August 1 - 5, 2005 - QuiltHistory

Quilt History Resources, Quiltmaking Techniques & Construction, Restoration & Conservation

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:

Leather Quilts vs. Button Blankets — Continued discussion distinguishing true leather quilts from Native American/Pacific Northwest button blankets, with museum sightings.
Scissor Sharpening Recommendations — Members trade recommendations for services and suppliers who sharpen fabric scissors.
Safe Quilt Storage Materials — Advice on avoiding wood and other unstable materials when storing antique quilts, plus a source for acid-free Marvel Seal. (see the article on caring for antique quilts)
Identifying a Mystery Pair of Scissors — A member seeks help identifying an unusual pair of vintage scissors found secondhand.

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 16:40:31 -0700 (PDT) | From: karenquilt@

A recent Richmond Times Dispatch article: “License to Quilt. The Virginia Star quilt block may be available on state license plates next year. Maria Parker, a member of the Friendship Circle chapter of the Richmond Quilters’ Guild, is pursuing an idea that guild president Mary Biggs had several years ago for a special-interest license plate just for quilters. Barbara Haener, a member of the James River chapter, has sketched the Virginia Star design based on a prototype plate provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The plate would read Virginia Quilter! at the bottom.

“It’s ultimately up to DMV to approve the design,” said Parker, so Haener’s version may not be exactly what gets on the plate. DMV requires 350 prepaid applications before the plate is issued. The fee is $10 for the special plate. If you have a personalized plate, the fee is $10 for the quilter’s plate plus $10 for your personalized plate. These fees are in addition to your regular registration fee. The quilter’s plate is not a revenue-sharing plate. Parker must submit Haener’s design and a check for (at least) $3,500 to DMV by Dec. 28. Checks payable to Maria Parker should be sent to Virginia Quilter, P.O. Box 28324, Richmond, VA 23228 by Oct. 31. E-mail questions to her at vastarqlt@ Parker said the guild couldn’t find any other state that issues quilter’s plates.” The article can be found at http://tinyurl.com/d4cv6

Anyone know if any other State has done this for quilters?

Karen Alexander in Washingto State

PS: Richmond, VA, and the Friendship Quilters is where I happen to get my start in quilting 25 years ago.

Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 20:12:22 -0400 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>

My students always have scissors to be sharpened ! The last count was about 20. I had forgotten that when Mom needed knives, scissors and the like sharpened that my brother in Belleville,Michigan had always done that. Well, I took the bunch to him and the job was indeed completed quickly to my amazement. If you are not too far or want to invest in mailing yours he can do it. Velia. 313-605-2171 The cost he gave us was no charge which I felt rewarded us. Albert is now retired from the Ford Motor Company where he was a draftsman. Went into a business but dropped it within 5 years. He is never idle. Now takes prescriptions to places like Wal-Mart. What a guy!

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 20:30:09 -0400 | From: “Bonnie Dwyer” <bonniedwyer@>

Laura and all,

My lament is throwing away a patchwork *fake fur* lap robe my grandmother had made while working in Occupational Therapy at a VA hospital. Well, not lament exactly <g>…

Bonnie Dwyer Where our 28th annual “Maine Quilts” show just wrapped up!

Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 10:15:29 +0200 | From: Margareta.Faustcec.eu.int

Hi Barb, I read your earlier mail and have now ordered the book – can’t wait to get it! However, I wonder if there are any plans for the exhibition to travel to Europe? I think the Netherlands would be the right place to show these quilts, and I can think of a couple of places there. Have you been in touch with the Dutch quilt guild about it, for instance? Or quilt historian An Moonen?

