January 1 – 6, 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:
- Quilts in Film and Television — Members compile examples of quilts used as movie and TV props across decades of American film.
- Dating a Newly Discovered Quilt — A member seeks help dating a quilt just brought to a local museum, using its cotton wadding and silk backstitch quilting as clues. (see the article on dating quilts)
- Quilts Made in Prison — A member asks whether the list knows of documented quilts made by incarcerated quiltmakers.
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 10:09:46 -0500 | From: “Kathy” <kjb139@>
Does anyone know of a listing of movies that used quilts as props? I am doing some research and wanted to include such a list or information from such a list.
Kathy B
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 10:59:15 EST | From: Mitzioakes@
I do think that Gone With the Wind had some quilts, but don’t count on me remembering that.
Date: Sun, 1 Jan | From: Cathydale1@
How about the movie-” How to make an American quilt”
Quilting is a stitch and ment to be shared.
Cathy Glover Earlville, IL cathydale1@
Date: Sun, 01 Jan 2006 12:29:38 -0600 | From: amdresner <amdresner@>
I thought there was a discussion on this subject on this list either this past year or the year before. If not, then it would have been on the Crazy Quilt List (of which I am a member of also). There are quite a lot of movies that have used quilts of all types in them. From crazy quilts to utility quilts and some of the most gorgeous quilts used as props and wall hangings.
>Does anyone know of a listing of movies that used quilts as props? Kathy B
From: “Sharon in NC”
When Harry Met Sally has one.. I know I have seen dozens. I think Road House with Patrick Swayze has one. The first Cheaper by the Dozen does I am sure.
I will start keeping a list since we love movies it will be interesting to see how many I notice.
Sharon in NC
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 12:34:32 -0600 | From: “kim baird” <kbaird@>
Continental Divide, with John Belushi and BlairBrown
Best of Show
Kim
From: <chrisa@> D
You might check QHL’s archives, as this discussion took place at least once recently, at the time Cold Mountain came out. Surely it’s come up before too.
Also, the FIDM in Los Angeles, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing may have something to offer. Their museum collections include the costumes from the big, and award winning movies, so they may know where a list of textile props used could be found. They have a website.
Happy New year everyone, Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com
From: Sally Ward
I was recently lucky to be present when a newly discovered quilt was brought to a local museum for comment. It is thought that it could date from the 1700s. Research is being done on the quilt, but I thought listmembers might care to take a look at my hastily snatched photographs and perhaps make comments.
I have put the pictures, and such information as I have to hand, on my Flickr page at
Sally Ward
From: “Karen Evans”
I agree that it’s probably from the early to mid 1700’s. The silk backstitch quilting is more common with an earlier date, and there’s at least one early 18th century quilt worked in yellow silk on a white ground. Where was it found?
This is fascinating – please keep us posted.
Karen Evans Easthampton, MA
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 | From: “Marilyn Withrow” <marilynquilts@>
0D Thank you to Kim and Alice and Jocelyn — I sort of feel as though I had a lightbulb moment. Give a false name? I hadn’t considered that. And thi s is just a pop-up? I must have been really tired when I did this — now I can do it properly, and sign the petition for Alex and SQ. Thanks! 0D 0D Marilyn Maddalena Withrow0D 0D PS I like the idea of sending a square of fabric, too. Maybe tomorrow I can get to that one.0D 0D And another PS — I have a swastika quilt made in the 1930s, but it’s in pastels and not the grey and black typical of swastika. I keep it and sh ow it in my programs on “Potatoes to Patchwork” — describing it and dating it as well as giving the history of this pattern — but I certainly would ne ver sleep under it. As a historical quilt, it has interest to many in my audience. That’s all
Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 10:24:43 +0000 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
Karen Evans wrote: > I agree that it’s probably from the early to mid 1700’s. The silk > backstitch quilting is more common with an earlier date, and there’s at > least one early 18th century quilt worked in yellow silk on a white > ground. Where was it found?
This seems to be a classic example of that ‘You’re interested in quilts? We have this in the attic….’ moment we all dream of. The current owner has been ignoring it for maybe 30 years, little is yet known about where it came from.
