July 6 – 7, 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:
- Marie Webster House Opens — Members who attended the Quilters Hall of Fame grand opening share firsthand reports and photos.
- Garter Belts and 1970s Nostalgia — A lighthearted tangent on 1970s undergarments spun off from the biscuit-quilt thread.
- Identifying a Ladies Art Company Pattern — Members help identify a quilt block as the “Windmill” pattern from an old Ladies Art Company / Old Chelsea Needlework Shop catalog.
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 18:41:12 -0500 | From: “Karen Quilts Texas” <karenquiltstexashouston.@>
Pepper –
Lots of people trying to figure out how to make money on the internet… this seems to be one of the more “interesting” sites. Hmmm – play on people’s current paranoia and fear of privacy invasion or identity theft by offering a “word of mouth” way to check people out?! Pretty bizarre idea.
I don’t think you are in big trouble. But it’s just as likely that no one has “inquired” about you. It’s likely that this may be this Web business’ way of getting more registrants – after all, they already had your email address. I don’t think their idea will work well unless they get an unusually large proportion of internet users registered. And, in today’s lawsuit crazy environment, I don’t think they could last long.
Karen Spring, TX
From: “Karen Quilts Texas”
All the history teachers at my son’s High School are the coaches of the various athletic teams. Seems that they major in Phys Ed, and minor in History…since the schools don’t have room/budget for full-time Phsy ed teachers/coaches. I think that’s becoming the norm at many schools. My sister says she sees it at her children’s kids schools in Kansas. I think it’s sad that the schools are having to squeeze not just the fine arts, but other important elements of education like History, and Geography.
Karen A. Spring, TX
—–Original Message—– From: Charlotte Bull Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 10:04 AM To: Quilt History List Subject: [qhl] teaching history
Sorry, but I did not listen closely enough to quote exact figures, but I heard a bit of regional news. Evidently they are offering major grant money to improve the knowledge of History Teachers in a number of schools in cities near me. According to the newscaster, a very wide percentage of the existing history teachers had not taken History as either a Major or Minor study area when they got their college degree. Yet, now they are Teaching it!!! That might help explain some of the acceptance of false info.
I was recently talking with several young folks who are considering teaching as a future career. Several of the boys mentioned that they wanted to be coaches and that they’d probably have to teach a couple of History classes to fill out their schedules. They were aware that teachers interested in Literature, Art or Science had never been interested in being coaches. As I thought back to my teaching 45 years ago, I recalled that one year I was asked to teach one history class as well as my 5 English classes… just to fill out the need! The principal refused to listen to my explanation that I had only taken one year of college history as a freshman. He said my many art history and literary classes would suffice. So I taught “history”!
Actually, as I recall, I have often wished I’d taken more history classes – specifically Textile & Quilt History!!! : ))) But I did also note a great combo deal when it came to literary classics and the history of a country or an era of time or a specific culture. When I read a classic, I ended up studying the history of the times! It should be a Double Major!
I refuse to discuss garters & panty hose, although I once contributed my old stockings to a quilter to use as stuffing!! Evidently for “biscuits”! I am now back in my teens! I wear bobby socks & loafers or sneakers. No saddle shoes. But I sometimes wear cowboy boots! I am liberated! I was told recently by a young man visiting my church that he was going to join it since he knew he would not be expected to wear a business suit if “an old lady can wear jeans to church.” We both knew to whom he was referring and I welcomed him and his delightful family! His wife stood there blushing and ready to sink through the floor! His boys hugged me. So now I’m their Sunday Grandma.
Garters? Bungee Cords!!! But some guys still wear Suspenders!!! cb
From: Gail Ingram
Dear Marcia K.,
I’m on my Scots-Irish jag right now, so you need to take that into consideration, but were I you and found a perfectly love bow-tie quilt top for $35 from the fifties, I would not put a repro border on it. I would look for some nice fabric from the era to make a backing (I’ve found this on e-Bay several times) and pray there were enough of it to make a binding. Or, if I wanted to be really “of the period,” I’d go out and buy some binding (I feel the brickbats coming my way, but this is my “if I were you”), for it is my recollection that in our part of the country manufactured bias tapes were often used in the 50’s. And I would tell everybody this was a REAL fifties quilt and I’d be very proud of myself.
Of course, I’d also tell them I myself had not been born yet in the fifties and the way I knew the quilt’s vintage was from my many appraisal and textile courses and my brilliant mind.
