August 6 – 17, 2000
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:
- Quilt Show Season: Quilt Odyssey, Amish Quilts at U of M, and More — Members report on the inaugural Quilt Odyssey in Gettysburg featuring Fran Fitz’s curated 19th-century exhibit, the Amish quilt show at the University of Michigan co-curated by Julie Silber, the Lancaster Heritage Center’s rotating exhibit, and upcoming AQS Nashville logistics.
- International Quilt Exhibitions — Lorraine Olsson reviews the Historic Australian Quilts exhibit curated by Annette Gero at Old Government House in Parramatta, and Dorothy Osler announces her North Country Quilts exhibition at the Bowes Museum in England, tracing English quiltmaking from the 1780s to the present.
- Progress Kit Quilt Identification — Marcia Kaylakie asks about a T.S.&G. Inc. “Progress” pansy kit quilt, and Xenia Cord and Shirley McElderry provide manufacturer history and catalog dating from the 1940s through the 1990s.
- Rickrack History and Dating — Leah Zieber asks whether rickrack on an 1860-dated Pennsylvania quilt is historically accurate; members confirm it dates to the mid-19th century, discuss the cotton-to-polyester transition in the 1970s, and suggest sourcing vintage cotton rickrack from estate sales. (see the article on dating quilts)
- AQS Appraiser Certification Clarification — Bobbie Aug relays Marilyn Maddalena’s detailed statement clarifying that she is not yet AQS-certified, describing her qualifications and the path toward certification. (see the article on quilt appraisers)
- The Quilt Auction: New Online Auction Site — Deb Roberts announces The Quilt Auction, a new ongoing online auction dedicated to quilts, with anti-sniping features and no listing fees through 2001.
- Smithsonian Roof Leak Concerns — Linda Claussen relays a statement from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of History about roof leaks over the textile collections, with assurance that repairs are underway.
- Photos on Victorian Crazy Quilts — Sehoy Welshofer asks how a photograph was transferred to fabric on an 1894 crazy quilt, seeking information on the historical process. (see the article on Victorian crazy quilts)
- Durham Quilts and Chintz Collections — Linda Vergamini inquires about Durham quilts purchased in Bath, England, and mentions her early-1800s chintz quilt collection. (see the article on quilting in Europe)
- Feedsack Club News and Mill History Book — Jane Clark Stapel (Baglady) previews American Patchwork & Quilting’s article on the Feedsack Club and reviews Mills of Rockingham County Volume III, a 675-page history of mills and feedsack production. (see the article on the feedsack story)
- Dating Antique Clothing — Newbie Richardson identifies an Edwardian “combination” undergarment (ca. 1905–1910) and a Gibson Girl bodice (ca. 1903), explaining how the dramatic silhouette shift of 1908–10 preserved these garments unused.
- Textile History Journal Articles — Carol Elmore shares two articles from Dress on American machine-made silks and indigo/manganese dress prints of the early 19th century.
Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 22:32:09 -0400 | From: “John Cawley” <cawley [at] goeaston [dot] net>
On Thursday I went to Quilt Odyssey which debuted this weekend in Gettysburg,PA. Nice quilts, lots of vendors (not all the same ones we usually see at the East Coast shows), a facility that offered plenty of room so that neither quilts nor viewers were squeezed for space. I’m already looking forward to next year. The highlight of the show was the wonderful exhibit of 19th century quilts curated by QHL’s own Fran Fitz, the eponymous founder of Fran’s Vintage Friends. I’ll declare up front that my quilt inscribed by William Gross in 1862 was included; hanging next to it was another William Gross quilt, also a Rolling Stone, dated 1869. Fran managed to find examples which offered a tour of quiltmaking in the 19th century a broderie perse Tree of Life, a glazed wool whole-cloth, a splendid central medallion with a very creative use of striped fabric (I think that was my favorite), a Maryland (not Baltimore–more folky) applique album, an incredible four-block Prince’s Feather that looked like it just came off the frame, several classic mid-nineteenth century appliques, pieced quilts galore, the all-time most beautiful redwork quilt (you can see it on Phyllis Twigg’s website), a couple of crazies. It was great! After all the work of hanging the quilts, Fran also organized the AQSG booth at the show. I hope lots of you were able to see this wonderful exhibit. Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 07:57:11 -0400 | From: “The Wykes Family” <wykesfcn [at] tdi [dot] net>
Hi QHL This may have already been discussed, but I just wanted to encourage any of you to attend the Amish quilt exhibit at U of M Art Museum in Ann Arbor, MI. Julie Silber (who is on this list) is one of the co-curators and it is worth a trip to the museum. The exhibit is free and entrance to the museum is free but parking is a real pain so try to get there ASAP before school starts to be able to park. The quilts are all pre-1940 and you can get up close, even get a little chair from their hallway and sit and look at each one carefully to ponder on it. There is also a book you can purchase (I did) that has every quilt plus some others in it. This is an exhibit that is moving onto the Smithsonian next, so it is very much worth a trip! Debbie Wykes Monroe, MI
