March 19 – 28, 2001
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:
- Liberty of London Fabrics — Members discuss the quality, cost, and hand-quilting difficulty of Liberty of London Tana lawn fabric.
- Wisconsin Quilt History Project Book — An update on the publication timeline for the Wisconsin Quilt History Project’s book.
- Deciphering Illegible Quilted Words — A long thread of suggestions — raking light, pin-pricking, photocopying, tracing under plastic — for reading faded quilted lettering on a circa-1850 quilt.
- Crazy Quilt Velvet Nap Direction — A member asks how to orient the nap of velvet borders when piecing a crazy quilt. (see the article on Victorian crazy quilts)
- Stabilizing Deteriorating Silk with Netting — Continued discussion of using silk crepeline netting to stabilize shattered/deteriorating silk in antique quilts.
- Quilts as Memorial & Comfort Objects — Members share personal stories of quilts used at funerals and as comfort items for dying family members.
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 13:45:47 -0600 | From: Marcia Kaylakie <marciark@>
HI! Can anyone help me with titles for Crystal Carter’s books? I know some had to do with using old blocks and making them into new quilts. Thanks for the info; please feel free to mail me off the list. Marcia K.
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 21:22:20 EST | From: @aol.com
For those who want to work with the very, very best (and have a lot of money!) – Liberty of London Tana lawns are now available via mail order in the United States (and of course the UK and the EC). I just received a catalogue from their Fabrics Direct service listing nearly 100 fabrics, including the Art Nouveau classics Peacock Feather, Ianthe and Strawberry Thief. I’ve worked with some of this fabric and can attest that it is the softest, finest, loveliest cotton I’ve ever used, nearly as soft as handkerchief linen. It’s glorious stuff. The price per meter is 14 pounds, with a minimum order of 30 centimeters. They accept credit cards (far easier for international purchasers unless you’re willing/able to pay in sterling) and will calculate international shipping, minus the VAT for non-EC purchasers. Their e-mail is fabricsdirect@ to request a catalogue or place an order. A small selection of fabrics are available on-line at www.liberty-of-london.com/shopping. I’m already figuring out how I’m going to scrape enough out of my budget to order some of the Peacock Feather. Happy shopping! Karen Evans
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 08:33:25 +0200 | From: Ady Hirsch <adamroni@>
Liberty fabrics are indeed beautiful, and as soft as silk, but they don’t wear very well, and IMHO are not suitable for quilting. About 10 years ago friend of mine (she’s a member of this list and may want to elaborate) made a beautiful quilt using Liberty Tana lawns. I saw the quilt about 2 years ago, and the Liberty patches are literally disintegrating. The quilt has only seen normal use, gentle washes etc. These fabrics are fabulous for clothing, the prints are indeed goregous, but at GBP14 per meter (that’s $20 US) I wouldn’t rush to buy them. I had had quite a nice stash of Liberty prints, and got rid of it all after I’ve seen what happens to them. Just my 2 cents worth… Ady in Israel
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 11:07:48 EST | From: QultFrFn@
ps The Liberty prints are also difficult to hand quilt…very dense. (But, aren’t they luscious!) Nancy BD, AZ
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 15:47:25 -0600 | From: “Carol Butzke” <butzke@>
I know that there have been inquiries about when the Wisconsin Quilt History Project’s book will be ready. As you know the group had a set back when Rutledge Hill left the scene. Having come from a board meeting of this group, please let me pass on the newest information: The book will be available in June 2001. It is soft cover with nearly 200 photographs and illustratons to accompany the text. It also provides an overview of both national and Wisconsin history from the early 19th cnetury to the present as experienced by women. Each copy is $29.95. Wisconsin residents must add 5.6% sales tax. Shipping and handling for the first book is $5.50 and .75 cents for each additional book. You can reserve copies of “Wisconsin Quilts, Stories in Stitches” by Ellen Kort through the Wisconsin Quilt History Project (WQHP) P.O. Box 174 Thiensville, WI 53092 Along with your check or money order, please include your name, address, city, state, zip and daytime phone number. Copies of the book will be sent as soon as publication is completed. Carol Butzke
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 22:51:14 -0500 | From: Barbara Eagen Wright <bwright05@>
