August 10 – 24, 2000
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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:
- Australian & English Exhibition News — Members report on two major quilt exhibitions opening that week: a historic Australian quilts show at Old Government House, Parramatta, and Dorothy Osler’s new ‘North Country Quilts’ exhibition in County Durham, England. (see the article on quilting in Europe)
- Durham Quilts Research Thread — A member’s purchase of a purported Durham quilt sparks a multi-day thread on identifying, dating, and sourcing books about British/Durham-style quilting, with several members contributing leads.
- Photo-on-Fabric Crazy Quilt Puzzle — A member asks how an 1894 crazy quilt could include a photograph transferred onto fabric, prompting discussion of period photo-transfer techniques. (see the article on Victorian crazy quilts)
- Kit & Pattern Identification — Members trace the manufacturing history of the ‘Pansy’ quilt kit across several mail-order catalogs, and separately help identify a mystery ‘Colonial Basket’ quilt block from a vintage magazine pattern.
- Rickrack & Vintage-Piece Dating Questions — Two separate dating questions — whether red rickrack trim is period-accurate for an 1860 quilt reproduction, and requests for help dating antique clothing pieces listed on eBay. (see the article on dating quilts)
- Conference & Show Logistics — Practical announcements: AQS Nashville show shuttle-bus details, and an early call for a January 2001 quilt history conference being organized in Tucson, Arizona.
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 07:40:38 -0400 | From: Fran Fitz <fjfitz@>
Dorothy Osler, who is a member on QHL is an expert in Durham quilts and has written an excellent book on British Quilts, which was out of print or a while, but I got a copy not too long ago..It is called Traditional British Quilts..published by B.T. Basford Lts…London. There is also a British Book..Amy Ems’ Story of Durham Quilting..by Amy Ems, edited byPam Dawson..Published by Search Press. She was one of the foremost Durham Quilters and died in 1998.. also Rutledge Hill Press published a very nice book from the Quilters Guild in the UK..it is called Quilt Treasures of Great Britain, The Heritage Search of the Quilters Guild.If you can get any of these you will see some of the fabulous quilting patterns that are found on the Durham Quilts. At the moment I understand that Dorothy Osler has a show of British Quilts, and I assume a good supply of Durham quilts at Bowes Museum , Barnard Castle. I only wish I could go and I understand that there is also a book being published . Dorothy posted the info on the book a week or so ago…..Fran
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 08:08:00 -0400 | From: “Bonnie Wilbur” <Bonnie.Wilbur@>
I like sources as well as titles, so I put Fran’s book titles into the Amazon search screen and here are the results if they would be useful for you also 
Quilt Treasures of Great Britain, The Heritage Search of the Quilters Guild. Click on the picture to order for $29.95.
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 07:58:32 -0500 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co@>
Linda, Be verrrry careful of these. Was the dealer perhaps from Texas? I have a friend/new dealer who acquired one with the same story. I had a really uneasy feeling about the quilts when she showed them to me, but she is just starting out and may have been snookered by the dealer in England. I have also been working with a client on several commission pieces using Pierre Deaux fabrics for her new master bedroom and daughters room. She bought two of these quilts at the show room here in Dallas that were identical to the ones that my friend/new dealer bought in England. The new ones have been washed and are sooo soft and wonderfully buttery that one could mistake them for being quite old. But these still had the famous white tag and “do not remove under penalty of law”…..thing. The ones that my client bought from the showroom were priced @$4-600 (wholesale) and come no larger than 86” square. Stitching is Ok, I wouldn’t say museum quality, and recognizable by the different size stitching front to back. Seems to be consistent in the 4 new ones from Pierre Deaux that I saw. There is a wonderful book about Durham quilts and the woman that was considered the “queen” of Durham quilts, but I can’t put my hands on my copy just now. I think it has a blue satine quilt on the cover….. Anyway, be veeeerrry careful. Laura At 0321 PM 08/17/2000 -0500, Vergamini, Linda wrote >Hello! Does anyone have any information about “Durham” quilts?
