March 18 – 24, 2002
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:
- The Reconciliation Quilt — Members discuss the dating and provenance of Lucinda Ward Honstain’s famous pictorial album quilt, sold at Sotheby’s for $264,000 in 1991.
- “Hiding in Plain View” Debate — The list discusses a scholarly rebuttal of the popular Underground Railroad quilt-code (HIPV) theory presented at a recent conference.
- Civil War Newspaper Batting & Paper Shortages — An extended thread examines claims of newspaper used as quilt batting and as wallpaper due to Southern paper and cotton shortages during the Civil War. (see the article on quilt batting)
- Guild Interest in Quilt History — Members compare how much their local guilds engage with quilt history versus ‘flavor of the month’ programs, in a thread that resurfaces later in the file.
- Oral History & Documentation Projects — Updates on the Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project-West and placing Ventura County oral histories with a county museum. (see the article on state quilt documentation books)
- Regional Exhibits — Announcements cover quilt exhibits at the Texas Memorial Museum and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 19:34:02 -0800 | From: “Mindy Sharp” <Mindy@>
In 1991, Reconciliation Quilt sold at Sothebys for $264,000. It is a
pictorial album quilt made buy Lucinda Ward Honstain. Does anyone know when
this quilt was made? It is housed at the International Quilt Study Center.
Mindy
When life gives you scraps, stitch a quilt.
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 23:47:41 EST | From: Kathlash@
Mindy,
According to “Folk Art in American Life” by Robert Bishop and Jacqueline
Atkins, this quilt is dated November 18, 1867.
Kathleen Lashley
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 00:27:18 -0500 | From: “judygrow” <judygrow@>
At the FVF conference HIPV came up as one of the topics at the plenary
session. The following web site was mentioned.
http://historiccamdencounty.com/ccnews11.shtml
This will get you to an article about Giles Wright, a black man who is “Director of the Afro-American History Program at the state Historical
Commission in Trenton and author of the book, Afro-Americans in New Jersey.He is currently conducting the most extensive study ever done on undergroundrailroad activities here. “
Giles was particularly critical of the 1999 book, Hidden in Plain View.
The government historian also pointed out that new underground railroad myths continue to >spring up and often go unchallenged by newspapers and broadcast outlets that parrot >publishers’ news releases as historic fact.
Critical of new slave-quilt book
In this regard, he was particularly critical of the 1999 Doubleday book,
Hidden in Plain View: A >Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground
Railroad, by Jacqueline L. Tobin, Raymond G. >Dobard and Cuesta Ray
Benberry. The book suggests that slaves had a well-coordinated >secret code
system that used quilts to “publish” information about how to escape and
flee to >the North. In its carefully worded review, The New York Times
characterized the book as a >”fascinating theory.”
Giles passed out a two-page critique at CCHS charging that Hidden in Plain View is “sheer >conjecture and speculation” that “greatly misrepresents” black history. “This book is selling >like hotcakes,” he said, “because it presents a very, very appealing idea. But it is nonsense >and a perfect example of what those of us who are attempting to do serious underground railroad research are up against.”
You can read the 2 page critique by clicking the link at the site.
Unfortunately, the article cannot be enlarged, nor copied to your word
processing program. If any of you find a way to do this, please let me
know!
Thanks to Phyllis Twigg, and John and Peggy Armstrong, and of course to the eponymous Fran, for a wonderful FVF weekend. I am already anxiously looking forward to next year’s retreat.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ
judygrow@
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 08:19:24 -0500 | From: “Dan & Dee Dillman” <dillmand@>
Once again Cinda has given us a wonderful discription of her travels.
She always makes us feel as though we were there with her……only this
time I was there and I am so glad I was! What a wonderful weekend! We
learned so much from the wonderful quilts we saw, and the informative,
interesting, and sometimes moving, lectures we heard. Best of all was
the fellowship with other lovers of antique quilts as we shared, studied
and learned together. No matter how experienced one is in this field, we always come away with some enlightenment. Many thanks to the
organizers of this event. Your hard work is much appreciated.