Margareta in Europe

From: deedadik@

Hi all, I would recommend sending them to Gingher. Didn’t know that they did other brands. I had a custom dressmaking business in another life and used them exclusively. I got burned by taking them to the local fabric store-the sharpener had to replace a Gingher pair that he took the point off of. For what it worth! Dee — Dee Dadik Certified Appraiser of Quilted Textiles –NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14337_1122996130_0–

Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:31:42 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>

Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY (near Rochester) has published a catalogue of the ongoing exhibit (until the end of October) of their quilt collection. The title is “A Stitch in Time.” The author is Elizabeth Davis (QHL member). I paid my second visit to the exhibit a couple of weeks ago and was delighted to find full color pictures of more than 30 quilts. Most of the quilts are from western NY which makes it especially interesting. I love the opportunity to see lots of quilts from a particular geographic area. The website is www.gcv.org. I’m sure you can order from the gift shop. Cinda on the Eastern Shore

From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>

I was in Hershey, PA for the weekend at Quilt Odyssey. The show moved last year from Gettysburg because the facilities at the Hershey Lodge are much superior to what was available in Gettysburg. It’s a great place for a quilt show! My only complaint is that every time you turn around someone is offering candy. There were baskets in all the classrooms and when you got your check after a meal it came with a handful of Hershey miniatures. For someone who is “will-power challenged” this was more temptation that I needed. Missy Molino who produces the show is a generous supporter of AQSG and the Quilters’ Hall of Fame.. We shared a table in the lobby to distribute information.

Odyssey always has an antique quilt exhibit. This year it was Hazel Carter’s 19th century quilts, fourteen beauties dating from 1820 to 1900. My favorite was a Sunflower (c. 1820) from New York State: indigo, brown, yellow with a tape binding. There several early quilts with simple piecing (Squares on Point, Four Patch) and fabulous fabrics. A lovely blue and white Oak Leaf was signed “Julie A. Smith Wilna, age 20, 1848” in blue quilting stitches.

Merikay Waldvogel’s class on Pattern Dating was fascinating. Merikay is the owner of Mildred Dickerson’s archive of early quilt patterns and I hope that she is going to write a book based on her research. She has developed a database which works miracles (G). People brought in quilts, tops and blocks and, in most cases, Merikay was able to date the pattern, identify the designer and in most cases produce a copy of the pattern for tracing. It was really appropriate that my brief foray into Hershey antique shops led me to a handkerchief embroidered with the Sears pavilion and “Chicago 1934.”

I took a detour to Harrisburg before coming home to see the small, but very lovely, exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Three quilts from their fabulous (and almost never seen collection), several painted PA German chests and other furniture and small sewing items are on display until the end of October. My second detour was to find a new antique shop in northeastern Lancaster County which is much less touristy and built up than the area around Lancaster. Cinda on the Eastern Shore

From: “Cathy Hooley” <cathy@>

The discussion of leather quilts is timely – I live near Gloversville, NY where there are still a few leather mills. Last week a man called asking if I was interested in pieces of leather to use in quilts. I wasn’t then, but after reading this discussion . . .

For those of you who have seen leather quilts, can you tell me how are they finished? Are they sandwiched & quilted. What is the binding like?

Thanks –

Cathy

Cathy Hooley Goose Tracks Quilts www.goosetracks.com

From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>

I mentioned a while ago a quilt stolen from Chester Cathedral in the UK. I’m delighted to say that a member of BQHL today reported that it has been returned.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4737449.stm

I looked at a link to an earlier news story on the BBC site, where it was reported that there were two theories about the theft..one that it might have been stolen to order as an art piece, the other that a vagrant took it:

“At the other extreme we are also investigating whether a vagrant may be using it as a duvet.”

Or to put it another way, as a quilt?<G>

Sally W

From: “Audrey Waite”

I thought of all of you when I was asked to give suggestions on how to dispose of a friend’s “collections”. She used to own a gift shop in the LA area that specialized in all kinds of ethnic hand made items. She passed away recently, and her husband and daughters are trying to dispose of all the textiles she collected.

They have Japanese silks, ikat yardage, batik yardage, weavings, lots of Guatemalen fabrics, Indian garments with shi-shi mirrors – just everything you can imagine. I am wondering if anyone on the list might be interested. At one time she thought of donating some items to the new museum of the American Indian in D.C. so there is the possibility of donation to museums, etc. and/or sale to individuals.

