December 3 - 7, 2004 - QuiltHistory

Oral History & Documentation, Quilt Dating, Quiltmaking Techniques & Construction

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:

Li’l Abner Character Nostalgia — A quilt-book aside about Al Capp characters spins into a nostalgic identification of Joe Btfsplk, Pigpen, and other comic-strip figures.
Cinda’s Travel Adventures — Members respond warmly to a well-traveled member’s account of her latest research trip.
Machine-Quilted Antique Quilts — A substantial discussion on early machine-quilted quilts, referencing the Smithsonian’s collection and Grover & Baker sewing machines.
VogueArt & Vogart Transfer Patterns — Members compare notes on identifying and dating vintage Vogart transfer pattern envelopes.

From: “Christine Thresh” <christine@>

Judy Ann, What a great picture. I am so glad you followed up on this.

Christine Thresh

From: “weemsjm” <weemsjm@>

Howdy,

Do any of you all have a clue to a descent price to pay for a first addition copy of Quilts Their Story and How to Make Them. The book is in used but pretty good shape I just would not want to really over pay. It has no damage to the inside but does have a little dimpling on the binding in two small spots. I also would like to know if anyone has an idea of what fabric are common in England or Germany. We might be moving to one or the other late next spring or early summer and I would like to know if I should stock up on cottons or if I will be able to by them there.

Thanks

Jeff

From: Dana at Material Pleasures

Hi Jeff, I got mine a few years ago for Mother’s Day…It was on eBay with a reserve…didn’t meet the reserve, but my husband haggled the seller down to $100 plus shipping. Only 125 copies were made of the First edition…mine is #122. My copy is in good condition, some wear, bumped corners and spine and the pages are ‘uneven’. The pages with the color plates, stick out a fraction further than the other pages. I love my copy. Good luck, I hope it turns out for you. My best, Dana

weemsjm <weemsjm@> wrote: Howdy,

Thanks

Jeff

From: “Teddy Pruett”

What would we do without Cinda’s generous travelogues? When I read this beautifully poetic:

<<The second stop was at the Schwenkfelder Library in Pennsburg to see Candace’s latest effort “Lo How the Rose Ere Blooming.” >>

I couldn’t help but translate it into my local lifestyle. If I were particularly lucky, I might find an event such as “Lo, How Low Doth My Truck Bog in the Mud,” or perhaps “Lo, Harken to the sound of the Alligator’s Song,” or “Lo, How the Deer Doth Run from the Hunter.” “Lo, How Doth the Yankee Bird Returneth to the Warmth.”

Yall have to excuse me. I’;ve been under a lot of stress lately. Envious of all the wonders this world holds – and offers in other areas of the country, I remain a faithful member of the Ringo Gang, Teddy Pruett in “Bubba Country” of North Florida.

From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>

> I also would like to know if anyone has an idea of what fabric are common in England or Germany. > We might be moving to one or the other late next spring or early summer and I would like to know if I should stock up on cottons or if I will be able to by them there.

The bulk of ‘quilters’ fabric available here in the UK is American import, and you will find that most shops are smallish in your terms and tend to gravitate to particular styles because they could not survive carrying a wide range. Many quilters have to rely on traders coming to the larger shows in order to see a range of fabrics. And you will find your fabric expensive over here compared to at home. I would not be surprised to see good quality fabric at £8 – £10, (nearly $15-20 per metre), more for specials like Hoffman, Japanese, or some batiks. Dedicated hunters can source fabric cheaper there may be a compromise on style or quality.

However, your dollar is very weak against the pound at the moment, so I can buy the style of fabric I want online from the US and have it sent over (most recent parcel took only 5 days) and still make a saving, so you could come empty handed and buy from home if needs be.

Sally W Yorkshire, UK

From: Judy Kelius

I sold a first edition on an eBay auction about a year and a half ago for $110 – it was a rebound ex-library copy in very good condition. There is a first edition with the original binding on eBay now for $199 (search on Marie Webster and then look at items found in stores). Hope that helps.

Dear QHLers,

Here is some info on the different editions of the Marie Webster book. Dana is talking about the De Luxe first edition, in which every copy was numbered . It has a blue binding 93 different from the regular first edition, which has a tan cover. The DeLuxe Edition was originally boxed and the edges of the pages may be gilded. Copies of the blue De Luxe edition are very rare. Jeff’s posting is not clear as to which binding he is referring to– it’s pr obably the regular tan one. Several thousand copies were printe d, so it’s not as rare. My 1915 copy, published by Doubleday, is a slightly greenish-tan (compared to the darker tan of the 1929 version) with four different quilt d esigns in a darker version of the same greenish-tan carefully lined up on the cover .

