July 13 – 15, 2005
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:
- Mourning Traditions and Family Stories — Continued sharing of personal stories about wakes, funerals, and mourning customs, including Sue Reich’s own reflections on holding her son’s wake at home. (see the article on Victorian mourning customs)
- Wet-Washing Antique Quilts — A major thread begins on techniques and risks for washing antique and vintage quilts, covering water quality and drying methods. (see the article on cleaning antique quilts)
- Crocheted Bottle-Cap Covers — Members recall and share patterns for a vintage craft of crocheting fruit-shaped covers for bottle caps.
From: Donald Beld
Strangely enough–considering the book from Wisconsin–my Mom’s family settled in Southwest Wisconsin in a tiny town called LaFarge in the mid 1700’s, and our 19th century family album book–c 1870-1900, has about 10 photos of people and/or babies sitting in chairs who are dead–including my great great grandmother, Perthina (don’t you love the name) Bailey, who was a third? fourth? cousin of James Garfield and made a Garfield Monument quilt in the late 1880’s to memorialize his death. It’s the babies–all dressed up in their finest that look the weirdest. Best, Don
From: Sue Reich
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my wonderfully, large but cozy living room would become a funeral parlor, but it did. Last Saturday night, my son, Stephen was brought to us from Dover Air Force Base accompanied by his cousin who is in the U.S. Army. It was with great pomp and circumstance that he arrived, and John Reich placed his urn in our living room. Our house was filled with family and friends who had traveled from far and wide to comfort us. For the first time since June 28, 1989, when Ray and I took him to R-Day (Report Day) at West Point, he was ours again and not Uncle Sam’s.
Yes, initially it was so sad, but it was never uncomfortable having Stephen here with us. Our house was filled with those who loved him, and he was finally home with us. It was perfect. I witnessed people having quiet moments with Stephen, photographing his urn and carressing it. It was surrounded by photographs of his life, his wedding to Jill, a baseball bat and his military medals which included the three Bronze Stars received defending our country. It seemed the only place in the world where he should have been. No one left him alone even at night.
Throughout the next two days and nights, I thought time and time again about death before funeral homes in our not-to-distant past. People were not wisked off to a strange house when they died but they were kept at home, and tended to.
Before the events of the past two weeks, I, too, could only glance at post mortem photos. Now, I have a different respect for them. People were probably much better at facing death then. It was so much more common place. Death was not exclusive to the old. So many people lost their children, mothers died in childbirth and before antibiotics, people of all ages met untimely deaths. Today, our society expends so much energy trying to shield itself much pain and suffering, and inconvenience. In our yesteryears, the issues of life were faced straight on, differently than today. Is it better? Who knows! It is just different but we can’t always judge the past by the way we have become today.
With much gratitude to QHL for your love and support, sue reich
From: Ann-Louise Beaumont
Years ago I bought a bag of red and green fabric circles in a bag at a rummage sale put on by the Anglican Church Women of St. Augustine’s Church in Danville, Quebec, Canada. There was also a bottle cap with the fabric stitched over it, presumably to show what to do with the circles. I knew about yo-yo’s, but for the life of me could never figure out what to do with a fabric covered bottle cap. By the way, I hope this gets through. I tried to get a post through on another topic last week, but had no joy. Will try that one again. Best Wishes, Ann-Louise Beaumont in Greeley, CO
From: Mary Persyn
When my Dad’s older brother died (circa. 1993) Dad was unable to attend the funeral in California (Dad was in Indiana) because of health reasons. I took pictures at the funeral home, including pictures of Uncle Al in his casket, because my Dad wanted to see Al one last time.
We also have pictures of my paternal grandfather in his casket, circa. 1952.
So for various reasons, it still happens.
I had to sneak around taking the pictures in order to avoid Aunt Gertrude, Al’s wife, seeing what I was doing. Gertrude and my Dad were never on good terms. According to Dad, at Al and Gertrude’s wedding someone asked him what he thought of Al’s new wife, and Dad said “He could have done better.” Gertrude was right behind him. Al & Gertrude were married over 50 years.
Sorry for dragging this out.
