January 14 – 19, 2000
These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.
Primary topics of this QHL Digest:
- Mennonite Quilting Heritage — A member’s question about her husband’s Mennonite grandmother sparks a discussion of Mennonite immigration history and quiltmaking traditions in Pennsylvania.
- Sourcing French Fabric — A member traveling to Grenoble, France asks for leads on mills or print works selling authentic French fabric remnants.
- Fabric Access and Social Class — Members debate whether historic quilters of modest means could afford good fabric, drawing on personal teaching experience across income levels.
- Denver Art Museum’s “Optical Quilts” Show — Members try to pin down who curated the Denver Art Museum’s 1999-2000 optical-illusion quilt exhibit and what pieces it includes. (see the article on quilt museums)
- James Monroe Presidential Quilt Award — A member reports winning a judged category in the American Presidents quilt series with her James Monroe piece.
- Textile Conservation Research — A member researching textile conservation asks the list about fiber deterioration and related coursework she encountered in graduate study. (see the article on repair, restore, or conserve)
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 23:42:22 EST | From: JQuilt
i wrote that Barb demonstrated a doll’s quilt pattern jacob’s coat….i meant joseph’s coat …jacob is better known for his ladder…sorry about that…
jean
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 09:51:03 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears (Roberta Geanangel)
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Jean,I guess we have to redefine the lower socio-economic levels. I haven’t seen much evidence of them doing a lot of sewing. These are not the same housewives who operated on the recycling principle so popular during the depression years. These are the women who *do* stay with an abusive mate for whatever reason.
You started me thinking about all this,I’m curious as to who *is* quilting. I don’t think it includes the lower lower or middle lower stratum,as it did in the past. I think quilting is a product of the women who *can* afford fabric… and magazines and computers and leisure time and quilt shows. Has anyone done a study on this subject?
Roberta
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 10:05:58 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.comail.airmail.net>
Dear Roberta, Jean and all,
I’ve not done an actual study on it, but over the last 20 years, seeing who my customers were in my shop, who my students are in my classes, reading member profiles for VQTS…..here’s what I’m seeing . I’m rambling a little, but bare with me……..
In 1978 when I started quilting many quilters were newlyweds, or first time mothers or new grandmothers wanting to make quilts for new homes or babies. ( I started quilting when I was teaching first grade and had just moved into a new home) And I saw a whole influx of professional women. I had an evening class that stayed together for almost 3 years that were all working women, married and single. Now, many of the customers I’ve helped while working in other shops over the last few years are often stay at home mothers of young children who seem to quit quilting when the kids get into 6th grade and up (they are driving carpool instead of the sewing machine)and pick it up again in earnest several years later. That brings up another point. When I first started teaching quilting, we were teaching hand piecing. It was totally portable and more and more people were carrying little ziploc bags of squares and tringles around to carpool and ball games. Now that “speed piecing” has taken over so much, the luxury of hand piecing to “pass the time” seems to have been forgotten. I very rarely see anyone sitting at the dr. office doing hand work while waiting…used to see it all the time.
Anyway, most of my members in VQTS are dual income families, but just as many are retired (or about to) or DH has a good enough income that they can not work outside the house. (notice that I didn’t say NOT WORK <G>) Those few quilters that I come across that are the “extreamly frugile minded” who talk about searching out garage sale fabric, or other recycled fabric to make quilts out of are few and far between. Which brings up another point about the difference between Quilt shop fabric and the chain store stuff….but I’ll put that in another post <G>
As someone said before , quilters will come up with the $$ to do what they want to…spend the grocery allowance or what ever. I’ve seen it done plenty of times. I think there has also developed a whole group of people who collect fabric…..buy it with absolutely no idea what they are going to do with it, if anything. (as she glances over her shoulder at the 6 ft elfa shleves stacked to the ceiling with fabric <G> but my stash is for future restoration jobs…yeah, restoration, uh huh) I agree with Roberta . I’m not seeing the lower socio-economic levels quilting “this go around”… Through out history, quilting has had a revival when economic times got tough. During the depression ….. fabric was inexpensive and the quilting bee was a cheap source of entertainment….in the 80’s with the gas shortages and falling oil prices my shop was thriving. Quilt guild meetings became the new social gathering point for quilters. Now with fabric costing $7 and up a yard…..it has become a hobby of luxury, not necessity…going to quilt shows, classes at the local guild.all the gadgets designed to make our life easier…it all adds up! Sorry to ramble on but when I sit down and start thinking about all the changes I’ve seen over the last 20 years in quiltmaking, it’s absolutely mind boggling.
