July 19 – 26, 2006
These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.
Primary topics of this QHL Digest:
- Stab Stitching Tips and Handouts — A Nova Scotia quilter shares how she learned stab stitching, and many members ask for her handout.
- Wallpaper History and Reproduction Sources — Two antique wallpaper rolls spark links to a wallpaper museum, reproduction sources and memories.
- PowerPoint Advice for Lecturers — Members trade software, laptop and file organizing tips for quilt history presentations.
- Tumbling Blocks and Block Gifts — A question on Tumbling Blocks history sits alongside ideas for thank you gifts using blocks with letters.
- Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Website — The Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project launches its website with sample essays and photos.
- Rag Carpet Weaving Follow-Up — More on how rag carpet was woven at home and in communities such as the Shakers.
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:25:57 EDT | From: Mendofleur@
This may seem like an obscure request, but I discovered two rolls of wallpaper today in an antique mall that I could not leave behind. The designs were exquisite and the colors breathtaking. They reminded me of the gorgeous textiles that captivate me. One said “Made in France”. Of course there is a crossover in influence between the two, and it is a subject I would love to explore. My question is how to date these rolls of paper and should they be preserved and not used. My creative impulse tells me to frame some of it or use it as an accent decorative piece. I of course consider them works of art in their own right. Any advice on research in terms of dates or documentation?
Phyllis
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 3:23:40 -0700 | From: <suereich@>
If anyone on the list has a Perkiomen Valley quilt, would you please email me privately? Also, there was a quilt on Ebay about 6 months ago that had the large letters MOM or WOW on it. If the quilt winner is on this list, would you please email me privately? Thanks, sue reich
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:52:30 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>
Ahh wallpaper. In my next life perhaps I will have the time to do the research that is begging to be done on the cross over between wallpaper and printed textiles. The same wooden blocks were used for both in the 18th and early 19thc. There has been some – but not enough. There are several good books on the subject of antique wallpapers. One is by Catherine Lynn: Wallpaper in America published by WW.Norton in 1980. Do a google search on the history of walpapers and more will probably pop- up. A good place to start might be the wall paper section of the book store run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Have fun N
A.Newbold “Newbie” Richardson The Costume and Textile Specialists Appraisals, Conservation, & Exhibition Alexandria and Richmond, VA 703-684-0863/804-261-4998 www.costumeandtextile.net
From: Lori Hudlow
This is a great site for repro wallpaper and information…….http://www.adelphipaperhangings.com………I just love looking at this site.
Lori in hot but not as hot as yesterday Sharpsburg, MD
Lori Hudlow
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:35:44 -0300 | From: Barb Robson <robsonb@>
I have been stab stitching for 33 years, that is how I was taught to quilt. The quilter I learned from was from New Hampshire, she learned from her Mother. She says her Mother learned as a young child to quilt that way, that would have been in the early 1900’s, I think in Massachusetts.
My stitches are straight on the back and the same size as the top. When I first learned, I found I could do it easily and (almost) always had straight stitches on the back. When I began to teach quiltmaking a few years later, I really analyzed what I was doing so that I could pass that on to my students. It is such a relaxing way to quilt, no stress on the fingers or wrists, no thimble is necessary. I sit in a comfortable chair with my feet up. I always used a 14″ round (hardwood hoop) then when the Q-Snap frames came out I tried one and have used various sizes ever since. I don’t have a floor frame and only quilt at one when I work on a group quilt. I can keep up with my running stitch friends, even though I only quilt one stitch at a time.
I do have a “handout” with my tips if anyone is interested I would be happy to send it to you as an attachment.
When I taught stab stitching at the east Bay Heritage Quilt Symposium in 1984, I sat down with Lucy Hilty and showed her how to do it. She was quite intrigued and amazed, as much as I was with her quilting. I have never forgotten that, I thought it to be quite an honour to quilt with her.