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 13:38:13 -0400 | From: maria@ (Maria Elkins)
Dear Sehoy and others, Regarding photos on antique quilts, I’ve been reading “Quilts in America” by Patsy and Myron Orlofsky during my lunch break at work and today, on page 325, I saw a quilt with two photos on it. The caption says “Among college girls and other women in the late Victorian era and early 20th century, the vogue for amateur photography produced blueprint images on cloth…often appearing on pillows and quilts.” The blueprint process would involve treating the cloth with special chemicals, laying the negative over the cloth and exposing it to light. Blueprints can be processed to be blue or brown. Maria Elkins Lost Quilt Come Home Page maria@ http://www.lostquilt.com/
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 18:42:20 +0100 | From: “Sally Ward” <Sally.D.Ward@>
One of the original great sourcebooks, long out of print but till sought after by students of Durham Quilting is called ‘Traditional Quilting‘ by Mavis FitzRandolph and first published in 1954. When I heard Dorothy Osler speak she cited this as the book which sparked her interest in Durham quilting. Sally Ward, UK
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 22:52:09 -0400 | From: “John Cawley” <cawley@>
Fran’s Vintage Friends gathered yesterday at Fran’s aerie in the mountains of western Maryland to look at and talk about antique quilts. (If there were a prize for the studio with the best view Fran would be my nominee.) These gatherings are always wonderful, but yesterday was especially interesting. I’ll share a few highlights. We saw a pair of detachable sleeves in a mourning print of swastikas. We also discovered the following on consulting Meller and Elffers, p. 14 “A Clash of Symbols…..The swastika, for example, is found in almost every ancient culture. Its symbolism varied, but it was always mystical and positive. It remained that way for thousands of years until its appropriation by the Nazis. It now conjures up such disturbing associations that we have deliberately chosen to exclude it from this book, even though we had many nineteenth century examples to choose from.” We saw a beautiful wholecloth quilt made from a blue pillar print; it is in great condition. Another pre-1850 treasure was a huge quilt of nine Touching Stars with quilting that amazed us all (13 stitches to the inch, feathers with triple spines, stippling!!!). Another example of fabulous quilting was a circa 1880 Basket quilt in PA German colors (red, yellow and green in the baskets with a tiny geometric print as the neutral) beautifully quilted by machine. The icing on that particular cake was the back a spectacular madder brown commemorative fabric printed for the Centennial celebration. This fabric contains just about every American patriotic symbol the 19th century had to offer. What fun! Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 11:49:06 +0200 | From: Ady Hirsch <adamroni@>
Hi everyone A couple of additional sources for Durham (as well as other British) quilts – Janet Rae – The Quilts of the British Isles. Although OOP, it is still available through used book dealers (Abe.com has at least 7 on offer) and is an excellent review of British quilts, accompanied by many color photos. (No affiliation, the book is really good <g>) Marchbank, Brenda – Durham Quilting. A book dealing solely with this particular type of quilting. OOP but available through used book dealers. Ady in Israel
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 13:58:30 EDT | From: KareQuilt@
Linda, Amy Emms was inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame in 1992. Here is a tad of information on Amy Emms. QHF Founder and President, Hazel Carter , wrote in the QHF newsletter (No. 2 Winter 1993), “Amy Emms was born in the village of Fulwell, County Durham, on the northeast coast of England, in 1904. Her father passed away before her birth, so Amy’s mother had to work to support the family. In the evenings, she quilted at home. Amy began threading needles at the age of seven, and by 14 she was quilting along side her mother. Amy learned traditional quilting, also known as North Country quilting. Documented as early as 1477, Durham quilting is whole cloth quilting, in which the quilted lines alone create the decorative designs by forming indentations on the surface of the quilt.” A good resource book “Amy Emms’ Story of Durham Quilting” by Amy Emms and edited by Pam Dawson, Search Press, 1991, ISBN 0 85532 669 7 (paperback). There is also a hardback version. Dorothy Osler’s books are also excellent. Ther Quilters Hall of Fame has a book written and edited which will include Amy Emms, along with our other 30 Honorees. We’ just have to wait until we can raise the needed funds. We have the promise of a $10,000 interest free loan from a quilter in CA. Now we just have to raise the other $10,000! Anyone want to volunteer? <g> Karen Alexander
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 01:31:48 EDT | From: KANSIER1