In 1929 Marie reprinted the book herself so the publisher is stated as “Mari e D, Webster, Marion, Indiana.” My copy of this version is the same as the 1915 version EXCEPT that it has a darker tan cover with those same quilt designs done in DARK chocolate.

My 1943 version was published by Tudor Publishing Company New York, has a light “bluish” cover and a yellow dust jacket sporting Marie’s delightful “Keepsake Quilt” (which I have never seen a copy of in fabric) in full color . (The caption describing this pattern in the 1990 reprint of the book by the granddaughter reads: “The sunbonnet lassies suggest an outing or a call from playmates on the morrow. These lassies may be dressed in bits of the gowns of the litt le maid, and the quilt thus becomes a ‘keepsake quilt.’ “)

My 1948 version of Marie’s book was published by Tudor Publishing Company Ne w York, has a grayish cover and a green dust jacket sporting Marie’s Poppy quilt in pink and green.

Try searching http://www.abebooks.com/docs/RareBooks/ using author and key word quilts in the advanced search. There are several copi es listed, albeit, not all are the 1915 edition.

Good luck!

Karen Alexander Press Secretary The Quilters Hall of Fame, located in Marion, Indiana, in the restored home of quilt designer and author, Marie D. Webster

From: Gail Ingram

This is for those on the list who can remember Al Capps and Li’l Abner, Daisy Mae, and crew of cartoons.

Remember the little guy who always had a dark cloud over his head and WAS a black cloud over everyone else’s head? Maybe Joe something?

What was his whole name?

What was the trick in getting rid of him?

Gail

From: “Christine Thresh”

Joe Btfsplk

From: Joan Kiplinger

Gail — that was a swarm of flies over his head. Name escapes me at the moment.

From: Kris Driessen

Here he is:

http://deniskitchen.com/docs/bios/bio.jbtfsplk.jpg

I think you got rid of him by pronouncing his last name (a Bronx cheer, sometimes spelled pthfthhhtttph!!!)

Kris

From: “Karen Evans”

Sounds like Superman’s enemy Mr. Mtzlplk, who would only go back to his own dimension when forced to pronounce his name backwards….:)

Karen Evans

From: “Barbara Vlack”

Joan, the character with the flies overhead — I think may have been Pigpen from Peanuts. VBG

Barb Vlack cptvdeo@

Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>

Difficult to remember all the odd characters and to whom they belong. Somehow I associate this one with older comic strips such as Dick Tracy with BO Plenty.

From: Dana at Material Pleasures

Hi Karen, Thank you! I was questioning to myself why the one referred to on ebay was different than mine and yet still a 1st ed. Seems even a little more special now! Time to go kiss the hubby for it again! My best, Dana

Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2004 1 | From: pkeirstead@

Nope–the character with the swarm of flies over his head is Pigpen, from Peanuts.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Peggy Keirstead

From: Joan Kiplinger

The gent I’m thinking is from an old comic strip — 30s-40s — and I’m wondering if it might be some of the flies or fleas that accompanied BO Plenty or maybe another Dick Tracy character. But definitely a guy with a constant swarm over his head.

Gail My husband Don saw the drawing and immediately said JOE BEEFSTEAK! Guess we are from a really older generation. But our world would certainly be a better one if we still had SCHMOOS!

Trish Herr

From: Barb Garrett

Although it was 40 something degrees outside, it was perfect weather to view stitched and painted roses and tulips in southeastern PA.

First stop on today’s trip was the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania (MHEP) in Harleysville. Their new exhibit — Oh, the Tulip: The Tulip Theme in Mennonite Decorative Arts — opened today with a craft show featuring contemporary artists working in traditional Pennsylvania German style.

Highlights of the exhibit for me were the 8 show towels and 5 or 6 quilts featuring tulips. The show towels were at eye level — easy to study — the quilts were hung high — so you could see them, but not study them close up. All featured beautiful workmanship and traditional PA German colors. Tulips were also featured on metal hinges, furniture, painted tinware, imported dishes (spatterware, Gaudy Dutch), and of course fracturs. A wonderful exhibit, and the Historians are very careful about documentation. Most everything is identified by maker, location, church membership, date, with good signage. The exhibit runs until June 2005, and the craft show runs through December 31.

