July 12 – 14, 2004
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:
- NQA Judge Certification Process — Jennifer Perkins announces her new NQA judging certification; Barbara Obaker and others ask how to pursue it, and Jennifer outlines the process via the NQA website.
- Ladies Art Company Garter Patterns — Louise Tiemann’s discovery of Tangled Garter and related patterns in a 1928 Ladies Art Company catalog leads to a rich exchange about pattern names, block history, and Judy Kelius posting them online.
- Feedsack Fabric Reproductions at JoAnn Stores — Members debate whether the ‘Granny’s Feedsack’ line appearing at JoAnn stores is a genuine historical reproduction or just a marketing name, with close scrutiny of the selvedge text. (see the article on the feedsack story)
- Abstract Design in American Quilts — Book Offer — Patricia Crews announces a discounted offer on the University of Nebraska Press reprint of Abstract Design in American Quilts, a key reference for the list.
- 1877 Newspaper Scold of an Ohio Quilter — Barb Garrett shares a remarkable quote from the 1877 Zanesville Daily Courier condemning a woman for finishing a 5,000-piece quilt instead of doing ‘useful’ work, delighting the list.
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 14:09:45 -0400 | From: “John and Veronica Richmond” <johnandveronica@>
Though I actually live in a terminus of the original UGR (Oakville, on Lake Ontario just west of Toronto), I think I’ll have to head to Calgary to Jennifer’s place. It’s the sewing machines I want to play with! I would dearly love my grandmother’s treadle or my mom’s Singer (must have been a roughly 1950 model in a cabinet) but they’re long gone. ..so I’ll do the next best thing and go into hiding in the Rockies!
Veronica
—–Original Message—– From: Jennifer Hill Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 12:40 AM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Off Topic: But Barely
Let’s face it: it’s been a long time since the Civil War. The world has changed. New needs have arisen. Let’s move on.
And here’s one need we were thinking about—an Underground Railroad for Middle-Aged (we’re planning to live to be 120?) Women who have served their time, done their duties………
Everyone is welcome to head on up to my place. I’m in the same country as one terminus of the original UGR, only about 2000 miles west of it (but the road is paved all the way). I have a few vintage quilts, lots of contemporary ones, and plenty of vintage and antique sewing machines for all of us to play with.
Jennifer Hill Calgary, AB
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 12:19:21 -0600 | From: “Cindy Brick” <brickworks@>
Dear Diane… I smiled to myself when I saw ‘patchworkgirl’ as your moniker — I just got an old copy of Frank Baum’s (I mean YOUR) book, and the color copy is wonderful! You can answer your question about AQS-certified appraiser easily by visiting http://www.quiltappraiser.org This is the website of the PAAQT appraiser organization, which you currently have to be AQS-certified to join. The PAAQTers are listed by state, along with their contact info, and it’s easy to find one in your neck of the woods.
YAY for Jennifer getting certified as a judge! When I got certified as an appraiser, my bratty little brother (now in his forties) announced that he knew all along that I was “certifiable…”
Cindy Brick
BRICKWORKS www.cindybrick.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 13:24:00 -0500 | From: Marilyn Woodin <woodinkctc.net>
My apologies on the Amish pictures and the 3 messages that came through. I do not know why the pictures did not come through. Not being totally computer literate I did what I thought I should and it evidently did not work.
Our Media person at the Kalona Historical Village had forwarded the pictures to me and me on to you.