Dee in Gettysburg
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 09:10:44 -0600 | From: Marcia Kaylakie <marciark@>
Hi All,
I want to tell you about the wonderful exhibit that happened this past
weekend at the Texas Memorial Museum. The museum and the Austin Area Quilt
Guild co-sponsored Quilts In Our Community, a gathering of quilts from the
central Texas area. 46 quilts were hung in the Great Hall of the Museum,
which is located on campus at UT. We had a quilt from the Ima Hogg
collection, a several antique quilts from a family in Bastrop,.a very
unique quilt from Austin in the 1940s, which had original linoleum block
prints of historic Austin buildings, and the most wonderful current and
contemporary quilts from Austin and the guild! Several award winning quilts
were exhibited, including Fusion, by Vicki Hallmark, Carmen’s Veranda, by
Patrice Creswell, and a terrific quilt of Ann Richards, former governor of
Texas which was a show stopper! On Saturday, the guild hosted National
Quilting Day activities for the public there and we tied 20 baby quilts for
our baby Bundles project. I have some wonderful digital photos that my
husband took and as soon as I figure out how to add them, I will send them on!
It was a wonderful weekend, and a great way to spend National Quilting Day!
Marcia Kaylakie, Austin, TX
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 10:21:45 EST | From: JanetSATX@
“Patterns in Time: Quiltmaking in America”
Westmoreland Museum of American Art
221 North Main St.
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-837-1500
Hours: 11-5, Wed-Sun; 11-9 Thursday
Now thru May 5, 60 quilts, retrospective 1790-present, from public and
private collections, including loans from the DAR museum.
Also: “Blending the Old and the New: Quilts by Paul D. Pilgrim” on loan from MAQS.
As far as I know, this is the first ever quilt exhibit at this museum. I
hope they will have a large attendance to see the quilt exhibits, as
encouragement to do more in the future. I have not seen this advertised
nationally. Does a list of quilt exhibits in museums exist?
I’m planning to visit my mother in Greensburg before May 5th. Has anyone
seen this exhibit?
Janet in Salisbury, NC
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 12:12:40 EST | From: Palampore@
What a Digest that was!!!—Sanitary Com. Quilts and Cinda’s commentary which was wonderful.
I am still playing with this newspaper filled comforter. I have heard from no one who has ever seen one of these. Please, if you have let me know. So far I have found an 1869 newspaper from Rochester, NY inside of it.
I am working on a fire damaged soot covered comforter (corduroy), wool quilt, and feedsack quilt. Do any of you remember the fire damaged quilt we saw at the 1st Quilt Restoration Conference in Omaha? Did anyone on this list help with that? If so, please email me. If I recall it correctly, they appliqued flames on the bottom part which was soot covered or destroyed by fire. I don’t think I will be able to get the smell of smoke out of the batting. I guted the comforter and will only use the outer layers.
I am still in conference as to what to do with the wool. This is a restoration job, not a conservation job. At first I looked at it as a conservator and felt helpless. Then I looked at it as a restoration person and saw some hope. The comforter was filled with 2 very ratty quilts that the owner had probably never seen. They would not withstand any washing due to weight and decay. Also, they are smoke filled. They will be tossed now that I have photographed all of this. The outer pieced/corduroy will be salvaged as much as possible and act as a covering for a lofty batting. The size might be smaller, but the look will be there. It will then be tied.
I did not use my quilt tank. The covering needed the agitation (with me standing over it and watching it each minute), and the spin. Remember, it is 1960’s corduroy, not 1800’s delicate fabric. The feedsack won’t survive the washer I am sure.
Has anyone ever used a suction table to remove stains from an item? Does it do well? They are normally used on paper or thin fabrics, so i am curious as to how they would react with layers.
Thanks for your help, Lynn Lancaster Gorges, New Bern, NC
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 20:22:38 -0800 | From: donbeld <donbeld@>
If you were not aware, let me tell you that during the Civil War it
was
common for Southern quilters, in making the Southern equivalent to
the
Sanitary Quilts, to use newspaper batting because of the scarcity of
cotton in the South due to the Northern blockades. After the war,
with
the Cotton Mills destroyed they may have continued to do so, that
would
explain your 1869 newspaper. Could your quilt be a Southern quilt?
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 23:50:18 EST | From: Kittencat3@
That’s an interesting idea…but I thought that paper was so scarce
in the
South that some areas were reduced to printing their newspapers on
wallpaper.
If that’s the case, would they necessarily have used paper for
batting?
As for the scarcity of cotton, I was under the impression that the
shortage
was of cotton *fabric*, not cotton itself. Raw cotton would have
been
plentiful since the South was the world’s biggest supplier. The
mills were
in the North and in England, yes, but the actual plants were largely
in the
Confederacy. That was why the South thought it had a reasonable
chance of
getting England to recognize the Confederacy and come into the war
against
the Union, because of the threat to the English economy.
