beautiful slides she showed us the fruits of her shopping excursions. Wow! Seeing large chunks of chintz is pretty exciting (I think chunks is a technical term in France-G). Dawn really likes the purples. It was the next best thing to being there. The final installment was the Plenary Session organized by Mary Perini. One question asked for suggestions for responding to the dreaded UGRR Code presented as fact in the public library. I think we did a good job in coming up with some interesting suggestions (most have which have surfaced before on QHL). We also discussed the lack of interest in quilt history and resistance to history programs in our quilt guilds. We could have gone on for a long time, but Mary runs a tight ship and we ended right on time allowing a leisurely drive home (via a different route with shops I had not visited on Friday). Thank you Fran for inspiring this wonderful group. We are lucky! Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:13:59 -0500 | From: Lloyd E Miller <lemillernycap.@>
This list is always so great with answers.
I believe from what I can find on copyright that 19th century quilts are in the public domain, and thus I would think can be replicated without infringement. Does ownership by a museum change this in anyway? I would want to give credit, of course, and so far anything I’ve done is only for my own use, but are there limitations if one doesn’t actually own the antique quilt on how it can be reproduced and used?
Thanks to you all.
Linda Miller
—
Thank you QHL – I have found the perfect solution to get back to sleep (having one of those nights!). Read (or try to!) and understand the Cotton patent on making seams! It sure has got me ready to head back to that nice warm bed! I have seen a lot of patents in my life, but this one is the topper of understandability (I know this is really not an accepted word in our vocabulary but……it works). Guess I will have to go back to Quilting 101 and start over, or better yet Home Economics class (circa 1950) and study harder. Mitz from VT where Spring is trying hard to come, but where the robins are back!
(http://www.smileycentral.com/?partnerZSzeb001_ZS) ps- I really enjoy this site!
From: Margareta.Faust@
Pat L. Nickols wrote: “Where else did we find dated world-wide examples of patchwork, appliqué and quilting”.
Last year Celia Eddy’s Quilted Planet was published in Britain. It contains lots of beautiful quilts from all five continents, as well as modern quilts they’ve inspired It’s available for you accross the ocean at amazon.com, in case you’re not familiar with it yet.
Margareta in Europe
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 06:18:02 -0500 | From: “Karen Evans”
At the time of its publication, however, von Gwinner’s book was just about it. It and Averil Colby’s landmark book are still just about the only things in print in America that give much information on pre-colonial European quilting, alas….
Karen Evans
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 08:09:01 -0600 | From: “Charlotte Bull” <charlou@>
I am sorry if this is repetitive information, but in clearing out old files last night (an ongoing result of moving!) I came across a clipping.
Subheaded: Decor Headlined: For Sale: Replicas of Famous Quilt
The opening paragraph said “For $800 you can own a Harvest Sun quilt….” Then it went on to explain that this was from the Smithsonian collection, but that a group of West Virginia quilters had been hired to stitch 50 queen-size reproductions which would be sold through Land’s End. The article included info on the original quilt and also mentioned that it would be the 5th quilt reproduced. The article also said that the previous 4 quilts had “ignited controversy because the hand-quilting was done overseas.” The final paragraph revealed that another quilt (6th) was to be reproduced by Amish quilters in Ohio and would be sold in the following year.
I am so sorry that I did not date this clipping! But it would have been from the News-Leader in Springfield, MO. I thought that this might be of general interest to some of you. I don’t think that they had quite gotten the point of the true controversy about multiple reproductions of our heirlooms! Just hiring American quilters certainly did not solve the problems, did it?
Sunny Day. Tornados by-passed me. I’m glad my quilts survived – again. I worry more about them and my cats & dogs than I do my house or car! cb ——_NextPart_000_0028_01C64807.B8132070–
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 09:00:59 -0600 | From: “Kim Baird” <kbaird@>
I was pleasantly surprised to find Quilted Planet in Barnes & Noble. It is one of an increasing number of books that actually contain FACTS about quilts, not myths. The research done by scholars and groups such as AQSG is finally filtering into the mainstream.
Great book–you should add it to your libraries.