This quilt did indeed use backstitch, I believe there were about 16 stitches to the inch. (although some who looked at it did wonder if it might have been a stitch made with two needles and two running threads that suggestion was voted down) I’ve seen other examples of yellow silk backstitch on linen, but they have been coverlets of two layers, or perhaps had some corded element. This appears to be unique in having the cotton wadding throughout.
One of the people looking at it at the museum took part in the Quilters Guild of the British Isles documentation drive, and co-authored Quilt Treasures. She said nothing like it had been seen before by the Guild.
Sally W
Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 08:37:47 -0600 | From: Bettina Havig <bettina@>
I wish you good luck with this. I have twice talked to people in the “biz” and have hit a silent wall. Often the quilts that appear are far out of possible appropriated dates. Some of the favorites are crazy quilts on wagon trains. There are several costumes made from early quilts in the film SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. Jane Russell drags a wonderful four block applique throughout the film THE TALL MEN with Clark Gable. There the quilt is an important element in the story line. Unfortunately Debbie Reynolds has a 30s Grandmother’s Flower Garden on her bed when in THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN where the story is set near the turn of the 20th century.
At one time I started to compile a list but soon gave up. Apparently few records where kept about props.
There was a prominent antique quilt dealer in L.A. through several years and until her death about 15 years ago. She often rented quilts to films. Her name was Margaret Cavigga. About 1981-83 there was a catalog/book about her private collection. I will try to locate the title for you. Perhaps a search will turn one up. It’s possible that some of those quilts will correlate.
The most visible quilt in GONE WITH THE WIND is a red and white version of Churn Dash aka Shermans’s March. It appears in the panic scene in Atlanta as residents flee in front of Sherman’s army. I checked the early use of the name and it was already called Sherman’s March before the film was made.
So happy hunting,
Bettina Havig
From: Laura Fisher
Re quilts as movie props: I recall sending this list info about some of the films I had rented quilts to; there are too many over the years to remember, and in some cases props were rented but scenes with them wound up on the cutting room floor. California dealers would probably have scads of film names they may have rented to.
Quilts are quite visible in these films: THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES, with Barbra Streisand, MISSING (or was it called STILL MISSING?) (about the boy taken from a Brooklyn home (Judd Hirsch, Kate Nelligan; most Woody Allen films from the 1980s, 90s; and the Bette Midler/Lili Tomlin film about the sisters separated at birth (something Business, I think) -.
There are loads more, perhaps as I review old invoices to try to expand my rustic mailing list to let people know I have moved, I will come across names of other film productions
Coming out this year is the Matt Damon/Angelina Jolie film THE GOOD SHEPHERD, they rented more samplers, folk art and rugs than quilts, but I think there will be one or two in there, and they are certain to get a big box office!
You could contact prop rental houses, or set decorators, who might have lists of productions in which they have rented quilts.
Re: symbols: Seems like when I used to go to the Pennsylvania antiques markets in the 1980s- 90s, there was an uncomfortable abundance of “swastika” quilts for sale in that region with a German immigrant history. It was eerie; we thought because the region had been settled by Germans, naturally this would be a quilt pattern there, but yuk…….Now I realize there seemed to be so many probably because these quilts went unsold since no one would buy that symbol, no matter how much historical context to neutralize it might be unearthed.
A sweeter symbol is the Princess Feather. I think I told the list about my coup de sale years ago when Marshall Field’s department store in Chicago wanted to give Prince Charles a classic American gift when he came to launch their British products promotion. They asked quilt dealers to submit possibles, and mine got chosen because I discovered that the Princess Feather pattern was a deriviative of Prince’s Feather, the insignia of the Prince of Wales (you know who…..). I sent them pictures of quilts pattern possibles that had a British history connection; Fields also bought a Whig Rose quilt from me, for the “lady in waiting” (think Camilla still has it?!?) And where is that 1880s Princess Feather quilt now?
Laura Fisher
From: Gail Ingram
At one time Nancy Kirk provided quilts and fabrics and clothing-design advice for many movies. 80’s and 90’s I think. Might still do that.
And re Sherman’s March, I think we should look for earlier example of that pattern with an intact name. Nothing would persuade me that name would have been used in Atlanta 1863. But then there are those other anachronisms.