Hello All, By chance, a wonderful early quilt will be coming into the shop this friday, for Deb Roberts to do an insurance apparaisal. This spectacular t-quilt is being shipped soon to an unnamed author for inclusion in an upcoming quilt related book. The quilt is documented as having been made in 1818 by a woman in Barre, Vermont. One of its more unusual features are appplique alligators! It has been passed down over the last 183 years through the female members of my friend’s family and has never been used. A few years ago it was ‘discovered’ when it was displayed as part of an exhibit in our church. The current owner has agreed to let the quilt ‘visit’ over the weekend/after the appraisal and so that we’ll be able to share ooh-ing and ah-ing during Deb’s Antique Quilt and Textile Day -at the shop. http://wwwthequiltauction.com/help/sturbridge.html Barbara Wright Vintage & Antique Textiles @538 Main St. Sturbridge, MA
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 10:48:22 -0500 | From: “pepper cory” <pepcory@>
Hello from the gale-lashed coast of North Carolina. There’s an interview with fellow QHL member Beth Donaldson on the http://www.connectingthreads.com site. Last month they ran an interview with me (horrible pictures of me, great snaps of my cats lounging on quilts) and now its Beth’s turn in the limelight. Nice ‘do, Beth! Cheers, Pepper Cory
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 08:21:18 EST | From: JQuilt@
Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25, 2001 – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY QUILTERS GUILD presents “Hands All Around VIII Quilt Show – A Biennial Show” LeFrak Gymnasium, Amherst College, S. Pleasant Street/Route 116, Amherst, MA Almost 400 quilts on exhibit, plus vendors, snack bar and luncheon, raffle quilt and demonstrations. Mini Quilt Auction both days. For information contact Carolyn Croteau, (413) 584-0845. ******
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 12:21:59 -0600 | From: “Karen Erlandson” <quilter@>
I spoke with a woman in New Jersey yesterday who is looking for someone to do some repair on an antique coverlet. If any QHL’ers can help her, please contact her directly at rachele_ackerman@ Thanks, Karen Erlandson
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 22:07:12 -0500 | From: “John Cawley” <cawley@>
My penchant for chatting online about quilt events is coming back to haunt me. I was having coffee with some friends after a Quilters Heritage event and somebody said “I don’t want to see this conversation on QHL.” (VBG) I promise I’ll never venture any opinions but my own. I thought the show was particularly fine this year. I was pleased to see a return to hand quilting. For the past few years machine quilted pieces have been everywhere. I have no problem with good machine quilting; I recognize that it requires as much talent as good hand quilting (my machine quilting is pretty poor), but I love the look of hand quilting. The prize winners were outstanding (I also prefer traditional quilts). Enough of the true confessions. The special exhibit was Crazy quilts and there were some great ones. The very best was spectacularly painted with flowers in addition to all the typical crazy embellishments. It was conserved before exhibition by QHL’s Fran Fitz who was very rightly given credit for her fine work in the catalogue listing. I’ve decided that I’m going to take classes that deal with subjects I know nothing about and I will choose process over project. I took Diane Herbort’s class “Transforming Old Glories into Fiber Art.” I am really excited about the ideas and techniques that Diane shared. I have a lot to think about, definitely time well spent. The Feedsack Club presented a lecture by Gloria Hall of Lincoln, NE on Friday night. Gloria did a reverse chronology trunk show. She started with the most amazing Postage Stamp quilt anyone in the audience had ever seen and after working her way backward through changing quilt styles she finished with a Modified 9-Patch circa 1830 with a wonderful story. I went to the very first Quilters Heritage 14 years ago and haven’t missed one; it’s a great show. I’ll fill you in on fabric shopping and the Quilt Museum tomorrow. Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 18:55:51 -0800 | From: “Julia D. Zgliniec” <rzglini1@>
Dear Cinda, Please Please! Continue to put forth your observations and opinions on the exhibits you see. Your descriptions are the only way I would get to “see” some of the east coast shows. You have a way of tuning in on the highlights and I for one appreciate your “reports”. Thank you Julia Zgliniec, Poway, CA
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:32:53 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <Judygrow@>
My son went to the funeral of a close friend’s mother today. The 62 year old woman had been ill with cancer for 10 years, had gone through much chemo, and finally said “No more”. She planned her funeral down to the last detail, and as soon as he could, DS called to tell me that her coffin was covered by a signature quilt made quite recently by all her friends. As far as I know, this woman wasn’t a quilter, or DS would have told me long ago. But obviously her friends were. I asked him for more details but he couldn’t tell me more about the design except to say that it was very simple. I remember a discussion we had on this list a number of months ago about coffin quilts. Just thought I’d mention that it is still being done, and this one was given pride of place! Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:47:50 EST | From: @aol.com
