December 23 – 28, 2006
These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.
Primary topics of this QHL Digest:
- Grey Goods and Fabric Quality — Joan Kiplinger explains print cloth and grey goods, and Sandra Munsey and QUILTMOORE debate whether thirties feed sack quilts were made of low-quality cloth.
- Fabric Accessibility and Sharing — Laura Fisher, Alan and Debby Kratovil talk about fabric access and redistribution, and Teddy Pruett floats a national fabric exchange.
- Newly Created Quilts — Joan Stevens, Julia Zgliniec, Alan and Newbie Richardson answer what they expect to happen to the quilts they make now.
- Clues in the Calico Reprint — Newbie Richardson asks about the status of a reprint of Clues in the Calico, and Mitzi finds used copies priced very high.
- Holiday Notes and Good News — Members share holiday greetings and a grandchild’s arrival, and Debby Kratovil and Pepper Cory point to a news video on sewing.
- Georgia Book and Southern Quilt Conference — Gail Ingram reports on her new Georgia quilt book and the Southern Quilt Conference, and Karan Flanscha pre-orders a new Sue Reich book.
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 08:33:36 -0500 | From: Louise (ltiemann)
I have read the posts on Walmart closing their fabric departments to make room for electronics. Several people noted that the prices of quilt shop fabric might increase (it probably will). One thing that struck me was that while Walmart as adding stores and increasing the market capacity for fabric, the prices of quilt shop fabric did not go down. On thing that might happen is overall fabric price reduction as suppliers try to keep in business with a shrinking customer base. Usually if there is more capacity than demand, prices drop. It should be interesting to watch the market dynamics of this. Either way, taking Walmart out of the equation will have an impact. Just my thoughts, Louise
From: munsey
Regarding the following ‘thought’: “One more thought re quality – Thirties quilts were made from feed sacks= – a low quality, low thread count fabric. I have a Thirties quilt as well as=
quite a few blocks, and as an avid surfer on Ebay and a lover of depress ion quilts, have got the distinct impression that Depression quilts have far ed rather well over the years, despite low quality, cheap fabrics and harduse. Most of the ones you see are still fresh and quite well preserved.”
Although the above comment on quality suggests that cheap fabrics in the Thirties were poor stuff, Thirties fabric – and up through the Fifties,= also – even the 25 cent and 3 yards for a dollar fabric, generally was of better greige goods than that found being used today for Walmart and Joann’s fabric stocks. Even some of the better named yardgoods found i n quilt shops isn’t much better once the sizing is washed out. Feed sac ks – grain bags to this New Englander – was study stuff. It had to be s ince it contained heavy loads of grain for cattle and other farm animal s. “Scratch feed” for chickens is cracked corn, heavy and sharp. Fifty and 100 pound bags of sugar also have coarse threads, but they are stro ng bags. I have used Fifties scraps from my stash with which I can getmore quilting stitches per inch than current fabric. Why? Because thegreige goods has more threads per inch. Why do we buy the poorer qualit y fabric? We are seduced by the enticing prints. I’m guilty, too. Happy Holidays to All and Hope for Peace. Sandra on Cape Cod
From: QUILTMOORE
In a message dated 12/22/2006 4:26:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, adamroni writes:
One more thought re quality – Thirties quilts were made from feed sacks – a low quality, low thread count fabric. I have a Thirties quilt as well as quite a few blocks, and as an avid surfer on Ebay and a lover of depression quilts, have got the distinct impression that Depression quilts have fared rather well over the years, despite low quality, cheap fabrics and hard use. Most of the ones you see are still fresh and quite well preserved.
Being a lover of feedsacks, I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. Feedsacks came in many fabrics and many thread counts. The majority that we collect and use for quilting today are strong, durable fabrics, which they had to be to hold the grain/flour/sugar, and withstand shipping, loading, etc. Depression quilts are still around due to the very high number made, I am sure many went to the doghouse long ago. ;>)
Walmart-I shop there at least once a week, sometimes more. I have found wonderful inexpensive fabric there for curtains. I am sure they will still carry craft and sewing notions, but most of the fabric is junk, and it is dated, I see the same prints sitting there week after week. I wonder what Cranston/VIP will do when Walmart quits the fabric business.
Nan in FL http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltmoore
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:01:46 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger (jkip)
Some things to keep in mind about fabric:
Grey [gray, greige, brown] goods come in 2 types — print [carded, less quality strain of cotton] and fine plains [usually mercerized and better
cotton strain]. Most of the top muslins are print which of course have a lower thread count. Most of the old fabrics we loved — Quadriga, Soisette, 180 tc percales, E&W, ABC for example — are fine plains.
