December 1 – 6, 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:
- Shaker and Quaker Silk Quilts — Members discuss silk plaid quilts from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, silk taffeta and Cheney Brothers, Pleasant Hill handkerchiefs, and a dated 1863 Quaker silk quilt.
- The 1718 Coverlet — Members share the Quilters’ Guild page on the 1718 silk coverlet, the British Quilt Study Group’s issue on it, and how it changes ideas about early patchwork.
- Bundling Quilts — Palampore asks whether a “bundling quilt” really existed, and Candace Perry, Karen Evans, Pat Cummings and Joan Kiplinger weigh in, with an Amish view from Ohio.
- Paisley Shawls and Fabric Fade — Sandra Munsey asks about old paisley wool, Newbie Richardson explains shawl history, and Judy White reports on the discontinued Fabric Fade product.
- Comforts and Little Dutch Girl Magazines — Kathy Moore asks for late nineteenth-century references to “comforts” and “comfortables,” and Pepper Cory offers Little Dutch Girl magazines.
- A 1940s Basket Quilt or an Import? — Ark Quilts, Dana Balsamo and Beth Davis judge an eBay appliqué basket quilt that may be an import instead of a 1940s piece.
From: Laura Fisher
I have been trying to have at least one good chuckle a day, as I have been feeling under the weather here in raw wet NYC, and today I got it with the Quilter’s Muse site. As I went to read about Shaker quilts, of which I thought there were a few ordinary silk crazies, nothing distinctive, I saw all the links to the right side of the page, one of which leads to cocktail shakers. The visual image I got of Shakers shaking shakers ………….thanks.
Laura Fisher
p.s. Did you all know that the American Folk Art Museum has now hung Amish quilts, from all the communities, in their satellite gallery at Lincoln Square? Unfortunately, they will not be announcing or publicizing this ($$ problems) and the quilts are on sort of semi permanent, open ended display til they figure out what to do with that space.
If list members would write the Museum requesting they devote the space primarily to quilt, exhibitions, I know AFAM would earn more $$$, possibly even get new members, and please everyone who comes to town wanting to know where to see quilts.
Though I moved and have more space including even a separate quilt room, and I welcome you all, my shop hours are limited, no Saturdays, as is my wall space, and to see them still requiresunfolding.
Dr. Maria Connelli, Director American Folk Art Museum 45 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 01:35:52 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
I am always happy to give someone a good laugh. I need to clarify one thing though. The “Gaagle” ads are not hand selected by me. Some computer robot, not even a human, chose to plug in an ad for cocktail shakers, upon detecting the word “Shakers.”
So, I can’t take the credit for making you laugh, Laura.
On the other hand, all of the amazon ads are placed, manually, by me.
I hope that you enjoyed the product of our hard labor, that is, the article.
I went out of my way to include a Bibliography for the more scholarly of the group who might want to enjoy reading more on this fascinating topic.
Isn’t it ironic? My first paid article was one on “Temperance Quilts,” and not a drop of liquor passes my lips. Too funny that an ad of that type would be added. Thanks for pointing it out. The image is a comical one, if only for the surprise factor.
My best,
Pat
From: Ark Quilts
There was a “vintage appliqued basket quilt 1940 very beautiful” sold this week on eBay by crazyhorsetraders. The starting bid was $125 and the item # is 110059932337.
This looks like an imported quilt to me. Those of you on the list who have kept clippings or know someone who has, would you look at the color photos for this item & let me know what your assessment is? I will look for a specific citation this weekend but additional help would be appreciated. This seller claims it is an antique quilt.