Kim —–Original Message—– From: Margareta.Faust@ Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5:03 AM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] RE: Schuppe Von Gwinner book Last year Celia Eddy’s Quilted Planet was published in Britain. It contains lots of beautiful quilts from all five continents, as well as modern quilts they’ve inspired It’s available for you accross the ocean at amazon.com, in case you’re not familiar with it yet.
Margareta in Europe
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 10:06:24 -0600 | From: “Karen Musgrave” <KarenMusgrave@>
The Alliance for American Quilts www.centerforthequilt.org ) eBay auction has a very interesting wool quilt c1920 made from Indian blankets, another wool crazy quilt c1900 from New Mexico, a c1880-1900 split square doll quilt and a copy of the OOP “Quilts An American Heritage” and lots of fabric. You can check it out by going to http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZalliancequilts or search by our seller’s name- alliancequilts.Your purchases also benefit a great organization which is doing incredible things for quilts. New auctions are posted every Sunday. Happy bidding and thanks for the support.
All the best, Karen Musgrave Join us! Become a member and get advance news on our auctions AND help preserve our great quilt heritage. www.centerforthequilt.org
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:02:53 -0500 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
I just got a notice from Amazon. What does anybody know about these books: Quilts of the Ohio Western Reserve by Ricky Clark Threading the Generations: A Mississippi Family’s Quilt Legacy by Mary Elizabeth johnson and Carol Vickers Salt Lake City 14th Ward Album Quilt, 1857 by Carol Holindrake Nelson
Which of them do I need to order? Input please.] Cinda on the windy Eastern shore
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:18:46 EST | From: NataliePM@
I was just watching a quilt show on QVC (shopping channel) and they had an imported quilt-Trip Around the World with a center applique medallion -and it had a separate applied binding. Be aware!
Natalie Masker
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 9:35:04 -0800 | From: <suereich@>
I received a copy of this book already. Although the book was just published last year, it follows a quilt exhibit that Ricky Clark had at Oberlin about three or four years ago when Ohio celebrated its Bicentennial. It speaks to the migration patterns of the people from Connecticut who settled Ohio, thus explaining the name Western Reserve. The towns in this part of Ohio resemble Connecticut towns with their greens and white-steepled churches. Their place names echo the names of families and towns from Connecticut. This is where I lived when we were first married, plus all of my children are “Buckeyes” by birth. When we moved from Ohio to Connecticut, it was much like coming home. It is a great choice! sue reich
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 13:19:11 -0500 | From: “Bobbi Finley” <bobbi_finley@>
If you’ll be in Virginia this year, you will want to see Quilts of the Old Dominion, an exhibit of quilts from the quilt documentation book of Virginia, due out later this year. The exhibit opens this Saturday, March 18, 2006 and runs through December 3, 2006. The exhibit features quilts made in Virginia before 1900, selected by a committee of the Virginia Consortium of Quilters. The quilts will be on view on a rotating basis, each displaying twenty quilts: First Rotation, March 18-May 31, Second Rotation, June 1-August 30, and Third Rotation, September 1-December 3, 2006. See the website below for more information, including the location in Richmond.
Bobbi
http://www.vahistorical.org/exhibits/exhibits_upcoming.htm<http://www.vah istorical.org/exhibits/exhibits_upcoming.htm>
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 09:13:22 EST | From: AnnieLB@
I am not familiar with the Cotton Theory. Will you explain it to me? Annie Barnes
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 08:37:21 -0700 | From: “Cindy Hamilton” <cvermillion2@>
Re: Copyright question
Since we’re on copyright questions again, I would like opinions about the legality of publishing a sunflower sampler quilt I designed. I redrafted blocks from several patterns published in 1920s and 30s newspapers and magazines, and needlework pamphlets. One block of each is in the sampler, and it provides a great assortment of sunflower blocks that are now accuragely drafted for hand piecing. Do I need to contact each source, if it is still in business, such as the Kansas City Star, to ask permission to use my redraft of the familiar pattern? Or can I assume that because I have redrafted, resized, and presented them in a new format it is legal for me to publish my new pattern? Cindy V. Hamilton Pagosa Springs, CO, where we finally got SNOW!