Lisa Evans
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 02:14:53 EST | From: JBQUILTOK@
I’d never heard of newspapers being printed on wallpaper. Have had a
lot of
experience with newspaper being used as wallpaper – there were layers
of it
under what we stripped off the centuries old house I grew up in. The
insulation value of it was well recognized.
As for newspaper in a quilt – I’m not surprised. In the mid 1960’s
my Girl
Scout troop in upstate New York used to make something called cancer
pads for
a hospital. We wove newspaper strips and then covered them with
muslin.
These were put under patients with certain kinds of cancer to protect
the
bedding.
Getting batting in the north would have been more difficult than in
the
south. If you didn’t raise your own sheep, you needed cash for it.
(Same
would have been true in the south – if you didn’t raise your own
cotton, you
couldn’t just go out into the neighbor’s field & help yourself.)
There has
always been a lot of Use It Up, Make Do or Do Without!
Janet Bronston
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 05:28:50 -0500 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judysue@>
Wallpaper for newspapers was used only at the very end of the war in
areas
that were under siege. One Vicksburg paper is so rare and unusual
that
there are many reprints from later years. One reprint on actual Civil
War
wallpaper was given out at one of the World Fairs, either the 1893
Columbian Exposition or the Pan-American Exposition in 1901. That
said,
when cotton became scarce, it makes sense that some quilters, North
or
South, might have used old newspapers for batting. Another thought –
were
they able to recycle newspapers at that time and reuse the paper? If
not,
many old papers were probably used for fuel or insulation, and
batting is a
form of insulation.
If you want to learn more about the wallpaper editions, here’s one
link:
http://www.historicpages.com/vickfake.htm. I’m not an expert in this,
but I
did sell some reprints on consignment on eBay.
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 11:56:49 +0000 | From: “Karen Bush” <karenbush11@>
I wanted to jump in here and Congratulate Better Homes on their new
magazine! Well, it’s new to me! “Quilting Ideas”…it’s GREAT!!!
And, to thank all of you for your support and emails. Things have
been a
little calmer here lately. Hope it keeps up. I’m actually getting
some
designs out and made AND hand quilting done.
I’m just having to remember my turn-around time is going to be a
little
longer on the hand quilting when I quote to customers and shops. It
seems to
be about 5 weeks instead of 3 weeks. But, I’m plugging on! Just wish
I could
do more intricate designs like I used to. Yeah, Right…like, I LOVED
those
durn feather wreaths! hahaha…kb
ebay seller name- karenbush
http://www.karenbushquilts.com
Karen Bush
It only takes me One day to get a month behind :/
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 07:48:08 -0800 (PST) | From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>
Thanks to all who inquired about this book and set of
patterns. The first member to reply to the posting has
made a commitment to purchase it. If that does not
work out, I recorded the names of those who inquired
in the order of their inquiry & will contact them
until someone speaks up for it. Thanks–CA
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Sports – live college hoops coverage
http://sports.yahoo.com/
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 10:35:18 -0500 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts@>
Dear Judy,
thank you so much for posting the information on the thoughtful and
scholarly rebuttal of HIPV in the article by Giles Wright of the
Camden
County Historical Society. It was heartening to see a professional
in
the field of African-American studies critique the historical
inaccuracies presented in the book.
As textile historians, we have all been coming at this subject from
a
quilt history point of view. It makes total sense to look at the
content from the greater perspective of social history. I have
printed
it out and put in my library to reference when the need comes up. I
just wish he could publish in elementary ed journals and magazines as
that is where the real damage of perpetuating the myth is happening –
with our children in school!
Cheers,
Newbie – in No.VA where we fially got enough RAIN!
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 11:36:50 -0500 | From: “judygrow” <judygrow@>
If anyone would like to write to Giles Wright to encourage him to
publish
his arguments disproving HIPV in more places, I found all his
contact
information, printed below.
Giles R. Wright, Director, Afro-American History Program
New Jersey Historical Commission Staff
Telephone: (609)984-3464
E-Mail: giles.wright@. …
www.state.nj.us/state/history/staff.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ
judygrow@
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 15:27:13 -0600 | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>
Hello,
This is my first time on QHL. When I read Lynn’s note about the old
comforter filled with a newspaper from Rochester, and that on my
first
day of receiving the quilt history posting, I had to write a note. I
have been volunteering at the Rochester Museum and Science Center for
the past two years, working on their quilt collection. We are mainly
documenting and rehousing approx. 250 – 300 quilts which have not
been
opened up since 1982. The quilts have been in a support facility and
forgotten until our quilt club found out about them. It took some
time
to win the trust and confidence of the museum to be able to work with
them, but we are sure having a good time. We are about half way
through
what they own. I’m certainly not a pro, but have learned a thing or
two
along the way. I look forward to reading of your findings and
treasures
because these old quilts are just that, our treasures and our
heritage.