From the “land of the stab stitchers”… Barbara Robson Fox Point, Nova Scotia
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 22:36:59 +1000 | From: “Janet O’Dell” <janet@>
Here is a link to the Wallpaper Museum at Mulhouse in France: http://www.museepapierpeint.org/english/collections_uk.html
HTH Janet O’Dell Melbourne, Australia
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:22:29 -0700 | From: Linda Schultz <gnatsgneez@>
Such memories you invoke with this line of discussion. I have such fond memories of watching an elderly neighbor man weave rag quilts on a loom that must have been about five feet wide. He often used multicolored “strings” and they sewed the strips together as mentioned. He moved back and forth across his bench and the motion was so automatic to him he probably had other things going on in his head. I still have a child’s rug he made for me. His granddaughter still has that old loom in her garage but no plans to use it that I know of. I loved him dearly like a grandfather and he taught me gardening skills as well. The women in the family were often in the next room assembling the rags. I might be fuzzy on this but I seem to remember them stitching the ends together quickly and winding them on reels. I think the ends were just overlapped in the rug I have. Packaged carefully, my small rug looks as new today as when made. Just my thoughts.
Linda Schultz near San Francisco
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 11:56:26 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
“Made in” would denote a 20th century date of manufacture, I think. Candace Perry
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:01:17 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
I hope this isn’t an inappropriate question for this list, but so many of us are professionals who lecture (including moi) and more than a few are techno-savvy (NOT ME!! NOT ME!!.) I am hoping someone might respond to my question, privately if you feel it is appropriate, or to the list if you prefer.
I am having a notebook computer made to my specs. One of the things I insisted upon was Power Point capability. I am told that it only comes as a part of the Microsoft Small Business package, which is pretty expensive, even when built in. I dont object to the $$, actually, but MS Small Businees is actually really, truly for a small business and is full of programs and capacilities that I really don’t require.
Do those of you who do Power Point presentations have any advice or tips? DO you all have the MS Small Bs Package? Also, beside the PP function in the computer, there are other things to purchase, are there not? Oh, geez….nothing like going in front of all your buddies and people you don’t know and asking kindergarten questions……but I know the slides are going the way of the 8 track tape, and I really need to know ASAP. I seldom do slide shows, but I am going to give three programs in SC in a couple of weeks, and will need slides for part of that. SO, it is on my mind.
Many thanks for sharing knowledge here – Teddy Pruett, in humidity that makes me feel ike Sponge Bob Fat Pants
www.teddypruett.com
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:47:39 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
Teddy, I create powerpoint presentations frequently — with nothing but the program on my computer. HOWEVER, you do know that if you’re presenting them to a large group the organization will need to have a projector, right? Otherwise everyone will have to crowd around your laptop. My biggest worry is always, will it work? Tonight I was supposed to give a horse racing lecture (my other hat) and since the museum in question lost their electricity after the big storms last night, it was cancelled — anyway, the director wanted my CD several days prior to make sure all was working properly. You wouldn’t have quite the same problem as you are using your laptop, but you would want to just make sure a bit ahead of time (give yourself some extra time prior to your talk) that the projector and your computer are playing nice together — I am not techno savvy at all, but this does seem to crop up as a potential problem from time to time. Candace Perry (who wanted to regale people with tales of horse racing tonight!)
—–Original Message—– From: Teddy Pruett Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 4:01 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] RE: Power point questions
I hope this isn’t an inappropriate question for this list, but so many of us are professionals who lecture (including moi) and more than a few are techno-savvy (NOT ME!! NOT ME!!.) I am hoping someone might respond to my question, privately if you feel it is appropriate, or to the list if you prefer.
I am having a notebook computer made to my specs. One of the things I insisted upon was Power Point capability. I am told that it only comes as a part of the Microsoft Small Business package, which is pretty expensive, even when built in. I dont object to the $$, actually, but MS Small Businees is actually really, truly for a small business and is full of programs and capacilities that I really don’t require.
Do those of you who do Power Point presentations have any advice or tips? DO you all have the MS Small Bs Package? Also, beside the PP function in the computer, there are other things to purchase, are there not? Oh, geez….nothing like going in front of all your buddies and people you don’t know and asking kindergarten questions……but I know the slides are going the way of the 8 track tape, and I really need to know ASAP. I seldom do slide shows, but I am going to give three programs in SC in a couple of weeks, and will need slides for part of that. SO, it is on my mind.