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 08:46:16 EDT | From: JQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
if you go to this website http://www.umich.edu/~umma/ you can see 3 of the quilts in the exhibition jean laino
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2000 02:08:04 -0400 | From: “Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Quilts” <oldquilt [at] albany [dot] net>
We have been out of town, attending several big shows. I meant to take my laptop so I could monitor the list – and I did – but I forgot the modem! Anyway, while reviewing the lists, I noticed a couple of things. Please don’t post virus warnings to the list. I do subscribe to several professional lists. If there is a dangerous virus out there, I will let everyone know. Also, I noticed some enterprising spammer subscribed to the list just for the purpose of sending spam! I unsubscribed them, have no fear. Cuenet does filter postings. If you find yourself mysteriously unsubscribed, it may be because 1. You posted in MIME or HTML, or using stationery. 2. You sent an attachment to the list – a picture, a business card, a virus! 3. You cross-posted – all those headers can be seen as SPAM. 4. Your mail was returned by your server, for whatever reason. Once you have fixed the problem, just sign back up again. The instructions are at http://www.quilthistory.com. There are instructions there for changing your method of receiving postings and changing your E-mail address, too. Kris
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2000 10:01:11 +0000 | From: Bobbie Aug <qwltpro [at] uswest [dot] net>
Thanks, Marilyn, for this clarification and your persistence in seeing that the post did appear on QHL. Bobbie Aug, Quilt Appraiser, Certified by the AQS Member, AQS Appraiser Certification Committee Marilyn Maddalena by way of List Mom wrote > On July 18th I responded to this list regarding my being listed as an AQS > Appraiser for this quilt show in a notice about the show posted on this > list. For some reason my reply never reached QHL — at least, if it did, I > haven’t seen it. Just to be sure everyone has this information accurately, > I’m re-sending my reply. This incorrect information has upset many AQS > appraisers — and it certainly has been difficult for me. I am not
> accustomed to being accused of misrepresentation or fraud or anything else > one might call it. Here is my original reply > For Catherine and everyone else on this list — I’m glad to see the > information going out about the annual month-long antique quilt show at the > history museum coming up next month in Folsom, CA. This will be my third > year to do antique quilt appraisals for the museum, and it is always a > thrilling experience to see the wonderful antique quilts that come in to > that show. However, I am NOT a certified AQS appraiser as mentioned in the > earlier post, and have never knowingly let anyone believe that I am. I am > very clear to anyone who asks that I am NOT certified. I have taken the AQS > classes related to certification — fair market values, insurance values, > donation values — and have taken classes on dating fabrics and many other > courses related to antique quilts, plus purchasing and reading every book I > can find on the subject. I am also very involved with my local guild and > other quilting groups, am serving as a quilt show judge throughout the > state, and keep up on what is happening with the quilting world in > contemporary and art quilts, as well as wearable art. (It’s a good thing > I’m retired from my “day job” or I wouldn’t have time to do all these > things!) I am on several e-mail lists and spend many hours doing research > for the appraisals I do. I have appraised approximately 500 quilts since I > began several years ago. I had planned to submit my paperwork to AQS by July > 1st this year and hoped to take the certification test in 2001. However, I > was injured a little over a year ago, and that has put a kink in my schedule > to take the certification tests. I hope to submit the paperwork next year. > Perhaps because I do so many appraisals, folks assume I am certified. My > brochures and my websites say that I have taken classes, and list most of > them, and that I am “working toward certification” — but I am not certified > and do not want anyone to be misled and think that I am certified. > Thank you for your understanding of this most difficult situation. > > Marilyn Maddalena — “Sew Special” — Quilt Appraiser, Judge, Historian and > speaker on antique quilts and Russian quilting > NQA Publications Chair, Secretary of the CA Heritage Quilt Project, Board > member of River City Quilters’ Guild, Sacramento, CA > Check out my websites http://www.jps.net/marilynquilt > and http://www.geocities.com/marilynquilts > http://www.quiltappraiser.net > http://www.quiltjudge.net
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2000 13:52:28 -0400 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett [at] fast [dot] net>