Print and fine plains conversions range from the low-end processing and additives for prints to the more sophisticated processing and high qualty additives — bleaching, dyeing, printing control, careful retentering, Sanforizing and type of finish — for fine plains
This is what is meant by the textile industry’s standard motto that fabric is made in the finishing.
Some quilt fabrics are made in fine plains but I think most fall under the print, at least from what I’ve seen at a local quilt shop. What is really sad is the characteristics so often found in the weaving of old cottons such the occasional slub is gone; all surfaces are now cloned interlacings of the high-speed shuttless and air jet looms.
Speaking of tentering above — if fabric is advertised as 45″ for instance and in reality is slightly less it is due to the loss during converting. When this 45″ fabric its grey state goes through all of the
operations in converting, a loss of width is effected and fabric may not be fully retentered [stretched] back to near original width. And some manufacturers which have bolts already labeled per original size, do not bother with the expense of changing label text to the new width if there is a width change. This change of width is seldom found in fine
plains.
I hope there is not a price to pay for Walmart’s proposed actions. However, cotton futures and tariff agreements affect pricing more than loss of a mill order. Most of what Walmart carries anymore are flat folds [at least at our store], distressed merchandise which the mills have already been paid for early on in the selling game.
I hope for those who depend on Walmart that there is salvation so to speak and that they will not be without a fabric source.
From: RAGLADY
A quick answer to your question below can be found by using this URL and typing Cranston in the search box and then repeating the step but typing in VIP… \<grin> http://www.quiltshops.com/search.htm
BTW, Quilting Treasures/div. of VIP line of fabrics have been in quiltshops for quite some time.
From: J. G. Row
Thanks for sending that link. I am really impressed with thatfree-floating wired and beaded headdress as well.
What do you think the necklace is made from?
J. G. Row
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:22:14 -0600 | From: Gail Ingram (gingram)
In yesterday’s post came the new Georgia Quilt book, a large lovely book promising hours of joy—thanks to the most accommodating museum of the Atlanta History Center.
Circular saws galore, along with a full page photograph of the most realistic circular saw I’ve ever seen. Then a smaller photo of its owner beside the quilt on a huge Victorian Renaissance bed. Only such a quilt could compete with the vaulting and vaunting bed. Wow! And so many other lively quilts from Georgia’s past. All somehow of a piece, the spacing of applique elements somehow different from more “refined” or less galomphy applique. Spirited. That’s it.
The many black and white photographs from the Historic Georgia/Vanishing Georgia collection give context to each featured quilt.
Too much to take in or remark in the short time I had for it before falling asleep over it.
I am working fast and hard so I will be able to loll before the fire for at least a while on Christmas day and take my time with the quilts of Georgia and also the quilts of Virginia. At last!
Before all of you receive Christmas checks from Santas near and far and then spend them foolishly here and there, may I remind you once more of the Southern Quilt Conference in Ruston, LA on weekend of March 23 and 24th. As we have moved to a more complete program, we are all excited. I hope in time all of us will look at this conference the way we look at the work of Bets Ramsey and Merikay Waldvogel in Tennessee: as something that stimulated a new look at the quilts of our large region. That’s a lot to hope, for Bets’ work was among the early work that kept the light on for southerners who loved and wanted to know more about the quilts of our past. Yet, as we watch things come together and imagine the conversations the conference will begin, we hope. So why not put some of the Xmas pennies toward the weekend in late March?
Georgians, y’all did good!
Gail Inram
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:21:00 -0600 | From: Karan Flanscha (SadieRose)
Merry Christmas to me 🙂 I pre-ordered Sue Reich’s new book “Quilting News of Yesteryear: 1000 Pieces and Counting” (from her note to QHL on 11-9-06), and it arrived yesterday… I think everyone will definitely want a copy!! There are photos including close-ups of several ‘multi-fabric’ quilts to illustrate 300 newspaper articles from the 1830s to the 1930s. There is a wonderful mini nine patch, set block to block, on the cover. I would want the book just for the photos, although I’m sure the text is fascinating (I haven’t had time to read much of it yet 🙂 I love how there are photos of the entire quilt, and then excellent close-ups of both the front and the back, showing foundation piecing construction on some that are still tops. Photos of a Centennial cheater print on the back of Emma Willey’s Centennial Charm quilt are fabulous. The quilts were chosen to fit the chronology of the newspaper excerpts. The publisher is Schiffer. For more information, you can contact Sue at: suereich Congratulations, Sue, on a wonderful addition to any quilt history lover’s library!! Happy Holidays!! Karan from chilly Iowa (where #2DS finally made it home after being stuck in the Cinncinnati airport last night)!