Oh, and if anyone wants one of those square quilt-as-you-go frames, I may still have one in the garage…<G> along with the stack of quilted blocks that never got sashed!!! Thank God we don’t do THAT anymore!
Laura
At 0951 AM 01/15/2000 -0500, Roberta Geanangel wrote
>Jean,I guess we have to redefine the lower socio-economic levels. I haven’t seen much evidence of them doing a lot of sewing. These are not the same housewives who operated on the recycling principle so popular during the depression years. These are the women who *do* stay with an abusive mate for whatever reason.
>You started me thinking about all this,I’m curious as to who *is* quilting. I don’t think it includes the lower lower or middle lower stratum,as it did in the past. I think quilting is a product of the women who *can* afford fabric… and magazines and computers and leisure time and quilt shows. Has anyone done a study on this subject? Roberta
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 13:05:30 -0500 | From: jthompson <jthompson26>
The American Presidents Series has ended. The judging has been completed for the Portrait of a President contest using any medium. I have been notified that my quilt, “The Era of Good Feelings” (47″ x 52″) is one of the 10 winners. We will all be the guests of C-SPAN in Washington, DC for Presidents’ Weekend and win a color TV. The person who called to tell me the news said that everyone who was judging said “Oh, WOW” when they saw my quilt. Quilts do touch our hearts! All of the winners will be shown on Mon (1/17) at 9AM/EST on Washington Journal/C-SPAN.
As a reminder, my quilt was inspired by the unfinished quilt top of James Monroe’s younger daughter, Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur, c1829-30. The story is that after Mrs. Monroe’s death in 1830, President Monroe moved to NY to live with the Gouverneurs until his death on July 4, 1831. Maria had put away her piecing when her father moved in and never got back to it. Could we speculate that she was overwhelmed by the death of her mother and the responsibilty of caring for her father and the piecing reminded her of those events?
My quilt is hand pieced hexagons, using the English paper method, hand quilted with trapunto and stippling and a photo transfer of President Monroe on the front and one of Maria on the back. The original quilt top is in the collection of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, Fredericksburg, VA, phone (540)654-1043 and website http://JamesMonroeMuseum.mwc.edu. At this time the quilt top is in the vault, perhaps with some coaxing from quilters it can be displayed in the public area of the museum. The museum shop has postcards, notepaper and a collections book that show Maria’s quilt.
I will be posting photos soon.
Judy Thompson
NJ
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 13:24:23 EST | From: Xroadclown
qhlcuenet.com
Subject: Re QHL Could price be doing us in, on the quilt revival? Message-ID: <b.5d8796.25b21557aol.com>
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I enjoyed your theory on “hand piecing… and just wanted to let you know that all “baggy” quilters haven’t disappeared! I’m just starting. I have three little ones, and going to appointments, swimming lessons, and soccer games seems to be the only time i get a chance. I also find that since they still tend to sleep in the car, trips are a good time too! it’s cold and blowy here in NY, why then aren’t i sewing rather than typing! ****************************************************************************** ****
**********************************
“Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly”
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 13:34:17 EST | From: LeahZieber
Hi all, a quick request if I may. My husband is returning to France (Grenoble) for threee and a half weeks starting next week. If someone could privately post me as to where he may purchase some real French fabrics (not the Mumm stuff this time) I would greatly appreciate the information. Any mills or print works where he could purchase fabric remnants would also be of interest. Directions would be helpful, too, but not necessary. Thanks for the help
Leah Zieber in Temecula, (where we forgot what rain is all about!)