Last night as I was checking my 5 days of accumulated mail I immediately thought of Trish Herr’s Lancaster book when I read the request about the Harriet Carpenter quilt. Harriet’s work is beautiful. The exhibit at the Lancaster Heritage Center that Xenia mentioned is on through December but the really neat part for those of us fortunate enough to live close — the quilts are being replaced as I type this. I spoke with Trish and since the museum is closed on Mondays they are spending the current Mondays replacing the hanging quilts with similar quilts — I don’t know details of what that means — and the new exhibit is expected to be completely in place by mid to late August and will be up through December. When I have time to visit I will let everyone know about the “new” quilts to see — I’m sure they will be as wonderful as those we saw in April. And if you are from a bit further away you might want to wait til November to visit as you will also be able to see the exhibit at the York Heritage Trust which opens early November — I don’t know the exact date yet. It will have 30 to 40 quilts found during the York Documentation. The 2 exhibits are probably about 1 hour apart, and both are closed on Mondays. I returned last evening from the Gettysburg Quilt Odyssey and as Cinda so wonderfully described — Fran Fitz’s exhibit of antique quilts was fantastic. It received rave reviews from the people attending and the plan is to have an antique quilt exhibit at the show each year — approximately 30 to 33 antique quilts each year. The exhibits for the next 3 years are planned — the themes, not the exact quilts — and will feature Pennsylvania quilts and will definitely be worth the trip. Quilt Odyssey had wonderful new quilts also — innovative, traditionally inspired, appliqued and pieced — the quilts were wonderful and displayed beautifully — wide aisles, lots of space, and all quilts and vendors in one large building. Barb in Southeastern PA See my historical doll quilts at http://www.hickoryhillquilts.com/with.htm
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 22:45:26 EDT | From: QuiltEvals [at] aol [dot] com
Dear QHL’ers, Due to problems with the servers, things aren’t official yet, but they should be by tomorrow (Wednesday, August 9). I am really very excited about this and as the charter member of the QHL, wanted this to be among the first places that I share the news. An online auction, designed primarily for the sale of quilts and related items is something I have been thinking about for some time, and recently I felt that I may as well take the plunge. Of course, there will be kinks to iron out, but I am hoping that things will run smoothly. I hope you all don’t mind, but to avoid any problems I will send the URL to the QHL tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind this “premature” announcement, but be patient with me – I am just excited. Below are excerpts from a press release that will go out tomorrow <
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 10:36:26 EDT | From: QuiltEvals [at] aol [dot] com
Yes, there was an auction for quilts online, however it was not ongoing and had specific dates for bidding throughout the year. This auction is ongoing, similar to ebay. Thanks – Deb Roberts In a message dated 8/9/00 35023 AM Pacific Daylight Time, satkins [at] powerup [dot] com [dot] au writes << I am sure there was an auction site specifically for quilts either early this year or late last. The quilts were fairly expensive but it was definitely an auction site but hope all goes well. >>
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 12:30:35 EDT | From: ThreadDog [at] aol [dot] com
I received the following post from Martha Morris, who is in the Director’s Office of the National Museum of History, at the Smithsonian. Her post was dated Monday, but I inadvertently delisted myself, and am just now getting untangled. “I have checked with our facilities director and found that we have some roof leaks which are being dealt with by the installation of drip pans in the ceilings. This is a problem that has occurred in the last few months. I understand the drip pans are connected to exiting drains and that they are watched carefully, especially when it rains. The underlying problem is our roof which is now undergoing replacement. The current schedule is to complete the work on the area over Textiles by the end of the calendar year. Roof replacement should eliminate leaks. We have very conscientious and professional staff in the curatorial division and they are quite vigilant about the care of collections. Let’s keep talking about ways to continue to get the quilts more accessible to our public. Thanks….” Martha Morris Passed along by Linda Claussen, who also has a roof leak problem threaddog [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:00:01 EDT | From: JQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
if you go to any discount store and buy a pair of men’s support hose…cut the tops off at the beginning of the heel and fold the long cuff over in 2 …you have a perfect support for your wrists while playing/working at the computer …. if you want to be extra frugal(el cheapo)…you could share the cost of a pair with a friend and each take one sock… )))) jean laino
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 12:03:04 -0500 | From: Marcia Kaylakie <marciark [at] ev1 [dot] net>
Hi Group, A member of my bee came in last week with a partially completed quilt top that someone in town had given her. A floral applique , a kit quilt, and printed on the selvege was this T.S.& G. Inc. N.Y.C. “PROGRESS” No 1365 81″x99″ PANSY QUILT We would like to find out more about this particular kit. Is there anyone who recognizes it and can lead us in the right direction, or who has a Progress catalog that might list this? Thanks, Marcia