Is anyone planning to be at the Hands Across the Valley show this weekend in Amherst, Massachusetts? I’ll be there on Sunday, possibly in my newestpseudo- Elizabethan bodice (brown and black stripes, and pretty spiffy if I do say so myself). Hope to see some QHLers there…. Karen Evans Easthampton, MA
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 23:33:57 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <Judygrow@>
>I spoke with a woman in New Jersey yesterday who is looking for >someone to >do some repair on an antique coverlet. If any QHL’ers can help her, >please >contact her directly at rachele_ackerman@ >Thanks, >Karen Erlandson
There is a wonderful shop near Flemington NJ called “The Spinnery.” Betty Oldenberg has owned it for many years. I just got her catalog today by happenstance. Betty offers classes in weaving of all sorts (and all other things having to do with yarns and other things that go in and out, including dyeing and basketry). She might know just the right person to direct you to. And she is one of the nicest people I know The Spinnery 1367 Route #202 Neshanic Station, NJ, 08853 908-369-3260 fax 908-369-0853 Spinnery@ http://www.thespinnery.com
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 14:32:22 EST | From: KareQuilt@
Just read a movie review of a new film “The Price of Milk” filmed amid the hills of New Zealand. It’s a modern fairy tale in a nonspecific dairy farming country where a Ma Barker-type character that everyone calls “Auntie” runs a gang of young fellows who steal quilts for her from around the neighborhood! Why? Because “Auntie” gets really cold! There is a love story woven into the movie, of course, and running over with humor. According to the critic the movie “manages to be innocent, physically passionate, earnestly romantic and self-depracatingly funny, all at once. (Rating is PG-13) Guess I’ll have to go to the movies this weekend! Karen Alexander
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 22:14:28 EST | From: Edwaquilt@
I would like to start some discussion about this subject. Specifically 1. Definitation 2. Other names (white-on-white and one I heard the other day – plain cloth) 3. Is it always one piece of fabric. If the top is made up of other colors, strips or other arrangements of fabric, is it still whole cloth. Must it always be one color, either one piece of same color sewed together that appears to be one piece. This is a start Holice
0600 >From: Mary Waller <mswaller@> > >My neighbor, Marjorie Jones, died in her early 50s in 1999 of ALS (‘Lou >Gehrig’s disease’). Her ‘most artsy’ quilt was displayed over a rail in >front of the lectern in the church during the funeral. I don’t recall >it being on the casket, but it might have been at some point. I believe >Marge requested this quilt be at the funeral, but I don’t know if she >specified how it use or displayed. > >Four or five years ago, I attended the funeral of Wade Vitalis, a tribal >council member in the Pine Ridge, South Dakota. His daughter, Bessie >was a student who’d worked in my lab that summer. Wade was in his early >40’s and died in a car accident. Quilts were hung all around the >gymnasium where the funeral was held — the only place big enough for >the crowd. We didn’t go the burial, but the quilts were being taken >down as the funeral was winding down and taken to the horse drawn wagon >and horseback riders. The service was a mixture of Episcopalian and >Lakota rites and songs. > >One puzzling thing we noticed Wade’s funeral were tables filled with >decorated sheet cakes. We asked another student from the reservation >about them. She told us someone taught a cake decorating course there a >number of years ago and that got the decorated cake thing started. The >cakes are taken to the nursing home and distributed throughout the >community after the funerals. > >Mary Waller >Vermillion, South Dakota, USA Mary Waller <mswaller@>
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 09:44:31 -0500 | From: monicamacdonald@
