November 14 – 20, 1998
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:
- Underground Railroad Quilts Debate — Extended discussion of the ‘Hidden in Plain View’ book and whether quilts were used as signals or maps for escaping slaves, with members debating the lack of written documentation. (see the article on Underground Railroad quilts)
- Displaying and Storing Antique Quilts — Advice on safely displaying vintage quilts in a home setting and properly storing quilts in a trunk to prevent damage. (see the article on caring for antique quilts)
- Wool Batting Properties and Care — Members share experiences with wool batting for quilts, including its quilting qualities, moth resistance, washing instructions, and where to purchase Orvus soap. (see the article on quilt batting)
- Sunbonnet Sue Pattern Research — A member researches the history of the Sunbonnet Sue pattern for an NQA magazine article and seeks early examples.
- Laser Pointers and Quilt Safety — Discussion of whether laser pointers used during quilt lectures could damage fabric, with expert reassurance about low-energy pointer beams.
- Houston Quilt Festival Vendor Experience — A first-time vendor shares practical details about selling at the Houston Quilt Festival.
- Bridal Quilt Pattern from Ladies’ Home Journal — Members discuss a vintage bridal quilt pattern from a 1950s LHJ feature and its possible connection to a New England Quilt Museum exhibit.
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 07:41:28 -0600 | From: “Sehoy L. Welshofer” <sw4quilt [at] bellsouth [dot] net>
Hidden In Plain View; The Secret Story Of Quilts And The Underground Railroad, by Tobin, Jacqueline (Preface ByBenberry, Cuesta Ray Joint AuthorDobard, Raymond), bindinghardcover, published11/1998, ISBN 0385491379.
Just checked on acses, my favorite book search source. Hidden in Plain View retails for $27.50 – you can buy it at A1Books USA for $22.45 which includes shipping.
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 11:23:15 EST | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-11-13 165039 EST, kheger [at] hotmail [dot] com writes << she stressed that she bases her conclusions on written documentation such as diaries. She to: ld us that in all of her extensive research, she had never found conclusive evidence written in a diary or journal about quilts used as maps for slaves during the Civil War…. in the case of quilts as maps for slaves, it might have been too secret to even write in the pages of a diary. >> With all due respect to Barbara Brackman, she may have been looking in the wrong direction for her research and her conclusions.
If I’m recalling correctly from my history, it was illegal to teach slaves to read and write. Certainly it was not customary or generally done. And those few slaves who could read and write would be unlikely to have the resources (paper, pen, ink) or the leisure time to keep a diary.
And if the slaves didn’t keep diaries, who else would have? I think the only other candidates I can think of are slave owners and abolitionists. Obviously, the slave owners aren’t going to know about this, let alone write about it (assuming such “map quilts” existed). And since assisting escaping slaves was illegal, abolitionists are highly unlikely to have kept anything that could be used as evidence.
So I’m not sure it is very likely that there would BE any diaries about slave quilts.
But to give Ms. Brachman’s methods the benefit of the doubt – even if there were such diaries – we have to wonder how many got preserved, and how many were either lost or destroyed or simply have yet to be unearthed by a historian.
Of course, an historian would look for such documentation – but I’m not sure it is accurate to infer from its lack.
Melissa
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 11:22:28 EST | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-11-13 141716 EST, jocelynm [at] sw1 [dot] socwel [dot] ukans [dot] edu writes
<< What I’m saying is that if you’re not sticking to the roads, as the slaves probably didn’t, you need an even MORE detailed map, not a less detailed one, which is why I don’t believe that any common pieced pattern could convey the detail necessary for going from the Deep South to Canada. >> Personally, I don’t have enough historic background on this issue to have a definitive opinion – perhaps we’d all better read the new book before making statements of “belief” that may not have any basis.
However – one thing to note is that a given quilt would not need to give the directions to the entire Underground Railroad route (even assuming that there was a single route, which was obviously not the case, since people were starting from and going to different places). All it would need to give would be directions to the next “safe house” along the road, and how to know who would help you. And I think it is quite possible that some very simple “signals” could do that.