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 17:08:23 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net>
I can add the information that T.S.&G. was (and still is, in part) Tobin, Sporn & Glaser, of New York City, makers of Progress articles (“Insist on genuine Progress articles.”). They are currently Tobin Housewares and have no records of their previous activity as suppliers of kit quits, but still maintain copyright on the kit designs they sold. Dating any of the kits from Progress is difficult, if not impossible. As far as I know, no one has a complete numerical list of their kits, or a list tied to mfg. dates. Moreover, many of the kit designs were current over a number of years. Xenia
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 19:52:08 EDT | From: QuiltEvals [at] aol [dot] com
Okay – I do apologize to those of you who have written me today asking for the URL, as I mentioned, I wanted to wait until the server thought all of the kinks were taken care of – so here it goes! Comments and suggestions will be appreciated – please send them to this address so that I get them right away – Deb Roberts http://thequiltauction.com
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 21:05:13 EDT | From: QuiltEvals [at] aol [dot] com
Hey there, Picked up on a couple of really nice quilts on ebay right now that are worth a look, if simply for enjoyment. The first is a great example of a dated album sampler top http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=402937316 Classified as an Album, Friendship and Sampler quilt, each block is unique, though many are of the same fabrics. Many are signed and one has a poem and attribution. (See the bird and cat block below.) This looks like it was a school project, probably made for the teacher (?) – an early school project. One block is dated “1906” in embroidery. The embroidered inscription on the corner block reads: “Remember us now/Remember us ever/Remember us as/Your school children together.” That block is signed by “Harry Yount.” Other blocks are signed with students’ names like “Emma Pemberton” (shoe and flower block), “Elma Yount” (red leaf block), “Marie Jones” (four baskets block) and “Ruby Grove” in the center block with butterfly. Several blocks have small papers with names written on them, attached by thread. These are fragile and some of those small papers are disintegrating. Approximately 84 x 92 inches.
Click on the thumbnails above to see them up close
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 16:00:44 +1000 | From: “Lorraine Olsson” <sven [at] pnc [dot] com [dot] au>
On June 1st, I announced the then forthcoming exhibition on Historic Australian Quilts, to be held in Parramatta in the Old Government House building. Yesterday I took the opportunity to make a visit to see the exhibit. WOW!! For the benefit of fellow Australians , or visitors to our shores, the date of closing has been extended to the 27th August. And if you have any possibility of going along, GO! If you can not get there, you can certainly get the catalogue. While the exhibition is still open you can get a copy from ……. Dr Annette Gero
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 13:14:54 +0100 | From: Dorothy Osler <doosler [at] demon [dot] co [dot] uk>
Can I inform the QHL line about a major new exhibition in England. It is called ‘North Country Quilts Legend and Living Tradition’, curated by myself, and opened last Saturday at The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, England. It traces the history of quiltmaking in the North of England from the 1780s right up to the present day. The oldest quilt is signed and dated 1783 and the most recent quilt was completed in the spring of this year. The selection of 88 quilts (including recent art quilts by leading British quilt artists like Pauline Burbidge and Michele Walker) has been beautifully displayed by the museum staff in two large galleries (which usually house classical paintings!). For anyone travelling to England, do come and see this exhibition if you can. You will not be disappointed at the quality and range of quilts on show. The museum is about 220 miles north of London (near to Darlington main line station and Teesside airport) and in a popular tourist area. It is a magnificent building – like a French chateau. A book accompanies the exhibition (also by myself). Its title is also ‘North Country Quilts Legend and Living Tradition’ and it contains colour photographs of all but three of the quilts in the show within the chapters of historical overview and personality focuses (total 88 pages). The book is now on sale at the museum and will soon be in retail outlets in the UK. It is hoped to distribute it to the US at a later date. The price is 16 pounds sterling with 2.50 pounds p&p (UK); 3.50 pounds p&p (Europe) and 5.50 pounds (Rest of World). To obtain now, contact the Museum (sterling cheques can be made payable to The Bowes Museum) at the address above. — — Dorothy Osler
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 06:54:26 -0500 | From: Shirley McElderry <tigersoup [at] lisco [dot] com>
The Progress “The Pansy” quilt kit was advertised in Herrschner’s catalog #72 (1948-49) and in catalog #73 (1949-50) as “Pansy Design.” It was advertised in LeeWard catalog #29 (1960-61) as “Perky Pansy” and catalog #51 (1967) as “Pert Pansy.” As Xenia pointed out, The TSand G, Inc. was Tobin, Sporn and Glaser, Inc. Their later name was Tobin Home Fashions, Inc.