I am sorry Darwin and just as soon as we get the problem worked out we will post to eboard. We are also doing a catalog of the pictures that should be completed the end of the month. If anyone is interested please contact me at woodinkctc.net. Again I am sorry as it is a wonderful show. Marilyn Woodin On Jul 14, 2004, at 1:00 PM, DDBSTUFF@ wrote:
I’d love to see those Iowa Amish Quilt pictures. I have written directly to Marilyn Woodin to post them on the eboard but have not heard anything in return. If anyone got them, would they kindly post them on the eboard? Lots of us would appreciate it I’m sure…
Darwin
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 12:36:58 -0700 (PDT) | From: Rissa Peace Root <listsprettyimpressivestuff.com>
I’ve been on the list under a different email name for well over a year, but I switched everything over about a month ago. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words…
Rissa Peace Root http://www.prettyimpressivestuff.com
— Gail Ingram <gingram@ wrote: For those of you who, like me are also captivated by the embroidery arts in their many forms, may I suggest a peek at the www page of our new (?) formerly quiet member, Rissa Peace Root www.prettyimpressivestuff.com?
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 18:05:39 EDT | From: AG32040@
Nancy, You can contact the FL. FEDERATION of Womans Clubs . I belong to the Womans Club of Coconut Grove which was founded in 1891 as the Housekeepers Club.These were pioneer women and the clubs archives are very complete . We are cataloging them now. They did meet to do good deeds for the community , and for educational purposes. We have not found any quilting refereces yet. A my Goodhart
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:34:23 -0400 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
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Good Afternoon –
I’m wandering around the internet looking for information about some local quilt guilds and found this quote on the website of the Love Apple Quilters of New Jersey. I found it interesting…….
Quote from the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville Ohio, November 8, 1877.
“Another silly Ohio woman has just completed a quilt containing five thousand pieces. A woman that would spend her time over such worthless nonsense, when there is so much useful and beautiful work to be done in the world, ought to be ashamed of herself.”
Barb in rainy southeastern PA
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:32:23 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Oh Barb, thank you for posting this. I was feeling sort of “down,” but this perks me up. Imagine reading that—afterpiecing 5,000 pieces!
Did you happen to check the obits to see if the writer was listed among them?
Gail
From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@ <qhl@ Subject: [qhl] Newspaper article
Good Afternoon –
I’m wandering around the internet looking for information about some local quilt guilds and found this quote on the website of the Love Apple Quilters of New Jersey. I found it interesting…….
Quote from the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville Ohio, November 8, 1877.
“Another silly Ohio woman has just completed a quilt containing five thousand pieces. A woman that would spend her time over such worthless nonsense, when there is so much useful and beautiful work to be done in the world, ought to be ashamed of herself.”
Barb in rainy southeastern PA
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 21:03:36 -0400 | From: “John and Veronica Richmond” <johnandveronica@>
Obits? Look for my name in the next couple of years. I’m doing Dear Jane right now and am up to over 2800 pieces, and I haven’t counted my sashing – nor am I anywhere near done!!
Veronica Richmond Oakville, Ontario, Canada My Virtual Design Wall, Quilt stuff and John’s handcrafted Santas and sculptures: http://richmondandco.tripod.com/ My Dear Jane & QD blocks: http://community.webshots.com/user/johnandveronica
– Quote from the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville Ohio, November 8, 1877.
“Another silly Ohio woman has just completed a quilt containing five thousand pieces. A woman that would spend her time over such worthless nonsense, when there is so much useful and beautiful work to be done in the world, ought to be ashamed of herself.”
Barb in rainy southeastern PA
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 21:13:12 EDT | From: Ivory22986@
LOL I wish I had this quilt!! Ivory
Quote from the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville Ohio, November 8, 1877.
“Another silly Ohio woman has just completed a quilt containing five thousand pieces. A woman that would spend her time over such worthless nonsense, when there is so much useful and beautiful work to be done in the world, ought to be ashamed of herself.”
Barb in rainy southeastern PA
From: “Louise”
Greetings, I was checking out my Ladies Art Company catalog today – it was pouring rain and it seemed like the thing to do – and I had to laugh. Pattern number 123 is the Village Church and the very next one, 124 is called the Tangled Garter. TOO FUNNY! Having a good chuckle in upstate NY, Louise
From: Gail Ingram
Louise, are these quilt patterns? Could you post the Tangled Garter one?