Also, I’m not sure I accept Jocelyn’s conclusion that you would need more detailed directions 150 years ago than we would need today to go from Point A to: Point B. I think it’s quite possible we would be the ones to need more directions, at least to use the same methods that those people did. I think you have to compare apples and apples – not walking and navigating via landmarks and the sun vs. driving and navigating numbered highways. Orienteering is not a skill we develop or use (even Boy Scouts don’t do it much these days), so most of us would need a lot more detailed information to do it – just as someone from the Civil War era would need a lot of training to read an Interstate map and drive a car.
There are many examples where people a century or two ago had background knowledge that we lack today. So the level of information escaping slaves would need to navigate might very easily be much less than what we would need, even to cover the same ground. Maybe people in that era would understand how to: interpret something like “Walk a half a day due north, look for the hill with the two large oak trees and then head northwest until you cross a creek” – while using the same directions, we might get quite lost. A good example of this principle is old cookbooks. There are many which assume quite extensive knowledge about some basics, and this is knowledge that most people today don’t possess.
That is why you will see recipes from 100-150 years ago which just say “make a double piecrust” with no proportions or instructions -while today, you might have two pages of photo illustrations just to get that step done! (and that’s if the recipe even assumes you’ll attempt to make pie crust!).
Melissa
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 11:04:09 -0700 | From: Eileen Trestain <ejtrestain [at] earthlink [dot] net>
Here I am putting in my two cents worth, but here goes. While most of us who are discussing this here, about the feasability of RR quilts, I want to state that we are not of the culture which is going to: hear about this legend in normal state of affairs. Even Marikay Waldvogel mentioned in her lecture in Santa Fe a few years ago that the WPA project quilts, when researched, gave her the impression that there was more to the story than she was told, possible because she was not of the culture. Quilts were so common, that it was an easily overlooked item in any household. Many whites were so negligent (is that the work I want) as to think the blacks ignorant, and unable, when they were just as clever, and perhaps much more resourceful than they were ever given credit for.
If RR quilts were present, and I have no reason to believe they were not, then we whites (as the enemy) would be kept ignorant of them because of their need for secrecy. I see no reason why the continued secrecy about them would not remain as part of their culture, long after the need for RR quilts existed. Despite the 100+ years that have passed since the Civil War, I see many reasons why the black culture would have reason to distrust the white. I always hope that quilts will become a bridge between the cultures, and am very happy when some of the African American people join a quilt guild, and bring their work to share and expand our horizons.
i think that the recent publications on African American quilting are a good sign, and I hope to see lots more.
Eileen, speaking as someone who’s family lived two miles north of the Mason Dixon, and were known for their work building hiwaways for the RR. (Stepping down off my soapbox now, and going back into hiding.)
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 12:02:36 -0600 | From: Russell-Hill <russhill [at] ctesc [dot] net>
Hi everyone,
I am finding this subject so interesting and enjoy what all are having to say. Like a cyper discussion group. Cool. I would like to second what Melissa had said in her last two post. If most slaves could not write or read all they had was oral tradition. And if it were an everyday event or secrative they would not have much to say on it although it may have been passed on later. Also folks back in the 1800’s had more knowlegde of things we don’t have or need. Yet we seem to be going back to that way. Like planting by the moon or planting crops that were compatable to each other in the same area and herbs for medications etc. We think modern is better when it is not always.
In the town where I live now the newly settled Germans were loyal to the Federal Gov.because they gave them the opportunity to live in a land that was free. When TX voted to join the South in seccession Fredericksburg was one town that stayed loyal to the Federals. Many of the families saw their husbands and fathers taken from their homes and hung in front ot them because they would not sign up with the confederacy. My point is that a lot of hidding went on a lot of fear was present and so many of the older folks are still to this day terrified to speak about the Civil War and what happened here. More of the younger people are showing interest so it will finally become a topic we can reseearch more. If you notice it is a lot of younger black people researching the Underground railroad talking to the elders and asking them what they remember or what was told to them.