In A Winterthur Guide to American Needlework by Susan Burrows Swan published in 1976, she refers to wholecloth quilts as “one-piece” quilts. She also goes on to say that is an inaccurate description since many early “one-piece” quilts were made from fabric produced on looms that were narrow and that meant that several lengths had to be sewn together selvage to selvage to achieve the desired width. She also says that they were usually a solid color but sometimes they were made from printed fabric. This is an older book so I don’t know how correct some of the information is but I thought it was interesting since I had never heard wholecloth quilts referred to as “one-piece” before. There is also a photo (not a very good one) accompanying this information of an interesting wholecloth quilt that is cream linen on the front and the back has been stamped with some leafy sort of designs and the box of stamps is still with the quilt and dated 1812. It is quilted in a simple diamond design and it says it has descended in the Copeland-Waterman family of Hanover, MA. Wish there was a better picture of the quilt. Hope this is the kind of info you are looking for! Monica MacDonald On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 22:14:28 EST Edwaquilt@ writes: > I would like to start some discussion about this subject. > Specifically > 1. Definitation > 2. Other names (white-on-white and one I heard the other day – > plain cloth) > 3. Is it always one piece of fabric. If the top is made up of > other colors, > strips or other arrangements of fabric, is it still whole cloth. > Must it > always be one color, either one piece of same color sewed together > that > appears to be one piece. > This is a start > > Holice > >
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 16:45:54 -0500 | From: “Mary T. Voytko” <mtv28@>
When my sister left this world her children placed the sampler quilt that I had made for her in her casket. It had been hanging in the recreation room at the nursing home while she was a patient there. I was deeply moved by this gesture. Her granddaughter now has the quilt. Mary
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 07:48:00 -0500 | From: “Kris Driessen” <krisdriessen@>
> >From QHL-Digest-request@ Thu Mar 15 22:33:29 2001 > Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 19:29:47 -0800 >X-Envelope-From: anyplace3@ Thu Mar 15 19:29:46 2001 >From: “Ann in Phoenix” <anyplace3@> > > > There is a local lady, Linda Cobb, who wrote a book on cleaning [2 books >now] that was on “OPRAH” a while back. She recommends to clean oily stains >from fabrics, you need to regenerate the oil w/ a cleaner made for that. >One brand of this hand cleaner is “GOO GONE” or anything like a mechanic >would use on hands w/ no water added. After her appearing on that show, the >book, “TALKING DIRTY” hit number one on Amazon.com best sellers. Sure is >worth a try on the stain. > There is also a weblink for advice on a local TV channel’s site… >http://www.azfamily.com/gmaz/queen/index.html , I see there is a cure for >mold/mildew on fabrics listed on it right now. At least is another possible >solution for stains on quilts. >Ann in Phoenix anyplace3@
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 08:50:29 EST | From: KareQuilt@
When my mother-in-law (Wini Alexander) was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in late February 1999, the quilt Guild in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State where she resided quickly made her a comfort quilt. She kept this quilt at the foot of the hospital bed which was brought in so that she could spend her last weeks/days in the living room in the midst of the life of the household. This location also gave her a panoramic view of the cedar forest surrounding their house. When she had visitors she would unfold the quilt and spread it across her bed. The evening she passed on (August 99), we spread the quilt out over her for the night. Since a cremation took place, we did not place this quilt in a casket or drape it over a casket. However, at her Memorial Service on Lopez Island we did hang several of her quilts, including this special comfort quit with the signed heart blocks. We had other mementos laid out on tables around the room as well, such as her quilted clothing; the last small hexagon piece she had begun working on while confined to her bed; the basket she had kept the pieces in along with her sewing tools; a small photo album filled with her favorite quilts as well as photos of the great grandchildren with the quilts she had made for them; and a memory book of her life that my FIL put together the four days in between her death and the service. Lopez Island is known as the “friendly island” among the San Juans, and we as a family can attest to that. When you hold a memorial Service, the tradition is that you place notices around Lopez Village announcing the date and time. If you so choose, you may also state that there will be a potluck. In Wini’s case her Quilt friends on the island immediately stepped in and organized the food preparations by telephone and then showed up the day of the service to be sure that the family did not have to bother with the kitchen and food set-up. Her friends did all the cleanup afterwards as well. The Quilt they had made for her was front and center in the room. When my FIL died on March 14 only 19 months later in a convalescent community located on another island, we took the same comfort Quilt of signed heart blocks over to Friday Harbor to cover him after his passing and left it there for a time as we had for Wini. At his Memorial Service on Lopez Island the same events unfolded. This time we had a table with mementos of his life and creative endeavors as an engineer and a gardener. We also hung a Quilt that Wini had made of Lopez Island at the front of the room just as we had hung it for Wini’s service. For each service the family shared his/her memories, sang songs, read poetry, or played a song. Then we invited the friends of Wini and Loren and to stand up and share their memories of our loved one. What love and energy those Quilts and Quilters added to a very sad time in our lives. Karen Alexander Northern VA KareQuilt@