For those visiting for the first time, the permanent exhibit is also interesting. It includes several woven coverlets, again hanging full out like the quilts, very high so they are easy to view, but not study up close. This link is for their main page — then click on exhibits. It’s easy to find just off route 113 in southeastern PA.

http://www.mhep.org/index.htm

Second stop on my botanical tour was the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center in Pennsburg. Their exhibit, Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming, has already been described by Cinda, and I second her recommendation that it’s well worth the visit. And again, the signage is well done and informative. While to the casual visitor, the 2 exhibits might look alike — both featuring fractur, textiles and china with flowers either stitched or painted — it was most interesting for me to compare the use of the 2 floral images in similar situations. This exhibit ends May 1, 2005.

While I went to the Schwenkfelder to see the roses, I discovered that Candace and her wonderful staff have outdone themselves for the holidays. Upstairs is a wonderful display of teddy bears — dressed and accessorized by friends of the Library and available for silent auction until February 5, 2005. The creators all started with the same bear, but then their imaginations took off. Included are a bee keeper, Hawaiian lei maker, Philadelphia Mummer, Goshenhoppen girl, Santa bear, Belsnickle bear, Red Hat bears, and lots more. I think about 50 bears — a real treat.

Their Christmas Putz was next. Putz is a Pennsylvania German term which describes a miniature scene at the base of a Christmas tree, popular in this area during the first half of the 1900s. Many in my generation had train yards at Christmas — a descendant of the Putz. Each year the Heritage Center displays one for the holidays, and this year it features 3 scenes. The desert scene represents the Near East 2000 years ago and features a camel train, the city of Bethlehem, shepherds and various animals. The urban setting of the zoo is in the early 1900s. It reminds me of the Philadelphia Zoo of my childhood and was used to introduce children to exotic animals from foreign places. The early 1900 farm scene includes barnyard, gardens, laundry, animals and people. This exhibit ends January 30, 2005.

There is also an exhibit of locally handcrafted Belsnickels (sort of a PA German Santa Claus). These are interesting works of art, and are on display thru February 27, 2005. And for first time visitors, the permanent exhibit is very interesting and well done. Their website follows, click on exhibits for more information.

http://www.schwenkfelder.com/

So many flowers to view, I hardly noticed that it was cold outside and the flowers have gone into winter mode. I do hope you can schedule a visit to the area.

Barb in southeastern PA

From: “Lucinda Cawley”

I read in the car. I do this in self defense because when riding with DH John it’s best not to know what’s going on. Last week I read “Illinois Amish Quilts: Sharing Threads of Tradition” by Janice Tauer Wass. I bought the book at AQSG but hadn’t even looked at it until Thanksgiving weekend. The quilts are from the Illinois State Museum. The photography is great (overall and detail of almost every quilt). What it unusual in a book about Amish quilts is the amount of information available about the makers. Most of the quilts origniated in the Amish community in Arthur, I and came to the museum with good provenance. In several cases a number of quilts made by the same woman over a period of many years are included. Family and neighborhood relationships are explained so that the reader can appreciate how one woman’s work might have influenced others. There’s also information on possible sources of and sharing of patterns. It’s absolutely fascinating. I also appreciated the attention that is paid to the quilting designs. Every caption points out the quilting as well as the fabric, dimensions etc. There’s an appendix containing line drawings of many of the quilting patterns. This is a wonderful book. I really wanted to go crazy with a highlighter, but it’s just too beautiful to mark up. It’s crammed with good information. I learned why cotton sateen is shiny, what brilliantine is and other little tidbits I can haul out the next time one-upsmanship is required (VBG), There is no style of Amish quilt unique to Illinois, but there is (at least based on this collection) a distinctive look. I just got a mailing from the Illinois State Museum. You can order the book from them (215) 785-0037 or email bookordersmuseum.state.il.us. It’s $24.95 in paperback. Cinda on the Eastern Shore

From: Kaytriplet@

These quilts were in a special exhibit at the Houston quilt show in November. They are even more spectacular in person.

Kay Triplett

From: Midnitelaptop@

the character’s name in lil abner was Joe Btfsplk and here’s a little info on the creator al capp He became a popular speaker on college campuses during the era, attacking anti-war protesters and demonstrators. In 1971, however, he was charged with the attempted rape of a coed at the University of Wisconsin. It developed that there were similar allegations from at least four other campuses. Capp pleaded no contest and withdrew from public speaking. jeanL

From: “Laura Fisher”

Hi — I need information. Can anyone tell me where to find info about Vogue Art patterns, or about several quilts I have that seem similar and for which I am hoping there is research available.