Karen from Rochester, NY
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 18:34:05 -0500 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <Aprayzer@>
To add to the subject of cotton/newspaper and shortages during the
War of Succession:
The South may have had large supplies of cotton at one time, but
fields were laid to waste by battle and lack of manpower. To add to
that injury, many states made it illegal to plant cotton, (no way to
process it, no way to ship it) and mandated that all crops be edible.
The “genteel citizenry” were starving, remember. 20
I mentioned this to the list in September, just before 9-11
diverted
our attention and changed all subject lines, but I spent all last
year
researching a program to give to guilds. I was astounded by what I
learned; above facts included. At first I was disturbed at the
necessity
to edit the facts to the short time allowed for presentation, but
now
that I have given the program a dozen times, I think it may need even
more editing. SO MUCH PATHOS, DONCHA KNOW – and guilds just wanta
have
fun! – Teddy Pruett
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 23:28:14 EST | From: MLEDevine@
Dear QHL members,
Been lurking and learning a lot from all of you. I have especially
enjoyed the Underground Railroad banter. If I may comment before I get to my question. Seems a bit pecuilar that slaves would have so many different quilts in their posession for signals.
Now for my question: I recently purchased from “Ebay” a set of 30s
applique patterns. The seller listed them as a reprint of a newspaper series. When I recieved them though they were nothing more than a photocopy of the patterns.
Is it legal to sell photocopies of a pattern. I thought that if one
were to copy contemporary patterns and sell them one would find oneself in need of a lawyer.
Does anyone know how far back copyright protection goes back? If she can sell the copies then what is to stop me from doing the same. (Not that I would though.)
Many thanks from the Big Apple.
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 07:38:40 -0800 | From: Laura Robins-Morris <lrobins@>
When a couple people on the list first mentioned newspapers being
printed on wallpaper, I thought it was a ludicrous myth. All I could
see in my mind was the mess and the small scraps you get when you
strip wallpaper.
Then I suddenly realized that it was *unused* wallpaper. <g>
Sheepishly,
Laura in Seattle, where we can go several years without snow, but had
some yesterday the first day of spring.
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 13:15:52 -0600 | From: Gary Parrett <gparret1@>
Hello,
Lynn, please forgive me, but I didn’t catch the information on how
you
obtained your newspaper filled quilt or where it came from. That
would
be very interesting as its a long way from Rochester (just south of
Canada) to your home. Was that quilt made in the south? If so, how
did
they get hold of a Rochester newspaper? Interesting.
Do any of you know of anyone who has researched the quilt patterns
in
the Underground quilt book? It would be worth the effort to try to
find
documented evidence of where and when these patterns came into being.
The patterns used in the book would need to predate the civil war and
be
prevalent through the eastern states. I find it interesting that in
the
museum in which I work, the log cabin quilts are wool and silk
handsewn
to foundation fabric and were made probably 1860’s or later. There
are
several that fit this category.(Sometimes we call wool ones “old
sneezers” because they have that reaction on our noses.). I don’t
find
any so far that fit the time frame necessary to be used by those
harboring run-away slaves.
On a different topic, we are working with a redwork quilt, full size,
which comemorates the Spanish-American war. Some of the blocks in the
quilt are typical redwork patterns, but most of them deal with war,
President McKinley and then VP Hobart, the sinking of the Maine, Adm.
Dewey’s home and more. One square has us baffled. In the center of
the
square is a canoe on the side of which is the word “Ontario”. Seated
in
the boat are three people. The one at the right is a man dressed from
that time period. He reminds me of pictures of T. Roosevelt. In the
center is a man dressed in a native costume playing a guitar-like
instrument, perhaps a mandolin. On the left is a woman, also in some
type of native dress with her hands thrown up as if to ward of f
something. Her face is averted to the left, away from the men. At
the
top of the square, above the persons in the canoe are the words, “Out
of
tune”. Our thoughts have been that “Ontario” could refer to the
great
lake, to the Indian tribe, to the province of Canada of said name.
Obviously something is not right, perhaps politically. Does anyone
know
about what was going on at that time period concerning “Ontario”?