Gail
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 01:18:18 -0400 | From: “Kristina Strom” <KristinaStromcelestialperspectives.com>
Kudos to Patricia Cunningham for her article in the September 2004 issue of The Quilter. When I saw the cover tease (UGGR quilts–fact or fiction?) I actually resigned myself to the thought that the article might be about defending the myth, given all the hoopla these days, but it wasn’t!
Rather, the piece is elegant, sensitive, and based (finally) in historicity.
Kristina www.romancingthequilt.com
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 02:32:43 -0400 | From: “Louise” <ltiemannstny.@>
Gail, yes these are quilt patterns from a 1928 Ladies Art Company catalog. I just scanned the patterns from the page, but I am new to this list and haven’t a clue on how to post them. I can e-mail the image to you if you would like and maybe you could post? Let me know. Best regards, Louise >
From: Anne Copeland
I may have misinterpreted a recent discussion on another list about JoAnn’s and reproduction feedsack, but at any rate, I came to think that JoAnn’s was now carrying reproduction Feedsack, so my neighbor and I beat a path to their door today. We looked and looked and could find nothing, so we asked several salesgirls. Now the response was so funny I just had to share it. One girl suggested we look in the floral department and another suggested we try the upholstery (at least she had the idea it was fabric) department. When my friend told the first one that feedsack was yardgoods, boy, the mouths really hung open wide. Goodness, are we really that old? How can a whole generation grow up and not even know what yardgoods or feedsack is? I bet they don’t know what an ice cream man, milkman, bread man or rag man is either! Boy, what is this world coming to? Now those of us who are interested in quilt history surely need to get out there and provide education for the rest of the world. Sure makes me aware of my age. Peace and blessings, Annie
From: Judy Kelius <>
I looked up the patterns in Barbara Brackman’s Blockbase and posted them at http://home.ptd.net/~judysue/qhl/churchgarters.htm. The Tangled Garter pattern is wonderful when set side by side!
Gail, I think you should make a quilt combining the two!
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 07:31:42 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
What a seredipidous find—Pepper’s church pew and the garters right next to each other. Surely if there is a God, He guided Louise to Brackman and these.
Not, of course, that our Pepper would ever tangle her garters!
Gail
From: “PatchworkGirl”
Hi Cindy, How wonderful to find one of the older books by Baum. Is it 1914? Yes, I am a Wiz/Oz fan and always will let that part of the child stay alive inside. I have looked through the AQS list and may take the AQS course when it is offered again. I will search out that http://www.quiltappraiser.org site, also. Thank you for the information. Happy Wishes, DianeL
” I smiled to myself when I saw ‘patchworkgirl’ as your moniker — I just got an old copy of Frank Baum’s (I mean YOUR) book, and the color copy is wonderful!”Cindy Brick
From: “PatchworkGirl”
Rissa, I appreciate your reply. Jackson is a couple of hours from me..and a wonderful drive down the Natchez Trace. Lots of history on the Trace. I always enjoy to stop by the little quilt shop at French Camp.