Gail
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 14:49:13 -0500 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
I recently purchased an old College Yearbook called “Swastika” dated 1937. It was from a college here in NC, Catawba College in Salisbury, that later changed their Yearbook title. The theme of the yearbook is ships and no mention where the name Swastika came from. I have a feeling that I know why. At the time this annual was printed Catawba College sports teams were known as “Indians” and still are, from the Catawba Indians. The swastika has a very deep spiritual meaning for many Native Americans and in all likelihood was the reason it was chosen as the title for the annual at that time. Catawba College was established in 1851 in the foothills of the mountains of NC. During the civil war it was used as an academy from 1865 to 1885 then converted back to a college. It actually graduated women in 1893. Surprisingly the area where the college is located was originally settled by German immigrants in 1740. So while the swastika may have been bastardized to satisfy some sick whackos wants it has a much richer well intentioned meaning for some and doesn’t deserve to be put aside and ignored.
Ok probably nothing you really care about but I have family in the annual who were going to college there at the time and thought it was neat when I lucked upon it. Unfortunately they have all since passed so I can’t ask them the history of the title or when it was changed…sigh…
Sharon in NC
From: Dana Balsamo
“Terms of Endearment” had a quilt on Debra Winger’s hospital bed…I caught the end of it this afternoon and noticed it. It was a tied quilt, scrappy fabrics, like pattern 1780 in Brackman’s Encyclopedia, but not exact, it wasn’t as proportioned, the center square was larger the the rest. It did not strike me as an old quilt.
Also, if anyone watches, “Deadwood” on HBO, Mrs Garrett has a crazy quilt on her bed. The show takes place in the late 1870s, so this might be a little early for a CQ.
My best, Dana
Material Pleasures Affordable Antique and Vintage Quilts, Linens, Lace, Textiles, Buttons & More! www.material-pleasures.com
From: EMetcalfe@
I recall a Robert Duval movie, The Apostle in 1997, that showed a wonderful crazy quilt.
Schultz Metcalfe in Ga.
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:03:41 -0500 | From: “Pepper Cory” <pepcory@>
In Coal Miner’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn’s parents (1950’s) are snuggling in bed under a Missouri Daisy made in polyester doble knits! Then in Sarah, Plain and Tall, (television movie) the date is 1913 but the quilt on the bed is a mid-30’s Grandmother’s Flower Garden–sheesh! What would they think if a 1960’s car went toodling through the scenery of an old-timey Western? How hard is it to get decorative objects right in the movies? Not hard at all but the producer’s mental disconnect here is that domestic objects (such as quilts) are not seen as valuable in themselves, nor worthy of study as historical objects nor as textile artifacts indicative of particular times, people, and places. Now stepping off the soap box to make room for someone else…. Pepper Cory
Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 23:10:17 +0000 | From: “jocelynm@” <jocelynm@>
On January 1, 2006, Marilyn Withrow wrote: > > Thank you to Kim and Alice and Jocelyn — I sort of feel as though I had a > lightbulb moment. Give a false name? I hadn’t considered that.
It doesn’t have to be much of a false name- computers are so literal, ev en a typo of your own name will get the job done.
> > And another PS — I have a swastika quilt made in the 1930s, but it’s in > pastels and not the grey and black typical of swastika. I keep it and show > it in my programs on “Potatoes to Patchwork” — describing it and dati ng it > as well as giving the history of this pattern — but I certainly would never > sleep under it.
I have a similar one, and I have no reluctance to use it- I figure it’s pretty darned sure that it has nothing to do with Nazis. Surely a Nazi supp orter would NEVER have thought of making a Nazi quilt in pastels. 🙂 I mean, I’d NEVER think of making a quilt to honor an American veteran by u sing the Stars and Stripes in lavendar, pink and blue! <G>
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:14:36 -0500 | From: “Karen Evans”
Reminds me of the episode of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” where Dr. Quinn received a quilt as a wedding gift…a nice 1930s Double Wedding Ring.
*gah*
Karen Evans
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:20:11 -0500 | From: “Julie” <quiltappraiser@>
Wow, thank you Sally for sharing the photos. The cotton wadding confused the earlier date. I would think an old UK quilt would have wool. Are your early quilts cotton wadding? Julie Crossland, Hudson, NH
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:28:18 -0500 | From: “Bill Volckening” <williamvolckening@>
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to follow-up on some research done on the Schoolhouse Friendship quilt, discussed a couple weeks back. You can find pictures of this piece on: http://www.quilthistory.com/ in the Gallery under Quilts.