Debbie
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 15:18:50 -0600 | From: “lynreich” <lynreich [at] coredcs [dot] com>
Hi all,
I’ve been reading about all of your thoughts on quilts used as signals for underground railroad escapes. Something we need to remember is that there very well may be written record of how slaves were transferred north, but that record was encoded for the safety of the family owning the safe house as well s the slaves.
Russell Baker’s novel “Clousplitter” is about John Brown and his involvement in the abolitionist movement. He and his family actively transported escaped slaves from their farm in Northern New York to Canada prior to moving to Kansas. The safe houses were changed often because of the watchful eyes of the slave catchers and the neighbors who were paid to notify the authorities should any action be noticed.
When we read diaries or household logs and accounts from women, we have to remember that sometimes more is said between the lines. We need to look for that out of the ordinary comment. For instance, I was working with the diary of a woman from Michigan in the period of the 1870,s. She wrote of taking a week-end trip. Further research revealed that she had a two year old son she was attempting to wean and her overnight stay was in some regards an attempt to wean her son.
I’ve enjoyed listening to this discussion.
Lynda
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 13:57:14 PST | From: “Kim Heger” <kheger [at] hotmail [dot] com>
Yes, Melissa, I agree with you! Just because no one wrote about it in her diary does not mean that it couldn’t or didn’t happen!
Kim
From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 112315 EST
In a message dated 98-11-13 165039 EST, kheger [at] hotmail [dot] com writes << she stressed that she bases her conclusions on written documentation such as diaries. She to: ld us that in all of her extensive research, she had never found conclusive evidence written in a diary or journal about quilts used as maps for slaves during the Civil War…. in the case of quilts as maps for slaves, it might have been too secret to even write in the pages of a diary. >> With all due respect to Barbara Brackman, she may have been looking in the wrong direction for her research and her conclusions. If I’m recalling correctly from my history, it was illegal to teach slaves to read and write. Certainly it was not customary or generally done. And those few slaves who could read and write would be unlikely to have the resources (paper, pen, ink) or the leisure time to keep a diary. And if the slaves didn’t keep diaries, who else would have? I think the only other candidates I can think of are slave owners and abolitionists. Obviously, the slave owners aren’t going to know about this, let alone write about it (assuming such “map quilts” existed). And since assisting escaping slaves was illegal, abolitionists are highly unlikely to have kept anything that could be used as evidence.
So I’m not sure it is very likely that there would BE any diaries about slave quilts.
But to give Ms. Brachman’s methods the benefit of the doubt – even if there were such diaries – we have to wonder how many got preserved, and how many were either lost or destroyed or simply have yet to be unearthed by a historian.
Of course, an historian would look for such documentation – but I’m not sure it is accurate to infer from its lack.
Melissa
***************************************
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 00:45:10 EST | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-11-15 111318 EST, CToczek [at] aol [dot] com writes << Word of mouth tales do tend to change….and I’m talking short term even….. >> We tend to judge things by our own standards. But remember – we are not trained to remember and repeat accurately (in fact, I would say that it is quite the opposite – many of us tend to rely on the written word in place of memory and almost underdevelop our memories as a consequence). That does not mean, however, that word of mouth is invariably unreliable, or that word of mouth stories “must” have undergone change. Oral histories can be extremely accurate in some cultures, where they are the primary (or sole) means for passing information along. Throughout history, up to: present day in some remote or pre-literate places, there have been historians (storytellers) who can and do remember very long epic poems and stories verbatim – and train their successors to tell the exact same stories, word for word. And there are stories which get passed along unchanged in substance from generation to generation, even among those who are not trained to: be the village storytellers.
Personally, I’m not weighing in on one side of this issue or another until I get more information – and I think it would be prudent for most of us not to draw conclusions based on incomplete information, inferences using contemporaneous supposed parallels (which often don’t hold up in a different historic context), assumptions, “beliefs” and so forth.
Melissa
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 11:35:56 -0000 | From: “Sally Ward” <sward [at] t-ward [dot] demon [dot] co [dot] uk>
I am toying with the idea of setting up an email list with a UK focus and would like to hear from anyone, anywhere, who may be interested. If we could do something half as good as QHL I would be well pleased.