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:03:16 -0500 | From: Pepper Cory (pepcory)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/
Click on this video link and take heart! Pepper Cory
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:46:53 -0500 | From: Karen Evans
Hm. Probably some sort of metal or twisted wire…I can ask and try to find out. Aren’t the sleeves amazing? Someday I’m going to make one, I SWEAR I am….
Karen —– Original Message —– From: “J. G. Row” To: “Quilt History List” Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 2:43 PM Subject: [qhl] Re: Astonishing German patchwork sleeves
Karen
Thanks for sending that link. I am really impressed with that free-floating wired and beaded headdress as well.
What do you think the necklace is made from?
J. G. Row
From: Lorraine Olsson
Hello All, Seasons greetinigs to you all. If you would like to visit the followinglink, you will see a card from me to you.
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=3D1105214965803
Good luck for your holidays and for the New Year, Cheers, Lorraine in Oz
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 05:28:16 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
If you would like to see my Christmas “bundle of joy,” (my new grandson), visit the front page of my website.
“Grammy” Pat http://www.quiltersmuse.com
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 | From: Mitzioakes
Congrats to you Grandma! I bet that baby won’t be a bit spoiled . But why not? Our unexpected Xmas gift today was a trip to Florida to see our 1st Great Grand daughter – Saige DIane – 6 months old!. Gift was given by our daughter and son…..were we some excited! Hope you all had a great day too. Mitzi from Vermont
From: RBCochran
What Pepper is referring to is a story that ran on NBC news last night about the rising popularity of learning to sew. It was filmed at G Street Fabrics in Maryland. Here’s the link:
_http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?f=00&g=5769bbf1-c036-44f8-86f3-74bdc80d38 68&p=Source_Nightly%20News&t=c24&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/&fg_ (http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?f=00&g=5769bbf1-c036-44f8-86f3-74bdc80d386 8&p=Source_Nightly%20News&t=c24&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/&fg)
It seems like a follow-up to the Time magazine article that ran a couple weeks ago. Given the status of Walmart’s fabric departments, it was interesting to see an opposite trend covered nationally.
–Rachel Cochran
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:14:34 -0500 | From: Debby Kratovil (kratovil)
The MSNBC video was a “blast to my past.” I used to teach at G Street (when I lived in the Maryland suburbs). Their sewing and quilting classes are always full. I even taught a few of those teen classes in summers! This year I bought each of my two older daughters (24 and 26) a sewing machine for Christmas. they are married and want to make pillows, household items, trendy skirts, etc. I gave each of them a crash course in sewing (one got a Bernette 90e and the other got a Baby Lock Xscape) and they will go in two different directions. I let them raid my stash of fabric, thread, batting. They want to make purses, baby items for friends, etc. This is such good news. There is a tremendous resurgence in sewing among the young. Sure, I would love to see them quilt. But, hey. I didn’t start out quilting when I was young. I made curtains, dresses, baby clothes. Thanks for sharing that link to the clip! Debby — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil Special Projects Editor, QUILT Magazine http://www.quiltmag.com Quilt Workshops & Programs http://www.quilterbydesign.com
From: Laura Fisher (laurafisherquilts)
Re Walmart ending yardage sales, I don’t know much about buying fabric, but……some .thoughts……quilt dealers are intrigued by quilts made from uncommon fabrics, or from used clothing scraps rather than new store-bought slick stuff, or where little pieces were seamed incorporating still littler pieces, or where people went to the factory and got scraps to quilt with?!. Recycling has produced some of the most cherished quilts.
And what happened when Woolworth’s and other five-and-dimes closed, and what about those old Sears catalogs, with endless pages of fabrics for sale? How did quilters cope when these avenues were closed to them? Please let’s avoid discussing the politics of Walmart. How about: sending excess fabrics to the impoverished through community organizations, or what if someone developed a national fabric exhange, or an area in a thrift shop or antiques mall just with fabrics for compulsive quilters, or something!
Happy holidays to all……………Laura Fisher
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:29:02 -0800 | From: Alan
>How about: sending excess fabrics to the impoverished through community >organizations, or what if someone developed a national >fabric exhange, or >an area in a thrift shop or antiques mall just with fabrics for compulsive >quilters, or something!