Thank you-C. Ark in NW Ohio
From: Dana Balsamo
Hi Connie, It doesn’t look like it sold. He has another one listed, that does not look 1930s either, 50s at the earliest, maybe even 60s. My best, Dana
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 13:51:00 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
Laura,
>>The visual image I got of Shakers shaking shakers ………….thanks
I use Gaagle Ads too. Most of the time they do a pretty good job of selecting ads about quilting or other related topics but since they are not selected by a person but by a computer some are a bit off especially when a word has more than one meaning. The funniest one I’ve found on my site was on a page about Log Cabin Quilts. One of the ads was for a compost toilet for your log cabin. 🙂
Judy Breneman
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 15:56:30 -0800 (PST) | From: Claire Alexander (claire63us)
And once I wrote about a quilt block ‘hen and chicks,’ and you guessed it: an ad about buying baby chicks to raise. It is fun to try to see what triggered the odd ones.
Claire
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 08:49:15 -0500 | From: Sandra G Munsey (munsey)
Once again, I need some advice from those of you who have had experience with old textiles. This isn’t about quilts directly, but it is about fabric.
My sisters and I have just inherited three paisley shawls or lengths of cloth – very large – that had been in my grandmother’s possession for many years and stored at the family farm in NH even longer. Since the passing of my mother this year, the property is being emptied. My grandmother was born in Nova Scotia. Her father was a Scot and her mother’s parents had emigrated from Scotland even earlier. All had been from Caithness in northeast Scotland. I know from my grandmother’s stories that the shawls had been her mother’s and may have been her grandmother’s (my g-g-grandmother). My g-g-grandmother was born about 1820, died about 1883. I don’t have the dates of my g-grandmother, but my grandmother was born in 1872 and died in 1959. These families were farmers and miners in the NS coal mines, not wealthy people.
The problem: The items have been stored in a drawers in the back of a closet for years – a good thing. Some time in the last 15 years they were removed from there and were on a couch and/or rack (and later on the floor) where they were subject to dust, seacoast dampness, etc. The house has been effectively closed for 3 years with no heat last winter. The overall result of that when I opened the shawl was much accumulated dust and bad odor and instant asthma for me! I put it in my dryer on fluff cycle for 15 minutes to remove as much dust as possible and detect critters. (Yes, I know how to do proper vacuuming, but this wasn’t the situation, time or place for it.) I found no obvious evidence of critters – a minor miracle given the mouse/squirrel invasion last winter and the forever presence of silverfish and moths in the 200+ year old house. However, there was a significant amount (to me) of tiny reddish fibers less than 1/16 inch on the lint screen that covered about half of the screen. The wool has a ‘hard’ feel to it. The overwhelming odor is very much still with it. I wrapped it in the dreaded plastic and told my sisters to do the same to their shawls until I can find out what to do next. I know that airing the shawls outdoors will probably help if I can work out a practical way to accomplish it. Because of the large size, wet cleaning at home – if I dared attempt it – will be difficult.
Professional conservation is not an option at this time. Can anyone help me with triage and emergency treatment? Thanks in advance. I have great confidence in the collective knowledge on QHL.
Sandra on Cape Cod
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 08:50:52 EST | From: Palampore
I own a quilt that is made of many different silk plaids. It was made in the NJ/Penn. area. I was told that it could possibly be a Shaker made quilt. (Still a mystery….) Due to this I went to Pat Cummings article about Shakers. From there I typed in a search for “Shakers silk”. Found some extremely interesting articles about silk production in the US. Here is a great site that has some very interesting links. http://www.smith.edu/hsc/silk/circa1840.html (http://www.smith.edu/hsc/silk/circa1840.html) I didn’t find any examples of plaids made in the US, but did find the articles to be eye opening. If you know of any sites with photos of silk plaids made in the US please email me. (palampore ) Off to practice for The Messiah. My favorite part of Christmas. Thanks! Lynn Lancaster Gorges Historic Textiles Studio New Bern, NC
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 09:01:30 EST | From: Palampore
Are there examples of silk quilts made from NJ silk in the NJ historic quilt book? What other quilt documentation books have examples of silks produced in the US? Must run…. Lynn
Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2006 09:07:09 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger (jkip)
Lynn — I recall Skinner making plaid silk taffeta back in the 40s-50s as I bought some then. You might try searching sites for Skinner and the Belding/Corticelli/Richardson/Heminway family. Also use silk manufacturers as a search word.
Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2006 09:09:00 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger (jkip)
Lynn — another site to search is for Cheney Brothers, a very famous and reputable manufacturer of silks.
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 13:47:40 -0500 | From: Candace Perry (candace)
In several museum collections I’ve worked with, there have been Shaker kerchiefs. I am by NO MEANS expert in this, but what I have noticed is that these kerchiefs have always been a very fabulous kind of changeable silk, with a thin stripe of another color (I think in the case of the one we own at the Schwenkfelder, it’s a rosey color for the silk and ivory for the stripe) woven into the cloth a couple of inches from the hem or selvage. I thought Kentucky (Pleasant Hill community) was a producer of these kerchiefs, but I may be wrong. They are really luscious, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with these silks in my career. This may be stuff you already know! Candace Perry Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 16:21:14 -0500 | From: Beth Davis (bethdan533)
Hi Connie, I checked through my files of a couple hundred imported quilt ads, and unfortunately the basket quilt pictured on eBay is not among them.
It does definately have the “look” with the edges finished with no applied binding and it looks to have polyester batting, which dates it to after 1955-1960.
I’ll keep looking! Regards, Beth
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 21:00:33 -0500 | From: Pepper Cory (pepcory)
Hello friends-I have also seen some lovely silk plaid handkerchiefs produced by Shakers at Pleasant Hill KY but was under the impression that silk production only lasted a very short while there. The hankies were supposed to show what could be produced but like most sericulture in the US, the worms, the trees, weather etc. could not coordinate to truly make the venture a success. If anyone in the US could have made a go at silk production, it would have been the Shakers with their attention to detail and their creative approach to tasks and technology. Some confusion about the origin of silks, especially plaids, might exist because Quaker fabric merchants (remember the Quaker-Shaker connection) did import silks into the US and there are some sumptuous silk Quaker patchwork quilts made in the middle 19th century. Unlike late-Victorian crazy-style silk quilts, the Quaker quilts usually employed straightforward patchwork patterns executed in lovely subtle greyed colors and the prints were often plaids, modest foulards, or tasteful brocades. Oh boy–looking this post over, I can see I overdid the adjectives–tootles-Pepper
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 16:51:45 -0600 | From: Kathy Moore (kathymoore)
Hello, ladies. I need a little help with a research question and I know how resourceful and helpful you all are.
I’m looking for references to “comforts” or “comfortables” from the late 19th century. I’ve got Celia Oliver’s information from her book, Enduring Grace…, and she quotes Linda Otto Lipsett’s Pieced from Ellen’s Quilt, a book I don’t have. The UNL library doesn’t seem to have a copy of Lipsett’s book. I also have Lynne Bassett’s book, Northern Comfort, from which I can get some good information.
Do any of you know of the Lipsett book? Do you know of any other sources for information on “comfortables”?
Thank you all in advance for whatever you are willing to share with me on this topic.
Happy holidays,
Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 22:16:25 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
Amazon has several used ones listed at pretty low prices. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0962939900/ref=dp_olp_2/102-0131766-7304164
Judy Anne
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:42:43 -0800 (PST) | From: kyra hicks (kyra262)
Kathy,
Good Morning! One online source that may be helpful to locate articles are:
1. A9.com – http://a9.com/%22comfortables%22%20%20quilt
2. Gaagle Book search – http://a9.com/%22comfortables%22%20%20quilt
Hope this helps
Kyra HIcks author, Martha Ann’s Quilt for Queen Victoria www.BlackThreads.com
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 08:58:38 -0500 | From: Brenda & Roger Applegate (rbappleg1)
http://www.quiltersguild.co.uk/contents/heritage/1718silkcoverlet.htm
Does anyone have any information on this quilt? It was posted on the 18th century list and of course there are people now wondering if this would be appropriate in the colonies. I would appreciate any feed back that I can relay to them as well.