I wrote to the Middlefield, New York Town Historian and received the following letter:
Dear Bill,
Your letter received and I have found a little information for you.
Cora B. Davis Fitch was the wife of Charles B. Fitch and they lived on what is now Ottaway Road. I have heard the neighbor who is now deceased speak of the Fitch place next to their farm. Mr. Fitch I believe died of injuries from falling off a load of hay. The couple had three daughters:
Bernice S. born 12-7-1893 died 9-29-1894 (9 months 22 days)
Blanche Leila born 1-14-1897
Marjorie Mildred Lavina Fitch born 11-28-1899 (this I assume to be the quilter of your quilt)
The family lived in an area known as Ricetown, School District #10. I personally knew two of the ladies who signed the quilt: Miss Kittie Page who married Lyman Henman and I believe died in the 1950’s. The other, Nellie Thompson, married Benjamin Slater and died in the late 1960’s. I believe Mrs. M.S. Ottaway may have been a neighbor. The Post Office addresses are much different today than in 1897.
Most of my information came from birth and death records in the town. I find no further mention of the daughters. They may have married and I cannot trace the name, or may have moved out of the area. The signees of the quilt blocks I would guess were friends and neighbors and possibly relatives of Cora. The two ladies I knew had lived within a couple miles of the Fitch farm.
Cora B. Davis Fitch may be some relation to John and Peter Davis – a family I am searching for in the Census records. If I find more about them I will let you know. I don’t know of any events at this time for quilt displays but we do appreciate your offer. Hope you can decipher my writing.
********
Note from Bill: Needless to say, I’m thrilled to get so much information for this piece. I will send updates if I receive any more information. By the way, the quilt is currently out getting hanging channels/sleeves sewn on the back.
Cheers! Bill
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:34:22 EST | From: AG32040@
In the 1920s and 30s in Coconut Grove ,FL. there was a large estate owned by the pioneering Matheson family and they named it Swastika .I know a descendant of the family and I asked him about it.He thought it meant good luck or happy trails .They held many large parties and social events there. Sometime during the War they changed the name.The property was eventualy donated partly as a public park and I believe some sold for homesites.
From: “Sharon in NC”
You should see a modern zig zag machine, sans motor, in a 1800’s era movie..lol..I can’t recall what the movie was right now but remember all the guffaws by the collectors when it was first spotted. You might find this interesting.. http://www.silverwing.net/cabinquilter/funstuff/movies.html
Sharon in NC
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 18:41:27 -0500 | From: “Lynne Z. Bassett” <lzbassett@>
A cotton wadding may indicate that the quilt was made in India.
Best, Lynne
> Wow, thank you Sally for sharing the photos. The cotton wadding > confused the earlier date. I would think an old UK quilt would have > wool. Are your early quilts cotton wadding? Julie Crossland
Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 23:56:49 +0000 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
Julie wrote: > Wow, thank you Sally for sharing the photos. The cotton wadding > confused the earlier date. I would think an old UK quilt would have > wool. Are your early quilts cotton wadding? Julie Crossland, Hudson, > NH
Good point. I’ve checked in Quilt Treasures, the Quilters Guild of the British Isles documentation search publication. It mentions finding early quilts in both wool and cotton, although there is a suggestion that the cotton quilt they saw shows design characteristics typical of Indo-Portugese work (Chapter 5, Traditions of Quilting, Pauline Adams and Bridget Long).
What I thought more striking was the fact that there was a complete batting in the quilt. I’m more used to very early pieces either being unwadded coverlets, or stuffed or corded work.
Sally W
From: Leah Zieber
Hi All, Happy New Year –
Thought you would like to know – there is a nice article in the newest issue of Early American Life (Feb 2006) on A Passion for Paisley by Carol McCabe. Enjoy. Leah Zieber
From: Xenia Cord
Not quite movies, but in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1870s Colorado?), when she was to marry Sully her friends gathered on the porch of the general store and in one afternoon made her a wedding quilt – a Double Wedding Ring!
Xenia
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 19:39:05 EST | From: Trishherr@
Witness filmed 20 years ago here in Lancaster County used an old Lancaster Amish quilt–Harrison Ford when he was wounded was wrapped up in it. It was purchased from a friend of mine from a local Amish family.