The quilts are:

New York City scenes, Empire State, Statue of Liberty, Radio City, heads of ladies, Art Deco era figures that look like advertising images

Black stereotpical images–mammies doing hoursework, black men doing chores, etc

Fashion beauties- – ladies heads in cvarious headgear, very 2nd quarter 19th century glamourous images

These three quilts are made the same way–squares each with a different image that is outlined in black embroidery thread, then colored in with colored pencil(?)

Help–can anyone identify them. It’s such a coincidence that I have three at once. I want to learn more.

thanks in advance.

laura fisher

From: “Laura Fisher”

ooooooooooooooooops. I accidentally deleted the email I think dated December 4 that had info about the cartoon quilts and painted quilts, perhaps my query and replies to it about Vogue Art or other painted/colored pencilled figural blocks quilts. Did you receive it-Ive been having netlink troubles. If not, I can resend my inquiry.

thanks Laura Fisher

From: Gail Ingram

I bet Capp had forgotten how to rid himself of Joe!

I have been trying to pronounce his name backwards, which is supposed to do the trick, but I seem to have had little success. Perhaps it is the Southern accent, but I think not because the North LA accent is not so slow, say, as that in Middle Georgia.

To a list of interesting developments ranging from stopped up drainpipes which were treated like WMD by tres expensive plumbers (x-rayed, etc), cystitic cat whose care cost more than mine would have for same problem, lost reading glasses (vanished! disappeared!), skunk under auto, twisted knee acquired while holding umbrella for bold terrier to do his business in rain, a substitute teacher who told my students she was sure I wouldn’t care if they listened to her play guitar instead of doing the work I had assigned for my absence, 6 overhead house lights that blew in same day, I yesterday added a dead battery in my wonderful John Deere lawnmower (next best thing to a one-person jeep from WW II). I’m thinking pronunciation counts with Joe.

I’m also hoping he’s loosening his grip here, even with poor pronunciation on my part. The school where I teach draws students from a 60-mile radius of Ruston, so my house has always been seen by my students as a mid-point meeting place for video parties and such. They seem never to doubt I am as up for the ventures as they are or, (I try not to think of this one) they haven’t caught on that I’m the teacher and not merely another of them. They bring a video or game and usually a pizza, which they promptly devour and then ask if I have anything sweet around.

Last night, they permitted me to attend an early evening party, then brought a comic movie from 1975, one which I heartily recommend: “Hearts of the West” with J. Bridges, perfectly cast Alan Arkin and Andy Griffith, Blythe Danner, and a young Wm Christopher (of “Mash” chaplaincy). I didn’t recall it and haven’t seen it on video store shelves, but it’s worth the search. Wonderful film!

And now here is my second thought about Al Capp’s final fate: maybe the Powers That Be got tired of his laughing at Southerners and Arkansans in particular. I’m always amused that Shreveport’s largest Toyoto dealership is Yokum Toyota, though nobody else seems to think it unusual.

Practicing my reverse Btfsplk in dark, rainy North Louisiana, Gail

From: EMetcalfe@

Can anyone tell me when American quilts were first machine quilted?

I have an old Singer treadle made in 1915, and the manual has instructions for quilting, and a small attachment to do so. In all the quilt history books I have read, I don’t recall any mention of machine quilting.

Any information would be gratefully received.

Schultz in Ga.

From: Judy Kelius

I have a book from 1859 which raves about quilting by machine – and not just straight lines but feathers and other fancy patterns!

One of the early Uncoverings had an excellent article about visible machine stitching on 19th century quilts which was then included in Quiltmaking in America.

From: “quiltstuff”

Although this is somewhat anecdotal, I do have a machine stitched quilt from about 1880 where the backing and binding appear consistent with the top fabrics. It is simply diagonal stitched lines . I still remember reading the Little House Series where they go into great detail about how the sewing machine changed their way of life, I can’t imagine people not trying machine quilting as soon as they had their machines.

There is still a lot of misinformation out there about how innovative some of the new techniques are. I have an early Singer book, ( guessing late thirties) where they clearly show stippling, continuous line quilting done in metallic thread and a machine stitched free motion quilted dragon. A lot of the ’embroidery’ work by machine is also just like ‘modern’ quilting designs but without the layer of wadding.

From: Jennifer Hill

Does anyone else have Doris M Bowman’s 1991 book “The Smithsonian Treasury: American Quilts?” It features a ca. 1860 quilt made on a Grover & Baker double chainstitch machine. The machine quilting illustrated is very fine indeed, although the pre-quilted blocks were then handsewn together and finished by hand.