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:24:18 -0800 | From: “Christine Thresh” <christine@>
Cindy asked about copyrights. Stanford has a page about public domain. It states that anything published before January, 1923 is now in the public domain. See: http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter8/8-a.html
Christine Thresh
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 09:55:06 -0500 | From: “Kathy” <kjb139@>
I am interested in finding out if anyone knows whether or not there was a common size of diameter for the double rings which were made back in the 30’s and how big the pieces were. I’ve noticed in many books that the sizes of the individual pieces seem to vary as well as the diameter of the rings. Kathy B
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:30:23 -0500 | From: “Linda Heminway” <ibquiltn@>
As copyright info is being discussed, just want to relate a situation that happened to me about a year or so ago. I was approached (watch it when you are a known quilter!) by a woman at my church who offered to pay me to finish a quilt. She took one quilting class and when she got home, she just couldn’t figure out how to do this pattern. She lost interest, was overwhelmed and laid the project aside, but wanted to see it completed – even if not by herself. It was a tessellation pattern with light and dark pinwheels and I know I’ve seen it before. At any rate, I didn’t have the finishing instructions only the part with how to do the blocks and when I tried to put it together, I was perplexed as to how to end the tesselations. I phoned the shop and was put in touch with the teacher. She “blasted” me that I was working on HER quilt and it was a copywrite infringement and that only those who paid for and took her class should be making that. I apologized to her, and said that all I was doing was helping (as I said I’d do it as a favor and not for pay, this woman is a dear person with many family problems) a lady complete her project and this woman did, in fact, start her class but didn’t come to subsequent classes. She was rather rude and suggested that I take her class in order to complete the quilt. Well, I came up with a very nice way on my own and weather it was this woman’s idea or not, that is that. My thoughts were, afterward, is that quilters share pattens all the time and how could this woman possibly control who makes it after people leave her class. I actually (as she angered me) copied her pattern and kept it. I doubt I’ll ever make it one day, however, I did it kind of out of spite. Whoops! Am I admitting that I am not such a nice person saying that? : ) Oh well. Linda Heminway Plaistow NH
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 07:24:45 -0500 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
<<I am interested in finding out if anyone knows whether or not there was a common size of diameter for the double rings which were made back in the 30’s and how big the pieces were.>>
I can tell you the many ( many, many, many) I’ve appraised have been all over the place. Size of rings, size of segments, shape of rings. No standardization at all. I am certain there a few shajillion ladies that used the same pattern from KC Star or elsewhere, so of course there will be a lot that are the same. But my vote is for lots of variation. I have a DWR variation (top only, unfortunately) in which the segments are actually string pieced itsy bitsy bits. COOL!!!
Teddy Pruett I wanna be Superwoman when I grow up – and live in Colorado. www.teddypruett.com
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:03:13 -0800 (PST) | From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>
I saw a variation of a Double Wedding Ring pattern on eBay that I have never seen before. The rings are solid pink with little circles appliqued on the rings. There is also a flower appliqued in the center of the ring. It is really a very nice piece and the pattern is “very unusual” just as the seller says.
Search on this item # 7397445819.
C. Ark in NW Ohio where we have ice & snow everywhere…again.!
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:01:30 -0800 (PST) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
sI have had an inquiry about the history of the Kaleidoscope pattern from a writer covering the forthcoming exhibition at the Shleburne.
When did the Kaleidoscope pattern first appear? Was it published by Ladies Art or any other company. Were there more than one version published? All my books are still in boexes awaiting shevling in my library” room in my new shop, sp……….thought asking all you knowledgeable researchers would be quicker!! thanks for the help.
Laura Fisher
From: Laura Fisher
years ago Bob Bishop wrote The Romance of the Double Wedding Ring quilt, don’t recall if he anaylzed the pattern by ring size, pieces per arch, or whatever, but I think there are examples there of a greater variety of looks than one might think.