Cold Mountain did use a woven blanket/coverlet for the baby, as I remember, woven by David Klein, a fine local contemporary weaver from York Co., Pa. David also wove much of the material for the uniforms and some ingrain carpet for the floors (they never showed in the final film). More than you want to know about weaving. Just couldn’t help myself. Trish Herr
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 09:26:15 -0500 | From: Beth Donaldson <quiltsmuseum.@>
Most of the films so far mentioned were filmed after 1970. I am a huge old movie buff. When the topic of quilts in movies first came up I started noticing quilts in the films I love. I decided not to record them because they are in a huge number of films from 1940-1960 that have beds. Many of these films were in black and white, so it is harder to identify the era of the quilts used. The films of the 1930s (especially musicals) have many satin spreads. Beth Donaldson
From: Laura Fisher
when they were filming Jefferson in Paris, several of us were interviewed!! about linsey woolseys and other early textiles, gave them photos, stuff on approval, info etc. expecting to have a nice big sale or rental of period stuff. Turns out they then made copies of all the textiles to look like, but not be, the real thing, hmph!! We had the last laugh after was seeing the way-too-young-textiles they eventually did film.
I always ask for film stills to post in my shop and for my scrapbook, but I have never gotten one, so my faulty memory is the only reference I have.
Now set decorators have to be historians, or find historians, to get the period accessories accurate. Don’t think that was always the case, especially when it came to costume. Think of all those old westerns and the Marilyn-Monroe-esque bodices and the shapely calico dresses that never existed in reality.
Laura Fisher
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:53:01 +0000 | From: “jocelynm@” <jocelynm@>
On January 2, 2006, Pepper Cory wrote: > but the producer’s mental disconnect here is that domestic objects (such as quilts) are not seen as valuable in themselves, nor worthy of study as h istorical objects nor as textile artifacts indicative of particular times,
Pepper, Not just domestic items- you can fairly accurately date a Western by the ha irstyles of the actresses. Films set in Tudor or Elizabethan times will use Victorian corsets.
Film directors know that the majority of their audiences won’t know or care about such details, and they decide that the minority who does is so small , it isn’t worth the effort to put in details that look drab, dull or other wise unattractive to modern eyes. The general public is much more socialize d to think ‘nice quilt’ when we see a 1930s pastel than upon seeing a 1910 quilt. After a few years of studying quilts, we quilt historians are able n ot only to accurately date quilts, but to appreciate the beauty of the vari ous eras, but the average soul isn’t.
Although I’ve got to admit the 1970s is a bit of a strain. <G>
From: Kim Wulfert
One thing to consider when filling out anything on a computer, is that the company may be keeping track of you by your cookies, in which case, changing your name doesn’t matter one bit. They can still find you and bug the heck out of you via the computer. Certainly private types of websites don’t do that, but commercial ones like HGTV and all of it’s advertisers might, and the Ipod/survey ad definitely wants your info, given and taken.
Kim Wulfert www.antiquequiltdating.com
From: CRantquilt@
Regarding quilts in movies: Just this past year I was contacted by a person with PBS for an 8 part series that will be coming out this spring 2006 ,I believe. It’s called Texas Ranch House. They wanted quilts from the 1860’s-1880’s time frame. I, of course, fixed them right up with the order. It will be fun to see how they are used in the movie, as the show will be about life on the early range and the participants on the show will be living life as authentic an experience as possible. They did want some quilts that cowboy’s might have had in their bedrolls, which I did not have, so it will be interesting to see if they found any and if they fit what I thought would be a cowboy quilt. If I see more infor on the series, I will let everyone know. It was filmed down the the Alpine area of Texas. It sounded like a fun project.
Cindy Rennels
www.cindysantiquequilts.com
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 22:37:29 +0000 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
it will be interesting to see > if they found any and if they fit what I thought would be a cowboy quilt.
You’ve just reminded me of a scene in the John Wayne film ‘The Searchers’. He goes into a bunkhouse and lays down on the bed, putting his boots on top of the long thin quilt covering it, maybe a log cabin. I remember mentally ticking him off for that!