I remember hearing about photo transfers that were done years ago. I think that it was done one of two ways. One was with turpentine and rubbing the back of the photo to transfer the image to the fabric. The other was with halftone film negatives. It was called sun printing or cyanotype. I think the photos looked blue on the fabric. The sun exposes the chemical coating on the film to the fabric. You could call “Blueprints-Printables” in Belmont, CA for more information on this method (1-800-356-0445). I’m not sure what either of these methods did to the original photographs. When I think about the old tintype photos, there must have been a way to put that image from the tin to fabric. Perhaps you could check with the Kodak Company to see if they have the information in their files on photo and film history. Another person to check with would be Ami Simms at Mallery Press (1-800-278-4824). She’s written some good books on photo transfer. I hope this info helps. Kathy Kansier Ozark, MO
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 09:45:39 EDT | From: “Mary Perini” <maryperini>
Dear QHL’ers At a recent meeting of our quilt research group (FVF)a quilt was shown with a block that no one had seen before. I snapped a picture of it and Kris has put it on the web at this address (Thanks, Kris!) http://www.quilthistory.com/00226.htm If you have a moment to look at it, we are hoping that a QHL’er will be able to tell us more about it. Regards, Mary Jane Perini in Hagerstown, Maryland
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 16:20:08 EDT | From: JBQUILTOK
The quilt in question is called Colonial Basket Quilt. I found the block pattern in a magazine several years ago & made some up for a Christmas block exchange in my guild. Since then, I found an original of the pattern. It is an Alice Brooks (No. 5832) The illustration on the pattern shows the block set just as it is in your picture. Janet Bronston
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 20:59:34 -0400 | From: “emilie.worth” <emilie.worthfree.fr> (by way of List Mom <qrs>)
Hello, I am a French student and I am in my 4th year at the university.I have chosen as my research topic the social role of quilt between women in the XIXth century America . Your group is very interesting for me as I find many problems gathering informations in french libraries.I went to New-York in February but I couldn’t stay for long so I think you could help me a lot in my work. Thank you, Emilie Worth
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 17:41:29 -0700 | From: Susan Dick <sfdu.arizona.edu>
I am coordinating a quilt history conference in Tucson, Arizona on January 26 – 28, 2001. would like to share information about this event with your members. I am including the press release with this e mail. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Susan Dick
July 17, 2000 Press Release Contact Susan Dick, Program Development Specialist 520-626-2235 Patterns of the Past Western Themes and Motifs in American Quilt History January 26 – 28, 2001 Windmill Inn Tucson Arizona Quilters, quilt collectors, historians, and others interested in this uniquely American tradition are invited to take a look at quilts, quilters, and life in the Old West in this three-day quilt history conference. Jointly sponsored by the University of Arizona Extended University, the Arizona Historical Society, Tohono Chul Park, and the Arizona State Museum, this weekend event will provide an opportunity to examine Western influences on American quiltmaking. Merikay Waldvogel, nationally recognized quilt historian, will provide the keynote address on Saturday, January 27, 2001 at the Manning House, a beautifully restored historic Tucson mansion. Waldvogel has been involved with documentation of quilts for nearly 20 years. She has authored several books and curated numerous exhibits including Soft Covers for Hard Times Quiltmaking and the Great Depression, Patchwork Souvenirs of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, and Southern Quilts Surviving Relics of the Civil War. Her slide lecture, titled, Quilt Patterns Making the Journey from East to West, will discuss how quilters settling in the Southwest maintained traditions of their foremothers, but were not afraid to experiment with patterns and styles. Other speakers include Eileen Trestain, an AQS certified appraiser of quilted textiles and author of Dating Fabrics, A Color Guide 1800 -1960; Carolyn O’Bagy Davis, noted quilt historian, anthropologist, and author; Peggy Hazard, quilt historian and Assistant Exhibit Curator at Tohono Chul Park; and Laraine Daly Jones, Curator of Textiles at the Arizona Historical Society. These quilt historians will be joined by Mark Bahti, anthropologist and owner of Bahti Indian Arts, and Jane Evans, award-winning quilter, botanist, and owner of Plants for the Southwest. Topics include The Chicken or The Egg, a look at the relationship of quilt patten motifs architectural elements, and Quilting Across Cultures, stories and examples of quilting traditions inspired by the blend of cultures found in the West. The closing session, From Cactus Needles to Quilting Needles, will feature an armchair tour of Western plants, including cactus and wildflowers, and quilts, old and new, that were inspired by them. Conference participants will be treated to special events at unique Tucson locations as well as quilt exhibits at several Tucson museums. Workshops in quilt dating and quilt pattern history will be offered. In addition, the Tucson Quilters Guild 23rd Annual Show, Desert Harmony, will be held at the Tucson Convention Center during the conference weekend. For more information, please call 520-626-2235 or log onto www.eu.arizona.edu/quilts