Mary
— Mary G. Persyn 219-465-7830 Associate Dean for Library Services School of Law Library Valparaiso University 656 S. Greenwich St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 Mary.Persyn@ Fax: 219-465-7917
From: “Lynne Z. Bassett”
Hi Ann-Louise!
I bought something similar lately. It’s a hotpad made of bottlecaps covered with crochet in purple and green and then arranged to look like a bunch of grapes. your bottlecaps may have been meant for a similar use.
Best, Lynne
From: “J. G. Row”
I remember seeing instructions for crocheting covers for bottle caps which were then joined afghan-square style to be used as hot-plates, or trivets!
Mystery solved?
Judy, aka the Ringoes Kid judygrow@
From: Karen Evans
Death photos were very common, as were funerals at home; I have an old etiquette book that describes the protocol for having a viewing in the parlor, with the deceased laid out on the sofa in a shroud. Completely different from the sanitized funerals of today.
And Sue – again, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your son. I had to be at work early on Monday or I would have carpooled with Jan from Vermont. Take care, and please take care of yourself.
Karen Evans
From: “Marcia Kaylakie”
We have a post mortem photo of Bill’s great grandfather or grat uncle (we do not know which) in his coffin outside withthe entire family gathered around it. It appears to have been taken in Lithuania and is about the late 19th century, so the practice appears to have been done in Europe as well. Marcia Kaylakie
From: Carol in So Cal
I remember them too. Anyone have a pattern for one? Thanks. Carol in So Cal
From: Merry Endres
Sue, I am so sorry for your loss, but I can’t imagine a better way to handle the grieving process than you just described. It is exactly the sort of thing I would want for myself or my loved ones. My father died at home in 2000, and it was very serene and comforting for all who were involved; if death can be described in such a way. He had been very ill for quite some time and it was his wish to die at home. My husband and I were holding his hands at the moment he passed, and his grandchildren were quietly playing with toys in a corner of the room. I caught quite a bit of flack from various people for ‘exposing’ my children to this, but I can say with confidence that they were not traumatized. In fact, they have a very healthy attitude towards death because of it. They were happy spending time with their grandpa during his last moments, and it made the whole transition from his being sick to attending his funeral easier. And the fact that he died at home and not in a hospital or nursing home; as a child I remember visiting dying relatives in these sterile, institutional type places with nurses and doctors running around and found it very unsettling. I think our ancestors did deal better with death than we do these days. We don’t like to talk about it and we try to shield our children from it and it perpetuates fear in some cases.
Hugs, Merry
From: “Merry Endres”
I know it sounds morbid, but I’d be interested in seeing this. I’m used to seeing photos of people in their caskets, but it’s the ones where the people are propped in chairs and such, like you said, that I find really interesting.
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:47:33 -0700 (PDT) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
Some thoughts on wake or funereal quilts or shrouds: among the Amish isn’t there a long narrow plain quilt, with a simple narrow inside border of a different color, that purportedly was used to drape coffins or bodies on a wake table? Also, I have a crib quilt centered with a woven silk ribbon of the Lord’s Prayer, surrounded by pieced borders in silk, said to have been used as a wake table cover for a child’s funeral. I’ve also had crib quilts with birth AND death dates embroidered or inked in. Sad, but a part of life that got noted in a variety of ways in the 18th and 19th centuries. I think the American Folk Art Museum did an exhibition years ago on the folk art of death, featuring early silk needlework pictures of mourners at tombstones. Some find them ghoulish, others–wonderful folk art. Supposedly folk paintings of children with one shoe off commemorate a departed child. Laura Fisher
From: “Sharon in NC”
Yes I have old patterns for the crocheted bottle cap covers. It will take me a couple of weeks to dig it out since bible school starts Monday and I will be busy until that is over..lol.. Sharon in NC Who is waiting on a call now so she can deliver a car load and truck load of props and craft supplies..lol..
From: “Sharon in NC”
Fabric covered bottle caps were usually put together in the shape of fruits, more typically a bunch of grapes, then used as hot pad holders for hot pots and pans. I have several vintage ones I have picked up different places. They are fairly common in certain areas. I have one shaped as a strawberry and one that looks like a slice of watermelon.