Your work is so wonderful. I visited your website and enjoyed seeing all the needle arts. Best Wishes, DianeL
“Well, I am in Jackson. 🙂 I generally travel for classes and conferences, but if I hear of any good workshops, I’ll let you know. Anita Shackleford was here just a few months ago, but I missed it. :-/
Rissa Peace Root”
From: “Candace Perry”
Barb, this is funny — you know we have that postage stamp top that has 11,000 pieces — and the last group that was here went crazy for it! Little did these writers know what might appeal to 21st century sensibilities… Candace Perry Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Gail, I can remember my mom being invited to join the Ladies Rotary Club when we lived in LA back in the 60’s. My mom had a large upholstery shop and worked with fabrics and furniture. The membership lady came to the shop just as my mom was cleaning out her pillow stuffing machine and …well…mom did not look so good <G>. I remember the lady asked mom to come to the meetings and to join them, and then she added, “I know you will enjoy a bit of time in the beauty shop before the meeting.” hahaha….how tactful was that? When the lady left mom and I looked at each other and laughed so much! But my mom did join and although she was not making quilts, she was using quilting techniques in some of the furniture covers she made. Still smiling about this… DianeL
<http://rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/women/issues-early/womensclubs.htm) suggests that their early purposes seemed to be less domestic than quilting groups. They were part of the general movement of upper-middle-class women to elevate the living conditions of women and childen and the communities in which they lived. I found it interesting to note at Rotary site (above) that ‘men’s clubs later took up their causes.’>
From: Joan Kiplinger
Anne — the feedsack discussion only made reference to feedsacks being lesser quality fabrics like Joanne’s carries, not that they currently have this cloth in stock. And yes, there are oldsters like me, city born and bred, who never heard of a feedsack until 6 years ago and was delighted to discover this fascinating field. 😀 It’s amazing the “depth” of field many sales associates have, especially in fabric stores. I am forever reminded of an incident some time ago in a fabric store when I asked a helper where the wool section was; with the most startled eyes she asked me what wool was. I walked away speechless and found it on my own. 🙁
From: “Kristina Strom”
Argh….a reminder to never send email past midnight!
When I sent the following, of course I meant Cummings, not Cunningham. I’m hoping everyone knew who I was talking about.
Is my face red, K.
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:24:25 -0500 | From: “quilt25” <quilt25swbell.net>
Our JoAnn’s here in North Texas is currently selling feedsack reproduction fabric, $3.00 a yard. I cannot remember what it was called, Granny’s feedsacks or something like that. Several familiar looking pieces.
Peg
From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
Peg — thanx for mentioning this. Is this very recent addition. Last time I looked about several weeks ago, there wasn’t any. Not all stores carry the same lines as the chain is going into regional stocking like so many other home improvement and retail stores.
From: Patricia L Cummings
Kristina wrote:
When I sent the following, of course I meant Cummings, not Cunningham. I’m hoping everyone knew who I was talking about.
Dear Kristina:
I knew who you were talking about (very big grin) and I really appreciate your having read the article and for saying nice things about it. With both a Cunningham (Joe) and a Cummings (Pat) on this list, it is no wonder that you mistyped the author’s name. No harm done!
Your website in progress looks most promising. Thanks for sharing the url.
Best of luck with all of your activities and thanks again for your very kind words about the latest article in The Quilter..
Pat Cummings www.quiltersmuse.com
From: “Marcia Kaylakie”
Well, speaking of pieces! I have a postage stamp quilt top from the 1920s from Texas (of course!) that has 8,871 pieces! Just a joy of look at! Marcia ]
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:05:54 -0500 | From: “quilt25” <quilt25swbell.net>
Re. JoAnn’s feedsack fabric, I bought several different prints this past Monday.
Peg in North Texas
From: Joan Kiplinger
Will have to check this out later today or tomorrow. Quilt section, correct??. Wonder if prints are per originals and on osnaburg or medium-grade muslin.
quilt25 wrote:
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 12:14:49 EDT | From: Crm793@
Hi All,
I just found out about a quilt exhibit curated by Laura Syler in Plano, Texas. We went yesterday and it is wonderful, about 50 quilts. Some of Laura’s and some from the private collection of local quilt dealer Mary Ann Walters and others. If you are in the Dallas area it is a must see. Location: downtown Plano at the Plano ArtCentre. See their web site for more info, but hurry, it ends July 24.
Carolyn
From: Judy Schwender
I used to buy fabrics mostly in 1/6 yds because I find 6 inch widths more useful than the 4 1/2″ of eighth yards. At one store the sales girl wouldn’t sell me 1/6 yd. She said she’d sell me 1/8. I tried to explain that 1/6 yd was more fabric than 1/8, but she didn’t believe it. I ended up with a quarter yard. And didn’t go back.