I can give you email and phone number if you want to contact them for more information.

Audrey Waite, Co-Director Quilt Camp in the Pines http://www.quiltcamp.com

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 05:44:40 -0400 | From: “Beth Davis” <bethdan533@>

Thanks Cinda, I am sorry that I missed you at the museum!

There is a new article on Kim Wulfert’s website “New Pathways into Quilt History” written by Lorie Stubbs regarding her experience at the Genesee Country Village and Museum during the weekend in May “In Praise of Quilts”.

Lorie praises the work of the members of the Genesee Valley Quilt Club.

What a nice job that Lorie did -including some wonderful pictures of new quilts that are being working on, based on the signature pattern of the Medallion Folk Art Quilt that was published by Michele Morrow Harer, based on the original quilt featured at the museum.

The article can be seen at: http://www.antiquequiltdating.com/19thCenturyJourney.html

Books can be ordered through the museum: Genesee Country Village & Museum 1410 Flint Hill Road Mumford, NY 14511 P: (585) 538-6822 F: (585) 538-6927

Or contact me! Thanks again, Beth Davis

From: Palampore@

The leather “quilt” I saw was not a true quilt. It did not appear to have a backing and definitely not a bat. The blocks had the applique pieces layed on top and then they were topstitched leaving the edges raw. Lastly, the blocks were stitched together. Can’t remember if the edges of the seams were facing up to be seen, or to the back. The leather was rather thin, but not paper thin. The quilt was the size of a large crib quilt. Would have made a wonderful wallhanging. I will try to get my husband to put the quilt on the site tonight. Is that OK to put a quilt from a museum on a site since I don’t have any written permission “stuff” from them??? Will find out that before I do that. I had a wonderful patchwork leather purse in the mid- ’70’s. Just thought of that. That might be a great use for those leather pieces as well….eye glass holders, etc. I am trying to think of small projects. I am much better with those these days. Have any of you ever made a button quilt? Where can I find a pattern? I would like to make a pillow. Off to sew on a CW Forage Cap. What a glorious sunny summer day. Would much rather be at the beach. Lynn Lancaster Gorges New Bern, NC

From: Palampore@

I am sorry. I should have used the term—button blanket—-NOT quilt. I have put a link to a site that shows 2 of them and tells their history. Examples of these, and especially the capes in this style were at the Anchorage Museum as well.

_http://www.civiKarentions.ca/tresors/treasure/232eng.html_ (http://www.civiKarentions.ca/tresors/treasure/232eng.html)

This time I really am gone. Lynn in New Bern, NC

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 17:47:10 -0400 | From: sewsewsarah@

Recently while shopping at a junk store near Charlotte, NC, I came across a pair of scissors that have a curved blade. They are 8inches long and they curve on the last two inches. Does anyone know for what purpose these were used?

Thanks,

~*~Sarah in WV~*~

Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 18:27:44 -0400 | From: joan kiplinger <jkip@>

Sarah — They could be surgical scissors; difficult to say for sure without seeing a photo. I have several pairs that that I use for various sewing projects.

From: Lynn and Debbie Cupp

Sarah,

Like Joan, I think these could be surgical. Something we called curved Mayos. Do a google image search for curved mayos and see if you agree.

Debbie

From: Lynne

Dear All,

I am finishing up the last details for a grant for the Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project. I’m writing a sample essay on an important signature quilt, which was featured in the July/August 1985 issue of Quilt World magazine. The quilt was made as a fundraiser around 1880, and the successful winner was able to answer a riddle, which is printed in the Quilt World article. However, the riddle’s answer was not given until the NEXT issue (Sept./Oct. 1985), which I do not have. (And it involves math, so don’t even think about my being able to figure it out by myself.) Can someone help me? The article is by Pat Flynn Keyser, called “Pieces & Patches.”

Thank you so much!