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:22:37 -0500 | From: “Brenda & Roger Applegate” <rbappleg1@>
I wanted to share with Tina in regards to the Log cabin quilt being used in the 1860’s. From my understanding, the underground railroad had faded out prior to the Civil War. Could someone document the dates? I spoke to a teacher today that read a book about Harriet Tubman. She said that the Underground Railroad was only used for a small number of plantations. From reading a book about Harriet she said that slaves were brought to a select number of plantations before they were sent further south. It was within those plantations that the underground railroad was active. I have not been a supporter of the book Hidden in Plain View, but if this is true, it might shed some light on how extensive HIPV’s theory is. It would explain why not very many other people were aware of her code. Does anyone have any other details to substantiate this? I will try to get the name of the book that this teacher was reading. Western Pa Brenda20
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:08:04 -0600 | From: Jennifer Perkins <qltrstoreharlannet.com>
Just wanted to alert you all that “the yellow quilt” is in the May issue of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine which just arrived today. Look on page 50. This is so exciting, and they did such a good job with the directions and the picture and write up! Be sure to send me a picture if you end up making the pattern. Reveling in being published! Jennifer in Iowa
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 18:16:49 -0600 | From: “Karen Erlandson” <quiltercooke.net>
OK, I need some tips. I am trying to read some words that were quilted on a circa 1850 quilt. The quilting elsewhere is still intact, the condition of the quilt itself is wonderful. It appears that someone picked the quilting out of this one area, but the “holes” are still there as is a small amount of the quilting. I thought about connecting the dots with one of the disappearing ink pens. Does anyone have another suggestion on how to make this more clear? Karen
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 19:34:01 -0500 | From: “Phyllis Twigg” <ptwigg@>
I would like to purchase a sample of natural indigo and a madder root for educational purposes. I do not plan to actually use them for dyeing. Could someone recommend a source for obtaining these? Thank you, Phyllis Twigg
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 20:36:03 EST | From: Trimble4@
I don’t know if this would work, but could you try putting that portion of the quilt on a copier and copying it dark? I would be a little scared of using a disappearing ink pen, just in case it doesn’t disappear! Just a thought, Lori East Trimble4@
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 20:51:45 -0600 | From: “Karen Erlandson” <quiltercooke.net>
My son and I just went to the copy machine and tried to make copies of the mystery writing (just a tip – darker works better on the copy brightness) – it helped some. The black light also helped some, but there are still some areas that are unintelliglible. I may try the needle and thread option next. i agree with several who wrote me, I am afraid of the disappearing ink pins or chalk or anything that might leave a mark or chemicals. I will let you know! Karen
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 18:48:35 -0800 | From: Chris Anacker <chrisajetlink.net>
Karen, I wonder if you were to put straight pins, with small silver heads, all the way through the holes, if that would enable you to read it by using the shape the heads of the pins take. Or, have you considered pouncing chalk through it to paper? Or maybe the chalk would illuminate the whole area and you could see the form the quilting took? Kim Wulfert Ojai CA —– Original Message —– You could also lay overhead film or clear tablecloth plastic over the area and trace with one of those markers that are made for overheads. Just make sure that you don’t accidentally trace over the edge of the plastic onto your quilt! Sharon Cheng Richland Hills, TX
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 22:30:08 -0500 | From: “J. G. Row” <Judygrowrcn.com>
>I am trying to read some words that were quilted on a >circa 1850 quilt. The quilting elsewhere is still intact, the condition of >the quilt itself is wonderful. It appears that someone picked the quilting >out of this one area, but the “holes” are still there as is a small amount >of the quilting. I thought about connecting the dots with one of the >disappearing ink pens.