Sally
<sward [at] t-ward [dot] demon [dot] co [dot] uk>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 23:07:32 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix [at] mail [dot] jax [dot] bellsouth [dot] net>
One quick thought …. Melissa pointed out that educating a black person to: read and write was illegal. Good point. But remember, just because it’s illegal doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. If that were true, we wouln’t have a drug problem currently. Laws like this are written specifically to prevent an occurence that is unacceptable to the ruling class. In this instance, it’s very feasible that some slaves were able to: write and a few kept diaries. They would have kept them hidden for fear of punishment. The occurrence of such diaries would be much smaller than that of white persons. And in being hidden, the chances of them coming to light even slimmer. But the possibility of their existence is there.
Stranger things have happened.
Alan
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 08:35:40 EST | From: Qltldy10 [at] aol [dot] com
Hello, thinkers and answerers of questions-
OK, I have the trunk out that the 10 quilts will go into…. now, I understand the potential for damage to the quilts from the trunk… and I really think I’m ok there (and she wanted them in a trunk cause that’s where she had stored them). But but but…
For the 3 really fine ones, esp the earlier 19th century pink, and the later 19th c pristine courthouse steps, does anyone have any opinions on the Archivart boxes with “slings”? I assume this takes away the weight of the quilt upon itself. My plan had been to put the bulkier, less intact quilts at the bottom of the trunk, and the 3 “better” quilts at the top of the pile. As I write this, I can also see myself setting in little slings of my own across the trunk (very large trunk BTW). With all 10 in one spot, it makes it easier for my family to retrieve them for her if she ever so desires. If you have good vibes about the boxed storage system, then do you have other contacts than the Archivart folks in NJ? And, in your opinions, can you tell me how much this all might cost?? Just three boxes, I think. Jane austen plugs along, on second round. I thought I had done well with reproducing the fabrics, but as I begin to sew the rounds, I’m deciding on others and recutting. It helped that I just picked up the DAR fabrics (Hi Cyndi) which are repors from the same time frame….
Many thanks for your time in responding-
Beth in Maine qltldy10 [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 08:50:16 -0700 | From: Eileen Trestain <ejtrestain [at] earthlink [dot] net>
I never assumed that underground RR people were all black. My family were not, and I already said my family were involved. Slaves who died of a fever on the trip are buried in my ancestral cemetary. i expect that a quilt might have been hung out to indicate a house was safe at the time or not, which would be a flag to the conductor. If the conductor was captured during the trip, perhaps I quilt would guide those who didn’t have a conductor. All I was saying is that even though Barbara was unable to prove the quilts existed it doesn’t mean that they didn’t.
Eileen
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 12:13:13 -0500 | From: Marilouise Hagenberg <mhagenbe [at] smc [dot] cc [dot] mi [dot] us>
I am investigating the possibility of taking an international trip with Doreen Speckman. I would be interested in communicating in anybody who has taken one of these trips. Please email me privately. Thank you.
—
Marilouise Hagenberg, RN, MA, MS
Dean, School of Nursing and Allied Health
Southwestern Michigan College
58900 Cherry Grove Road
Dowagiac MI 49047
616-782-1237 or FAX 616-782-8414 emailmhagenbe [at] smc [dot] cc [dot] mi [dot] us
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 09:22:30 -0800 (PST) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen [at] yahoo [dot] com>
Years ago I purchased a Trip around the World quilt top which was made in strong red/white and blue prints. The family history on it was that it had been made in the south by a slave during the Civil War. I was a novice collector at the time, so I took it to the NYS Museum to be authenticated. The fabrics in it were clearly clothing scraps from the 1850’s that would have been used in the south, so it is possible that the story is true.
It was very common to make quilts expressing your politics in those days – I wonder if this top could have been one slaves expression of support.
That is the romantic view – the pragmatic view is that it probably was either made by a white owner or directed to be made by a white owner.
It did come to me from a white family.
Kris
—Alan Kelchner <quiltfix [at] mail [dot] jax [dot] bellsouth [dot] net> wrote
> One quick thought …. Melissa pointed out that educating a black
person
> to read and write was illegal. Good point. But remember, just
because
> it’s illegal doesn’t mean it didn’t exist.