Best, Lynne

From: <chrisa@>

Yesterday I ran across the enculturated fabric metaphor while looking in the new books section of the library. It is on the flap of Jim Lehrer’s newest mystery novel “The Franklin Affair” which focuses on Ben himself. It looks like historical fiction, with an emphasis on fiction but sophisticated. The quote reads long, but the metaphor is at the end of the enticing summary of the plot “that has the potential to completely alter the fabric of American History.”

One of my all time favorite quilt metaphors is in Indiana’s quilt documentary book, on pg. 6. It is so delightful! “When the Ice Age subsided, the northern two-thirds of Indiana was as flat as a quilt top, while the southern third remained as rumpled as an unmade bed. Earth pillows nestled along the Ohio River.”

On a more esoteric metaphorical note, in the Aug. issue of American Craft magazine, author is Warren Seelig writes the address he gave at a textile conference in Korea in 2004. In it, he talks about the use of fabrics in art of all kinds, “Thinking Aloud: Contemporary Fiber,Material Meaning.” pg 42-45. “The need to tie, bind, weave, wrap,stitch, twist, link, connect, layer, and ‘grow’ a surface or object by material accumulation of hundreds, thousands or more particles, pieces or threads is often realized through some physical connection or mechanical join.The building up of closely related elements into a composite is analogous to cellular accumulation… and causes the surface to become alive and energized through that obsessive repeat. This way of arriving at form is an extension of our own biology, which throughout the centuries has been a recognizable source of the impulse to build fiber and textile forms.” Art quilters watch out- you may be exposing your DNA to this guy!

Sew fun :))

Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com

From: Judy

If no one on the list has it, CY Thompson Library at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln does:

CYT TT835 .Q53v.9-10 1984-85 AVAILABLE

Judy Schwender

“Lynne Z. Bassett” <lzbassett@> wrote: Dear All,

Thank you so much!

Best, Lynne

From: <chrisa@>

The first of a few antique quilt exhibits at the Santa Barbara Historical Society is starting on Sept. 6. It is mainly 19th century quilts from their collection but includes an 18th century Tree of Life quilt .20

Fortunately they have rescheduled some of the speakers, like Jean Ray Laury and Jennifer Gilbert, so that their talks don’t coincide with other quilt events. here is the new schedule:

September 15, 2005 Local History Lecture: “Ho for California! Pioneer Women & Their Quilts” An illustrated lecture by Jean Ray Laury about the California Heritage Quilt Project. A wine & delicious hors d’oeuvres reception will follow. Prepaid members $20/members paying at the door & guests $25. 5:30 p.m.20 20 October 13, 2005 Local History Lecture: Celebrate Family History Month with Margaret Cooper & her story of a Japanese-American family with her “bi-lingual” Crazy Quilt. A wine & delicious hors d’oeuvres reception will follow. Prepaid members $20/members paying at the door & guests $25. 5: 30 p.m.20 20 October 28, 2005 Collectors Series Program: Two illustrated lectures by Jennifer Gilbert, Director of the New England Quilt Museum, “Preferred Taste in New England Quilts” & “Crazy Quilts & Their Contemporary Legacy,” with a gourmet luncheon in between in the museum courtyard. $85 members (advance reservation required.) Guests $100. 10:30 a.m.

for more http://www.santabarbaramuseum.com/

Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 09:17:14 -0500 | From: “Kay Sorensen” <kaysorensenwi.@>

Thanks to everyone who has given some of my books a good new home.

If you promise not to tell my husband how many books I have/had I’ll be happy to send you the new BIG updated list.

I think the reporter who described my quilt book collection as probably the biggest anywhere may have been right! Although I collect many things, this collection is the one that I have given me the greatest rewards.

It has helped shape me as a quilter and open doors and windows to the wide world of quilting and quilters.

This collection is like my children. I’m pleased to be able to send them off to good homes knowing they will be well taken care of and enjoyed.