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 13:52:54 EST | From: Hampshire01
maybe i can help…
having taught quilting in both a community center… and in a community room of a low income housing developement for the elderly & handicapped….i do have some knowledge about “lower income” people who quilt…. very few, to none, of these quilters ever go to a quilt shop..they shop for fabric in Ames,Walmart and Joanns…and most likely, you wont see them at a quilt guild meeting…or in workshops given at festivals and shows… as for taking a little money from the food budget…most of them are eating lots of pasta the last week of the month …
i live in constant awe/amazement of the amount of quilters that can “fly” to quilt shows and festivals…the quilters i’ve taught..mostly take the bus to go to Joanns..
jean laino
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 22:44:57 -0000 | From: “Jill KANE” <Jillgavemail.>
I have plucked up the courage to de-lurk in response to Jennifer’s query about the Mennonites . I am no expert on American history , but I do know that there was a large , Mennonite population in Amsterdam in the 1600’s Rembrandt made an etching of Cornelius Claesz. Anslo, a famousMennonite preacher and Theologicalm scholar, and then painted a double portrait of he and his wife in the 1640’s .) Given that Amsterdam was one of the most important ports of the time , and given Calvenist intolerence of different religions , perhaps successful merchants and traders may have made the move to America ? When was New York , New Amsterdam ?
Maybe I should have stayed lurking ! ,
Jill , in cold , flu-ridden,Yorkshire , England
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 20:18:17 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears (Roberta Geanangel)
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Are these ladies all elderly? Are they the quilters of yesteryear? Have the younger,more affluent,quilters been “spoiled” by the readily accessible fabric and tools? If a lady quilted during the depression years and learned to “make do” could she bring herself to buy expensive fabric today,even if she could? We (anyone under the age of 65) are a new generation of women who have the freedom that education and money provides so our decisions are not based on the same criteria our mothers use. My MIL is still trapped in the mind set of the depression years…she will buy the cheapest item she can find with no financial reason to do so. I don’t mean any of this as criticism,I’m just pointing out that we are products of our environment. My MIL is still saving for her old age (she’s 87) and I’m spending to make mine comfortable!
Roberta
PS One of the universities is conducting a study of us,the first generation of women to be financially secure in retirement due to higher levels of education.. Should be interesting!
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X-Mailing-List <QHLcuenet.com> archive/latest/12351 Subject: QHL maybe i can help maybe i can help…
having taught quilting in both a community center… and in a community room of a low income housing developement for the elderly & handicapped….i do have some knowledge about “lower income” people who quilt…. very few, to none, of these quilters ever go to a quilt shop..they shop for fabric in Ames,Walmart and Joanns…and most likely, you wont see them at a quilt guild meeting…or in workshops given at festivals and shows… as for taking a little money from the food budget…most of them are eating lots of pasta the last week of the month …
i live in constant awe/amazement of the amount of quilters that can “fly” to quilt shows and festivals…the quilters i’ve taught..mostly take the bus to go to Joanns..
jean laino
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 22:05:02 -0600 | From: Mary Waller <mswalleriw.net>
Roberta asked If a lady quilted during the depression years and learned to “make do” could she bring herself to buy expensive fabric today,even if she could? One of my quilting buddies, Phyllis, is 83 years young, attended and graduated from the college here in our hometown and married right after college. Although Phyllis didn’t start quilting until about 10 years ago, she bought a Singer Featherweight and card table right after getting married, so she could make clothes, curtains, etc. She tells about worrying many months where they’d come up with the $4.00 payment on the machine for 26 months. She still has the machine and the table and I suggested she write this down and put it with the machine and name a recipient in her will — and that I’d name her to get my FW if she’d name me to get hers! Phyllis doesn’t have a stash like the rest of us. She buys fabric only for her next project, so she doesn’t buy ‘on spec’. However, she doesn’t bat an eye at the higher prices at quilt shops and to my knowledge doesn’t shop the discount stores for bargain fabric. But she always finishes all her projects, and in record time! She beats rings around me! She took a Block of the Month class from me last year; at the beginning of the class I warned the others not to try to keep up with Phyllis, because I don’t and joked that she’d probably have her quilt finished half-way through the class. And she did! And she’s a joy! When I grow up, I want to be just like her! I don’t think it’s possible to sew clothes and home furnishes just to save money today like it was 20 to 30 years ago. So many basic clothing items are available at very reasonable prices that you couldn’t buy the fabric for the cost of the item. Who’s going to make clothes when jeans are under $20? The person sewing today is doing it for the fun and creativity, a sense of accomplishment or to get something they can’t find. Mary Waller, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA Phyllis also has a top-of-the-line Bernina she bought a few years ago.