Many thanks for sharing knowledge here – Teddy Pruett, in humidity that makes me feel ike Sponge Bob Fat Pants
www.teddypruett.com
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:31:59 -0700 | From: “Alan” <alan@>
Teddy, darling, go back to the store and see if they have a package with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. That package should be pretty standard.
Alan
>I hope this isn’t an inappropriate question for this list, but so many of >us are professionals who lecture (including moi) and more than a few are
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:09:00 -0500 | From: “Susan Wildemuth” <ksandbcw@>
Teddy,
Are you a teacher, college student, or do you have a college student in your home? If you do you are eligible for educational software which is a reduced rate — you do have to show proof of eligibility. They will want a school ID. I am not sure, but if you have a high school student in your home they might be eligible too.
I don’t sell software, but I do have a college student in my home and we were told about educational software on parents day a few years back. I believe the online company that sells to college students and teachers can be found at the following website:
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/?sourcecodelcg&promocode0D02001K
Hope this helps — Sue in Illinois
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:48:16 -0400 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>
After finding a peaceful city here in Hudson, Michigan, pop. 2402, to live in the rest of our lives several of the family followed us. Our updated 1872 brick was 1/4 of what we would have paid in a big city. We have a beautiful Victorian museum left to the city by Thompson. When my sister bought her Victorian home on Washington street we were so excited to see her plans.THE WALLPAPER IS A WILLIAM MORRIS which sells for $50. a roll. Couldn’t believe she wants to paint the walls. HELP..what can I do to convince her not to look under the wallpaper and find cracks, to say the least. It’s almost like using Polly Esther on a cloned Civil war quilt. Velia
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:44:28 -0400 | From: “Rosemary Beeler”
Could you email your details on stab stitching? It sounds really good. Rosemary
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:45:22 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
Teddy,
Get a MAC notebook, possibly reworked, get Office (Word, Excel, etc) that I think contains Powerpoint. And there will be no repair bills or breakdowns or unseemly snafus——–just that apply every time you turn it on. You might add a little memory to it, but memory is the one thing that is inexpensive today.
If you go to your computer center on campus, you will find a Mac expert who might—-might—be able to share some of the university’s software with you because, I assure you, he has already shared it with himself.
The only problem you will have is with the mail program, Entourage. And then only if you never empty your mailbox, like me and Karen Alexander.
It is bullet-proof. Well, let me rephrase that, given the times, it is trouble free.
Gail
> I am having a notebook computer made to my specs. One of the things I > insisted upon was Power Point capability. I am told that it only comes as a > part of the Microsoft Small Business package, which is pretty expensive, >
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:05:16 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>
Velia, I have learned after many years in the historic preservation field ( my first job was researching all the period fabrics/window treatments/floor coverings that might have been in the house dependent on location, trade routes, economic circumstances of the family) that if the new occupants of the house don’t love their house and feel “right” in it, then the house will not be well cared for. Unfortunately you cannot decorate for your sister! If she really hates the William Morris paper – and he did design ugly papers, I have seen some of them – then get a steamer and steam it off and sell/give it to a house in need. Take the money/tax deduction and trade for something she likes and would suit the feel of the house. There are always period solutions to modern dilemmas when restoring/remodeling an historic house. You might do some research and lead your horse to that water! There were lots of competing decorating styles at the end of the 19th c. William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement was just one of them. You can start with the BEST book ever written on the subject: “Recreating the Historic House Interior” by William Seale. I am sure that there are many used copies to be had – and there is probably one at the library. It was published by AASLH – the Association for State and Local History. Newbie
A.Newbold “Newbie” Richardson The Costume and Textile Specialists Appraisals, Conservation, & Exhibition Alexandria and Richmond, VA 703-684-0863/804-261-4998 www.costumeandtextile.net
—–Original Message—– From: Velia Lauerman Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 12:48 PM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] Re: Wallpaper
After finding a peaceful city here in Hudson, Michigan, pop. 2402, to live in the rest of our lives several of the family followed us. Our updated 1872 brick was 1/4 of what we would have paid in a big city. We have a beautiful Victorian museum left to the city by Thompson. When my sister bought her Victorian home on Washington street we were so excited to see her plans.THE WALLPAPER IS A WILLIAM MORRIS which sells for $50. a roll. Couldn’t believe she wants to paint the walls. HELP..what can I do to convince her not to look under the wallpaper and find cracks, to say the least. It’s almost like using Polly Esther on a cloned Civil war quilt. Velia
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:49:30 -0500 | From: Pat Kyser <patkyser@>
Teddy, I am doing a Power Point for the local quilt guild tonight. It’s an edited version of the one I showed in your living room in January, Gail.