Your
thoughts would be very welcome. We have been searching, but have not
come up with anything significant yet.
Karen
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 17:40:31 -0800 | From: donbeld <donbeld@>
The South has some raw cotton during the end stages of the Civl War, but not as much as the North. My reference to newpaper batting used in place of cotton was from my research on the article I wrote for AQS,
unfortunately, AQS did not print my footnotes or bibliography and the
computer I had the article on crash and I lost all my files. If
someone really wants to know the reference, let me know and I will go back
over my hand notes to recapture it.
We must also remember that after the War the South was devastated by
the War and many of the previous slaves that worked in the cotton
factories refused to do so for an number of years, so production was very low
and the depression lasted for quite a few years.
I think a genuine Southern Civil War quilt with paper batting would
be a national treasure–just as the U.S. Sanitary Commission quilts are. My contacts so far show only four known Sanitary Commission quilts, two in public domain at the A.K. Smiley Library/Lincoln Shrine in Redlands, California and one in the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C. The DAR also has what I think probably was an Opportunity Quilt that was made for the Brooklyn Sanitary Fair, but I don’t think it was ever intended to go to the war front with a soldier.
Isn’t all this so fascinating. Don Beld
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 21:19:09 -0500 | From: “Cinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
I was interested in Teddy’s comment regarding her Civil War program
that “guilds just want to have fun.” We (kindred spirits and I) have
been talking about how few members of our guild share our interest in quilt history. There are just over 100 members of our guild, and, while most of them will sit still for an historically oriented program if it’s heavy on the entertainment angle, there are only three of us who are serious about the study of vintage quilts and textiles. I’d like to
know about other guilds.
Cinda on the Eastern Shore discovering hitherto unknown shades of
yellow in the garden we inherited when we bought this house
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 20:44:45 -0800 | From: “Laurie Magee & Tom Blajeski” <woodman@>
I actually no longer belong to a guild because the programs were
flavor of
the month and the meetings drove me nuts. I attend when there is
something substantive offered or if I’m invited to do a program. I
do
intend to advertise to see if there are others with similar interests
to
mine for a study group. Laurie
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 15:14:51 +0000 | From: deedadik@
Hi All, I am relatively new to the list and have an
interest in quilt history, dating, preservation. I have
been appraising quilts for three years and was certified
last year. I also do lectures on quilt dating to guilds
and historical societies.
I have found that guilds have personalities just like
people. Three of the four guilds in town have had me
present but the fourth (my own guild) wouldn’t do it.
This guild has had some historical programs over the
past ten years that I have been a member and the
reaction seems to be the same-“I have heard historical
stuff once in my lifetime, so I don’t need to hear
more”. The other guilds and the historical societies
have been very receptive to the talk. Anxious to hear
what any of your experiences are in this area. Dee
—
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 11:25:22 -0500 | From: “judygrow” <judygrow@>
My guild is one of 2 that covers the entire county. The other guild,
the
first to be formed, meets weekday mornings at the public library.
My guild
meets on Sunday evening at a Masonic Lodge, and we have the building
for the
entire day, so most months there are daytime workshops scheduled on
meeting
day. Our membership is somewhat younger than the other guild —
however I
could definitely qualify for membership in the other one now. 😉
My observation over 13 years is that the only time that members stay
through
the entire speaker presentation is when there is a trunk show of some
kind,
any kind. The highest attendance was for a fairly local collector
who
lugged over 30 19th century applique quilts to show us. What a
night that
was!
Usually folks start slipping out early, especially when there are
slide
shows. If our program committee finds out about another local
collector or
speaker with the “goods” in hand, there will be no problem booking
them!
Our group wants to see and handle the real goods, new or old.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ
judygrow@
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 15:26:50 EST | From: KareQuilt@
I have just started to offer quilt history oriented lectures in the
past year
here in the Virginia-Maryland area, only I weave the quilt history
around the
personal stories of the makers of the quilts in my collection. (I
have both
family and non-family quilts in my small collection.)
I do think artifacts are a big factor in holding a guild audience. I
eventually also hope to offer a slide show lecture about the Honorees
in The
Quilters Hall of Fame. I don’t have quilts made by the Honorees to
share,
but I plan to take binders of collected paper ephemera and show some
slides.
As I can afford it, I will try to find quilts made from patterns
designed by
some of the Honorees, but that is a big “if” at this point. And of
course,
not all Honorees in QHF actually made quilts, so I am back to paper
ephemera.