I have been overwhelmed with the response to my offer and have been at the computer practically non stop since I sent the first email about this.

I’ve added a lot more books. I think there may be over 1000 on the list now.

There are quilt art books, quilt history books, quilting designs books, Japanese quilt books, quilt exhibition catalogs, general quilt books, vintage quilting books, new quilting books, quilt dyeing books, many out of print books, many older self published quilt books, and about anything else quilt related you can thing of.

There are books for the beginning quilter, the intermediate and advanced quilter, the art quilter, the quilt history enthusiast and the inveterate quilt book collector.

If there is something you are looking for that is not on the list let me know and I’ll see if it is something I have but haven’t had time to list.

Here hoping I have something YOU need that will enrich your life as a quilter.

Quiltingly, Kay

From: mopalka <mopalka@>

Was the leather quilt in the Anchorage museum? Also, when you said “button quilt” did you mean button blanket?

Susan(in Alaska with 51 degrees and a slight drizzle)

Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 02:51:16 -0800 | From: Gloria hanrahan <gloria@>

I’ve been to the museum numerous times (we have a family membership) and I’m not recalling a leather trinket like Lynn has described. I’ll have to stop back in and specifically check for that.

Lynn, did they say exactly where these tourists in the late 1800’s would have been? There was nothing here in Anchorage at that time. Only the Southeast like Sitka and Juneau and my understanding was the only groups who could really afford to come up were groups like the expeditions for touring the glaciers (all named after colleges).

Now, I’m going to have to go again and check this out.

Was this the blanket you saw at the museum? http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/ag_details.asp?page_id32&item_id1&offset1

A quick background on the button blankets.

http://www.civiKarentions.ca/tresors/treasure/232eng.html

The button blankets, again are not from the Anchorage area. Southeast Tlingit and Haida. http://www.ccthita.org/kits.html

Here is a current artist making these items. http://clarissahudson.com/blanket.htm The button blankets are all related to the different clans and the symbolism is quite specific. This link has a Tlingit quilter who is inspired by the button blankets. http://www.nmai.si.edu/education/files/quilts.pdf

In looking up some of this, Sheldon Jackson (in Sitka) even has a loaning program which has a button blanket. http://www.museums.state.ak.us/Sheldon%20Jackson/handson.pdf

Since we have discussed coffin quilts, I thought this was a beautiful example of a button blanket over a coffin, which I found on a quick search. http://vilda.alaska.edu/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT/cdmg21&CISOPTR&CISO

Gloria (where it’s 56 in my part of Alaska. We’ve had a fire going most of the day.)

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 06:16:09 -0500 | From: Pat Kyser <patkyser@>

Yes, Lynn, I have it, I did a lot of research on that quilt, owned by a friend of mine, and wrote two articles on it in my column in Quilt World. I will make copies and send the articles to you. But if you quote me, I’d appreciate correct spelling of my last name: KYSER, no e after the K. Thanks Email me your mailing address privately. Pat Flynn Kyser in Alabama

Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 08:37:43 -0500 | From: Mary Waller <mswaller@>

Lynn, I’m not sure what you mean by a button quilt. But there is a tradition of “button blankets”, robes decorated with buttons, among the Haida people of the Northwest U.S. and Canada.

http://www.collectorcafe.com/article_archive.asp?article110&id1404

http://clarissahudson.com/blanket.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/artcollection/exhibitions/nwart/94103.htm

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Haida/java/english/art/image_art106a.html

Mary Waller Vermillion, SD, USA

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 10:56:41 -0400 | From: sewsewsarah@

Thanks for all the suggestions on what my scissors might be. This morning I did a google search for the brand. They are Clauss scissors that are made in the USA. Someone wrote to me and said my scissors were for poultry. She was right. I put the number from the blade into the websites search box and found them! Now, why didn’t I think of that before???

Anyhow, here is a link to the web page:

http://www.claussproducts.com/catalog/search.htm?sid609A876F99272A4A

My scissors look like #4268 but their number is #328KBR.