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 08:21:32 PST | From: “Kim Heger” <kheger [at] hotmail [dot] com>
I’ve recently begun collecting antique quilts. So far, I have a 1930’s double wedding ring and an 1880’s dove in the window. I am building a new house, and would like to display these quilts as part of my decor. What would be the best way to display these, but still protect them and do the least amount of damage to them?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Kim Heger
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 15:22:35 EST | From: Bethquilt5 [at] aol [dot] com
You might be taking the idea of quilts as maps too literal. I know when I give a lecture, looking at the quilt triggers my memory for what I want to say. Could a quilt be made that helped a slave remember the map he was told? If the slave was relying on oral directions the quilt could just help fill in gaps. We also have to make sure we don’t equate slavery and illiteracy with inferior intelligence. Escaping slaves were probably the best, brightest and most adventerous of people to attempt and succeed with this dangerous task.
In defense of Barbara Brackman,
The more I research, the less I know. Barbara’s statement was she didn’t find it, not that it didn’t exist. She talks about the stories she’s heard and that in her research she couldn’t justify them. She draws conclusions from her findings but I found it to be open ended and that she’d welcome scholarship that would add to the discussion. There are probably hundreds of different ways the URR operated and we limit ourselves by thinking there is only one true story.
Charm Quilts…
I recently published a book titled Charm Quilts (EZ Quilting by Wrights, 1997). The sources sighted already, Benberry, Nichols, Beyer are sighted in the bibliography. I found Pat Nichols article to be the best researched. My book contains 13 one-patch shapes and features quilts made by my freinds and inspired by the Sharon Craig workshops featured in Benberry’s articles. By definition charm quilts are one-patch, same size, but each fabric is different. The current trend has more to do with the friendships involved in trading the fabrics than sticking to the one-patch, one size limit. I lurked on the Y2K list for awhile and saw hundreds of women having a great time trading. These millineum quilts whether one or two shapes or repeated fabrics are just as charming as any that came before. While studying antique quilts, the most fascinating are the exceptions to the rule. So have fun and don’t worry about restrictions.
Beth Donaldson
Lansing, Michigan
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 08:41:10 -0500 (EST) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 17-NOV-1998 172439.7 Bethquilt5 said to JOCELYNM
> To Jocelyn,
> You might be taking the idea of quilts as maps too literal. I know when I give a lecture, looking at the quilt triggers my memory for what I want to say. Could a quilt be made that helped a slave remember the map he was told? If the slave was relying on oral directions the quilt could just help fill in gaps. We also have to make sure we don’t
Beth,
I would agree that some people are taking it too literally. I think part of the confusion here, is that there are so many different accounts. I was referring to one particular count that I have heard espoused by some authors, that the quilt was pieced to be a map. That literally, the piecing of the quilt formed a map.
A quilt as a mneuomic device is another idea I’d not considered. But still, I wonder about whether you could piece enough detail into a regular, predictable, pattern, to be able to use it as a guide on such a dangerous journey.
I think the most logical explanations are that quilts were used as temporary signals, rather than permanent ones.
>equate slavery and illiteracy with inferior intelligence. Escaping slaves were probably the best, brightest and most adventerous of people to attempt and succeed with this dangerous task.
I certainly am not trying to imply that I thought slaves were stupid. What I’m trying to say is that a journey of hundreds of miles, when you don’t have well-marked roads to follow, and any mistake can mean your life, requires a degree of precision in mapping that’s not present on modern-day highway maps, and I simply cannot imagine how anyone could make a quilt that would contain the necessary details.
I think so much of the history of quilts, and the UR, has been romanticized, that legends are being repeated not because they make sense, but because they make good stories. The idea of a slave woman cleverly and laboriously piecing her map while she pretended to sew for Massa, right under Missy’s nose, is a very appealing one, and the emotional appeal of the story wins it believers.