It’s amazing the “depth” of field many sales associates have, especially in fabric stores. I am forever reminded of an incident some time ago in a fabric store when I asked a helper where the wool section was; with the most startled eyes she asked me what wool was. I walked away speechless and found it on my own. 🙁
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 13:37:30 -0500 | From: “quilt25” <quilt25swbell.net>
The feedsack fabric in my JoAnns was not in the quilting section, but in the section, right up front, where they place special buys, etc. Some A couple were osnaburg, most a low weight muslin. Hope they have them in your store.
Peg North Texas
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 20:13:45 -0500 | From: “Laura Syler” <texas_quilt.co@>
Carolyn,
Thanks for the kind words! ” Sewing Up History” was curated in conjunction with the Art Centre of Plano’s “Jump Start for Arts” summer program for kids 7-15. It was a lot of fun pulling this exhibit together. Unfortunately, the Centre has had a turn over of staff and the PR fell through the cracks. The first articles appeared in the Plano paper on Friday, the Dallas Morning News Tuesday and again today…..But they tell me that they have had a lot of traffic since the exhibit opened on June 11. I have on loan quilts from Mary Ann Walters (her private collection…the really REALLY spectacular ones) Karen Erlandson, and some from my own collection. Also featured are 3 current quilt makers, Barbara Oliver Hartman, Pat Campbell and Heather Costen – who is a brand new quiltmaker, and won several blue ribbons for her machine pieced and machine quilted Mariners Compass quilt at the Dallas show this March. And by another mishap…the exhibit will not come down until Friday the 30th <G> There are a few quilts on the Centre’s web site, and Mary Ann’s husband Jim has put some photos of the exhibit on their’s as well. www.quiltsquilts.com
Laura Hobby Syler Richardson, Texas
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 23:28:04 -0700 | From: Anne Copeland <anneappraiser1@>
Hmmm, some people have reported that they found the repro feedsack and others have reported that it is just cheap loose fabric (gee, that sounds kind of funny). Anyway, I am going back to comb both the local stores. I couldn’t find it online, but I did get an e-mail from a nice lady at Quilts and Other Comforts and they carry the feedsack repro that feels like the real thing. She is going to send me some samples. I hope it is what I am looking for. Anyway, it is good to know some source.
Peace and blessings, Annie
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 06:35:58 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
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Annie — From the repros I have seen in the past two decades, the similarity is in the print or design, not the weave structure and low-strain cotton used in original feedsack production, and in what is often called homespun, often nothing more than high-count muslin or osnaburg. As feedsacks were made in a wide variety of coarse to fine cloths, the descriptions will vary according to the feedsacks which persons are describing and their comparisons to repros. Please keep in mind that the repros you find being sold today will depend on each manufacturer’s choice of cloth so you will get a variety of descriptions and comparisons. Hope this is more helpful than confusing.
Anne Copeland wrote:
>Hmmm, some people have reported that they found the repro feedsack and >others have reported that it is just cheap loose fabric (gee, that sounds >kind of funny). Anyway, I am going back to comb both the local stores. >I couldn’t find it online, but I did get an e-mail from a nice lady at >Quilts and Other Comforts and they carry the feedsack repro that feels >like the real thing. She is going to send me some samples. I hope it is >what I am looking for. Anyway, it is good to know some source. > > >
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:05:18 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
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Annie and others — just returned from Joanne’s which anymore is an excursion into the unknown and which requires direction signs. Apparently the feedsack repros vary from store to store, according to the sales associate. Ours, which is a flagship store as it is located 40 miles from headquarters, had no such display. Several weeks ago there was a special grouping of repro fabrics on sale featuring mostly Revolutionary War prints and calicoes on high-quality muslin with soft finish to give a silky feel. These bolts have been put back in their original shelves but marked with an R to show they are repro. It’s possible some of the calicoes might have been fodder for feedsacks but were not designated as such either on bolt label or by store. I saw no osnaburgs nor homespuns in that selection, only in the home decor section and those were the traditional designs, not necessarily feedsack-type prints. But then again, many feedsack prints were adapted from the same prints on regular dress fabrics so the defining line can be quite thin. Some of you in checking out your Joannes might encounter a similar situation so if you see bolts marked with an R you will know what they represent. Annie — let us know what you find.