Sharon in NC
From: Candace Perry
Gail, they seem to be tokens of some sort…perhaps you’d pull one out a bag, read it, and have the kid guess the chapter and verse? For example — an “easy” one I just pulled out…”One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” The little verse is glued onto a blue print with a darker blue printed flower with yellow center. The back is a deco looking floral. Anyone wanna guess? No fair using concordances, or whatever they’re called! Candace
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:31:02 -0600 | From: Xenia Cord <xenia@>
I had nearly forgotten that I own a white cotton sateen child-size quilt in a white presentation box with hinged lid. The quilt is nicely, but basically, quilted in cross hatching and a minimal feather vine around it. Pinned to the center is a ruched ribbon wreath in pink silk ribbon, with tiny flowers in silk attached. Obviously this was never intended for a living child, since the wreath is fastened with straight pins. It was sold to me as a presentation quilt from a funeral home, for a child’s funeral. (And now I am wondering where I put it!)
And while we are sort of on the topic, many people made quilts from the fabric ribbons that accompanied a loved one’s funeral flowers – when the ribbons were real fabric.
Xenia
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:45:44 -0500 | From: “Merry Endres” <merryme@>
<And while we are sort of on the topic, many people made quilts from the fabric ribbons that accompanied a loved one’s funeral flowers – when the ribbons were real fabric>
My grandmothers used to make dolls out of these; actually, the skirt for the doll was made out of folded funeral ribbons- they were sort of folded into triangles and were adornered with beads at the points.
–Merry
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:24:56 -0500 | From: “Steve and Jean Loken” <sandjloken@>
Carol Grace and others, Years ago, as I was going through family photos (I’m the family genealogist) I found photos of my g-grandmother in a coffin and also her gravestone. I thought, at the time, “how grisly”. Only years later did I learn the whole story. She died in Germany during WWII, and my great-uncle held those photos until the war ended and he was able to share them with his sisters and brother here in America. He had been internally interned during the war, because he was a ocean liner officer and had relatives here, so was considered untrustworthy. How my grandmother treasured seeing how her mother was laid out and buried when she never even knew about her death until several years later. So, often, there’s an unknown reason. I do agree, there are probably more of those photos than would be explained by this type of story. Jean in MN
From: “Newbie Richardson”
As someone who does wet clean antique and vinatge quilts professionally, I am going to add my $20.00 worth (!). Every comment made so far has been correct, but there is more to this project than has been mentioned. The damage that occurs in wet cleaning a textile is not from the water or the soap – but from the manipulation of the fabric when it is wet. You will need a second pair of hands to help you – and take some Ibuprofen, you will need it for your back! First, this is a turn of the century log cabin – the most problematic of quilts considering the assortment of fabrics – ranging from wools to rayons, to all kinds of experimental blends. The same goes for the dyes: vegetable, mineral, chemical goulash ( remember, we did not get reliable dye recipes until 1918 when we claimed the German dye technology as WWI war reparations).
This all said, you do not want to wash this thing in a crowded container because the fabric will start to shred from the friction. You will have better luck if you can keep it all flat with no wrinkles or bumps. This will require a very non humid day in the garden. Either use a plastic pool ( like for bigger kids) or make one yourself out of pieces of 2×4 lumber which you then drape a painters plastic tarp ( clean) and clamped to the sides. You won’t need a sheet under it. Add water from the hose, then add the quilt – (which you have first thoroughly vacuumed) and let it soak with some very careful slapping of the water ( like a beaver does with his tail) to keep the water moving. You will be amazed at what comes out- (water is the solvent – Orvis is the surfactant that causes soils that are loosened to bind away from the object). Release the water by loosening one end of the plastic from the wood, repeat with more plain water until the water is clear. Then add the Orvis ( sorry – it is the best, though it does take lots of rinsing) which you have mixed in a container with hot water. Continue as above. You will want to rinse the quilt at least 5 times to be sure you have rinsed away all the soap. LEAVE THE QUILT IN PLACE. Gently blot the top with as many towels as you can beg, borrow, or steal ( I use about 2 dozen when I do one of these – I go to Goodwill and buy them for a $1 each). Then lay a clean sheet over the whole- being sure that it is in direct contact with the surface of the quilt so that whatever is left in the quilt can wick up to the sheet. Pull up a chair and relax ( with a drink!) you will need to put your feet up after all of this! Start early in the morning, so you will have the whole day to get this quilt dry enough to handle. If is not dry by evening, bring it in and lay it flat with fans running all night. Next to manipulating the fabric when wet, the next danger point is mildew. Now you will all understand why having a quilt wet cleaned is expensive!