The latest kit that I know of by Tobin Home Fashions, Inc. was purchased in 1993 from a mail-order service; a #1512 “Rose of Sharon” cross-stitch with a ground of polyester/cotton, so they are still in business as far as I know. Herrschner and LeeWard mail-order catalogs often times changed the names of the kits to suit them. And sometimes the kits one ordered from them had the original manufacturer’s name on them and other times they didn’t. The manufacturers were not so named in their advertisements; one just has to compare the ads with the quilt inserts that came with the original kit. That is why the original kit inserts are so valuable for quilt research; and if anyone out there wants to get rid of those old papers, please let me know; I will give them a very good home! Shirley Mc from Iowa
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 19:37:13 EDT | From: LeahZieber [at] aol [dot] com
Hi, I have a quick question regarding rickrack in quilts that are pre-1900. I am reproducing a Pennsylvania quilt that is dated 1860. The vine in the borders around the quilt was done in red rickrack. The quilt can be seen in L. Baird’s book titled Quilts (p. 40/41) and in The American Quilt Story page244. The pattern in The American Quilt Story even calls for red rickrack. I was just curious as to whether this was accurate for the date 1860? Also, would contemporary rickrack be appropriate in a reproduction of this quilt? I am trying to match fabrics as closely as possible and wondered if today’s rickrack was similar in style style/material as it was in the 1800’s. Appreciate your input. Best regards, Leah Zieber
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 20:32:04 -0500 | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt [at] bellsouth [dot] net>
Well, the information we’ve been waiting for is finally here! We have the shuttle bus schedule for the AQS Show listed on our web site. If you’re staying north of Nashville, you can catch a bus in Goodlettsville on the hour, and go to the show at Opryland. For that matter, if you live in the area and don’t want to fight the traffic and the parking, leave your car at the pick up spot and ride the bus – that’s what I’m going to do. Coming down 65 from Kentucky? Leave your car in Goodlettsville and cruise in on the bus. Or if you’re at the show and want to see the quilts displayed at Manskers Creek or in Goodlettsville you can do that. If you’re staying at one of the hotels in Goodlettsville that has the terrific rates (Baymont Inn and Holiday Inn Express) the buses are picking up at the front door and heading to Opryland. And it’s only $2.00 for the round trip! How’s that for a bargain! (I think the parking at Opryland is about $6.00 now) If you’re taking the Kaye England class at Quilter’s Attic on Saturday, hop on the bus and come on up! There will be at least 7 trunk shows there, plus lots and lots of fabric. They’ve extended their hours for the show – that information is also on our web site. So go to our web site, and on the front page, near the top, you’ll see where to click for the information. Hope to see lots of you there! Sehoy Visit Web Threads, the Newsletter for Net Savvy Quilters at http://www.welshofer.com/WebThreads/
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 10:33:35 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
We have a reservation for lunch at FOUR SEASONS Nov 3rd, n HOUSTON TX.. the room will accommodate 15 to 20 . If you have an interest in vintage fabric, feedsacks, and want to chat, meet people who have emailed back and forth with online, want to swap, buy, or sell vintage or feedsacks, make your reservations THRU ME..as soon as you can..Jane (baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com)
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 17:47:15 -0400 | From: MsNearMint [at] aol [dot] com (by way of List Mom <qrs [at] albany [dot] net>)
Hi all. I enjoy this newsletter so much and have been a member for over 1 year and have learned so much. Now I need some help but it isn’t a quilting matter. I have 2 antique pieces of clothing on ebay. The item #s are 405349141 and 405349149. I know some of you are experts in laces and textiles. Would you please take a look and help me date these two pieces. I would appreciated it very much. I have looked in a lot of web sites and books and cant find anything like them. Thank you in advance for your help. Pattyann MsNearMint [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 20:29:14 -0400 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts [at] erols [dot] com>
Rick-rack does date to the mid 19th c. There was a very good article about it in Piecework Magazine about 2/3 years ago. It was used a lot to fashion “lace” designs by curving it and sewing it together like tape in battenburg lace designs. However, it was 100% cotton and the dyes were different. Any reproduction quilt will have to battle finding the right shade of rick rack in cotton! Cheers, Newbie Richardson