This sounds really good. And remember, quilters are generally a generous lot. After my post about being poor, a couple of ladies offered to send me a bit of fabric. I, of course, graciously accepted. But the ideas above sounds really good. I just wish I knew how to go about that.
Alan
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:40:43 -0500 | From: Debby Kratovil (kratovil)
Forget Walmart, Woolworth’s, and other big box places where we have purchased fabric. Most of us quilters have a generous stash of fabric. I’ve had people look at my stash (one and a half bookcases full) and comment that they thought it would be much larger since this is my profession (sewing). But since our magazines have decided that we designers should now only sew using current fabric from our advertisers (fabric companies), I had to weed out a lot. I began to “hear” about the needs around me. (I’m sure these needs were there, I just wasn’t looking).
I was told of a lady who is a poor, north Georgian who loves to hand piece. She sells her quilt tops so she can buy more fabric so she can piece. But she can’t afford much, so she buys the poorer quality fabrics. Well, I gathered up a few bags of my good stuff, but unusable for current quilt projects and sent it her way. She’s happy. I’m happy. My husband brought home a flyer he picked up about a new church group sewing quilts for charity. Another few bags. My two daughters, with new sewing machines, needed fabric. A few more bags. My sister in California, a new quilter, has begun making patriotic quilts for wounded soldiers. A small box of Americana fabrics to her. Funny. It doesn’t seem to have made a dent!
This is NOT to brag. It has to do with me realizing that I can’t possibly sew with everything in my stash. I keep back those pieces I think I have plans for (even if I never use them). We are planning on selling our big house and downsizing in a few months. I will have to pack it up. I don’t want to have to make hasty decisions then. It’s better to make the choice now. And unless we are vaporized by some crazy terrorist, there will ALWAYS be a supply of fabric! Debby — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil Special Projects Editor, QUILT Magazine http://www.quiltmag.com Quilt Workshops & Programs http://www.quilterbydesign.com
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:18:56 -0800 (PST) | From: Joan Stevens (jstevens6268)
I am a longtime lurker (mostly) on this interesting list. I have a question I’ve always wanted to ask and the discussion about fabric costs,quality and availability has stirred it up again. I am a collector (and sometimes seller) of antique fabric, quilts and other old textiles. I do not sew AT ALL.
When you design and create a new quilt, what are your expectations for it’s use? Is it a bedspread, a “blanket” to be used for warmth, a piece of art for hanging, an heirloom to be stored for your family, a display for special occasions, etc. ?? Do you expect it to be regularly washed ? The amount of time, effort and expense required to make a quilt strikes me as daunting and I can’t imagine completing one and ever letting it be handled.
Is anyone willing to weigh in on this? You may answer me privately if this seems like a simplistic question.
Thanks – Joan
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:10:56 EST | From: Edwaquilt
Did those “couple of ladies” include me. I’m not a lady……must be two with one a mis-idenity or three……couple of ladies and me…..
Holice
From: QUILTMOORE
In a message dated 12/27/2006 1:25:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, laurafisherquilts writes:
sending excess fabrics to the impoverished through community organizations, or what if someone developed a national fabric exhange, or an area in a thrift shop or antiques mall just with fabrics for compulsive quilters, or something!
Speaking of thrift shops, they are a great fabric source. I also just found a beautiful mola in one which I gave to my friend for Christmas. The price? .25! As a quilter of 25 years, and having spent 10 years working in fabrics shops, I have both been gifted with fabric and gifted others. ;>)
Nan in FL
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:06:17 -0800 | From: Laura Robins-Morris (lrobins)
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1105214965803
If anyone had trouble seeing Lorraine’s internet card, try this link. (There were extra characters in the link I received in the digest version.) Season’s greetings to you too, Lorraine!
Laura
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:46:30 -0500 | From: Pepper Cory (pepcory)
Hello friends-Have been enjoying the thread about fabric sources. It makes me wonder…with so much available to us, why do so many quilts look alike? Food for thought–three years ago I shared with you all the website of an art quilter friend who remains true to her vision today. She rarely buys fabric at a store. Instead she ‘shops’ at thrift stores and recycles polyesters, silk, and any other fabric that suits her needs. It’s no wonder her work is astonishing and looks like no one else’s. Treat yourself today and go to www.uncommoncloth.com and meet my friend Jean Baardsen. She doesn’t sell or teach–she’s a pure artist and makes quilts strictly for her own satisfaction. I am proud she’s my friend and that she gave me Escher’s Seahorses as a gift–it’s hanging in my studio right now! Happy New Year- Pepper Cory
From: Julia Zgliniec
Dear Joan and All, Happy New year to everyone!! I am responding to Joan’s question because I thought it was interesting.