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 23:06:59 -0600 | From: Russell-Hill <russhillctesc.net>
Hi All, Well I hate to be the fly in the ointment but I am not low on the social ladder but the income is that of low income. I have been quilting for 20+ years and won’t give it up but have not been buying fabric as much as I did. One I can’t afford to do that(I get a good discount also) and two I won’t pay that much money for fabric just on account of. I work in a quilt shop part time right now and it is very hard to see all this wonderful stuff coming in. Thank goodness I get my fix because I also sew samples but it is not mine to own. Now I will buy if I have a specific reason to but my stash is going to be depleted first before I feel I need to add to it. Since I have been working in the quilt shop I have met some women who are stay at home moms, who are there because they have small children and can’t afford day care or live to far out in the country to make it worth while. To work in this town where wages are minimum wage it is some times not worth going to work. One lady who comes to mind has 6 children. She is very careful about what she buys and only when she needs it. So maybe we need to think about location instead. Living in a big city as compared to a small country town. I believe that there are those of us whose income is not middle or high but are still quilting. I would say that most likely there are not to many in the low income bracket that are beginner quilts because it is to costly to start. I will say also that I have not seen many low income ethnic groups come it to shop for quilting fabric. It would be intersting to see what a study would show but it needs to be all over, getting a sample of the whole country. Debbie in THC
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 02:13:27 EST | From: KareQuilt
An excellent book on the history of the Mennonites coming to and settling in America is “Land, Piety, and People” by Richard MacMaster. He points out that the Dutch Mennonites were quite well off because they were such successful merchants (many as a result of textiles!!). The wealthy Dutch Mennonites textile merchants helped many less well-off Mennonites come to America. What a THRILL it was when I stumbled across a reference to the Ship Samuel that my 5th-gr grandparents came over on in 1732 in MacMaster’s book, as well as a reference to the 4th gr grandfather who was the first Beydler/Beidler/Beutler to live in Virginia (in the Shenandoah Valley). MacMaster described his 1783 house, barn and exactly how many fruit trees and what kind he had in his orchards from a survey recorded at that time! Well, I have to admit, our branch of the family didn’t stay Mennonite but one generation after reaching America. There was a dearth of Mennonite preachers in the Shenandoah Valley and the Mennonites “lost” many of their congregants when the “primitive baptist” revival movement swept through the Valley shortly after the turn of the century. Karen B. Alexander No. Virginia
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 08:38:43 EST | From: JBQUILTOK
Congradulations Judy! I think an interesting book would be one showing all the quilts, quilt tops and possibly other domestic art created by First Ladies. Any authors on the list looking for a new project? Janet
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 13:39:22 -0600 | From: Jennifer Perkins <qltrstoreharlannet.com>
I’m forwarding Chris’ answer to my question to the list with her permission. Thanks to all for their help! Barb, I appreciate your timeline answer on the Mennonite immigration-I have been stuck in my own little part of that, and didn’t see the larger picture! Thanks for your time! Loved your segment on Simply Quilts! Jennifer in Iowa >From CWaiss4459aol.com >> >Jennifer > >Hello from Chris now in Eastern, NY. It is my understanding that cedar >chests are perfect for storing woolens and fur for insect protection. But >cottons or linens are subjected to an atmosphere where the wood acids can >spot the fabrics even though the textile is not touching bare wood. The wood >releases this acid all the time. This is what creates the cedar odor the wood >omits. > >This is also you see so much damage to textiles that are stored in cardboard. >Heat of course will intensify this process through the years. I hope you >will find this information useful. > >Chris > >
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 12:15:02 -0800 | From: “Carol Berry” <cberryelite.net>
I enjoyed Judy Thompson’s description of her grand prize winning quilt in C-Span’s American Presidents contest. I avidly followed the series and entered the contest with a quilted wallhanging depicting Benjamin Harrison. While I did not win in the grand prize category, my quilt was awarded a first place, the prize being a color television. The wallhanging featured a redwork portrait of President Harrison. I also included a photo transfer of Harrison as he appeared in his Civil War uniform (another of my passions is the War Between the States) and printed in the border various facts about Harrison’s life. Most of the materials used in the quilt were some of the many patriotic fabrics I’ve collected over the years. It pleased me to see that out of the 37 prize winning entries in the 18 and over category, 4 of them were quilts. Besides Judy’s quilt honoring James Monroe and mine on Benjamin Harrison, Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman were the subject of the two other quilt entries. Regards, Carol Berry Merced, CA