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 20:02:19 -0400 | From: Martha Wroolie <mwroolie [at] mindspring [dot] com>
Hello All I’ve been lurking off and on since attending my first QRC in Omaha in 1998 and learning of QHL. Many thanks to you all for the great information and support in many ways. Perhaps I can share a bit that will help on the recent rick rack thread. Newbie, thanks for the tip on Piecework magazine; I’ll search for that. During the mid 1960s, armed with my brand new BS in Clothing and Textiles, I worked in the New York design and education department for Wright’s (then Wm. E Wright & Co.). They were then, as now, major manufacturers of rick rack and other sewing notions. If I recall correctly, the rick rack at that time was 100% cotton. My family owned a fabric/trim shop during the 50s, 60s and early 70s and I have a few goodies left from that. I checked my stash and found several packages of 100% polyester rick rack with a date of 1974 on the label so they had made the switch by then. Packages of earlier rick rack labeled 100% cotton had no date on the labels but my best guess is that they were from the 60’s and early 70s. The best hope I would offer to track the cotton down now would be through yard or estate sales from women who sewed during that era. I’ve also had good luck with antique/flea market dealers who’ve acquired these stashes along the way. I think if you can find the cotton, you’ll have much better luck achieving the look you want for your reproduction quilt. Best of luck. Martha Wroolie Atlanta, GA
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 09:57:06 -0400 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts [at] erols [dot] com>
This is in response to the query you posted on the Quilt History List . My name is Newbie Eichardson and I am a textile historian, conservator and appraiser in private practice in the Washington DC area. The “camisole/bloomers” date from about 1905/1910. this combination was actually called a “combination”! After about 1918 it evolved into a more streamlined one piece to accommodate the significant change of silhouette that occurred in 1908/10. Things got a lot slimmer! I hate to tell you, but it is not that rare a survivor. Because of the change in silhouette and the fact that we have never gone back to the Edwardian lines as a fashion revival, these beautiful lingerie items were put away and forgotten. Also, it was hard to “canabalize” them for donor parts to use in other sewing projects. Although I do know that some of them were recycled into christening clothes. The blouse is in fact a bodice from about 1903 or so. It has the signature “momo-bosom” of the Gibbson Girl silhouette. It too survived because of the dramatic change in silouette that occured – so that it could not be remade into amore fashionable article. The skirt probably had enough fabric in it to be remade! A really good book for dating this era’s leftover clothing is by Kristina HarrisVictorian and Edwardian Fashions for Women by Schiffer Books. She shows you what they look like now, as well as then! Her text is very useful and readable for the layman as well as those of us who do not have enough brain to remember it all! Her prices are way out of date, though. Good luck Newbie Richardson past crafts studios Alexandria, Va. pastcrafts [at] erols [dot] com
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 16:40:34 -0500 | From: “Carol H. Elmore” <celmore [at] ksu [dot] edu>
I recently saw a table of contents listing for the newest volume of Dress (vol. 26, 1999). Two articles caught my eye and will probably be of interest to all of you textile history buffs. The articles are as follows Field, Jacqueline. “Silk and Style Affording American Machine-Made Silks at the Turn of the Twentieth Century.” Dress Vol 26 (1999) 47-57. Greene, Susan W. “Service with Style Indigo, Manganese Bronze, and Hoyle’s Purple Dress Prints, 1800-1855.” Dress Vol 26 (1999) 17-30. The journal had other articles but these two caught my eye. Carol Elmore Reference Specialist Social Sciences/Humanities Reference Hale Library Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas 66505
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 09:17:13 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
Yesterday, I received an advance copy of an article from American Patchwork Quilt Magazine who we did an interview with awhile back about THE FEEDSACK CLUB. this was compliments of HEIDI KAISAND. What a professsional way to do a story..to let the interviewed know the text of the article so that corrections can be made, or newer infomation added…no wonder this is such a well likeed magazine and GROWING in popularity. Please be sure to check your favorite newstand as it will be there waiting for you OCTOBER 10..and if you CANNOT find a copy, Heidi says call 1-888-547-2147 and they will guide you from there.. by the by..Heidi informed me that AMERICAN PATCHWORK#QUILTING has the largest paid circulation in the United States and passed QNL last January.. apparently they are doing it right.. ENJOY!!!!