I have my own theory about machine quilting, and why so few have survived despite the obvious labour savings realised by the ownership of a sewing machine in the 19th century. Quilters then, just like those today, found out that machine quilting is a lot more difficult than it sounds like it should be. Hand quilting, though slower, is technically easier, and more social as well. Many modern quilters, despite an investment in TOL computerized machines, choose to send their tops out for professionals to machine quilt. In previous eras, quilters of means may have sent their tops out to be handquilted, but everyone else had to do their own. Many machine owners may have achieved the basic competance to make clothes and household linens for their families, but may not have had the time or inclination to practice, practice, practice the skills necessary to machine quilt satisfactorily.

Jennifer Hill Calgary, AB

From: “Janet Bronston”

I have several ‘An Original Vogart Transfer Pattern’ envelops in my collection. The design sheets are in good condition (Some other transfer companies used ink that was terrible & has transferred itself from one side of the folded sheet to the other. Others used paper that is so brittle it falls apart when you unfold it.) The address listed is:Vogart Co., Inc., 275 – 7th Ave., N.Y.1, N.Y. There’s no date on these. The lack of zip code puts them before the early 1960s (don’t remember the exact year right now). One has a price stamped on it – 15 cents. Some are for pillow cases, others tea towel designs & one is cut-work monograms.

I don’t know if VogueArt was an earlier version of the same company or something completely different.

I’ve traced off some of my transfer patterns for crayon colored quilts – your msg makes me want to go try one with embroidery for outlines.

Janet Bronston

From: “Bev Macbeth”

Barbara Brackman’s book “Patterns of Progress, Quilts in the Machine Age” mentions a quilt made by Ellen Eastman Wilson of Cedar Point, Iowa that although hand-pieced, was machine quilted in a grid pattern in 1862. Another documented piece is the whole cloth quilt in the Oakland Museum of California, machine quilted extensively in 1870 by Ada and Harriet Jones. As an aside, what model is your old Singer?

Singer collector Bev Macbeth

From: “Lucinda Cawley”

Amen, Jennifer. Fancy machine quilting is way beyond my competence. If I want feathers, etc. I’ll either hand quilt or send the top to someone who knows what she’s doing for machine quilting. Cinda on the Eastern Shore

From: “Celia Eddy”

No doubt some of you will have read the exchanges on the British Quilt History List about the CR-Rom issued showing quilts from the above collection, which you can now buy from: http://www.rbks.co.uk/

Just for information, here’s what I’ve posted on the BQHList:

What follows is intended to clarify the situation at Gawthorpe Hall. Please note that the CD-Rom is now to be made available world-wide: http://www.rbks.co.uk/

The quilt collection at Gawthorpe Hall is overseen by one of the Trustees, Gillian Newbery, asssisted by two part-time volunteers. It is entirely thanks to them that the collection is not only physically cared for (that it is to say, stored, repaired and constantly monitored) but also archived in a way which has made it possible to produce a CD ROM at all. I would also point out that this is the only UK quilt collection, as far as I know, which is being made available to the public in this way.

The quilts at Gawthorpe could be seen by appointment with Gillian up until the time when it was decided to digitally catalogue the whole textile Collection at Gawthorpe, of which the quilts are but one part. (See below.) At that point the Collection had to be closed as it would have been quite impossible to carry out this work while at the same time receiving visitors. Some members of the British Quilt Study Group may remember that we made a visit to Gawthorpe a few years ago to see the Turkey Red quilts in the collection, a memorable occasion.)

I do understand the frustration of interested UK people but, as has already been explained on this List, it was felt that a huge demand to see the quilts would be generated which, at present, it would not be possible to meet given the resources available in terms of time and staff. However, in response to the interest generated, the trustees of Gawthorpe Hall have decided to make the CD-ROM available worldwide, with an enclosed note explaining that the Collection is currently closed but that it is hoped that it will be possible to re-open it during 2006.

Meanwhile, it’s good that so much publicity has been generated for Gawthorpe Hall, an outstanding Jacobean house just outside Burnley. As well as the quilt collection, it houses a textile collection unrivalled by any other institution outside of the major national collections. It contains no fewer than 36,000 items ranging from embroidery of every style and from many countries, to lace, bags and purses. The Hall is closed for the Winter, when much of the necessary conservation and other work is carried out on the Collection; it re-opens on 25th March, 2005. Visitors to the Hall at any time can see over 600 items displayed in glass cabinets – a display which changes from time to time as different needlework themes are highlighted: last time I went there, Goldwork was a special topic and the sheer number and variety of examples shown was breathtaking.Gawthorpe’s textile collection is an outstanding resource for students and researchers, who can be given access to various items by appointment.