Good Luck! Newbie Richardson
PS I got the Sears Kenmore HE3 Elite front loading washing machine last Fall. I LOVE this machine. I have usedit to wet clean sturdy 1920’s and ’30’s and 40’s quilts on the “hand wash” cycle. It does a fabulous job. I auditioned the feature with an old cashmere sweater ( c1950) of my Mom’s which had be “shot at” by moths. I traced the outline of the sweater, measured the size of several of the holes and made a note. Then I put it in the machine on hand wash. When it finished I took out the sweater, dried it on a screen and then put it against the outline drawing and checked the measurements of the moth holes – there was no change. That feature is truly a hand wash cycle! I always tell any client that that is what I propose to do and get permission – and of course, charge a lot less! I then transfer the quilt to my drying table and proceed to dry it as described above.
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 21:49:46 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
While we are all on the topic, has anyone thought to read the chapter in Huck Finn about the Grangerfords—the one that contains the Ode to Stephen Dowling Botts and poor Emiline Grangerford, its authoress, who wrote poetic tributes when anyone died? (Huck says it was always Emiline first, then the undertaker. Once the undertaker beat her, and after that she just sort of withered away). Twain has lot of fun with all this kind of thing therein. Emiline was particularly smitten by grief.
Gail
From: Palampore@
Is there anyone on the list who is interested in helping out someone in Carmichael, CA with a moth eaten coverlet? I think that he should contact someone on the west coast. Any names I might share? Thanks, Lynn Lancaster Gorges Textile Conservator Historic Textiles Studio New Bern, NC
From: Sally Ward
I took a one-day course with a UK textile expert who described washing quilts in exactly this way (boards and plastic sheeting). Her added advantage was a lawn on a very slight slope, which made drainage easy. A disadvantage was waiting for English weather to be amenable. She wouldn’t wash during rain because of not knowing what might be in the rainwater. She also checked with the local water board before starting in case the local water had particularly high levels of chlorine or other undesirables that day.
Her triumph was her draining method. She had acquired a huge sheet of a plastic material which is used on motorway verges to give stability but allow grass to grow through – a kind of very open honeycomb about 4-5″ deep. Usually sold by the mile, the manufacturers were intrigued to know why she wanted a few yards. With a sheet under the item being washed, and willing helpers, she was able to move the wet item onto its ‘draining rack’, also spread on the lawn, and accelerate the drying process.
Sally W
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 04:07:38 -0400 | From: Patricia L Cummings <quiltersmuse@>
Good morning!
I am always amazed at some of the information I find on qhl, in this case, at 3:17 a.m. So much for a middle-aged insomniac’s entertainment at this ungodly hour of the morning.
Since my comprehensive book on quilt and textile care has been given a mention, let me clarify the fact that the overview I provide there lists “wet washing” as only one alternative, and one to be avoided, if at all possible. In reality, situations arise whereby the choice is to either immediate wash a quilt or simply throw it away. Accidents happen. One case in point was when my little dog, as she became older, got a little bit demented. She jumped on the bed and “let loose”. This was at 7 a.m. on a cold winter’s morning when Jim was just coming home from work, having worked all night, at that time. Not fun to grab two quilts and race to the laundromat to find some triple loader washers. Neither of the quilts remain in my possession.