Brenda Applegate
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 6:18:13 -0800 | From: Karen Evans
I *think* there was one similar coverlet found in Virginia, but don’t take this as gospel. A quilt like that would almost have been a luxury item owned by a wealthy family, and not common.
Karen Evans
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 17:45:11 -0500 | From: Pepper Cory (pepcory)
Hello friends-I am divesting some of my “treasures” and thought you all were the likeliest to want this jewel: I have the complete 1977-88 run of the little Dutch Girl magazines by Edna Van Das. Edna was an eclectic researcher, to say the least, and her editorial content is almost as interesting as her photocopied reprints of newspaper and magazine quilt-related articles. She was also a peripatetic writer and would skip several months according to the chaos in her large boisterous family. If you’re a quilt researcher and love old patterns, this series is worthwhile. I would sell all 62 issues for $120 plus shipping. Will not break up the set however. There’s definately an AQSG paper or the groundwork for a book in this lot–first one gets it! Pepper Cory in NC
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 3:13:41 -0800 | From: suereich
I think I found it! Yes, the same Sticky Toffee Pudding that we had in York. Here is the link http://www.englishteastore.com/austtopu.html It looks just the same B Cup-sized amount. The sauce looks the same. Can’t you just feel it melting in your mouth! When I asked at the hotel in York for the recipe, they told me it came in a package. Hopefully, this is it! I ordered some for the Christmas season. As one of the original York, Sticky Toffee Pudding aficionados, every night x 3, I think that I am qualified to provide a critical analysis. My biggest problem is waiting for Christmas, so I ordered the delivery right before the 25th. More to come. sue reich, drooling in Connecticut
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 04:49:00 -0800 (PST) | From: Judy White (whitey06029)
I know at various times on this list, we talked about the product “Fabric Fade” made and sold by By Jupiter which is now out of business. Well, I had a package of FF, actually two packages, that I kept for many years and used periodcally. However, a couple of months ago, I finally had to toss it into the trash because it was beginning to break down into whatever chemical components it was made of and actually beginning to liquify in its little plastic bags. The reason it lasted so long is because it took so little of it to accomplish the fading process. My question is, does anyone have any idea as to what that stuff was made of? I’m working on a restoration job and surely would like to have some of it. Bleach is not the answer nor is using the back of the fabric to achieve the look I want. If anyone out there has any left over FF, I would be glad to buy it.
Judy White in cold Ct
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 04:59:51 -0800 (PST) | From: Barbara Burnham (barbaraburnham)
Judy, Never heard of “Fabric Fade”. But I have accomplished the same result by leaving a piece of the fabric on a sunny windowsill for however long it takes to fade as much as I need. (Of course it will take a lot longer LOL). Fabrics differ greatly in the time that takes to achieve the desired result. But does that harm the fabric? Probably not as much as bleach would, if bleach would even work on any given fabric. So many variables… Barbara Burnham
— Judy White wrote:
> I know at various times on this list, we talked about the product > “Fabric Fade” made and sold by By Jupiter which is now out of > business. Judy White in cold
From: Newbie Richardson (pastcrafts)
Good morning, Am playing catch up with the posts so am responding late to Sandra’s inquiry about her paisley shawls. First of all understand that late 19th c paisley shawls are the “Double Wedding Ring” quilts of the textile world! There were – and are- scads and scads of them, most are not very important or valuable in the market place. They are, however, very useful to wear, as they are VERY warm, or to remake into stunning skirts, jackets, etc. The damage is usually in the center, dark wool area, not in the decorative border. I have used several that were not in great condition for such a purpose, and my mother used one to reupholster a ( decorative) side chair seat and a piano stool that does not get much use. You see many of them remade in the 19 teens and 1920’s into very wonderful coats.
As to care. This is the perfect candidate for microwaving in order to kill any eggs or critters: fold up, place in a clean microwave oven, along with a small cup of water (adds moisture) and microwave on high for 3 -4 minutes. ( Remember what the microwave does to chicken eggs if you do not pierce the yolk…?