Sally W
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:48:05 -0600 | From: Charles Woodford <haq@>
In reponse to Bettina’s mention of the Cavigga collection as a source for quilts in movies. I have a much worn catalogue of her auction at Butterfield’s in San Francisco in about 1997-8, since I was there and purchased many quilts (almost all now sold). I use it frequently as a reference, but would loan it out with the promise of a First Born—well, forget that last. Have no idea if any were loaned for particular movies.
Barbara Woodford Historic American Quilts
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 09:37:11 -0500 | From: sewsewsarah@
I came across this word and thought it was appropriate for the discussion on quilts in movies. Actually, I receive a word-a-day via email. http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber.html
Sarah in WV
anachronism (uh-NAK-ruh-niz-uhm) noun
1. The error of placing a person, object, custom, or event in the wrong historical period.
2. A person, thing, or practice that does not belong in a time period.
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 16:15:15 -0600 | From: “JJ Anderson” <rocky_mntn_mama@>
I have to say that it looks old. Either that or someone hand-worked all the stitching on it. The stitches look to be done in a thicker thread and are too widely spaced for a machine of any kind that I have ever seen. It is an awesome find if it is authenticated. JJ
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:54:43 -0500 | From: “Elaine Kelly” <elainekelly@>
Regarding the unusual red and white pinwheel block — There is a similar, although less complex block that Brackman attributes to Nancy Cabot, called “Sunshine and Shadow” (dated 1937) or “Wonder of the World”. It’s Brackman’s #1514. It’s a two-color pattern as well. Each of the four squares is a half-square triangle, rather than a pinwheel. Circles, rather than ovals, straddle the half-square divisions, so that the dark half of the circle is on the light half of the square, etc. (Words truly are inadequate in describing so many quilt patterns!) If someone doesn’t have access to the block database, just email me and I’ll forward the illustration. Cheers!
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 16:16:51 -0500 | From: “Anne Datko” <datkoa@>
Not exactly movies, but many of TV’s Seinfeld episodes had quilts as props. I remember a quilt on a bed with George and girlfriend in the bed. AnneD
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 06:53:45 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
Good Morning Everyone –
My early morning wanderings on the internet found this auction catalog with very nice pictures. Click on the link and then type quilt in the search box, and a page of quilt pictures will appear — featuring a typical large star with satellites and a nice album quilt, among others. http://www.pookandpook.com/catalogs/merch.php/
Happy New Year to All, Barb in southeastern PA
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:52:58 -0500 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdoc@>
Amid all the sad and scary news, the American Textile History Museum, Lowell MA, has a lovely article in the Travel Section at
http://www.cnn.com/
— Jan Drechsler
in snowy Guilford, VT
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 19:32:42 EST | From: JLHfw@
Dear Jan, Thank you for sharing this site. I enjoyed reading the article about Lowell and the Museum. Even more I was delighted to find the article in the top listing of More News regarding the discovery of the earliest Mayan writings beneath a newly disclosed pyramid in northern Guatemala. I travel to Guatemala yearly with a medical missionary team to provide surgical services to the rural Mayan population (I am a gynecologist). The Maya and their beautiful textiles have stolen my heart. I wish that we North Americans had a greater knowledge and appreciation for those who preceeded us to this continent. Hugs, Janet in Fort Worth
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 15:59:37 -0500 | From: “Judy Lyons” <judy.lyons@>
I have a question to the list — Is anyone familiar with quilts that were made in prisons?? I am particularly interested in San Quentin State Penn. If you want to email me privately I look forward to it. Judy Lyons Canadian Personal Property Appraiser AQS Certified Canadian Quilt Appraiser judy.lyons@
From: “Newbie Richardson”
Dear List, Iam catching up on posts – so am a bit behind – sorry. Sally thank you for posting the pictures of the new find. It looks very much like many of the quilted “jumps” I have seen both in the US and in Britain. Jumps are a woman’s bodice, usually quilted in exactly the same manner as the quilt you sent pictures of. I have aslo seen them much more finely corded – but the thinking is that those are Itallian) There is a lot of speculation by costuem historians about jumps – but they were thought to be “at home” bodices worn instead of stays ( 18th c corsets). The quilting would have added warmth. There was a great deal of quilted clothing worn for warmth indoors judging by the numbers of such pieces in various costume collections. So don’t just think ‘bed covers” when doing the research – think “decorative arts” – inluding clothing! Happy New year to all Newbie Richardson