Detailed information is provided about pre-testing fabrics, spot washing, and vacuuming. Moreover, the idea is set forth that cleaning should be done by a professional if the quilt has any significant value whatsoever. By professional, I mean a trained and certified professional conservator in private practice or one who works for a museum or a university, and under that category, also include the option of university students who are working directly under supervision. I also mention professional restorers and how their work differs from conservators.
Yes, with Xenia’s permission and aforeknowledge, I did include her quote in my book. To me, it says it all, but in a non-didactic, humorous way. Thank you, Xenia.
There is a company named “Orvis”. They sell clothing. The cleaning product that is used for sheep, horses, and quilts is called “Orvus WA Paste”, just so we are all on the same page. I discuss the properties of Orvus at length.
The steps outlined by Linda in her cleaning plan are her words. If anyone would like to read what I actually said, including information about drying quilts too quickly and the water marks that can result, I guess the book would have to be read. I would not want someone pre-judging my book and developing a closed mind about it, based on misleading or incomplete information or inferences.
I have also talked about the use of washing machines and the ideas that some people have about that subject, specifically the use of the machine to wring out excess water, and my own opinions on the matter.
Xenia does not like to be misquoted, and I feel the same way. I believe that I covered all bases. I hope that my book will be an excellent point of reference for those who have acquired it. Positive feedback has been sent our way by many who have seen the book, so far.
Any damage on a quilt should definitely be stabilized before attempting to do any cleaning, particularly wet washing. Washing any textile that is in need of repair is a dangerous proposition as the damage already sustained will be magnified. That stands to reason.
I took the time to write /Straight Talk About Quilt Care: Display, Cleaning, and Storage of New and Antique Quilts and Needlework/ because I care. It is a beautiful book, lovingly put together, not common and mass-produced, not a million copies made. A special book because of all the personal anecdotes and experience gained from many different sources and over many years, it is an attempt “to make sense of it all” and to give credit to all who have weighed in on the subject previously.
While I enjoyed collecting my thoughts and placing them in print, and loved working with my husband to provide quality photos, more than fifty of them for the book, and also helped in doing book layout, actually I would not care if I sold another copy. In a world that seems to seek only money, I would have to state that the book was written as a service, not as an expectation that I would become rich. That said, it will be a long time before I catch up with paying for the production of the book, having remortgaged the house, in the meantime, to pay for all of the special equipment needed to print the book ourselves and have it look very professional and as nice as any other book on the market today. Yes, the book is there as a resource for those who want to access the information it contains, information that, until now, has not been presented altogether and in a logical sequence. I hope that my book will not be pre-judged on the basis of a few remarks that, in their incompleteness, inaccurately portray my advice. Since the topic was brought up, I felt the need to say a few words to clear the air.
On a completely different subject, thanks for mentioning the Wisconsin book, Xenia. I have ordered a copy. I will measure the casket cover today and get back to you on that. I did not commit the odd measurement to memory, just kept in mind that it is approximately 36″ and almost square.
Best,
Pat Cummings www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 07:58:31 -0700 | From: “Julia D. Zgliniec” <rzglini1@>
Dear QHL, I have posted a picture of the quilt washing set up in use at Grove Farm on Kauai, which I visited in June 2003. www.vintagepictures.eboard.com
I was fortunate enough to enjoy a private tour of the quilts by the collections manager and we discussed the climate issues on Kauai. Humidity is a big problem and because the farm “house” where the quilts are located is not air conditioned.
The collection is documented in:
Schleck, Robert J 1986. The Wilcox Quilts in Hawaii. Grove Farm Homestead and Waioli Mission House. Kauai, HI
Regards, Juia Zgliniec, Poway, CA – where we have ideal quilt washing conditions and a wet quilt dries in a coupe of hours on a hot day.
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 07:03:10 -0700 | From: Charles Woodford <haq@>
Here is my humble addition to the experts’ good advice.
Before washing a very dirty inscribed 1820 (yes, 1820) Trapunto, I basted old lace curtain material to fabric rips, tears, weaknesses, etc. Then I put IT in the washing machine with no agitation! (yes, I did). I used cold water first to get the hundred years of grime out of IT, then warm water and liquid detergent or Orvus, I forget which. Rinsed a zillion times. Dried IT on the basement floor on old mattress pads, with fans. Removed basted material.