It remains to be seen how well it is received if I have no actual
“living”
quilts to show. <g>
Karen B. Alexander
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 16:48:56 -0500 | From: “pepper cory” <pepcory@>
Hello from the sunny but cold Carolina coast-The conundrum of
offering
what’s currently popular as guild program fare (the ‘flavor of the
month’
approach as opposed to a more substantive topic-) is faced by all who
labor
in this field. For myself, when possible I bring tons of quilts and
line
them up enticingly along the edge of the stage or tables and then
give my
20-25 minute talk. They don’t get to see the quilts until they’ve
listened.
Guess that’s the carrot-on-the-stick method! In some lectures I show
slides
but some folks will always doze off in the warm darkness. Am
threatening to
do a “mime lecture.” No words, no microphone. You just hold quilts up
and
show them. Most guilds would be just as happy! In one talk, I poke
fun at
quilters’ reticence to read text until they’ve sucked the very marrow
out of
the color photos. “Text, ” I say, “You know, the little black marks
under
the pictures…” The line always gets a laugh. Cheers-
Pepper
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 21:34:57 -0500 | From: “Cinda Cawley” <lrcawley@>
I wasn’t in an “ain’t it awful” mood when I commented on how few
quilters share our interest. I was pretty sure when I posed the
question
that the Bayside Quilters were typical in their indifference. I
don’t take
it personally. After all I have absolutely no interest in “Stack and
Whack”
or “Block of the Month.”
When I lecture I bring lots of quilts and I try to be funny.
Whatever
it takes to sugar coat the lesson and keep the audience awake. I’ve
always
loved history because what really happened is always more interesting
than
anything you could make up (except for Harry Potter, Lord of the
Rings,
Dickens and Trollope).
Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 20:54:01 -0800 | From: “Laurie Magee & Tom Blajeski” <woodman@>
I wish to also thank all of those who made this seminar so
unforgettable.
I must say the 3 1/2 hours on the tarmac in Harrisburg waiting for
them to
deice the plane and clear the runway did not dim the enjoyment of the
two
preceding days. I finally made it back home after midnight, only 5
hours
late! Looking forward to next year. Laurie
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 16:01:40 +0000 | From: deedadik@
Hi all, When my partner, Molly, and I do our lectures,
we also bring along 15-20 quilts and tops from 1830 to
the present. This seems to appeal to everyone and adds
visual to the “history lesson”.
We also have come to the conclusion that some of you
have spoken to: we need to have study groups
specifically for the history buffs. We are also finding
that the guilds go through cycles of interest depending
upon how long they have been in existance. People get
tired of fluff, sometimes. Dee in Ohio
—
Dee Dadik
Amer. Quilter’s Society
Certified Appraiser of Quilted
Textiles
5689 Concord Hill Dr.
Columbus, Ohio 43213
614-861-0478
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 09:06:04 -0800 | From: Nancy Manning <nemanning@>
I have seen statistics for quilt book publication/sales in the past
number in the past, but I’ve forgotten where I’ve seen it. Can
anyone
help me with this? You may reply to me off-list.
Thanks,
Nancy in sunny, but cold Michigan
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 19:18:12 -0500 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdoc@>
Although the Amherst, Mass guild has the core group of women working
on
state documentation in western Mass, quilt history is still an
interest of
the minority. But is is not unusual to come to a guild meeting and
see a
reproduction style quilt being assembled in the corner for a special
event
or someone showing friends a ‘new’ antique top they just were given.
But real history, not just looking at a lovely old fabric or an
attractive
antique quilt…maybe a tenth of the group. Remember this is the
group that
has been visiting museums and historical societies studying quilts,
so I
think this may be a higher percentage than the norm. The project has
been
talked up and we seem to have ample volunteers.
In the last two years, I recall no programs of any historical
content. They
are ‘how-to’ programs.
Teddy, I would love to read your paper. Are you planning to publish
it
anywhere? The topic doesn’t seem to lend itself to one of your quilt
creations…or does it?
Jan, who spent 6 hours singing today in an old brick community center
set
high on a hill, with a tall steeple, wide plank floors, huge windows
of old
wavy glass which overlooked the Green Mountains (very white today)
and I can
barely speak but have a peaceful feeling in my heart.
—
Jan Drechsler in Vermont
Quilt Restoration; Quilting teacher
www.sover.net/~bobmills
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 20:50:25 -0500 | From: “Nancy Roberts” <aquilter@>
The local guild in Ocala, FL seems to be one that celebrates antique
quilts
and information about them. Just last Thursday night I presented a
program
on quilt history. In addition to the informational part of the
program and
the quilts I had to illustrate my talk, we had a show & tell of
members’
vintage quilts. So I echo Judy’s thoughts that the more quilts the
better.