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 20:53:40 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
Awhile back I was interviewed, as were various members of my FEEDSACK CLUB, for a new book being written on mills..the home of many a feedsack that we prize so highly today. The other day I received a MARVELOUS BOOK..it’s enough to take one’s breath away..675 pages of mill/feedsack history beyond one’s dreams. Mills of Rockingham County
Volume 111 (this is a county in my home state of Virginia) Complied by Janet baugher Downs and Earl J. Downs with Pat Turner Ritchie Section i is documentation of 28 more mill sites discovered since the conpletion of Volume II. Twelve of these mills are in Plains District. Section 2 features the “MEMORIES by the SACKFUL” exhibits at four Valley museums in 1997 which inspired the first mill book. THE FEEDSACK CLUB participated in this exhibit and I believe it was the first time that there were more than 2 location sites for exhibits at one time. There are several articles on the history of feedsacks and how homemakers stretched their budgets by making clothing and linens from feedsacks. There is an article on BEMIS BAG CO. a famous maker of cloth bags, and one of flour sack art, the decorations on flour bags. Section 3 & 4 contain additional information and memorabilia on 53 of the mills in Volumes 1 and 2, The book has 700 photographs of mills, former mill sites, millers and rural Rockingham County farm scenes from long ago. There are photos of flour and feedsacks of all sizes and descriptions plus the finished articles made from the sacks. Many of the photos are sacks that were loaned by my members, as well as interviews done with them. You will see alot of names of people you know. Printed on acid-free archival paper, he book has 190 items of memorabilia. Available Summer of 2000. Proceeds go to the Harrisonburg-Rockinghame Historical Society Pullication Fund for future books on the history of the county. If yo would like to order this book contact Mills of Rockingham County, Volume 3 $45.00 and add $7.50 for shipping Virginia residents add $2.03 per book for sales tax Send you check to Harisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society P O Box 716 Dayton, VA 22821 If your family or friends have an interest in the old time mills, history of this part of the country, then this book HAS to be on your bookshelves..Not only are you reading the history of the mills, but also the names/photos/stories of the people , their homes, deeds to the property, towns, everything you could ask for.you just might ‘run into’ someone you know. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!! and I am so proud that my club , members, and myself were so honored to take part in this historical venture. Jane Clark Stapel
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 06:34:58 -0500 | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt [at] bellsouth [dot] net>
Just saw something yesterday that has really peaked my curiosity. We had our monthly guild meeting, and one of our guild members brought 2 crazy quilts that she had purchased some time ago. The one in particular I found interesting. The embroidered date on the quilt, I believe, was 1894 (if not that year, it was close to it) Now what made it so interesting to me was that there was a photograph on the quilt! Now how in heaven’s name did they do that? And all these years later, it’s like it was done yesterday. And we do all sorts of machinations to get a photo on fabric. Anyone out there know where I can find information on the process that might have been used to accomplish this? Sehoy Visit Web Threads, the Newsletter for Net Savvy Quilters at http://www.welshofer.com/WebThreads/
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 15:21:11 -0500 | From: “Vergamini, Linda” <lvergamini [at] chsomaha [dot] org>
Hello! Does anyone have any information about “Durham” quilts? I recently purchased a quilt from a dealer who bought it in Bath, England in the 1970’s. The shop where she got it had dated it to c. 1850. It has quite elaborate quilting patterns on it, and has a wool batting. I would like to know more about these quilts. I also have a collection of early 1800 chintz quilts, so anyone with an interest here, I would love to hear about your collections! Thanks! Linda Vergamini (lvergamini [at] chsomaha [dot] org) –
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 20:26:36 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
I have a friend who has written a sequel to an original book and is looking for a publisher who will pay royalties. Any suggestions? Thank you Jane