Now, I know I can take my scissors out of my sewing room and put them into the kitchen! 🙂

Sarah

Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 16:07:05 -0400 | From: elpaninaro@

———-MailBlocks_8C767473843BEB8_670_416D_FWM-D41.sysops.@ Content-Type: text/plain; charset”us-ascii”

Good afternoon all,

Getting settled in Austin at last and next weekend I am bringing up all my old quilts which have been in storage. As many of you advised me, they have been stored in cleaned 100% cotton sheets with as few folds as possible.

Next step is to get storage up here. I am planning to get some kind of wood buffet or waist level cabinet type piece that I can use as a table on top, but that will have cabinets in which I can set the quilts on the shelves (still in their sheets.)

Looking around some and I see all different woods and woodstains. Maybe I am being paranoid, but is there anything I should avoid or embrace (in terms of wood types, treatments etc.?) I am just thinking of all the old quilts I have seen with marks from sitting in wood chests…

Take care,

Tom.

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 7:14:28 +1000 | From: kerrybrack@

Usually a lurker but have found the name of the patchwork book that lists heaps of p’work shops and related needlework shops in italy.

I was in venice last year and found this book in an upmarket book shop – never purchased the book but wrote the title and isb no down in a safe place. I found that safe place yesterday.

Alla Scoperta del patchwork isb 88 87291 34 9

Hope this can help someone. cheers Kerry in Sydneyx

This message was sent through MyMail http://www.mymail.com.au

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 20:08:49 -0400 | From: danabalsamo@

Hi all, We were on vacation last week and since I did not want to risk taking any of my quilting with me on the plane for fear of having a needle or scissor taken from me, I went to B&N to purchase a book to read. In the bargain section was a wonderful book by Paulette Jiles called “Enemy Women”. It takes place during the Civil War, a fictional story about a family in Missouri during the Civil War. A hard life. And how southern women were often taken as prisoners for aiding the Confederates by Union and renegade armies. Feeding your husband or brother was considered treason and grounds for imprisonment. Each chapter starts with several actual historical references from diaries, letters, other books, etc from the Civil War. So even though the story is fiction, the author has tried to base it on historical fact. During the story, the heroine, Adair Colley, talks about her mother’s quilt, a log cabin, in silks and velvets. How the daughters prize this quilt, how under all circumstances she protects this quilts, how while on the run, she mends the quilt, sleeps under it, etc.

There is a non fictional reference to the log cabin quilt on page 90: “..Quilt makers traditionally centered the block with red to reflect the fire of the hearth. Two variations were allowed – yellow centers to represent a lantern in the window, or, in a special variation, black in the center of the block. In this variation, known as Courthouse Steps, the black was thought to represent the Judge’s robes as he entered the court.” From Gateway Heritage, Vol 16, No 1, 1995.

I thought the Courthouse steps had more to do with the placement of lights and dark logs…the darks opposite of each other (as the light ones are as well), an opposed to being next to each other.

Anyone ever hear of this before?

There are also some other references to homespun, madder dyes, linens. it was a wonderful story.

My best, Dana Material Pleasures Antique Textiles http://www.material-pleasures.com http://www.tias.com/stores/materialpleasures

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 20:14:11 -0500 | From: “kim baird” <kbaird@>

What you should avoid is wood.

If you must use wood, it has to be sealed by paint or polyurethane. Don ‘t let the fabric touch the wood, and don’t close the doors and seal the quilts inside the wood.

For safe storage, you need stable materials. Wood and some plastics are not stable–they degrade and give off gases, which can cause stains or deterioration.

Kim

—–Original Message—– From: elpaninaro@ Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 3:07 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Storage in wood- any special considerations?

Good afternoon all,

Take care,

Tom.

Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 08:43:08 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>

Wood is not a good medium for textile storage. That said, needless to say, there are lots of museums with wooden display cases that have had to “retro-fit” them. I also was asked to design a storage/ worktable designed with drawers which would hold fragile silk show quilts in one layer – not folded. The only cost effective medium was wood. To retro fit wooden display cases, the wood has to be sealed with at least 3 coats of water based polyurathane, then another barrier is placed between the wood and the textile artifact. One such barrier is a product developed by the US Army: Marva-Seal 360. This is the laminate used to seal the “meals ready to eat” – No I am not kidding! this product has been used successfull by several major museums to create long term packing crates for traveling textile exhibitions – and may have also been used for display cases, recently. It is a fairly new material. It is recommended as a “fix” for old storage units by the conservation folks at the US Park Service. The problem is that the maufacturer, Ludlow Corp. sells it by the thousands of yards! To get some, you need to locate the local distributor and beg about 10 yards! The sales reps are really nice guys and are usually willing to procure some for non- profit museum use, etc. In fact they are intrigued by such uses! It really is wonderful stuff – you just iron it on to the wood! It is a three layer plastic/aluminum combination. Another effective barrier is acid free museum board cut to fit the inside of the unit and glued in place ( hot melt glue is archival), or sheets of aluminum foil. The important point here is that the wood must be sealed to prevent the acids from leaching onto the textiles. A few sheets of muslin just won’t do it. Also, look into “green” kitchen cabinets. There are now several lines of pre-fabricated kitchen cabinets made for builders who build eco-friendly housing. There is sub- industry which caters to those with extreme chemical sensitivities – people who are literally “allergic” to the 20th century. I have long thought that these might provide safe storage for museum artifacts. Newbie Richardson

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 10:00:38 -0500 | From: Pat Kyser <patkyser@>

In line with the recent thread about quilt terms being used in other contexts, my home town of Huntsville, Alabama, is celebrating its Bicentennial this month. Each geographic district of the city has had a celebration, all leading up to a city-wide Bicentennial Bash tomorrow. One district billed its celebration as a “Our Community Quilt: Families, Faith, Citizenship and Culture.” One speaker said, “Two hundred years ago, Huntsville was small. It was the farmers in the county, the sharecroppers, and the families who created the whole fabric that today is the Huntsville metro area.” They also spoke of tents on the grounds representing various faiths in the community as drawing the quilt’s pieces together. It was a nice theme that this quilter enjoyed.

I might add that totally separate from that, the local quilt guild is having members make “journal quilts” (8 1/2″ x 11″) to express each person’s feelings for the city. They will be displayed together as one quilt at the Martha Pullen Quilt Academy in September.

Pat Kyser

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 17:40:56 EDT | From: AG32040@

Did anyone see the [hierloom quilts] in otherwords ,made in China or some other similar place, on QVC . They had very low prices and were presented by a women who was a quilt judge and teacher supposedly. I wondered what anybody thought about them. Amy

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 18:30:40 EDT | From: Blackeyesandysue@

Kathie, The museums in the Baltimore area that have Baltimore Album Quilts are, The Maryland Historical Society, The Baltimore Museum of Art and the DAR in Washinton D.C. The first two do not have any of their Baltimore’s out at the moment. The DAR in D.C. has 7-8 quilts on display in their sliding cases at all times. You can call and ask what is on display at this time. The DAR also has quilt study days, the fee is approximately $15.00 but there is a minimum number of people required for the study, if you ask they may already have a group coming that you can join. There are also a few quilts on display in the “state” rooms. Each state has decorated a period room representing their state. I did see two Baltimore album quilts in the vault at Williamsburg with a group but you must contact them and ask for an appointment. You can always call and ask museums if they will show you a quilt. I always tell people to make every effort to come see the Baltimore quilts when they are on display because years go by between displays. The museums like them to “rest” 10-15 years between displays. There will be a quilt show at the Lovely Lane Church the first weekend in November ( many of the women that made Baltimore Album quilts belonged to the Lovely Lane Church, they were often given as gifts to the pastors, there for several families donated them back to the Lovely Lane Church). They own 4 of the most beautiful Baltimore’s in exsistance. This is a rare oportunity. The Baltimore Applique Society is assisting them in this quilt show. Our members Have traced 25 patterns directly from the Lovely Lane quilts. The patterns will be for sale, even better the members of the Baltimore Applique Society have made 50 miniture quilts for silent auction. They consist of one full size block from one of the Lovely Lane Baltimore’s with a border. Seminole Sampler in Catonsville, Maryland, a great quilt shop to visit in the Baltimore area, has kitted several of the Lovely Lane album quilt blocks, so you do not have to agonize over fabric choices. We have traced and made patterns for several Baltimore Album Quilts for the museums to sell. “City Springs” is at the Maryland Historical Society, “Mary Manekee” and the “Mary Simon Quilt” at the DAR and “The Samuel Williams Quilt” at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Other shops are Bear’s Paw in Ellicott City and Towson, and Cottonseed Glory in Annapolis. I hope that you have a nice visit to Baltimore. Sincerely, Polly Mello