The program was especially fun for me because I had not seen all of
the
quilts. This meant that viewing them was a pleasant surprise for all
of us.
Having many speakers also broke up the program so it wasn’t just me
up
there. This guild also entertained a recent visit from Teddy P. and
were
enthused and excited by it. Several members showed the same kind of
“Goodwill store finds” that she included in her presentation. A
couple of
the quilts had been appraised by her. Also, a Grandmother’s Flower
Garden
that was purchsed inexpensively somewhere in Georgia (I think) had a
label
from the Indiana quilt documentation project affixed to the back. I
thought
it was a fun evening and was glad so many members were “into” vintage
quilts. Some had not seen the sheet when people signed up for
bringing
quilts and said they have several at home. It sounds like another
program to
me! Regards, Nancy Roberts
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 08:44:19 -0500 | From: Newbie Richardson <pastcrafts@>
Dear all,
I have been following the thread about the interest – or lack of
same
– for history in the various quilds.
The exact same situation exists in the “re-enactor” groups. These
are
the folks who participate in the regiments who re-enact French and
Indian War, Revolutionary War, or Civil War battles. A friend of
mine
and I have been lecturing on historic costume using her collection of
period garments. We have found the same ambiguity towards the social
history/regional aspect/ and authenticity that you all describe in
the
guilds.
The minority is truely interested in the “real” history. The others
just play at it and take what is convenient or is easy. In the
regiments there are also the ‘extremists’ – those who dictate what
can
and can not be worn with no real understanding of the period and the
clothes. The petty politics power in these regiments blow me away!
I suspect that some of this has to do with a lack of intellectual
curiosity. It takes real work to understand all of the various
components that go into achieving a real understanding of an
historical
period. As a society we tend to get comfortable with the myths and
misunderstandings of “real” history. Old habits and notions die
hard!
So we need to guard this site – kindred spirits all.
Best,
Newbie Richardson
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 09:37:52 EST | From: Kittencat3@
And here in the SCA we always thought the Civil War groups were the
authenticity fanatics…:)
Seriously, I think you’ll find the same attitude in virtually every
re-enactment group. Some are there for fun, some are there for
living
history, and some are there to try to dictate standards to others.
Most are
there for some combination of the above….
Lisa Evans
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 14:16:25 -0500 | From: Vivien Lee Sayre <vsayre@>
Jan and All,
The Massachusetts Quilt Documentation Project-West,
(MassQuilts-West), as
Jan has stated, does have a group derived from the Amherst Guild. But
the
project as a whole, whether MassQuilts-East or West draws from a
volunteer
base of many different guilds, historians, artists, curators, and
those who
just have a love of textiles and interest in history. As one of the
founding mothers of MassQuilts, continued member of the Steering
Committee
and documentor, it is easy for me to think the world revolves around
antique quilts. We all know this is not so and realize that antique
quilts
is just one aspect of the broader world of quilting and textiles, and
for
that matter, life in general.
However, I wish to correct a misconception. There are lectures and
programs
offered throughout Massachusetts on a regular basis. For example:
The New
England Quilt Museum offers guided tours and lectures of its
exhibits.There
are regular lectures at the American Textile History Museum on the
history
of textiles, the most recent on Mill Girls. There is a yearly
seminar
held by Textile Talks in Malden which covers different aspects of
textiles
including dyes, printing methods, etc. The Museum of Our National
Heritage
in Lexington also has periodic exhibits and lectures. The two most
recent
were of the James Collection and Odd Fellow/Masonic Quilts. In
addition,
there have been lectures on 1930’s quilts by Beverly Dunivent at the
New
England Quilt Museum, East Coast Quilters Alliance and historical
groups. I
have lectured extensively on quilt history, color, pattern, designs
and
textiles, not only to guilds and historical societies, but also at
New
England Images Quilt Show. Also, MassQuilts just finished a day of
lectures
at Old Sturbridge Village, and many guilds through the state offer
lectures
during their quilt shows as well as guild meetings. This is only the
tip of
the iceberg in Massachusetts and has not taken into consideration
what is
occurring throughout New England in general.