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:31:00 -0500 | From: Patricia C Crews <pcrewsunlnotes.unl.edu>
The University of Nebraska Press is offering Abstract Design in American Quilts by Jonathan Holstein at a special deeply discounted rate for a limited time only –$5.99 plus the costs of shipping and handling. The shipping fee in the US, for the first book is $5, each additional book is $.50. International shipping is $8 for the first and $1 for each additional book. If someone places a volume order–which they welcome–the NU Press charges actual freight costs, depending on what is more advantageous for the buyer.
The NU Press invites persons to place an order on their website, www.nebraskapress.unl.edu, to call 800-755-1105 or fax 800-526-2617. The offer ends October 1.
Please share this information with anyone you think may be interested. Thanks.
Patricia Cox Crews, Cather Professor of Textiles & Director, International Quilt Study Center
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:49:28 -0700 | From: “Laurette Carroll” <rl.carroll@>
Would anyone who purchased the “feedsack” fabrics, please check the selvage for whoever the manufacturer is and tell us? thanks! Laurette
> The feedsack fabric in my JoAnns was not in the quilting section, but in the > section, right up front, where they place special buys, etc. Some A couple > were osnaburg, most a low weight muslin. Hope they have them in your store.
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 12:58:02 -0400 | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
The selvedge says Granny’s Feedsack, circa 1943, exclusively for JoAnn Stores, copyright (c with circle) Springs.
This is the feedsack I bought about six months ago and which was a whole line with all kinds of colorways and patterns. They had even published two books with patterns on suggested uses in quilts. I bought a bunch, just because I liked it. Also bought the books. Somehow, the idea that all this was done to commemorate a 60th anniv. of JoAnn’s sticks in my mind.
Pat
Would anyone who purchased the “feedsack” fabrics, please check the selvage for whoever the manufacturer is and tell us? thanks! Laurette
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:42:54 -0700 | From: “Julia D. Zgliniec” <rzglini1@>
Good Morning All, Regarding Feedsack Reproductions:
In the fall of 1996 I ordered a 3″ sample pack of a line called Polly’s Feedsack Prints from Patchworks in Bozeman, MT.
I did not write down the manufacturer of the line – at least I cannot find it in my notebooks. The line was VERY authentic looking in terms of the weave of the cloth and the style and color of the prints. I remember thinking at the time that I was glad I had them in the files because if I encountered them used in a quilt as a repair, I might miss them.
Perhaps someone else on our list has collected them as well and knows who the manufacturer was.
Repros have been around for years and years.
Regards, Julia Zgliniec
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:46:58 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger <jkip@>
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Pat — thanx for this feedback on feedsacks. Definitely narrows the search on shelves now that I [and others] know what to look for.
Patricia L Cummings wrote:
> The selvedge says Granny’s Feedsack, circa 1943, exclusively for JoAnn > Stores, copyright (c with circle) Springs. > >
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 14:44:19 -0500 | From: “Susan Wildemuth” <ksandbcwgeneseo.net>
I recently purchased an older quilt top and the fabrics appear to be in the 1870-1890 range – a lot of variety of cadet blue, double pinks, and brown prints. One of the brown print fabrics has the word Centennial scattered on it in several places. Another of the brown print fabrics has miniature American Flags scattered about it. Each block utilizes the same quilt pattern, but each block has a different print with muslin as it’s partner. The 6″ pieced blocks are set together with the 6″ cadet blue print fabric (some white in the design of the print) which gives the cadet blue blocks a “solid” look from a distance. My question is did they create fabric for the 1876 Centennial which actually had the word Centennial on it? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sue in Illinois
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 20:09:13 -0400 | From: “Brenda & Roger Applegate” <rbappleg1@>
I am looking for a Kansas City Star block either Blockade (1938) or A Four Corner Puzzle (1943). I have been asked to teach a quilt from Eleanor Burn’s, Still Stripping after 25 years. I believe that her rendition is from either of the Kansas City blocks according to Brackman’s encyclopedia. I thought there was something published a year or so ago that had many of the Kansas City Star blocks reprinted.