Gail
When I receive something like this, if I don’t delete it immediately, I check it out on Snopes.com, home of the urban legends lists. They tell you if something is a legend or if there is some truth to the story.
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 22:05:29 -0500 | From: “Marcia Kaylakie” <marciark@>
Dearest Gail (my Scots-Irish sister), I promise, on my honor, that I will not put any reproduction fabrics on this quilt. I will be searching out “good stuff” that is appropriate to the time period, but I will have to think long and hard about the manufactured bias tape. I still own some from the 60s and 70s ….no, wait that must have been my older sister’s (phew!) I am definitely planning on using your last statement! If I do, however, I may have to go to confession after each and every time. Since I declared a cease and desist on the actual enumeration of years, I now only celebrate anniversaries of past birthdays. By the time anyone figures out your true age, you can sail gracefully from the room! Works like a charm. Now my mother and my aunts, of which there were 3, did this with the best of them. However, one aunt has reversed aged and her fourth husband, and now her current one (#5) cannot seem to figure out how she could be her current age and still have attended USO dances druing the war (WWII). This is also the aunt to tried to have the birth date changed on my other aunt’s tombstone because “everyone knew that the girls were all born two years apart and once they know, then they can figure out the rest….” Now can’t you just see someone standing at my Aunt Gloria’s grave going, “now if Gloria was born in ’23, then that makes Jane….!” This is a true story. My mom and my aunts were just hilarious when they all got together. Their menfolk retreated under the onslaught of words. They all talked at once and amazingly, each heard every word of every other person talking. Two of the four sisters have since passed away and my mother and her remaining sister talk a little less frequently than they used to. It is so fun to remember these family affairs as they were! Hi-ho, I am off tomorrow to southern NJ to see family and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of the Garden State! Marcia
Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, TX www.texasquiltappraiser.com
Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2004 16:26:50 -0400 | From: Judy Kelius <quilts@>
Sorry Pepper, but this is a scam. I have also received several of these emails (different web site, but exact same wording and links) so I did some research. Their purpose is to get you to join their so-called network, but there is no information to be had. Here is more information : http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/wordofmouth.asp
With all the junk I get, including many emails intended to get my credit card account information, etc., I am in the process of changing my email address – judysue@ will be gone forever! To make it even worse, some of this junk purportedly comes from me! (That’s called “spoofing” when someone sends an email that looks like it came from you and you are the reply-to address, but you had nothing to do with sending the email!) If you are getting a lot of junk mail and having other problems like reports that a message you sent was infected with a virus, you may want to change your email address too!
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 06:00:36 -0400 | From: Debby Kratovil <kratovil@>
Forgive me if this was posted recently; I don’t read every day’s QHL posts. I taught a class this last Saturday and one of my students had reproduction feedsacks! They are gorgeous and since one of my class samples was made with original feedsacks, I was able to compare the two, and to my untrained eye (I’m not that serious of a quilt historian), they looked equal. Of course, the “hand” of the newer fabrics was so much finer, certainly not with the loose weave of the originals, but the colors and patterns were so delightful that I’m going hunting for a shop that carries them and buying yards and yards. I love them. Does anyone know when these were released? Thanks, Debby (the wanna-be quilt historian without all the sweat and labor) — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil http://www.quilterbydesign.com Visit my workshops page for guild programs!
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 06:28:19 -0500 | From: “Karen Quilts Texas” <karenquiltstexashouston.@>
JoAnn’s ( The fabric chain) came out with a line or reproduction feed sacks this year that are actually a fair duplication of the coarser weave of feedsacks. There are of course several lines of reproduction 30’s fabrics too out there… The Aunt Grace line by Marcus Bros being one of my favorites. These have been around for quite a few years, with new patterns coming out each year. They are all over the web… just search “Aunt Grace” and you’ll find them in shops on line. Of course many quilt shops carry them.
JoAnn also came out with a nice little line of repro 30’s fabrics for $2.99 a yard (price may vary by area) this summer. I know some out there may want to flame me for suggesting that you shop the chain fabric stores, but I do find some nice quality fabrics mixed among the flimsy stuff from time to time, and they are trying hard to provide fabrics for the quilter market. There’s always been this rumor running around the Quilting community about the manufacturers using lower quality greige goods for their fabrics made for the chains, but I’ve bought fabrics there that I can’t tell from those I’ve purchased at the Quilts shops (for significantly more!).