Date: Sun, 16 Jan | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt>
2000 181714 -0800
From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quiltbellsouth.net>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 00:17:09 | From: Mary Beth Goodman <mgoodmanalbany.net>
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From: Mary Beth Goodman <mgoodmanalbany.net>
I’m pleased to report that the complete brochure and show information for NYQuilts! is now up at our web site http://www.nyquilts.org I’m particularly glad to spread the news here because a) our own list-mom Kris Driessen will be presenting a free lecture on Saturday June 3rd at the show as well as being one of our vendors and because b) Barbara Garrett will be giving three half-day classes over Saturday and Sunday and will be presenting a free lecture on Sunday June 4th Our other teachers will be Irma Gail Hatcher and Ricki Maietta. We’ve got some great classes chosen. We hope you’ll consider coming to the show as well as displaying your quilts for others to see! Some great invitational quilts will be on display – including Linda Pool’s “The Bride” quilt and the current Hoffman Challenge Quilts. Thanks! If you have any questions please contact me directly at infonyquilts.org Mary Beth Goodman, Coordinator NYQuilts! Quilts, vendors, lectures, classes! June 3-4, 2000 Russell Sage College, Troy NY http://www.nyquilts.org/
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 09:39:11 EST | From: DDBSTUFF
I just ran across the following description on a current quilt show at the Denver Art Museum and was wondering if anyone has seen it and would care to file a report? Darwin in Akron, Ohio
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 11:16:49 | From: “Joan Brown” <jfbrownapollo.vicon.net>
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From: “Joan Brown” <jfbrownapollo.vicon.net>
Hi All, I have been lurking and haven’t posted in a long long time. I have some information on copying patterns that you might find interesting. In the spring ’98 issue of American Quilter was and article on copyright infringement. After a few scenarios there was the name and website of the lawyer that wrote the article. Some people on a list I was on were copying patterns and passing them around like they were free. Unfortunately that happens all too often. This deprives the author of the pattern much needed revenue, and is just plain illegal. I felt compelled to write this lawyer and below is the answer I received. I hope it helps in some way. JB in PA —–Original Message—– From Ruth Dukelow – Michigan Library Consortium <dukelowmlc.lib.mi.us> >Hi Joan! Under current U.S. law, copyrighted materials created after 1976 >are protected until 70 years after the death of the author. > >Materials copyrighted after 1922 and before 1976 which were still held by >copyright in 1976 are protected for 95 years. So a work copyrighted in >1923 will come into the public domain in 2018. Sometimes it is difficult, >however, to find out if a work was still protected by copyright in 1976. >There is a good chart explaining this at >http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm > >Works published in 1922 or earlier are in the public domain. > >Photos and advertisements are protected by copyright. If you copy a photo >or advertisement for a quilt you are making for your own personal, >noncommercial use, then your use probably falls under fair use and would >not be infringement. If, however, you are making the quilt to sell or for >some other commercial purpose (for example, photograph of the quilt will >be in a calendar), then you should ask for permission first. > >Hope this helps, Ruth > >************************************************************** >Ruth H. Dukelow, AccessMichigan Director >Michigan Library Consortium dukelowmlc.lib.mi.us >6810 South Cedar St, Suite 8 phone (800)530-9019 ext.21 >Lansing, MI 48911-6909 fax (517)694-9303 >
Date: Mon, | From: “John Cawley” <cawleygoeaston.net>
17 Jan 2000 120307 -0500
From: “John Cawley” <cawleygoeaston.net>
I saw Judy Thompson’s prize winning quilt on CSPAN this morning. It’s gorgeous. I have two questions Judy? How long did it take (I know this sounds like the kind of questions non-quiltmakers always ask, but the Am. Presidents series lasted less than a year and Jas. Monroe didn’t show up until week 5). Does CPAN really get to keep it? I think Brian Lamb shows a real lack of interest in the arts and unless the rest of the organization has different priorities I hope you get the quilt back. Congratulations! Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 15:31:56 -0500 | From: jthompson <jthompson26>