How about putting some brown paper under the area, stretching out the quilt so it doesn’t move, and using a long pin or needle, poke through the holes left in the quilt to prick holes in the paper. Then remove the quilt and connect those dots! Don’t use that pen on the cloth! Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrowrcn.com
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 09:35:52 +0200 | From: Ady Hirsch <adamroninetvision.net.il>
Hi Karen, Perhaps you could try putting that portion of the quilt against a strong light source – a sunlit window, or a light table. The holes may show up better in the lightand perhaps facilitate reading. Just a thought… Ady in Israel
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 08:00:42 -0500 | From: “Zendelle Bouchard” <zendelleinr.net>
Hello, I am new to the group and just wanted to add my two cents. I have used those disappearing ink pens before (not on a quilt) and believe me you don’t want to use those!! The pigment may disappear but the chemicals remain. Sometimes the ink disappears and then comes back again. I wouldn’t use them again, and especially not a valuable antique quilt. I have been quilting for about a year now and am starting to get interested in the history of quilting. My main interest is in early to mid-20th century fabrics and design, but I am also eager to learn about 18th and 19th century fabrics and quilting. I just bought my first lot of vintage quilt blocks on eBay, some nine patches and four patches with some feedsack fabric in them. (I’m not ready for a Double Wedding Ring or a Grandmother’s Flower Garden just yet!) There aren’t enough to make an entire quilt but I have some vintage fabrics I had been saving to make clothes for dolls (my other obsession) and I think they will work together well. My question is, is it OK to use reproduction fabrics for the alternate blocks if I can’t find enough vintage fabric? Or is that a terrible sin? What about the backing? Zendelle in NH
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 07:22:14 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co@>
Hey Karen, Take it to the library and use one of your mom’s opaque projectors. That will enlarge the image enough that you may be able to put it together. One other trick…even the overhead projector may allow light to pass through the holes and allow you to see shadows. Personally, I think the opaque projector may work the best. Of course, you know that the best thing is to get me and Carolyn Miller together. We seem to find the most obscure things stitched or stuck in quilts <G>. Laura
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 08:36:34 EST | From: SadieRose@
Hello, I didn’t get the original post with the question, but did get several responses. I have 2 suggestions. One would be to lay the quilt on a soft surface (padded ironing board) with a piece of paper under it. Then take a long straight pin or needle & poke through the holes in the quilt, into the paper. After you have poked through all the holes, you can try playing “connect the dots” on the paper, rather than on/near the quilt top. Another idea would be to lay a clear plastic (page protectors for a small area, or buy yardage of clear plastic at a fabric or hardware store for larger areas) over the quilt, and use a permanent marker to copy the holes. Again, play connect the dots after you remove the plastic from the quilt. If you use the page protectors, be sure to watch out for the “holes” that are punched for putting it in a 3 ring binder, so your marker doesn’t accidentally go through to the quilt!! It does make you wonder, what was quilted there & who removed it & why!! When we did the Iowa Quilts Research Project, I documented a quilt that was a wonderful basket quilt with different flowers/fruits appliqued above each basket. But, some were blank, and you could see the outline of the stitching where there had been appliques. Fortunately, this one had a provenance, and we learned that a jealous second wife got so sick of hearing about the wonderful first wife & her wonderful quilt, that she decided she wanted to use the muslin-type fabric in the background of the blocks, and started removing the appliques. Luckily, someone stopped her & put the quilt away in a safe place. I wrote about this quilt in the April 1996 issue of “Ladies Circle Patchwork Quilts” magazine, and the quilt is shown in the magazine, if you want to see it!! On the other hand, we also found a simpler basket quilt that was made by a second wife, using the dresses from the deceased first wife, so that her step-daughter would have a connection to her mother. Please, please make labels for your quilts, so these type of wonderful stories don’t get lost!! Happy Stitching, Karan from gray & gloomy Iowa
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 10:13:22 -0500 | From: “Jan Drechsler” <quiltdoc@>
If anyone has a crazy quilt with velvet borders, I need to know in which direction(s) the nap of the borders run. Are the sides running lengthwise to the grain and the top & bottoms cut crosswise or also lengthwise to the grain? Thanks for checking. Photos in books aren’t clear enough. — Jan Drechsler in Vermont Quilt Restoration; Quilting teacher http://ourworld.@/homepages/bobmills/jan.html
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 07:24:27 -0800 | From: Laura Robins-Morris <lrobinsfhcrc.org>
Karen, you could lay a sheet of plastic over the quilt and draw on that. Laura in Seattle
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 10:41:39 EST | From: QuiltFixer@
: Subj: I am back more or less, Message from Toni B.