I’m not that knowledgeable about all the current fabric manufacturers, so perhaps someone else on the board can chime in about feedsack repros.
Karen A. Spring, TX
Karen — Joanne’s has been gradually stocking first line quilting fabrics but they are mostly subbrands of major manufacturers. The quality is there although the cotton strain may be a lesser strain and may not always be combed. Company has finally started to realize that customers want and will pay for quality. Also much depends on how much discount manufacturer will allow as to which fabrics are first or second line.
Karen Quilts Texas wrote:
> >JoAnn also came out with a nice little line of repro 30’s fabrics for $2.99 >a yard (price may vary by area) this summer. I know some out there may want >to flame me for suggesting that you shop the chain fabric stores, but I do >find some nice quality fabrics mixed among the flimsy stuff from time to >time, and they are trying hard to provide fabrics for the quilter market. >There’s always been this rumor running around the Quilting community about >the manufacturers using lower quality greige goods for their fabrics made >for the chains, but I’ve bought fabrics there that I can’t tell from those >I’ve purchased at the Quilts shops (for significantly more!). > >I’m not that knowledgeable about all the current fabric manufacturers, so >perhaps someone else on the board can chime in about feedsack repros. > > >
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 21:29:16 +1000 | From: <kerrybrack@>
> karen there is a great article on www.oldandsold.com about jobbers, and converters for cotton. kerry in sydneyx
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Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2004 08:34:37 -0400 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett421@>
Good Morning All –
Yes, I have a poster about the UGRR published by the US Forest Service and other groups — and I found a picture of it at this site — plus a little information — http://www.fs.fed.us/na/morgantown/nanews/apr03.htm
Barb in southeastern PA
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 07:49:36 -0500 | From: “Barbara Vlack” <cptvdeo@>
My mantra is that there is a very good reason why we left the 70s behind us. Neon signs proclaiming this are blinking in my mind as I’m reading our current thread and remembering some of the crafts we used to do in the 70s. Crocheting rugs out of plastic bread wrappers or nylons does not rank among my fondest memories. Macrame is a different story. I run away from anything with the color scheme orange, gold, and avocado. Actually, in my house, which we built in the 70s, we still have the gold carpet, which is now accented with navy and burgundy to bring a whole new scheme to light. My avocado stove, a TOL with a combination oven and microwave (in one oven), still hasn’t died, though I have replaced all my other avocado and gold appliances long since. I know, I need a major redecorating, which I will be glad to do “in my spare time.”
But I think my aversion to the 70s stuff is similar to my mother’s attitude toward 30s stuff. I love the 30s things and collect them. I have several quilts that I rotate on my beds and in my decorating. I am gradually sliding into Shabby Chic or Cottage decorating and loving it. My mother’s attitude, no doubt planted by her mother, is that her family was too proud to have mended clothes or anything but the finest looking things even though they were poor. They were poor but never wanted to look like it. She can’t believe that we paint furniture and then rough it up to look shabby and used and think it’s fine stuff. But remember that this is the same woman who uses the elastic waistbands of her pantyhose as large rubberbands.
Barb Vlack cptvdeo@
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 11:59:20 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
I just followed Barb’s link and then cut and pasted an e-mail address and asked for a copy of the poster. Nowhere did they say there was a cost or fee for the poster — your tax dollars at work, I suppose.
If we all request the poster and then rip it up, or squirrel it away, or display it with a big “X” and the word “MYTH ” splashed across it we may do some good.
Judy Ringo judygrow@
From: “gb-best”
Hello to all,
I had a quilt question. I saw this quilt listed for sale on Ebay.
My question is, is this an import type baltimore album? I have seen many in different designs. I was just wondering if anyone knew for sure if this one is and what company produced it?
Thanks for your help. The auction number is 3734926367.
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 10:24:32 -0700 (PDT) | From: Donald Beld <donbeld@>
I was just re-reading Virginia Gunn’s article called Quilts for Union Soldiers in the Civil War from AQSG’s Uncoverings regarding the U.S. Sanitary Commission quilts and noted on page 88 she makes reference to “Log Cabin” silk quilts at the Great Western Sanitary Fair in Cincinnati that was made as a raffle quilk by the Willow Glen Aid Society, and another made by Morris Chapel Soldiers’ Aid Society and yet another made by Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
Interesting.