IT came out good. (Was I lucky, or what.)
Anyway, I haven’t tried, but old lace curtains might do well instead of sheets with the bathtub method. They are strong, but allow for more circulation.
Barbara Woodford
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:00:50 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
My goodness, this latest digest was interesting!! I have to work long and hard to “earn” my time to sit at the computer, so it is rewarding when the conversation is so varied and stimulating.
Polly mentioned the ‘pricked” paper patterns and that it was difficult to see that they were actually patterns until being held to the light. I had a similar experience when cleaning out my MIL’s boxes under the bed. I came across a stack of old waxed paper sheets and wondered if perhaps something had been wrapped in them at some date. As I went to dispose of them, the light revealed an outline – and I discovered that the waxed paper sheets were each and every one an applique quilt pattern. She had placed the waxed paper over the original pattern and drawn with a pencil. The pencil did not show up, but the lines were clearly evident when the paper was placed over another surface. MY 11 year old granddaughter made a full size bed quilt from one of those patterns – an adorable high top shoe repeat block.
A few weeks ago, I attended a seminar on civil war women in VA. There were a few vendors, and of course there were a few post mortem photographs of small children and babies. It matters not that the deaths occured over a hundred years ago, and it matters not that I did not know the families – but the sight of the dead children still puts a baseball sized knot in my throat, and an ache in my heart. Teddy Pruett in the steambath that is north Fl. DO NOT make me go outside!!!!
From: “Candace Perry”
I received this info today…I know some of you like any new info that you can get your hands on!
From: J.B. Bird <jb.birdmail.utexas.edu> Date: Wednesday, July 13 2005 02:48 pm
For scholars working on U.S. slavery and the 19th century, I would enjoy your thoughts on a new historical Web site (which, full disclosure, I worked on), “Rebellion: John Horse and the Black Seminoles, the first black rebels to beat American slavery,” at http://www.johnhorse.com <http://www.johnhorse.com/> . The site has a lot of food for thought. Two items may be of particular interest to this group —
1) The site documents the participation of plantation slaves in the uprising that took place at the outset of the Second Seminole War (these were slaves, distinct from the Black Seminole maroons), showing that this was the largest slave rebellion in U.S. history. Scholars have missed and misinterpreted the facts of the rebellion for more than 150 years. There is documentation posted on the site on a “toolkit for the rebellion” page at http://www.johnhorse.com/toolkit and in a essay linked to that page. Both offer detailed sources.
2) The site shows the little known but significant influence of the Black Seminoles on the U.S. antislavery movement, particularly in setting a legal precedent that JQ Adams, Joshua Giddings, and others invoked to persuade Lincoln to emancipate the Southern slaves. A narrative detailing this aspect of the Black Seminole story starts within the site under “Liberty Foretold”: http://www.johnhorse.com/trail/04/b/01.htm.
I’d be interested in reactions, and quite willing to post counter-arguments to the site.