Laura
From: Laura Fisher
Sad to report that I quilt I borrowed from a collector/dealer to include in the Nashville Heart of Country “Forget Me Not” exhibit I organized in memory of Libby Kramer, has not been returned to me. I hate to think that it has been stolen from the show, but I fear that is the only conclusion; everything else got returned. I have photos and close-ups which I will try to put on eBoard.
The quilt is a Victorian motto quilt, filled with sentimental and religious phrases. It is set out with an eight point star format in the center, with crazy quilt type embroidery everywhere, and wonderfully executed words: Abide with Me, Hope, Charity, Love , etc.
The interesting thing about it is the background silks have almost completly disintegrated, but the embroidery lettering and stitchery remained intact and bold, mostly in deep red thread. So to someone who doesn’t know, it looks like that work had been done on an invory cotton background, but there had beeen silk everywwhere originally. I displayed it despite the condition because the words lettering and format were so good.
I hope you can help find it. The owner (and I) are distraught–he planned to be buried with it, truly, that’s how much he loves it.
Do you all think someone might try to offer it on eBay?. I review eBay every once in a while, not regularly, so if someone spots it–please let me know so I can retrieve it. A colleague once got back a quilt she had bought at auction, but which was stolen from the auction room and then put on eBay, so vigilance can pay off.
Thanks for your help.
Laura Fisher
From: karenquilt@
From Barb Tricarico/QU DIGEST/Northern Virginia – March 15, 2006 via QHL member Karen Alexander
UPCOMING QUILT BOOK – Exciting news! A new book entitled, “Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899: Birth of America through the Eye of a Needle” will be out this summer or fall, just in time for Virginia’s 400th anniversary in 2007! The book is sponsored by the non-profit, state-wide Virginia Consortium of Quilters. The proceeds (after publication expenses) will go toward VCQ’s educational endeavors. Since America started in Jamestown, the book includes not only facts about Virginia, but our nation’s birth as well, through the eyes of our quiltermakers.
You’ll also recognize a few familiar Virginia names inside the book’s covers. The book’s Advisory Committee and co-authors include Hazel Carter, Bunnie Jordan, Paula Golden, Barbara Tricarico, Joan McGowan, and Chairperson, Maren Lindberg of Richmond. Jinny Beyer, wrote the book’s Foreword and Karen Alexander wrote one of the chapter introductions. Hundreds of quilters around the state spent years documenting these quilts in the 1980s, and the book project was revived just a couple years ago. There were so many people involved in the documentation project from its inception until the book’s fruition that it would take pages to acknowledge everyone! Thanks to all of you who had a hand in this project!
Over the last two years, the book advisory committee spent countless hours selecting and gathering quilts, photographing them, and writing. We think you’ll like what you see!! A cover quilt has already been chosen; the text “galleys” have been reviewed; and Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is now working on photo layout. Stay tuned for a webpage link announcing the pre-publication order form.
Many QU members fondly recall Quilt Documentation Days of the 1980s when over 3,000 Virginia quilts were documented by VCQ, with the help of individuals and quilt guilds in the state. ‘Quilts of Virginia’ will feature over 420 color and vintage photographs. You’ll be treated to quilted armor of the 17th century, plain and exquisite Virginia family quilts, and wonderful museum treasures. In fact, many museums and historic homes loaned us rare Virginia quilts for the book–some that may never be seen in an exhibit! We’ve included the work of slaves and freed women, First Ladies and every-day men and women quilters. Each of the eight Virginia-born U.S. presidents are represented (with works by their wives, mothers, and daughters). More than 35 states have already written books about their documented quilts, and Virginia will soon join them!