All I am saying applies to Macs. I don’t know a thing about PCs. Apple has a similar program called Keynote but I was not as happy with the built in templates as I have been with those in Power Point. I may just need to work with it more, but thus far have not had time.
You have to buy Microsoft Office to get Power Point, where it is combined with Word, MSN Messenger and Entourage. You can’t legally just get a copy from a friend. I have Microsoft Office for the Mac 2004. There is a cheaper educational version and my Mac store took my word that I am a free lance teacher, lecturer. I only use Entourage as a data base for addresses, etc. use my own Mac Mail program for email. I use Word constantly and I disabled MSN messenger since I don’t have any use for it.
The newest Mac laptops, Macbook and Mac Pro, have a gadget with them that allows you to click and change the slide from a distance, enabling you to move away from the computer to a podium on stage. I have an older iBook G4 and use a Griffin Air Click which was $39. I am sure there are other such products available.
Now, as for the projector. It has to be an LED projector. They are very expensive so many places do not have them. You need to ask when you first make arrangement for a lecture. I had to rent one here in north Alabama to take with me to do a presentation at a museum in Port Arthur, TX, because no one in town owned one. (This was shortly after Hurricane Rita hit the town full force.) The bulbs cost $50 and it is good to have a spare. If you use a Mac, you need a six inch double ended adapter cord which comes with any Mac laptop you purchase.
Barb, I, too, would love to see your stab stitching handout, perhaps on the list? I never could get my stitches on the back straight.
I love hearing about list folks’ “other lives.” Horse racing! Wow! I’m an avid genealogist when I’m not making quilts.
Pat Kyser in Huntsville, AL where the heat index will hit 110 degrees today. I’m not sure I remember what rain looked like!
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 08:03:56 -0400 | From: “Pilar Donoso”
Hi Barbara:
I would love to receive your handout on Stab Stitching. I had the chance to be with Lucy Hilty when I lived in California. What a Quilter!!! Thank you,
Pilar Santiago , Chile
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 08:10:34 -0400 | From: “Pilar Donoso”
Dear Candace:
I learned how to Quilt while working at the Horse Racetrack in San Francisco. I worked at Bay Meadows Racetrack and Golden Gate Fields for 11 years, even if my first job was as History Teacher. What kind of stories do you have?
E Mail me privately.
Pilar Santiago, Chile
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:04:39 -0400 | From: “Newbie Richardson” <pastcrafts@>
Dear QHLs, I have been using Power Point for 4 years now (it is so much cheaper than slides although the resolution of the image on the screen is not nearly as crisp as a good 35 mm slide) when doing my workshops and lectures on historic clothing. My presentations usually have about 80 -90 images – That is a HUGE file – and I have had the problems whenI only bring a disk with me; the host computer can’ t read the file off the disk because of the size of the file. So, I now either bring my laptop with the presentation on the hard drive – or I transfer the file to a “Thumb drive” ( a fantastic gadget) and plug that into the host computer. I have NEVER had a problem since doing that. This advice applies to anyone with lots of images – quilts? – in their presentations.
A.Newbold “Newbie” Richardson The Costume and Textile Specialists Appraisals, Conservation, & Exhibition Alexandria and Richmond, VA 703-684-0863/804-261-4998 www.costumeandtextile.net
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:30:24 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
Have to concur with Newbie — my files (also textiles and fraktur!) are also generally gigundo and that’s why I always err on the side of caution. The thumb drive is a marvelous thing — I will be using them in the near future! Also — I am sure you all know this by now but slides will be a thing of the past –so I guess this is an “if you can’t beat ’em join ’em” time! Candace Perry
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 07:20:02 -0700 | From: Laura Robins-Morris <lrobins@>
Has anyone actually done this??