— J.B. Bird, Writer-Producer, “Rebellion” <jb.birdmail.utexas.edu>
From: “Newbie Richardson”
I forgot to mention about how you can give any quilt you wash outdoors, or in, a final rinse in de-ionized (pure) water. In the last year there have appeared car washing kits which include a canister which attaches to your garden hose. It is probably a big “Britta” water filter – just designed for the hose. The water pases through the filter before going on the car ( or in your outdoor wash tank). it is supposed to prevent spots on your new car ! Although I have not had it tested yet, it sounds right for a one/two time use to wash a large textile. I actually saw it advertised in one of thse Sky Mall catalogs you find on the airplane. The water in my town is surprisingly free of too many additives, but I do have well water in New Hampshire – which is full of iron. I frequently get in projects which I know will not see another conservator for at least 2 generations – so I do try very hard to be extra diligent. But the cost of a de-ionized water system is just too expensive for a self employed conservator. So file this in your useful information file. Newbie Richardson
From: “Jean Carlton”
Linda You’ve done your homework – the quilt is not being enjoyed or preserved now so your decision to proceed with washing makes sense to me. It is a risk but you’ve considered that —and it may turn out great. At the worst, you’ll learn a bit more about what works and what doesn’t for future decisions. I have one – older than that – which I have been contemplating for a year and a half! ( I do avoid hasty decisions in this area) My good friend doesn’t even want to hear me talk about it – she said, “If you decide to wash it, don’t even tell me when you’re doing it.” 🙂 I like the idea of the big swimming pool or tarp contraption outdoors for more roomy conditions from Newbie – and the helping friend and ibuprofen are great suggestions, too. I’ll be eager to hear the outcome. Post or let me know privately, PLEASE….. Jean Carlton
From: “Lori Kelly”
>> >> > Good morning! > > I hope you can help me, I am searching for any and all information > on whole cloth or white work quilts, Any books, websites, Other > then just a few comments here and there and the odd book I cann’t > get enough information. I love the quilting on these quilts > actually I’m overwhelmed my the beauty of these quilts. Please > any information you can offer is greatly appreciated!! Also any of > you with Whole cloth quilts in your collections that you could > share pictures of would be……….awesome! > thanks > lori > Hi Lori There are quite a few books dealing with wholecloth quilts, although not exclusively but rather as part of the general discussion. Here are a few, maily English and french:
British and Welsh quilts Allan, Rosemary E, North Country Quilts and Coverlets from Beamish Museum (1987) Chainey, Barbara, The Essential Quiter (background + how-to Colby, Averil, Quilting, 1972 (excellent) Dawson, Pam (ed), Amy Emms Story of Durham Quilting (1991) Jones, Jen, Welsh Quilts (1997) Lodge, Diana, Quilting (1995) (how-to) Marchbank, Brenda, Durham Quilting, 1988 Martin, Muriel, A Collection of Durham Quilts, 2000 (how-to) Osler, Dorothy, British Quilts (1987) Osler, Dorothy, North Country Quilts, Legend and Living Tradition (2000) Rae, Janer, Quilts of the British Isles, (1987) Stevens, Christine, Quilts (1993) – quilts from the Welsh folk museum
French quilts and Boutis: Pique de Provence, couvertures et jupons de la collection andre-jean cabanel, XVIII-XIX siecles, Edisud, 2000 Nicole, Francone, Boutis des villes boutis des champs, Edisud 1999 Nicole, Francine, Piques de soie (patterns) Nicolle, Francine, L’Art du Piquage en Provence (history and how-to instructions) Nicolle, Francine, Le Boutis dans le trousseau (patterns)
Quaker quilts: Keller, Patricia J., Of the Best Sort but Plain, Quaker Quilts from the Delaware Valley, 1760-1890
Hope this helps Ady in Israel
From: Blackeyesandysue@
Teddy, I am probably not using the proper terminology. The red work patterns were apparently pierced by the manufacturer. The holes are so tiny that you do not see them easily, they are not visible unless you holed them up to a light source.. The closest thing I could think of to describe them are prickings like you might see for bobbin lace. Polly
From: Cindy Rennels
Hi, as my first note to this list, as a quilt dealer, collector, I have wet washed many, yes very many antique quilts with great success. As a seller of antique quilts, there are so many customers that want them “clean” and to look “nice”, so the process of washing must be in the agenda. But my success is my old,, 25 year old, machines, totally slow and I can be in control of the machines, like not letting them spin or agitate with the lid up. The machine is just a place to rinse and rinse, as often I don’t use any detergent at all. I’ve spent a lot keeping the machines in repair! Lots of old age dirt comes out in the rinse. And for drying,, my back yard is a pachwork of quilts in the summer. We get some great dry weather here. Also it’s amazing to put a coffee filter on the end of a vacuum hose and see all the dirt, dust that comes off the quilt. AND on the other hand there are those I took a nap on, well kinda,, and decided the quilt will just need to be enjoyed as it is. I have taken Xenias advice also, and the quilt sold the way I acquired it. The collector that doesn’t care if there are some age spots, stains, will overlook the quilt for the other qualities it possesses. There’s lots to determine, and often it is the quilt in question…… Cindy Rennels in Ok
From: Karen Evans
I’ll have some information for you later…what era are you interested in? Lynne Bassett has some marvelous information on 18th century wholecloth wool quilts, while I’ve done silk and linen quilts in the style of the Middle Ages and Renaissance….