From: Sandra Millett

For those of you interested in scissor sharpening: Rather than paraphrase the message, I’ve attached a note from Chris Olix of Heritage Cutlery. I’m sold on the quality of their scissors and assume the sharpening is the same. Sandra Millett

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 20:55:00 EDT | From: Blackeyesandysue@

Baltimore Album Quilts with “Mary Simon” roses in a vine border: The most elaborate “Mary Simon” rose border, in my opinion, is the swag rose border on the “Mary Simon” quilt in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society. It appears on the front on the book, “The Baltimore Album Quilt Tradition” published in 1999 after the MHS quilts went to Japan for a year. They had a beautiful display of Baltimore Album quilts in their new textile room when the quilts came back before they put them back in storage. The Captain Russel quilt, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, has an interesting border that includes “Mary Simon” roses. There is a quilt in Elly Sienkiewicz’s “maroon” book “Baltimore Album Quilts” , quilt #4 in the color section that has a great border with “Mary Simon” roses. I have never seen this quilt “in person”. I have seen the other two up close and personal. I am sure there are other “Mary Simon” rose vine borders. The Baltimores have many different border treatments. One of the most beautiful rose ( not “Mary Simon”) and vine borders is on the Samuel Williams quilt in the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art. I became very familiar with this quilt and is triple intertwining vine border, when we traced and reproduced the quilt for the Baltimore Museum of Art. There are many other borders: swags, the “Maryland Stair Step”, feathers, chintz, sawtooths,facing scallops, zig zags various vines and flowers and , of coarse, none. Polly Mello

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 08:41:03 -0500 | From: “kim baird” <kbaird@>

You will be glad to learn that you can buy Marvel Seal from museum suppliers. Talas (http://www.talas-nyc.com/) carries it in 3 roll sizes. I recently used it to seal cardboard carpet rolls for textile storage. I used a heat gun, rather than an iron, to fuse it.

Marvel Seal 360 An aluminized nylon and polyethelene barrier film that will resist the passage of vapors together with other atmospheric gases and pollutants. An ideal barrier for the lining of wooden shelves and for lining of transport crates. Has also been found to be successful for fabricating custom bags due to the ease at which it can be welded. Approx. 5 mil. thick.

ROLL 48”x 10′ $22.50 48”x 50′ $67.00 48”x 200yd $355.00

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 23:56:29 | From: Elpaninaro@

Thank you Newbie and all others who replied here and privately.

This is why I come here before I make big decisions about quilt storage lol. And thank you for tolerating these basic questions from a new guy. It helps a lot and I appreciate it.

I figure all my quilts are “on loan”. Sure I paid for them, but someday someone else will have them- and rightly so that they be long appreciated by many after the hours and months of hard work of those who made them so long ago.

I just want to enjoy them while I have them and be a good steward in preserving them for their next home. So thanks to all for the advice.

Now time to seek the archival boxes and special papers… (and find a different piece of furniture for that corner in the living room!)

Take care,

Tom.