Jocelyn
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 11:45:54 -0500 | From: Debby Kratovil <kratovil [at] his [dot] com>
I am currently doing research for an article for the National Quilting Association’s magazine. My historical topic is Sunbonnet Sue. I have copies of several original documents (ie, women’s magazines from the early 1900’s) and some reprints of the books and stories about the Sues. I have a few magazine articles which reference the images on quilts, but I would like to hear some stories about some contemporary quilts done with modern Sues (and Sams, too).
I have pictures of quilts to go along with the articles, I just want to make sure I have the broadest range of information. If you know of some articles in books or magazines or specific papers done about this topic, please let me know. I would also be very happy to add little snippets of personal stories from you quilters about perhaps a discovery of an old quilt, a relative who made Sunbonnet Sues, how your mother incorporated scraps of your clothing in making a Sunbonnet Sue quilt, or anything else that may fit into this theme. Thanks a bunch! Debby
Debby Kratovil
Quilter By Design – Paper Piecing Patterns & More!
http://www.his.com/queenb
MacPfaffie 7570
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 18:37:33 -0000 | From: “Celia Eddy” <celia [at] eddy [dot] u-net [dot] com>
Can anyone tell me Jane Sassaman’s postal address – or an E-mail address would be ideal? I believe she’s based in Chicago, but that’s as far as I can get.
(QHL-ers seem to know lots so thought I’d ask!)
Thanks,
Celia in UK
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 11:36:43 -0800 (PST) | From: Marilyn Maddalena <marilyn [at] crl [dot] com>
I’ve been on this list for awhile, but usually don’t write — just read and learn. Now I have come across an interesting situation which I don’t recall seeing discussed here before, so I’m asking for your combined knowledge. I frequently act as docent for historical quilts. I was given a laser pointer to use. I used it very briefly one time — and that night I had nightmares about waking up and seeing that gorgeous quilt full of holes everywhere the laser beam had touched! Needless to say, I haven’t used it since. Does anyone know if the laser beams really will damage fabric, or was that just a case of over-worrying (and maybe too much chocolate just before bed)? Knowing that laser beams are used in surgeries to cut through parts of bodies, and yet also knowing that this little pointer only uses 2 AA batteries, just how much damage could it actually do? I’d sure like to know what you all think about this. It’s a wonderful tool for pointing out details on the quilts, but I don’t want to use it if there is any possibility of damage. Marilyn in Sacramento
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:20:51 -0600 (CST) | From: akcruz [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com (Alfonso & Alice Cruz)
My local guild library had a garage sale this month – clearing out a bunch of old stuff. I bought a pattern for a “Bridal Quilt – As seen in Ladies Home Journal”. A handwritten note included with it by the donor to the library – who also seemed to be the original purchaser – said it was ordered from: LHJ in the early 1950’s. The quilt is made of appliqued blocks, each depicting the wedding ceremony of a dozen different countries & cultures.
The envelope it was mailed in is at least as interesting as the pattern. No zip codes, no date on the postmark. The postage, for a big manila envelope & the equivalent of 33 pages, was .06! The entertainment value I’ve gotten from this pattern is well over the whopping $.25 I paid!
Alice Cruz
The Quilted Chile akcruz [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 16:29:32 -0500 | From: “Phyllis Twigg” <ptwigg [at] radix [dot] net>
The “Bridal” quilt pattern Alice has described sounds a lot like one of the quilts we saw at the New England Quilt Museum exhibit called “Story Book QuiltsMarion Cheever Whitside Newton” when the QHL conference was held in Lowell last May. I have seen two of those quilts since then, one of which is owned by a member of my quilt guild.
Phyllis
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 14:03:00 -0800 | From: Audrey Waite <awquiltr [at] sedona [dot] net>
Hi all
Thought I would report what I found in that box of goodies a neighbor brought back from Oklahoma. Her mother had stashed all kinds of fabric scraps, a couple charm chains (guess that’s what you call it when they thread a needle and string on a bunch of squares or triangles of different fabrics), a scrap of feedsack material with the printing still visible “Alva roller mill” and “honey bee”. Maybe Jane can tell us what that was?
Lots of newspaper clippings of patterns of Eveline Foland from the Kansas City Star in 1930 and 1931. Also McKim Studios pattern from the Chicago Tribune from 1931-34.