The short answer to her question is YES! ( yes to all).
Actually the reasons for making a particular quilt are as varied as the uses and the expectations vary accordingly. I expect a TV quilt or Baby quilt to be used and washed. I make an occasional “show” quilt. I make challenge quilts. Each of my boys has an “heirloom” quilt with lots of hand quilting that I hope they will cherish – but I cannot guarantee this once I give it to them. I made many “class samples” in the 14 years I taught quiltmaking and therefore I have a huge pile of unfinished projects – this year my resolution is to finish 2 for every new one I start. Many of these will be machine quilted becuase I want to get them finished and I may hire a longarm quilter to finish a few. The artistry in machine quilting has developed to such a high degree that I am happy for this choice as well.
Joan wrote:
The amount of time, effort and expense required to make a quilt strikes me as daunting and I can imagine completing one and ever letting it be handled.
And to this I would respond that the gift of a quilt is a gift of oneself. I enjoy the process and the finished project as well.
I don’t think I am alone,
Julia Zgliniec – cool frosty nights in SoCal .
From: Newbie Richardson (pastcrafts)
I can weigh in on the future disposal of newly made handcrafts – not just quilts.
I know that for me, it is the pleasure of the creative process: conception of idea, playing with design, drafting or choosing the pattern, assembling the materials, and then the pleasure in the actual act of making the artifact. In fact when I am “down” or blue, I just go play in the embroidery floss “paint box” and get a new smocking or embroidery project underway – it works better than any drug!
Now that I do not have kids that I “have” to sew for, I usually have several different projects going at any given time, working on one or the other, as the spirit moves me. Some days I just need to do “rote” work – so I hem, or do background needlework. I find that I have only so many hours a day of “quality work” in me. So if I have an exacting conservation project in house, I just do not want to do any intricate needlework in the evening when I emerge from my studio. But if I have been typing or researching all day, I can’t wait to pick up a complicated piece of stitchery.
I actully don’t really care what happens to my handiwork once it is finished. My emotional investment is in the process – not the project. The one exception is whenever I do any intricate needlework for my Church ( high Anglican Episcopal – very dressy!). There is an extra dimension to needlework done for a sacred purpose – there the product has just as much importance to me as the process of creation.
I think this may go to personality type – cause I have the same reaction to cooking. I love to cook – but when I have been doing a lot of meal prep ( I cook for my elderly parents) I just can’t face cooking another meal – but if I am upset, or have had several days of take out or leftovers, I find my self drawn to the stove making soup, or sauce, or bread.
Is there such a thing as “Domestic Arts ADHD”?!
Happy New Year all Newbie
From: Newbie Richardson (pastcrafts)
Does anyone know the status of the re-print of Clues in the Calico – is it out yet? or is Amazon still holding on to money against a future publishing date? I want some of my students to get a copy – if it is available new. Thanks newbie
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:04:49 -0800 | From: Alan
> Did those “couple of ladies” include me. I’m not a lady……must be two > with one a mis-idenity or three……couple of ladies and me…..
I was raised to be polite. In reality, I haven’t had any indication to the contrary !
Alan
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:20:37 EST | From: Mitzioakes
You just opened my eyes! I purchased a copy of Clues in the Calico sometime last year at my favorite used book website – www.alibris (http://www.alibris) . Saw you were looking for a copy of the original or a new printing so jogged over to that website – they have two of the originals for your taking – but when I saw the price, I almost dropped all of my fat quarters!!!!!!! I could not not believe the prices – I paid way under $100, now the ones they have there are $250 to $450ish…WOW! Do I appreciate the book more than ever now. Hope you can find a copy somewhere. Mitzi from Snowless Vermont
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:23:48 -0800 | From: Alan
> makes me wonder…with so much available to us, why do so many quilts look > alike?
For me, the answer is fairly simple. People in general behave like sheep. We stay within the herd, don’t do anything outrageous. We often don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. And we seem to have a need to follow fashion.