I would think that your legs and feet would be in the way and would make it impossible for a little person (boy or girl) to see and reach well enough to put the needle in the exact right spot in the underside of the quilt. The quilter’s hands would be over her lap, so would the underneath person be between her legs?, a dificult position even without the full skirts of long ago. At best I can picture a child crouching right next to the quilter’s knees, half leaning on her lap, craning his/her neck looking up to see the descending needle… That’s reason enough for child labor laws!
I’ve helped baste from the bottom before — and we lay on our backs and had to reach a long way and precision would have been nearly impossible. And those stabbing from the top were standing around the frame, so we on the floor underneath had no legs and feet to contend with.
I don’t see how you could have assistance from underneath the quilt frame when doing fine stitiching. Inquiring minds want to know! Laura
>That is why having a little boy, or someone else lying >or sitting underneath the quilt frame is helpful in >delivering the needle back to the front of the work, >in the “right” spot.
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:28:41 +0100 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
Laura Robins-Morris wrote: > Has anyone actually done this??
All manner of wonderful stitching is done by the ladies responsible for the vestments and Church hangings in York Minster, they are lifetime volunteers and are known as the York Broderers (woe betide anyone who calls them embroiderers). When working on large copes or hangings they do indeed when the need arises install one of the ladies on a mattress on the reverse of a frame to return the needle for them. From the description we were given on a visit I don’t think they were actually lying flat, but were supported somewhat at an angle, possibly against a wall. Once the person underneath had received the needle, the person on the top would poke another needle part way through in the place where they required it to come up. The underneath person then used the pinprick of light to show her where to place the needle. Worth doing for fine embroidery with fantastic threads, but highly labour intensive for quilting I would have thought……..
Sally Ward In Yorkshire, sweltering in record temperatures.
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:05:27 EDT | From: Mendofleur@
Hi Janet!
Thanks for the website. It will help a great deal.
Phyllis
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:19:05 -0400 | From: “Lynne Z. Bassett” <lzbassett@>
Dear All,
I am very pleased to let you know that the website of the Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project is now available! Please go to www.massquilts.org to learn more about our project, read sample essays from our forthcoming book, and see pictures of some wonderful quilts. This website was designed by MassQuilts volunteer Martha Supnik.
Enjoy!
Best, Lynne
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 08:08:51 +1000 | From: “Janet O’Dell” <janet@>
Sally’s post reminds me of a TV documentary I once saw wrt Chinese hand embroiderers. The workshop had fabric stretched on to vertical screens so that both sides had equal access. Of course the work was done with the artisans standing up and yes, it was very labour intensive but labour is abundant in China.
Janet O’Dell Melbourne, Australia
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:15:59 -0500 | From: “cjsp70” <cjsp70@>
Dear Barbara, I would appreciate your handout on Stab-stitching, also. I am forwarding all of the answers to my original question to the Lincoln Boyhood Memorial. Some of the male rangers did put in stitches this way cause they confessed to me. Their stitches were very even and looked nice. They also helped hand piece the quilt top last winter. The friend who taught me to hand quilt slapped my hand when I tried to stab-stitch. Well not hard but she got her point across. (excuse the bad pun I just realized how that sounded). Thanks again. Pat Sauer email cjsp70@
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:37:51 EDT | From: HKnight453@
There was an article in Threads several years ago about rag rugs that were woven at the Hancock Shaker Village. As of 1998, the rugs were still woven by volunteer docents. The same loom had been used for over a hundred years. The rugs were in strips around 50″ wide, as I recall.
Heather
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 09:01:55 -0700 (PDT) | From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
Thanks all who emailed me about rag carpet. It seems in fact it was woven at home much of the time. GIven the number of matching old rolls I have found, and the great state of preservation many are in, I am most admiring of the talent of the weavers. I occasionally find huge long untouched rolls of carpet, 50′, 60′, 70′ long, and presume these must have been made in factories, that they are an unused store stock sort of thing! Where were the factories? Did weavers consult pattern books as they might have for making coverlets?