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 07:13:46 -0500 | From: “Linda Heminway” <ibquiltn@>
Just so you know, there is a special web site for missing quilts: http://www.lostquilt.com/ The quilt that was not returned from the show (hope it comes soon and was a mix-up) can be posted here. I periodically review what is on there as I like to keep quilts I have seen there in my mind so if I spot one, I can check back. Linda Heminway Plaistow NH
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 08:42:57 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
Someone recently donated several bags and boxes of fabric from an estate to our guild. While going through it all Thursday we found a large cotton piece that is 70 x90 ( I am sure of the 70 but it may be a bit larger than 90 since I can’t find my notes right now) It feels and looks like indigo, is in VERY good condition fabric feels strong. While the indigo sections are stiff feeling they don’t appear to be crocking. There are a few places that look like dye transfers from being folded, It is 2 pieces that have been sewn together down through the center, each 35 wide. On a corner on the back it is stamped “MADE IN BRITISH INDIA”. I have some pictures but can’t upload to the eboard. I uploaded instead into my webshots album. Several ladies wanted to make it into a quilt until I stepped up and explained it could have great value as is, can never be cleaned or washed, and we should consult those more knowledgeable about these types of textiles. Now the consensus seems to be if there is a collector interested they are willing to sell but I have no idea of value. So if you guys would please take a look and advise what we should do with this piece it would be appreciated. I would love to find a collector who would purchase it for a fair price and get it into hands that will fully appreciate its value. If you would like to see the original high definition photos I can email them privately. If you are located nearby and wish to see the piece feel free to email me and we can get together for you to view it. It is in the album Fabrics for sale. Sharon in NC http://community.webshots.com/user/sharonsews
From: “J. G. Row”
Sharon,
I can’t tell you anything about that wonderul “palampore” except to say it probably isn’t older than than third quarter 20th century — I think.
Looking around your site I am intrigued with your shank applique for circles. How clever!! What do you use as a filler — it looks pretty thick. Dime, penny, nickel, quarter? It seems you’d then get a puff or fold-down to cover the seam when the circle is finally pressed from the right side — not a bad thing — but also a perfect circle.
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@
> It is in the album Fabrics for sale. > Sharon in NC > http://community.webshots.com/user/sharonsews
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 12:27:46 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
Thanks Judy now I at least have a name for it. The box it was found in actually had feedsacks and 30’s yardage in it so I am fairly certain it is from the 30’s or 40’s. I wonder if a relative brought it back while serving overseas. I am going to go back to the lady who donated it if possible and see what kind of info I can get about the original owner. Any suggestions on where I should look for more info?
As for the shank appliqué…In the example I used a quarter. When you stretch it over a coin and appliqué along the bottom edge it lays perfectly flat once the coin is removed. The little bit of stretch is compensated with the width of the coin and you don’t get any puckering or drawing up that often happens with other types of appliqué. You can also use any size washers, buttons or flat objects that won’t bend. I have some oval, squashed pennies I plan on using in a bunch of grapes when I can find the time to get back to it.
Sharon in NC http://community.webshots.com/user/sharonsews
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 11:43:52 -0600 | From: “Kim Baird” <kbaird@>
From Wikipedia: A palampore is a type of hand-painted and mordant-dyed bed hanging that was made in India for the export market during the eighteenth century and very early nineteenth century. Only the wealthiest classes could afford to buy palampore; therefore, few examples have survived and are often quite valuable today. Palampore were primarily exported to Europe and to Dutch colonists in Indonesia and what was then called Ceylon.
A palampore was made using the kalamkari technique, whereby an artist drew designs on cotton or linen fabric with a kalam pen containing mordant and then dipped the textile in dye. The dye adhered to the cloth only where the mordant had been applied. This lengthy process had to be repeated for each color in the design. Small details were then painted by hand on the cloth after the dying process was completed. Palampore patterns were usually very complex and elaborate, depicting a wide variety of plants, flowers, and animals, including peacocks, elephants, and horses. Because a palampore was hand-created, each design is unique.
2 examples:
http://www.allentownartmuseum.org/gallery/textiles/india.html http://www.textilearts.com/india/19411in.html
Check your library for books on Indian textiles or history of textiles.
Kim
—
Actually my question is a two-part-er.
1) There is website which has PDF files of early KC Star block patterns scanned from the newspapers. Site owner says she had purchased the pattern clippings some years ago at an auction. The PDF files are free for anyone to download. The scanned patterns (so far) are all prior to 1940. Some pattern scans show a copyright notice at the bottom. ie Copyright: -date- The Kansas City Star – others do not.