From my own experience, I find that people stay to the end of my
lectures
even though they thought they were not particularly interested in
quilt
history. I bring over two hundred years of quilts and explain how the
quilts we are making today, in many cases, have their roots in
history. To
borrow a phrase from JoAnne Parisi, “Old is New”. The quilts I bring
can be
handled so people get a ‘hands-on’ lesson. This not only helps people
to
discover the world of antique quilts, but also to realize how special
the
quilts they are making or own can be.
So what does this all come down to? Well, from my perspective whether
documenting or lecturing, I see people developing new interests. I
see
people learning about a history that they can see, feel, touch, and
in some
cases, smell. (Sorry I had to include that.) I see people tucking
this away
because they never know when it will be useful. I see people asking
for
more information about quilt history, and most of all, I see people
who
remember something from their past that they hadn’t thought of for a
while.
It all works whether you own quilts, want to collect antique quilts
or just
look at them.
I hope this is of help to you Jan, and anyone else who was wondering
about
MassQuilts and quilt history lectures. If you have any questions
please
don’t hesitate to be in contact.
Vivien Sayre (still waiting for that Nor’easter!)
At 07:18 PM 3/23/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> QHL <QHL@>
Although the Amherst, Mass guild has the core group of women working
on
state documentation in western Mass, quilt history is still an
interest of
the minority. But is is not unusual to come to a guild meeting and
see a
reproduction style quilt being assembled in the corner for a special
event
or someone showing friends a ‘new’ antique top they just were given.
But real history, not just looking at a lovely old fabric or an
attractive
antique quilt…maybe a tenth of the group. Remember this is the
group that
has been visiting museums and historical societies studying quilts,
so I
think this may be a higher percentage than the norm. The project has
been
talked up and we seem to have ample volunteers.
In the last two years, I recall no programs of any historical
content. They
are ‘how-to’ programs.
Teddy, I would love to read your paper. Are you planning to publish
it
anywhere? The topic doesn’t seem to lend itself to one of your quilt
creations…or does it?
Jan, who spent 6 hours singing today in an old brick community center
set
high on a hill, with a tall steeple, wide plank floors, huge windows
of old
wavy glass which overlooked the Green Mountains (very white today)
and I can
barely speak but have a peaceful feeling in my heart.
—
Jan Drechsler in Vermont
Quilt Restoration; Quilting teacher
www.sover.net/~bobmills
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 16:29:02 EST | From: Kittencat3@
One thing I noticed about the sites listed in Vivien’s post: with
the
exception of Old Sturbridge Village, they’re all east of Worcester,
and most
are north of Boston. I know that the New England Quilt Museum is in
Lowell,
but couldn’t they have a lecture or two in the four western counties?
Historic Deerfield has a terrific collection of old quilts, and
Storrowton
Village in West Springfield is dedicated to the same time period as
OSV.
Lisa Evans
Easthampton, Mass
(suddenly feeling a tiny bit secessionist….)
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 13:40:12 -0800 | From: “Jim and Alberta Word” <jword@>
I am trying to place copies of the oral histories that were done
in Ventura County in our County Museum but need copies of the original releases. We hope to make the information available to more people than our local guild.
Can anyone tell me who has these releases and how I can get
copies?
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 20:14:07 -0500 | From: Vivien Lee Sayre <vsayre@>
Hey Linda,
Thank you for adding to the list of places to learn more about
antique
quilts and textiles in Massachusetts. That’s what so great about this
list,
we share.
Vivien
At 04:29 PM 3/24/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>One thing I noticed about the sites listed in Vivien’s post: with
the
>exception of Old Sturbridge Village, they’re all east of Worcester,
and most
>are north of Boston. I know that the New England Quilt Museum is in
Lowell,
>but couldn’t they have a lecture or two in the four western
counties?
>Historic Deerfield has a terrific collection of old quilts, and
Storrowton
>Village in West Springfield is dedicated to the same time period as
OSV.
>
>Lisa Evans
>Easthampton, Mass
>(suddenly feeling a tiny bit secessionist….)
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 21:39:10 -0500 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdoc@>
Vivien,
The original thread referred to the amount of guild interest in
history,
v.s. project of the day.
Rereading my posting, I see how it could be misconstrued, but I meant
that I
recalled no history presentations to the Amherst GUILD in the last 2
or so
years. The folks brought in were workshop teachers. Hmmm, perhaps
it is
time to suggest to our guild committee that we ask you to present a
historical program with your 200 years of quilts!
Certainly, with all the quilt history activity in Lowell and other
museums
and exhibits, Massachusetts is one of the richer states in education
and
pure antique quilt Fun.
Jan
—