I was just at Hancock Shaker Village last weekend and the docent in the weaving house was kind enough to show me behind the scenes. They make beautiful new weavings, even using wool spun from their sheep. It is a must see place to visit, glorious furniture, fascinating history. Too bad the Shakers didn’t make quilts with their aesthetic.
Re horse racing, if you are ever at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel Candace, they have hanging in some game room my quilt made of jockey racing silks, signed by riders, with names of major winning horses. Fun.
Back to work……………….
Laura Fisher
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:26:04 -0400 | From: “Sharon in NC” <patchworksecrets2@>
I was actually one of the little girls who pushed the needle back up through for our church ladies as they quilted.. That was back in the 60’s on up until I got to big to sit under the frame… There were 3 of us that loved to “help” under the quilt. We sat on our knees with our feet tucked up under so we could raise up on our knees when needed to reach… When we got to big to fit under the frame easily we were promoted to needle threaders and then were allowed to quilt as we achieved the proper decorum to be a stitcher…giggle…
Barb I would LOVE to get a copy of your tips since we have several ladies in the guild that can only stab stitch but are having issues with keeping their lines straight.
Sharon in NC patchworksecrets2@
—– Original Message —– Laura Robins-Morris wrote: > Has anyone actually done this??
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:50:59 -0700 | From: “Marilyn Withrow” <marilynquilts@>
As to the PowerPoint question, I don’t have the Small Business package — I have MS Office with XP, both Home and Professional (one on my laptop for travels, one on the big PC at home) and I make PowerPoint presentations for my programs. If I can do it, you can, too. I don’t do the fancy stuff, swirling photos in and out and all that, although those are possibilities but I just haven’t gotten that deeply into the program yet, but I can get the photos on and do the wording and it comes out just fine. Marilyn Maddalena Withrow Professional Quilt Appraiser, Judge, Historian, Designer and Speaker Oregon State Coordinator, Home of the Brave Project www.marilynquilts.com www.footscreekfarms.com
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:17:13 EDT | From: <ltiemann@>
Barb, I would very much like a copy of your Stab Stitching handout. I did my first hand quilting this spring on a c1930’s double wedding ring top I got at an estate sale. I was all hand pieced with tiny 1/8 inch seams. It begged to be hand quilted, but I didn’y know how. After a few years, I found a group of ‘little old ladies’ at a local churh (one of them is barely 4.5 feet tall, and several had oxygen tanks). They hand quilted to raise money for their church. They met every Thursday to work on it and let me sit in on the frame and work on my quilt too. It was a lot of fun. I couldn’t get the hand of rocking, but did like the stab stitching. I would like your handout to learn more about the technique. I think I will have them do another quilt this fall for me. They are a great group and a lot of fun to be with.
With kindest regards, Louise
Louise A. Tiemann ltiemann@
Digest <qhl@> wrote : From Quilt History List digest <qhl@> To qhl digest recipients <qhl@> Subject qhl digest: July 19, 2006 Date 2006-07-20
QHL Digest for Wednesday, July 19, 2006. 4. Stab Stitching
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:07:21 +0100 | From: Sally Ward <sallytatters@>
I wish I had thought of that Hiranya!
Will > Barbara Robson > Fox Point, Nova Scotia reach you Barb? Are you a national monument?<G>
Sally Ward
Hiranya Loder wrote: > > Dear All, > Barb has so generously shared her hand out with us, even though she > teaches it.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:23:28 -0400 | From: “Candace Perry” <candace@>
If some kind person out there would look at some images for me — please contact me off list. Thanks! Candace Perry
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:08:13 -0500 | From: “Andi” <andi0613@>
IIQSG is using a cover photo of a stunning quilt on our next issue of Pieces of Time (due out in mid-August). Neither the owner nor several of our members can identify the pattern. Most everyone thinks its probably a Marie Webster, but were not finding it among published photos of her patterns. Perhaps its a variation? Ive posted a photo on the e-board under unknown pattern” (bottom right corner under the Quilts” tab). It takes a few seconds to open – sorry about that. If you know what it is, Id appreciate hearing from you. Thanks!