If you have any specific enquiries about the quilt and other collections at Gawthorpe, please contact me and, if I don’t have the information myself, I can obtain it.

</blockquote>

From: Anita Loscalzo <aloscalz@

Hi, everyone!

I’m in the midst of revisions on a paper I’ll be presenting at AQSG next October on machine quilting. In Marie Webster’s “Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them” she notes that a Whig Rose quilt in the Chicago Art Institute was quilted by machine around 1848 on a Howe machine. A number of 1860-1900 machine quilted quilts were done as “quilt-as-you-go” in parts, then pieced together. There were special quilting tables and quilting machines in the late 19th century as well. I feel that the reason that we don’t see many survivors is that hand work was promoted and more valued by many of the women’s magazine writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It could be that people who had machined quilts didn’t think they were “Grandma’s” best work and didn’t pass them on.

At exhibits you still hear “Oh, it’s not quilted by hand,” which drives me crazy, because intricate machine quilting can equal hand quilting and is very difficult to do well.

Someone already mentioned Brackman’s book. Also see: Suellen Meyer’s “Early Influences of the Sewing Machine and Visible Machine Stitching on Nineteenth-Century Quilts” UNCOVERINGS 10 (1989)p. 38-53.

Anita

Anita B. Loscalzo, Curator New England Quilt Museum 18 Shattuck Street Lowell, MA 01852 ——– email: CuratorNEQuiltMuseum.org telephone: 978-452-4207 Ext. 11

Date: Tue, 7 Dec | From: EMetcalfe@

Thanks for the posts on machine quilting. My model Singer is a 66, commonly called the Red Eye for the lovely decals on the head. It is in excellent condition and does a beautiful stitch. I am tempted to try a small quilt, but only using the diagonal line quilting.

I appreciate the information. If I want to know something about old quilts, just ask QHL!

Schultz in Ga.

From: “J. G. Row”

At exhibits you still hear “Oh, it’s not quilted by hand,” which drives me crazy, because intricate machine quilting can equal hand quilting and is very difficult to do well.

What I tell my darling husband when he spouts that tripe is that I AM quilting by hand — using an electronic needle.

Judy, aka the Ringoes Kid judygrow@

From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@

I’ve had quite a number of hand pieced machine quilted vintage and antique quilts come across my appraisal table. I am always amazed at the work that went into the piecing, just to be quilted on the machine. If I remember correctly, most of the ones I’ve seen are in a simple grid. Teddy Pruett in too-hot – again – Florida.

From: “Celia Eddy”

Please can anyone tell me if the above still exists, and, if so, contact details.

Also, apart from UK, America and Australia, are there any other national Quilt Study Groups?

Thanks, Celia Eddy

From: “Beth Davis”

Hello! I, too have seen a couple quilts which were hand pieced, yet machine quilted. One of them at the local museum is a Le Moyne Star Quilt, circa 1890 in Turkey Red and white which was simply quilted in parallel lines across the entire quilt. It looks to me like it was done one on the early model long arm machines, where the machine was stable and the frame was moved under the machine. These quilts were usually done in simple lines.

Still trying to find that data which was provided one time at Machine Quilter’s Showcase by Fred Nolting. Fred is the designer of the Nolting Longarm Machines. He had a display one year (1998?) of some early long arm machines. It was quite fascinating to see. I remember that he had quite a bit of data gathered on it. Perhaps Dan Terrill at Nolting may have some of this data.

Regards, Beth

From: Judy Schwender

The possibility exists that a quilt top made by hand by one person was machine quilted at a later date by another person. Then the puzzle of why “she” hand pieced but machine quilted would be resolved. But, of course, without a diary entry or letter or some such for confirmation, that notion is only speculation.

From: “weemsjm” <weemsjm@

Howdy to all. I did not now there were two editions that were considered 1st edition when I posted the question. Here is the skinny on the copy I referred to: It is the tan first addition. It is in fair to good condition. It is the 1915. My mother in law first said it was a family book. She was wrong this one had a garage sale tag on it FIFTY CENTS. That copy will be mine. She remembered buying it after seeing the tag. She paid a quarter. The family copy she found in her storage building. It is in about the same condition. She will keep it.

Thanks to all for your helpful information.

Jeff