Date: 3/27/01 8:01:36 PM Pacific Standard Time | From: QuiltFixer
Hi guys, I am moved into my new home in the Sierra Foothills in Northern Calif. I survived the worst snow storms in 40 years and I got snowed and snowed out. I’m still feeling sad a lot of the time but keeping busy. My Redwork Collection at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles opens on Mar 31. Opening Reception April 1, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. My lecture will be April ll, 2001 at 7:00 pm. This is going to be a great show. I have borrowed Phyllis Twigg’s wonderful quilt as well as a great quilt from Cindy Brick, both members of the list. If you are any where near enough to come, we will have lots of variety of Redwork Quilts, many never shown before and many very different from the usual Penny Square Redwork. Alex Anderson of TV fame will be there doing a book signing on April 1. Lots of excitement. I have missed contributing to the list, but felt I had to honor my contracts for lectures and that coupled with the move, kept me very pushed. Doing better now, can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 🙂 Going back to Houston International as a teacher again so hope to see some QHLers there then if not before. Got lots of beds here, you’all come see me! Toni B. The Redwork Lady redworkldy@ www.redworklady.com 16670 Hillside Dr Sonora, CA 95370 209 586 5560
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 11:32:50 -0500 | From: “Avalon” <malthausidcnet.com>
I have a Crazy Quilt top made by my Great Great Grandmother. It is just the top constructed on the foundation fabric. I have thought at times that I should border it and back it, but since learning more about quilt history and preservation, am now of the impression that I should just leave it in its present state. There is some deterioration of some of the silks, but all in all, it is in great shape. I do need to find some of the “fine netting type” fabric to sew over these small areas. ????? Where is a good source to obtain this and what is the proper name to ask for??? Mary in Naples.
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 01 12:39:25 -0600 | From: woodford <haqgalenalink.net>
Hello, Recently I’ve acquired a 19th century floral applique in the usual red, yellow and green prints on white. The quilting is something I haven’t seen before and wonder if any of you know if it is done commonly in the Pennsylvania (and other states) Dutch communties. The quilting motif looks like the hex signs we see on barns (I think, haven’t been that way in a while) There are six unattached “petals” arranged around a plain center. Between the “petals” are single triangles, and all is enclosed in a clear circle. In some of these blocks, this motif is in the center of a typical feather wreath. In others it stands by itself. Anyone have any info on this? Thanks, Barbara Woodford Historic American Quilts
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 15:32:34 -0500 | From: “Pam Weeks Worthen” <pamworthen@>
Congratulations to Jennifer on the great photo and wonderful reproduction quilt in the latest issue of QNM! Jenn, a couple of questions: Is there a photo easily available of the original yellow quilt? I would love to compare the old one to your beautiful new one. Which Callie’s Basics yellow was that? (I can’t see the print from the photo) and please tell me more about the Dead Quilt Society, or point me to past archives of this list where I can read more. Thanks! Pam in NH _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.@
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 15:42:40 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett <bgarrett@>
Thanks to Ann in Phoenix for the address for stain removal. Her note says there is listed a formula for removing mold/mildew from fabric, but it seems to have been removed — or I can’t read <grin> — because I can’t find it. If someone accessed the site and found the information, could they post it to the list as I’m sure there are many who can use it. Thanks, Barb in sunny southeastern PA
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 19:49:20 EST | From: Hazelmacc@
Quite often this is personal preference and what you describe are probably 20th century blocks, so using repros wouldn’t be all that sinful. These are your blocks and remember there are no quilt police out there. Hazel Carter, No. VA
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 19:53:29 EST | From: Hazelmacc@
Putting backings and borders to Crazy quilts often can be a preservative. Re- the netting, the best is probably bridal illusion that can be found at most fabric stores. Get a color rather than white for covering deteriorated areas of crazy quilts. Hazel in No. VA
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 20:46:45 -0500 | From: “Alan R. Kelchner” <quiltfix@>
Another fabric you might try to “stabilize” your deteriorating silks is crepeline, a finely woven, gauzy silk fabric. A bit expensive, but the quality of the finished look is much better than a tulle. I have to admit, working on a bias piece will make you cuss the quilt out loud <g>. And it dyes beautifully, so you can match it to the fabric it will guard. I’m not thrilled with the idea of using a nylon fabric against weighted silks, since the silk is already fragile – nylon tulle is rough and will wear on the quilt section it covers. And also be aware that, after having covered the sections with a protective barrier, the silk will continue to shatter and gather as dust in the bottom of those pockets. It’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately. I have one crazy, and it continues to deteriorate, albeit slowly, even after restoration, and kind treatment. Also – if the silk is deteriorating badly (shredded, basically), you can remove the remaining fragments from underneath the embroidery and allow the foundation fabric to “stand in” for the removed silk. That is, unless the foundation is garish and gaudy, which won’t allow it to blend in with the surrounding fabrics. And by all means, back and bind/border that piece if it’s not historically important. The exposed edges of the top allow those silks to deteriorate more quickly from handling and rubbing. If you have a new border, it can take the brunt of any handling the piece receives. Alan