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 04:12:35 GMT | From: “Anne Copeland” <anneappraiser>
I had a set of blocks identical to those. I believe they were by Nancy Page or someone similar and were published in a newspaper. It is a handsome basket block set on point with the pointed handles. If my memory serves me right, they were by Nancy Page, but as I said, it may have been one of the other designers of her time, but they were definitely published in one of the papers. Cheers, Annie ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 04:14:21 GMT | From: “Anne Copeland” <anneappraiser>
That’s it, Alice Brooks. It was also published in a newspaper. I saw my blocks there–the same ones. Cheers, Annie
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 12:02:56 -0700 | From: Julie Silber
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 21:25:00 -0700 | From: Anne Scott <nzquilterxtra.co.nz>
Weldon’s Practical Patchwork, dated 1896, which sold for 2d (and patterns were included) was definite in its views… A local guild newsletter quoted the folowing which you may find interesting “All the best patchwork is carried out with silk, satin and velvet, either material entirely or silk and velvet together or satin and velvet together, not silk and satin mixed; and cotton fabrics and silk should never be mixed in the same piece of work. Spots, stripes and checks may be mixed with plain silks. Then as regards colour, red, yellow and black are effective and should be used plentifully where contrast is desired, otherwise use harmonies from the spectrum. Of course the main use for patchwork is quilts, but many more articles can be fashioned i.e. cushions, teacosies, piano covers, sachets etc. all of which would be made of silk. Good useful quilts that will bear washing can be made from printed linen, cambric and sateen. Some of the ingrain dye fabrics will wash splendidly, blue linen for butcher’s coats will be very useful and turkey red twill and white calico placed alternately like squares on a chess board, the white pieces having texts written on them are much appreciated and a great source of comfort to the poor invalids. Cloth should be used by itself and very good warm quilts for the poor can be made. Many large linen drapers and silk merchants will sell bundles of remnants by the pound and pieces are often procurable from dressmakers.” Anne Scott Wellington, New Zealand www.nzquilter.com
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 11:07:28 -0500 | From: “Vergamini, Linda” <lvergaminichsomaha.org>
I am sending this in plain text…please let me know if it comes across ok!? I will be traveling to Maine and Nova Scotia in October. Will be in York and Bar Harbor Maine mostly, and then in Yarmouth, Annapolis Royal, Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Does anyone out there know any good antique quilt displays and/or shops that sell antique quilts of the region that I should check out when I am there? Please reply to me at lvergaminichsomaha.org. Thanks!!
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 07:44:02 -0500 | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt>
For any of you planning on attending the AQS Show in Nashville, you won’t want to miss the display of Civil War quilts at Mansker’s Frontier Life Center, a brand new building, and a wonderful area to display quilts. I was there for the hanging of the quilts yesterday, and was permitted to take some digital photos. The curator of the TN museum was there supervising the hanging of the very old quilts. It was interesting to see how they transported them. The were rolled in acid free paper over wide tubes, then covered in mylar. There is one quilt in particular that will take your breath away. They didn’t have the write ups ready, but the curator told me that it was drafted by a soldier on his return from the war. Seems he was an engineer. It looks like a flaming sun, with all its curved rays , done in yellow, red and green. If you changed the colors, you would think it was the work of Caryl Bryer Fallert – that’s the sort of design. The piecing and quilting are amazing to me – no fudging here! I’m anxious to get all the information on this quilt. Even the quilting design is very different. This display of quilts is built around quilts of Tennessee – there’s also a Whig’s Defeat – the pattern that Talula Gilbert Bottoms called Lifeboat. From: a distance it appears to be appliquéd, but on close inspection it’s done just like Talula’s – all pieced. Or perhaps I should say Talula’s is like the antique quilt. 0) If you are at the show, don’t forget that the buses will be leaving Opryland on the even hours and going to this show and to Quilter’s Attic, both in Goodlettsville, about 15 minutes north of Opryland. And it’s only $2 to ride the shuttle. Sehoy Visit Web Threads, the Newsletter for Net Savvy Quilters at http://www.welshofer.com/WebThreads/
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 09:00:19 -0400 | From: Merry May <Inspectrdelanet.com>
> Julie wrote I am a bit perplexed by an applique quilt I am currently > selling. … I’ve not seen anything like this one. Odd format,