Then I would put it in a pillow case and place in the dryer on “air fluff’ , then you vacuum. I think you will find that much of the odor will have dissipated. If not, then you can just hang it out in the garage/tool shed, etc, for a few weeks to air naturally. If all else fails, try dry-cleaning – talk to the cleaner first -as this is a hard wool and does not wet clean. If the shawl is truly enormous, it may have been a table covering for a large library type table – which was fashionable in the 1880’s. These are usually very sturdy – unless they have been weakened by the moths.
Ho Ho HO! Newbie Richardson
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:20:00 -0500 | From: laurel
The British Quilt Study Group devoted an entire issue of /Quilt Studies/ to the 1718 coverlet, including five articles on various aspects of research. To order this or other issues, go to http://www.quiltersguild.org.uk/contents/specialistgroups/bqsg.htm and scroll down to the link for the PDF order form. All back issues are currently available.
The 1718 coverlet is made from silk, pieced over paper templates. Quilt researcher Bridget Long theorizes that the reason this style of patchwork was not common in the colonies during the18th century was the shortage of paper here. Because the coverlet is fragile, members of BQSG have recreated it in modern fabrics.
About the closest thing in this country is the “Primitive Hall” patchwork coverlet, which is the subject of Tandy Hersh’s research paper in /Uncoverings 1986/, reprinted in /Quiltmaking in America: Beyond the Myths/. The Primitive Hall coverlet was made in 1842, much later, of course, than the English one. / /Laurel Horton
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 09:59:44 -0600 | From: Kathy Moore (kathymoore)
Thank you all for your helpful tips and information. I’m hot on the trails of several possibilities and the Linda Otto Lipsett book has already been loaned to me.
What a great group. You’ve made my week.
Merry Christmas,
Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 11:43:23 EST | From: Palampore
The photo of the 1718 quilt blows out of the water much of what I have been told over the years about the history of quilts. The progression/evolution has been (not 100% but pretty much) — whole cloth/palampores – center medallion with blocks around the edges — Baltimore Album/Applique – then all out patchwork. This quilt jumps right to 2nd quarter & 3rd quarter of the 19th century with a bang. It is a sampler quilt and it is 1718. (Think of all the books that are written with the format of whole cloth – center medallion, etc.) Scholars — HELP! I study palampores and have for years. Never have I read about quilts such as this existing in the early 1700’s. I was in Williamsburg at the conference where the unearthing of this was discussed. Somehow my brain didn’t take it all in then, so I didn’t ask this question. Or maybe someone else did and I have forgotten the answer. I am still waiting to hear about Quaker silk plaids. Are their any examples of Quaker quilts made using silk plaids? In books or collections or on Internet? My silk plaid quilt has a backing of brown polished cotton that was used to line bodices of clothing and for bonnet making and bonnet lining. It is a cold sunny winter day in NC. Maybe it will kill some fleas and mosquitoes. Thanks, Lynn Lancaster Gorges
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 12:32:13 EST | From: Palampore
Is this really a “bundling quilt”? I have heard of bundling, but never heard the term applied to a quilt. Thanks, Lynn in New Bern, NC
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 13:25:04 -0500 | From: Candace Perry (candace)
Well, that seems a little far-fetched to me — I don’t even know about the bundling thing (I know it supposedly existed, but someone else can elaborate on whether it is true or not…or somewhat)…but I was struck by some late Victorian needlework pictures that the same seller has that were fetching huge prices, because they have Merry Christmas and Happy New Year mottos! Candace Perry
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:40:52 -0800 | From: Karen Evans
I’ve heard conflicting reports; if it did exist, it had pretty much died out by the early 1800s because many couples did a lot more than bundle (or, why approximately 1/3 of colonial brides were between three and six months pregnant at the time of marriage….).