Does anyone know when the Great Western Sanitary Fair was held? Obviously during the war, which would mean that the making of Log Cabin quilts–and the use of the name probably was common place during that period.
On an up-date on my guild’s Home of the Brave Quilts for War Dead–we now have 15 Sanitary Commission quilt made as replicas of the Lincoln Shrine’s Album (Album Cross) quilt–a pattern also referenced by Gunn–and have received the endorcement of our regional Depart of Veterans Affairs officers for the project. In fact they have asked us to try to move this nationally. Next week I will be meeting with guild reps from Southern California; and the VA is contacting Northern Cal VA reps to expand there.
If anyone is a member of a quilting guild who might be interested in participating in this program, please contact me privately so we can coordinate efforts. (Even local politicians are jumping on the band-wagon, so to speak.) In Riveside County all eleven of our war dead families have been contact and not only want quilts, but would like a public presentation. So we feel very gratified and humbled.
What I am trying to find out, by the way, was common Sanitary Commission quilt block patterns.
So far, I know that Album, Nine Patch, Log Cabin, Chimney Sweep, Georgetown Circle (Bracman 2048), many Flag quilts, and Friendship Album (Brackman 2376), and the pattern at the Vermon Historical Society, which I don’t think has a name, were used. Do any of you know of other block patterns used? Thanks
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 16:02:24 EDT | From: Midnitelaptop@
before we get into yet another discussion of the quality of Joann’s fabric …let’s just shop wherever we can afford the merchandise and wherever we can get to, by whatever transportation available…. …sooooo i’m off to joanns today by public transportation aka the bus… jeanL
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 15:02:46 -0500 | From: “weemsjm” <weemsjm@>
Amen! Karen
Thanks for being brave enough to mention the chain stores. Most quilting folks have been brain washed into thinking they must pay 8 or more dollars a yard. I have always thought that to be crazy for use in an baby gift or a quilt for daily use. If you are planning to make a future family treasure spend spend spend. If you just want a warm attractive blanket make three or four for the price of one from quilt shop fabrics. You can even wash them once a month and not fret over it.
My Grandmother would thing me crazy to buy new let alone top dollar.
Jeff
Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2004 17:06:59 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
You just never know what you will find on the backs of old quilt patterns that have been cut out of newspapers. I recently read an article on the back of such a pattern, written during WW11. It was about a soldier who was prounounced dead, and after a while his wife remarried. Said soldier was not dead, after all, but returned home and was not even upset about the remarriage, even though he dearly loved his wife. When he shipped out, he left a letter with her, telling her that if he should die, he wanted her to remarry and be happy and have a good life. So, she did. The end of the article was happy and upbeat, and he said all was fine and all was good, and they would find a way to figure this all out. Yall, this man was glad to be alive!!
On the back of another ad for purchasing a pattern, there is a list of helpful hints. One particular hint that pertains to us, is the following:
**Pieces of white candle wax spinkled freely between the folds of white fabrics stored away will keep the material from turning yellow.**
DISCLAIMER:::Please understand that I am NOT saying to do this – it is a hint from the 1930’s.
Anyway, just FYI – dont’ forget that the reverse of the pattern is often the great find. Teddy Pruett, who wants to remind you all how amazing a blessing it is to have running water. Our pump was hit by lightning, and we spent the night and all day without water. Oh, you just dont miss your water til your well runs dry. And then, you miss your MONEY when it does!
Teddy Pruett
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Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 17:22:03 -0500 | From: ” verla geinert” <geinertsrt.com>
My one sister in law and her daughter went to work in a Mission one summer in South America. She taught them how to make huge rugs out of grocery bags. They had dirt floors which turned to mud when it rained. This way the plastic bag rugs acted like a waterproff mattress and kept them drier when they slept. I grew on a farm that didn’t have running water or a phone. Thought we were poor, but that sort of poverty is beyond comprehension.
From: Vivien Sayre
Hi All,
The idea of reusing plastic has never died. About a year and a half ago I was asked to do an appraisal of a quilt hanging in the Folk Art Museum in New York. I took the time after the appraisal to look through the gallery. Hanging in a very prominent place was a large ‘textile’ completely constructed out of Wonder Bread plastic bags. It was wonderful, shinny, and begging to be touched. Unfortunately, the Museum guard was near by so that was out of the question. I guess what’s one persons bread bag is another persons art work.
Vivien in Massachusetts