From reading copyright info on the Stanford Univ. web site posted by Christine recently, I found this section: If a work was first published before 1964, the owner had to file a renewal with the Copyright Office during the 28th year after publication. No renewal meant a loss of copyright. If you plan on using a work that was published after 1922, but before 1964, you should research the records of the Copyright Office to find if a renewal was filed.
2) It is my general understanding that the blocks in Barbara Brackman’s book *Ency. Of Pieced Quilt Patterns are all public domain blocks. Many of the early Kansas City Star newspaper block patterns are shown in her book.
So — do the early KC block patterns from the newspaper fall into the public domain area? If so, what date(s) would be the cut-off as to copyright protected vs public domain.
Or perhaps my question should be: Does anyone know if The Kansas City Star renewed their copyrights for the early (prior to 1940) block/quilt patterns which were published in their newspapers?
Any help with the above would be very much appreciated
Gloria raglady@
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Doing some more checking, India was partitioned in August of 1947, and the British mandate ended then. So, it has to be before 1947.
Thanks for the info on the nickel applique. Another tool in my toolbox.
And now, off to work at the frame shop. We’ve framed items as large as your Indian piece, but dread it when they come in! The new items are hand painted rather than printed and although the work is meticulous and the result is beautiful, the fabric they are painted on is almost as thin as scrim.
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid judygrow@
Judith K. Grow Frames & Framers 162 Mercer Mall, Route 1 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-452-1091
From: RAGLADY@
One of the most frequently visited websites for free patterns is Marcia Hohn’s QuiltersCache.com … Hundreds, if not thousands, of online quilters visit her site daily. She does have a link on her site for notices about stolen quilts. http://www.quilterscache.com/StolenQuiltAlerts.html
Laura, perhaps you might want to contact Marcia and see if putting up a notice there would be appropriate. Marcia’s email address is: marcia AT quilterscache.com
Gloria raglady@
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 13:33:12 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
Gloria my understanding is all the KC patterns are in the public domain. There is a lady ( can’t think of her name right off) that has reproduced the full line of KC patterns in book format. Only her directions are copyrighted and not the blocks themselves because of the public domain issues. Again this has been addressed many times on the designers list and there are tons of copyright info there. Many there are very conversant in copyright and can answer questions. Sharon in NC
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Thanks Judy I have found several references but hadn’t narrowed that down enough to satisfy myself! This piece is intriguing… I haven’t found but a rare few photos on line. I am sure it was dyed after being cut into sections. You can tell very easily how the dye penetrated the raw edges much more than on into the piece.
Kim thanks for the article. I have printed it and a few more out to present to the guild.
Sharon in NC
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 13:43:38 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
Here is who you need to talk to… Groves Publishing Company P.O. Box 33068, Dept. QBD Kansas City, MO 64114 (816) 361-1505 or 888-983-4945
Sharon
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sI have had an inquiry about the history of the Kaleidoscope pattern from a writer covering the forthcoming exhibition at the Shleburne.
When did the Kaleidoscope pattern first appear? Was it published by Ladies Art or any other company. Were there more than one version published? All my books are still in boexes awaiting shevling in my library” room in my new shop, sp……….thought asking all you knowledgeable researchers would be quicker!! thanks for the help.
Laura Fisher
Laura, you probably have in your stash of books the excellent volume that Sumpter Priddy wrote, published in 2004, called American Fancy. His chapter 4 is devoted to the invention, about 1814, and influence of the Kaleidoscope.
Also you should talk to Hazel Carter and Bunnie Jordan who have studied the quilt in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society that is attr. to Martha Ellicott and, from an attached note, thought to have been made c.1839. I know this is not directed to your question about published patterns, but this whole Kaleidoscope discussion is one that I find fascinating. Trish Herr
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Thanks Sharon for the information in both of your messages.
Gloria raglady@ Sharon wrote: Gloria my understanding is all the KC patterns are in the public domain. There is a lady ( can’t think of her name right off) that has reproduced the full line of KC patterns in book format. Only her directions are copyrighted and not the blocks themselves because of the public domain issues. Again this has been addressed many times on the designers list and there are tons of copyright info there. Many there are very conversant in copyright and can answer questions. Sharon in NC