Karen Evans
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 13:43:27 -0500 | From: Pepper Cory (pepcory)
Thank you all for replying about the Dutch Girl magazines–they’ve gone to the first person who replied. If that was not you, I am sorry, but, if you’re a quilt history nut, here’s one more box I don’t want to have to move: Six (6) vintage LDS (Morman) wholecloth patterns. These were traced on old sheets from the LDS hospital in Logan, Utah. The fabric (light-colored) or Tricot was pinned over the pattern and traced through. The patterns are 2 of a queen-size Sego Lily pattern 1 of a Full-blown rose and rosebuds 1 twin Morning Glory 1 crib-size Little Lamb and 1 crib-size Flowers & Bows All yours for $75 plus shipping…… Cheerio from the hermit crab who’s finally changing shells- Pepper in NC
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:32:52 -0500 | From: Xenia Cord (xenia)
Something that may not be apparent from looking at images of the 1718 coverlet is that all of those figures were pieced, not appliqued – “patchwork” pieced over papers and the segments joined. Some of us at the AQSG seminar in CT were lucky enough to attend the study center conducted by Bridget Long of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles, where she discussed this technique and how to recognize it in antique finished works.
Xenia
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 01:00:20 -0800 | From: Alan
I just tried searching for this on Gaagle, but I didn’t have any luck. I do remember though, I think it was Nancy Kirk, telling me that she had faded fabric by placing it on the dashboard of the car. I think this might work better than leaving it on a windowsill. Cars do have a way of magnifying the sunlight.
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 05:54:15 -0800 (PST) | From: Kris Driessen (krisdriessen)
Has anyone seen this book yet http://tinyurl.com/ycw3lj and if so, what do you think of it? It might be a Christmas present for a quilty friend.
Kris
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:43:57 -0500 | From: Judy Roche
Hi Lynn I have a silk Quaker quilt-dated 1863 and initialed in the quilting……..it is a showcase of beautiful quilting and fabrics ( some plaids), and design( pieced blocks in a medallion setting)———it was published in Jeana Kimballs revised edition of Loving Stitches-page 41. If you’d like any other information about it , let me know Judy Roche Doylestown Pa
Come to think of it I have a silk dolls quilt with plaids in it…… not sure if it is Quaker……..
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:07:13 -0500 | From: Newbie Richardson (pastcrafts)
Dear list, Remember any discussion of Quaker aesthetics must take in to account which meeting is involved. Each meeting had it’s own set of rules for judging whether the asthetics fit in with their philosophy of living – just like the Episcopal Church does now on certain more “controversial” subjects! Human nature does not change.
Newbie Richardson Whose mother comes from a long line of Philadelphia Quakers – she thee and thou’ her great aunts and grandmother – but the “younger” generations joined the Episcopal Church. Too bad she was in Europe with my dad wihen her grandmother’s estate was being settled – trunks and trunks of clothing and other textiles went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art – or to Little Theatre ( shudder).
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:12:56 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
Ah, yes…bundling. Sometime, within the last year, I picked up a booklet at an antiques store, which describes the process. I’ve searched for that all morning. It was a skinny booklet, so it is no wonder that it’s temporarily lost.
So, I checked some online resources. Seems that the Amish may still “bundle,” but they rarely admit to the process. Other than that, wikipedia lists a court case from mid-nineteenth century.
Sounds like a strange custom. I’ll let you know if I find that resource. One online writer estimates that there have been at least one hundred books written on the subject. That’s a lot of books to describe the practice of doing “nothing.” (wink, wink, chortle, chortle).
Patricia Cummings http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:45:35 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger (jkip)
The Amish in our area [Middlefield OH] use or did use bundling beds which were constructed to allow a board down the center. It was also a Quaker custom in New Philadelphia OH which my grandmother and relatives [non-Quakers] often told me about. These Quakers also used the Amish bundling method probably as New Phily is so close to the Holmes County Amish settlement.
Pat Cummings wrote:
Sounds like a strange custom. I’ll let you know if I find that resource. One online writer estimates that there have been at least one hundred books written on the subject. That’s a lot of books to describe the practice of doing “nothing.” (wink, wink, chortle, chortle).