for all the nice comments on my James Monroe quilt, on the list and privately. To answer Cinda’s questions How long did it take me? I saw the original program broadcast in April. That set me on my quest to find out about that quilt…1st to my copy of Orlofsky, then to the musuem. Along the way I learned many intersting facts about James Monroe and that period of our history. Life long learning is FUN. By July 4th I had my idea and started to work on the Eng paper piecing. I wanted to stay in a similiar fabric color range and searched for close matches in the repro lines. There are many side stories here of pleading for certain “old Smithsonians.” (A source was found by friends at the Ft Wash Show during a hurricane!) Finally hand pieced, with trapunto and stippling and hand quilted by the Dec 1 deadline. When I start a project, I get obsessed! The rules clearly stated that all entries become the property of C-SPAN. I hope they take care of it, I provided a generous hanging sleeve so thumb tacks wouldn’t be necessary. I have noticed that Brian Lamb does show a lack of interest in the arts, but I can not fault his mission. There is so much that C-SPAN offers culturally, historically, a real gem of a network. On my visit to Washington perhaps I can get a word with him and others and promote the arts. Judy NJ
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 17:58:24 | From: “Richards, Elizabeth” <elizabeth.richardsualberta.ca>
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From: “Richards, Elizabeth” <elizabeth.richardsualberta.ca>
Textiles – any textiles – should NOT be stored in cedar chests. The acidic fumes from the cedar will deteriorate the textiles. Originally it was believed that the cedar chests would be a deterrant agains moths. I have read of and seen numerous examples where the part of the textile touching the cedar is actually stained. The only way I would use a cedar chest for storage is to seal the wood so that it can’t “off gas”. Wrapping the textiles in cotton fabric or polyethylene does not prevent deterioration and the gas vapors from the wood will penetrae textiles. Dr. Elizabeth Richards Professor, Department of Human Ecology 3-39 Human Ecology Building University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta Canada T6G 2N1 Phone 780 – 492-2475 Fax 780-492-4821
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 20:37:26 -0500 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdocsover.net>
Just got my spring copy of Professional Quilter and Mary Waller has a great article about working with PBS to assist them in producing more quilt related programs. Good ideas, Mary. Jan Drechsler in southern Vermont, where it is on its way to minus 25 degrees tonight. http://www.QuiltHistory.com.
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 22:18:52 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <judygrowblast.net>
Did any of our Colorado buddies on QHL have a hand in curating this show? Bobbie? Cindy? Or was it all done “in-house”? Denver Art Museum “Optical Quilts October 23, 1999, April 2, 2000 Thirteen pieced quilts from the Museum’s permanent collection illustrate how the makers ‘painted with cloth” using color, tone, and value to create images and optical illusions. These quilts include the unusual (one quilt is made entirely of silk cigar bands), pictorial (the Matterhorn quilt is one of the works of art most requested by museum visitors), and geometrical (every quilt depicts a beguiling pattern).” Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrowblast.net
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 11:12:04 -0500 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts>
Hi all, When I was doing post grad work at the Univ. of Rhode Island in textile conservation this past summer, Dr. Ordinez (one of the women who created this profession) was vehement about the evils of cedar on textiles. First of all, the insect repellant properties disappear after about 6 months. The only way to restore them is to sand down the wood to get rid of the “dead” wood. It is like a face peal to get rid of the dead skin cells! Then the oil from the wood creates permanent stains on the textile, not to mention the usual acid properties of all wood products. Bottom line, do not use cedar for any textiles you care about – even if they are double wrapped in clean muslin! Newbie Richardson Past Crafts Studios
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 12:13:06 | From: “redloon” <redloon>
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From: “redloon” <redloonmindspring.com>
I am not sure whether it has been mentioned that on the Friday afternoon (230 p.m.) showing of Simply Quilts on HGTV, Jacqueline Tobin of the book, Hidden in Plain View A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad, will be on with Serena Wilson the great-grand niece of the woman Ms. Tobin spoke to in the Charleston Marketplace. Here is the blurb from the website “Host Alex Anderson welcomes guest Jacqueline Tobin, co-author of a book about a code for the underground railroad that was discovered in quilts. Jacqueline talks about her involvement with the granddaughter of a former slave who passed this story down. Meet the great-grand niece of the same woman, Serena Wilson, who teaches how to make one of the blocks that was used in the code – the crossroads block. ” I know we have discussed this book quite thoroughly but thought some might want to see this program. If it has been mentioned previously and shown on HGTV before, please excuse me, as we have just gotten that cable channel in our area. Lonnie
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 13:10:29 | From: “Jeanne Fetzer” <jeanne.fetzerintegrityonline3.com>
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From: “Jeanne Fetzer” <jeanne.fetzerintegrityonline3.com>
Is anyone familiar with any quilting events going on around Newark, NJ in the next couple of weeks? Or any good shops? Thank you AGAIN for all the helpful information that keeps coming on QHL. jeanne.fetzerintegrityonline3.com20.