Andi in Keota, Iowa
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 12:30:25 -0300 X-Message- | From: Barb Robson <robsonb@>
Dear QHL,
I have had a wonderful time sending out my Stab Stitch tips all over the world! What a wonderful community we have.
I have had a few questions about various things so have added a few things to my tips. here they are:
I use my thumb, index and middle finger to hold the needle, same for both hands.
I prefer to use a short, sharp “quilting betweens” needle. I change it often as I find the finish wears off. I really like to use Richard Hemming Large Eye needles, a size 10 or 12 or the John James needles, size 10 or 12.
I always use a cotton batting, my preferred one is “Warm and Natural”.
My favorite thread is called “Americana” that I buy at “Joann’s” <http://www.joann.com/>http://www.joann.com (I haven’t had to buy it on-line I usually stock up when I go to the States.) It is a glazed cotton and reminds me of the old “Lily” brand that isn’t available anymore.
After pulling the thread through each time, top and bottom, give a gentle tug. The stitches should be slightly indented into the quilt, they should not feel “bumpy” when you run your finger over them.
If you have any other questions, send me an email.
Happy stab stitching!
Barbara
PS I am sending this to BQHL as well, so apologies if you get this twice!
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 07:07:04 -0400 | From: “Barb Obaker” <bobaker@>
Can anyone give me some background on the Tumbling Blocks pattern? I’m assuming it has a history of some kind. When I make baby quilts for family, I like to make traditional patterns and then explain some history or background of the pattern I made. I made a tumbling blocks quilt recently and would like to pass along some information about the pattern.
Thank you, Barb Gibsonia, PA
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:17:48 -0500 | From: “Marcia Kaylakie” <marciark@>
Hi All, I am going to make thank you gifts for my editors after all the hard wrok they did on my book and I was looking for block suggestions pertaining to writers and poets. All suggestions are gratefully received! Thanks, Marcia Marcia Kaylakie AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, TX www.texasquiltappraiser.com
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:18:16 -0400 | From: “carole crandall” <crandallcrc@>
I am looking for name of someone who would be able to work on a lovely Crazy Quilt, preferably in the Virginia area. Contact me off line. Thank you. Carole Crandall
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 19:49:13 -0500 | From: “Connie Chunn” <conniesminis@>
I have been researching old periodicals for advertisements and I came across this ‘reader’s request’ in “The Housekeeper, A Journal of Domestic Economy,” March 15, 1890, page 166. I thought I would post it in case anyone is looking for a reference to this topic:
“SUFFRAGIST QUILT.– I should like a silk block for it, ten inches square, from one woman suffragist in every state. It may be pieced in any pattern, and the lady’s name should be on the center of the block. — Mrs. Belle Blaisdell, Pelican Rapids, Minn.”
From one of the few people who DIDN’T lose their electricity in the two St. Louis storms last week,
Connie Chunn
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 22:14:09 -0500 | From: “cjsp70” <cjsp70@>
I want to thank Barb Robson too but the abbreviation FQ is one I don’t know. Now as an RN for 40 years, I use many abbreviations but does this mean, Fat Quarter or Friendship Quilt. (fake question, frozen quart, foolish question, final quote, first quest, foolish quest etc,). I didn’t realize my question would be of interest to so many. Does Barb have an address to send the FQ when I find out what it is? I’m sure the rangers at Lincoln Boyhood Memorial will appreciate all of her hints and all of the responses I have received. Thanks again to all, Pat Sauer
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 03:33:33 -0700 (PDT) | From: Barbara Burnham <barbaraburnham@>
Marcia, Writer’s blocks? (Happens to me all the time.) How about alphabet blocks or letter blocks, can be pieced or appliqued; a feather quill pen or other writing instrument; you could probably easily design a paper-pieced big yellow pencil. For an editor, maybe a blue or red pencil would be appropriate. Have fun with it. After a night of insomnia, Barbara Burnham Ellicott City, MD
Marcia Kaylakie <marciark@> wrote: Hi All, I am going to make thank you gifts for my editors after all the hard wrok they did on my book and I was looking for block suggestions pertaining to writers and poets. All suggestions are gratefully received! Thanks, Marcia Marcia Kaylakie AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, TX www.texasquiltappraiser.com