Karen Evans
From: “Lynne Z. Bassett”
Dear Lori,
I’m delighted to find another fan of whole cloth quilts! They are my particular passion. I have an article on New England whole cloth quilts coming up in the September issue of The Magazine Antiques (more commonly known as “Antiques”). I have also written about whole cloth quilts in PieceWork magazine (Sept./ Oct. 1999), Textiles in New England II: Four Centuries of Material Life, The Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife Annual Proceedings 1999 (Boston University Press, 2001) , and in the little catalogue I did for Telltale Textiles: Quilts at Historic Deerfield (2003, available from the Historic Deerfield gift shop, can be ordered online).
Currently, I’m working on writing about whole cloth quilts in Massachusetts for the Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project book. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be available until 2009. And someday, I’ll get all my information out for an exhibition and book–I hope!
Hope you find this helpful.
Best, Lynne
> Good morning! > > I hope you can help me, I am searching for any and all information on > whole cloth or white work quilts, Any books, websites, Other then just a > few comments here and there and the odd book I cann’t get enough > information. I love the quilting on these quilts actually I’m overwhelmed > my the beauty of these quilts. Please any information you can offer is > greatly appreciated!! Also any of you with Whole cloth quilts in your > collections that you could share pictures of would be……….awesome! > thanks > lori >
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 09:10:00 -0400 | From: “Lynne Z. Bassett” <lzbassett@>
Hi again,
I forgot to add a couple more references: Pat Keller did a great catalogue for the Brandywine River Museum about Quaker quilts, and there are several wonderful whole-cloth quilts in there (very different from what we find in New England)–that’s called “Of the best Sort but Plain” and it came out in 1997–available from the Brandywine River Museum gift shop. The American Folk Art Museum in New York City will be having an exhibit on whitework soon, and there will be whole cloth quilts in it.
I forgot the first essay I wrote about whole cloth quilts–it’s in the proceedings of the “What’s New England About New England Quilts?” symposium at Old Sturbridge Village, which was published by OSV in 1999, and is available from the gift shop there. The article I have coming out in Antiques in September expands greatly on the little bit I wrote in the Dublin Seminar Proceedings, which I mentioned in my last post, so I wouldn’t bother looking up that reference at this point, though there are LOTS of great articles about New England textiles by various authors in the book.
Best, Lynne
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 08:51:42 -0500 | From: “Marcia Kaylakie” <marciark@>
Wow1 In case anyone ever doubted the knowledge, depth of expertise, and the level of friendliness and willingess to help…I am so impressed with how generous our group is in sharing what they know! Way to go, ladies and gnetlemen!! That’s just one of the reasons I love being part of this list!!! Marcia Kaylakie (who will never run out of exclamation points)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 11:29:12 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
One of my volunteers was asking how one can the acid stains that cause holes in white linens/cottons (specifically). I think there’s no hope, but I said I would throw it out to this list…maybe someone’s asked recently, and I apologize! She is looking to clean her personal collection — which does include some museum quality things — she and her husband are extraordinary poker-arounders, as I call them, and they find really great, overlooked stuff. They are currently on a homemade linen/cotton stocking kick. Candace Perry Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 10:17:34 -0500 | From: kathymooreneb.@
Newbie, I’m so glad you mentioned the water conditions. I’ve been reading the posts on washing quilts and was about to comment on this aspect myself. I’ve heard a story of an antique white cotton christening gown and other vintage clothing items that were ruined by being washed in hard water, pressed and put away for safe keeping, only to discover a couple of years later that they were dotted with little brown specks. Seems the hard water deposited minute particles of iron in the interweavings of the fabric and these minute specks eventually rusted!
I’m not really sure that rinsing with the deionized water would remove hard water deposits like this, but it seems a better possibility than not doing it.
Hard decision, but one we all have to wrestle with. Good luck.
Kathy Moore Lincoln, NE