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 08:34:15 -0700 | From: “Cindy
Brick” <brickworksfnmail.com>
Also not sure who is curating this show…but the last one they did, on Crazies, was done by a non-quilt curator from New Mexico!!! She said the quilts were chosen for their “art” qualities. That’s all well and good, but this woman, as quoted in the DENVER POST, at least, seemed to have little notion of the Crazy quilt’s history or techniques. Sad, really — how can you do a good job if you don’t understand the medium… That having been said, the museum does have a terrific collection — I am grateful whenever they mount something, too. I was at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum’s latest exhibit last week; it’s on Coloradoans’ quilts, both vintage and modern. REALLY nice mix of antique and new, including a Colorado Quilt Council wallhanging that is quite inventive. If anyone on the list can get there, you’ll enjoy it. Cindy Brick –
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 22:35:12 +0000 | From: Bobbie Aug <qwltpro>
Judy, I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing that this was inhouse. This is the most quilts the DAM has displayed in I can’t tell you how many jillion years. When Imelda DeGraw, the Textile Curator, retired over 10 years ago, they not only didn’t replace her, but turned the “quilt area” into Pre-Columbian Art. When I inquired in 1989 when I was President of The Colorado Quilting Council, about where they would permanently display quilts in the future, the Director told me that that would happen when we helped raise about 2 milliion dollars. Since that time, some quilters have kept their distance. I am encouraged by this “showing” of a few of the extensive collection they have, including some very nice pre-1940 Old Order Amish quilts that we purchased for them. On the upside, many of the collection has toured Japan and been published in several catalogs. There are wonderful quilts at the Denver Art Museum. We Coloradoans appreciate the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO, the Primedia Gallery (QNM) in Golden and the Colorado Springs City Museum which has around 300 quilts in its collection. Thanks for asking, Judy! Bobbie Aug in Colorful Colorado –
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 10:51:28 -0500 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts>
Unfortunately, the catalogue for the Washington (DC) Antiques Show has an extensive pre-view article from the sequel to “Hidden in Plain View” which it claims will be published this spring of 2000. The Washington Antiques Show is one of the premier shows of its kind. It has hither to been synonomous with authenticity and research. Some of the most reputable (and expensive)dealers in the country show there. The lectures and museum exhibits have always been superb. The catalgue has always featured premiere , well researched articles by well respected scholars. This years show featured the Victorian era (c1840 – 1900). This article/exerpt is clearly out of place. It is the continuing story of the escape route through Ohio and into Canada and how quilts marked that passage through the mountains. This is not my area of expertise at all, but I know when a point has been stretched to breaking. My husband is very knowledgable about the topography of the area mentioned and all he could do is shake his head in disbelief. That this article has appeared in an otherwise scholarly puablication is just awful. How do you fight a politically correct myth that takes on a life of its own? The article is way too long for me to type up but if anyone wants to send me a stamped self addressed envelope, I will zerox it and send you a copy. give me a few days! Newbie Richardson/602 S. View Terr./Alexandria/Va 22314
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 09:33:17 | From: “Cindy Brick” <brickworksfnmail.com>
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From: “Cindy Brick” <brickworksfnmail.com>
Subject: RE How old is redwork? Sorry to respond so late on this, but I’ve been out of commission, due to work… On the earliest redwork dates Toni Baumgard, the “Redwork Lady,” has seen redwork embroidery from as early as 1850! I own a redwork piece dated 1888 — no, I do not believe that it is a commemmorative date, based on other evidence in the quilt. Toni owns a Redwork done in Crazy Quilt style dated 1886. If you consider that red embroidery-on-white appears in several national costumes, including those from Poland and Czechoslovakia (sp?), then it quite probably is much earlier than the 1850s. Cindy Brick
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 12:17:43 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.comail.airmail.net>
Newbie, I’d like a copy for VQTS. And has anyone heard back from National Geographic? I finally saw the article and cant find the issue. I cant believe that they are doing so much pr on these books with no proof. …..also, while in S. Central Texas last week appraising and lecturing I had a member of the guild tell me that she has seen a copy of a diary that DOES talk about how quilts were used as signposts, roadmaps etc. She promises to get me a copy of said diary…..and the check is in the mail…..