The Reference guide suggested Groves Quilt Patterns and when I did a search, I came up with nothing. Also Keepsake Quilting could not pull up anything.
Any help would be appreciated.
Brenda Applegate
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 22:00:10 -0400 | From: “Lucinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
Something strange happened last weekend in Vermont. It was cool. There are probably people out there who think that northern New England is a great escape from summer heat and humidity. If you believe that you’ve never been to the Vermont Quilt Festival at Norwich university in Northfield, VT. Norwich is a military school and part of their philosophy apparently is that comfort leads to serious dereliction of duty (or some other military failing). There is no airconditioning and the weekend of the quilt show usually brings temperature and humidity in the nineties. There have been times when people have keeled over from the heat. Once or twice it was bad enough to make even die hards like me and my friends leave early. But this year was perfect and we stayed until they threw us out at 5 p.m. Reports that I was skulking around the Reproductions Fabric booth were absolutely accurate. The new Dargate Indigoes are smashing. Margo Krayer had wonderful handouts to match her great fabric. I haven’t put my purchases away yet. They are too beautuful–yards of the bird chintz. Any one of us would say that the highpoints of the show were the two antique quilt exhibits curated by Julie Silber. It was wonderful to participate in the gallery talk that Julie and her delightful mother Merry gave on the indigo quilts. Is there anyone who doesn’t respond to a blue and white quilt? “Breathes there a man,” etc? You just have to love them and to see more than thirty collected by a woman (Merry Silber) with a great eye is a rare treat. The second exhibit, Maverick Quilts, was every bit as much fun as Pam Worthen described. Those liberated creations reminded me of some of the free spirits on QHL. These quiltmakers marched to a different drummer. Life is way too short to worry about matching! The most breathtaking quilt I saw all weekend was on the way home at Herman Melville’s house, Arrowhead, in western MA. It’s a 32 point Mariners Compass in red, green and yellow (circa 1840) with fabulous stuffed motifs snaking between the compasses. The quilt has nothing to do with Melville; the house is the headquarters of the Berkshire Co. Hist. Soc. and it is in their collection so they put it on Herman’s bed. Arrowhead is a great place to visit, many Melville items and the view is practically unchanged from his days there in the 1850s. Like Barb Garrett we stopped at Vassar to see the samplers. It was an outstanding exhibit of about thirty pieces from the college’s collection–about half of them from the British Isles and a couple from Spain and Italy. Amazingly, there was a free catalogue (about 15 pages) with a small color picture of each sampler and an essay by the curator. It was a rare treat. The fun continued at my guild meeting on Wednesday. Phyllis Twigg was our speaker. She talked about appraisals and brought lots of great quilts to illustrate her points. She also told us how to go about estimating the value of what’s in our quilt studios/sewing rooms. She got people’s attention by asking how many of us had more than one sewing machine: almost everybody; an embarrassing number confessed to having more than five. Sometime soon I’m going to start weighing my fabric (4 ounces equals one yard). Cinda on the Eastern Shore where it looks like a perfect beach weekend
From: Jccullencrew@
In a message dated 7/16/2004 9:57:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, lrcawley@ writes: They are too beautuful–yards of the bird chintz. Hi Cinda, I love bird prints and was wondering if you knew the web site of the supplier of the bird chintz that you bought. I’d love to include some birds in a quilt and work around them. TIA for any info you can provide. Sounds like you had a great time looking at quilts. I really wish I could go to some of these shows, but have a lot of trouble with heat and crowds. I’m hoping one day we can have a show in NJ I can get to. Thanks for your report. I enjoyed reading it. Best wishes. Carol Grace