I think following the latest fashion is the biggest thing. Just think back and you’ll see this. Watercolor quilts, crazy patchwork, stack-n-whack, threadplay, etc. It comes into play and suddenly everyone is doing it because it’s the thing to do at that point in time. It’s also easier to follow fashion,rather than finding your own path. I remember the one year QNM came out with one of those patterns that continued through several issues and you found out what you were making with the last issue. This one had appliquéd bears on the outside border. When I attended the next local quilt show, there were no less than seven of these quilts.
People are often uncomfortable with using their own “voices”. Frequently insecure about it. There’s a fear that what they’re saying won’t be received well. We all need approval. So if you think you know that no one will like what you want to do, you’re going to do what everyone else is going to do. Much simpler and easier. I remember with amusement the year I made a quilt from a Frank Lloyd Wright pattern. In the book the quilt was done in blues. I had made it in yellows which completely shocked the teacher. I have no idea why that was. For me changing color was just an easy given. She had never considered it.
Then there’s the reality that most quilters don’t have any instruction when it comes to using color. They have no idea of what the basic “rules” of color are. Things like tone, value, primary and secondary colors, etc. Because they don;t have those tools, they feel insecure about putting colors together, which means that they will revert to the tried and true combinations. Quilters commonly are afraid of independent use of color. There seems to be a thought that what they come up with is wrong. The cure for this is to take some basic art instruction. I do know that there are a lot of quilters who would never do what I do because of this. For me this is second nature, seeing as I’ve been an artist all my life.
I know that when I’ve taught, the classes I’ve enjoyed most were the ones where someone’s horizons got expanded. The one’s where they realized that you *could* do X. The pleased smiles when they did do it.
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:36:17 -0800 | From: Alan
> When you design and create a new quilt, what are > your expectations for it’s use?
As others have already said, it often comes down to the works use.
Primarily, I do this because I enjoy it. For me, it’s about the process of getting to the finished product. That finished product is just an added bonus. I honestly don’t care any more about the life span of a particular piece. Everything dies, and that includes quilts. I feel that it’s more important that the work is enjoyed in the here and now, rather than worry about whether it will be here in 100 years. Which means that I’m likely to use whatever fabric I want to use without thought to giving the piece a long lifespan.
Now having said that, I do have a couple of expectations.
Baby quilts I expect to be used up. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to know the child slept under it, dragged it around and loved it to death. My aunt actually apologized to me for having done this to a quilt her grandmother had made her. My response was that it was ok, it was loved to death.
Bedquilts to friends are left go. I understand that I have no control in how the quilt is treated. My sister’s wedding quilt is severely faded because she washes everything repeatedly. They smoke, so it also suffered a cigarette burn which I repaired. That’s ok, I gave it to them and it no longer belongs to me. I just gave another quilt to my best friend. I’m sure she’ll treat it much better than Ann did.
My art quilts have no consideration for life expectancy. I have a penchant for using odd items (usually artist’s materials) that no one else uses. I have one very out-there piece in the works, something I’ve never seen. Another has a paper top. I’m looking to see what I can get away with. My hope is that when something is purchased, the new owner will treat it well. In reality, again I have no control over what happens once it leaves my hands and I have to be comfortable with that.
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:32:39 -0500 | From: Teddy Pruett (aprayzer)
\<\<what if someone developed a national fabric exhange, or an area in a thrift shop or antiques mall just with fabrics for compulsive quilters, or something!>>
This is something that weighs heavily on my mind – the overabundance with which some of us are blessed. I’ve heard stories of sewing projects with prisons, inner city youth, Native Americans, senior citizens, etc. There must be many groups or even individuals with whom we could share the wealth of fabric and supplies.
I am one of those who doesn’t cull fabric often, because I make such oddball quilts that I often need the strange things I’ve collected for the past 25 years. But I would be honored to send fabrics and threads and books or patterns to any worthwhile organization or person. Of course, postage and shipping can be prohibitive, but I would still be glad to share. I just don’t know who and where. I may not be particularly thrilled with a VIP calico from 1983, but there are people who would be.
Laura, my dear, I think you’ve either started a valuable new thread here or opened a can of worms! I’m interested to hear what others have to say.
Teddy Pruett – whose folded fabrics cover nearly 100 square feet of wall, with bolt fabrics lined on shelves around the ceiling, and fabric too small to fold is in 5 motel type chests of drawers – and specialties like fancies and laces are in huge rubbermaid bins. But do bear in mind – my Bali batiks would fit in one hand. Most of my stuff is vintage or ugly – and makes my heart sing!!
www.teddypruett.com Only a few of the lies they tell about me are true.