Many sample blocks sticked by machine and a few by hand; one friendship cactus basket with the embroidered name “Mabel Baxter”. The most interesting thing I thought was a circular from Needlecraft – The Home Arts Magazine, Augusta, Maine showing 9″ quilt blocks you could order for 35 cents per set of 12. You could also get the strips of 3″ fabric to set them together for 30 cents, two skeins of floss for 5 cents – all postpaid, of course! There was a cross stitch series, basket series, flower series, kewpies, teddy bears and sunbonnet babies. All quite charming. Suppose you can still get them? So, no great finds but fun to look through none-the-less. Happy Turkey Day to everyone. We have a tradition here of eating with 3-4 other couples outdoors at a scenic point on Oak Creek called Red Rock Crossing. This year I get to cook the turkey!
Audrey Waite in sunny Sedona, AZ
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 18:01:33 -0500 | From: Vivien Lee Sayre <vsayre [at] nesa [dot] com>
Hi All,
Just spoke with Lynne Bassett of Old Sturbridge Village. She wanted me to let people know that OSV has three sizes of slant boards and five display cases for sale. The display cases hold two quilts each and the slant boards are small, medium and large. For details please call Lynne at (508) 347-0238. The sender does not receive any compensation for this.
Vivien In Massachusetts
Where it is raining and dark.
Good weather to QUILT!
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 98 18:24:46 -0500 | From: Barbara Woodford <woodford [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com>
I can respond to Marilyn’s questions in regard to laser pointers, since in one of my previous lives I worked with the effect of light on the retina, and this included some education on laser frequencies. I don’t think a laser pointer would hurt a quilt—-unless 1) you held it in one spot for many seconds AND 2) the particular dye in that spot of fabric was susceptible to the wave length of that particular laser, something which you probably wouldn’t know for sure. So just be kind of speedy.
However, the beam of light from a laser pointer CAN burn a hole in your retina (because that part of the eye is especially susceptible to those wavelengths) in a matter of a second or two, so it’s very important not to: wave it at the audience, or, as I saw an important Cal Tech scientist do, shine it in your own eye whilst contemplating some further esoteric point for your lecture.
The lasers used for surgery have very high energy outputs as well as very much more specific wavelengths than those used in a pointer.
I hope this helps.
Barbara Woodford
Historic American Quilts
Woodford woodford [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 20:41:41 -0600 | From: Hope Seider <nsg007 [at] mail [dot] connect [dot] more [dot] net>
I attended the Missouri State Quilt Guild’s Fall Retreat in November, and enjoyed every minute of it! Judi Robb and Nancy Graves of Kansas presented a trunk show of their gorgeous quilts. Most of Judi’s were very gorgeously and heavily hand quilted. I asked her what she used for batting because I loved the look of these quilts. She said she uses mostly wool for batting because it needles so well.
I wanted to ask this list, what is your experience with wool batts — both in quilts you have made and/or own, and in vintage quilts? I would be reluctant to use this on bed quilts — washability and all — and what about moths and other varmints? But I am so tempted because these looked so beautiful. And I neglected to ask her about her source for wool batts. Would be interested in hearing your comments and observations.
Thanks, Hope in SW Missouri
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 06:50:48 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co [at] mail [dot] airmail [dot] net>
Hi Hope, According to HD Wilbanks of Hobbs Bonded Fibers, once you encase the wool in cotton it makes it moth proof. I have found this to be pretty much the case with the vintage quilts that I work on for appraisals and restorations. No critter chomping on the batting through cotton fabric, but the do tend to use the wool tops as appetisers.
Quite some time ago we had a thread on wool quilts, wool batting and one of our Aussie members posted directions on how to wash wool successfully. The best I can remeber was that a change in temp. during washing and drying was the key problem to shrinkage. Does anyone remember this? Can we repost the information.
Laura
Trying frantically to finish gathering all the quilts and fabrics for VQTS’
Quilt College this weekend.
******************************************************** We invite you to become a memeber of the Vintage Quilt and Textile Society. An organization devoted to the sharing of research and knowledge of antique quilts, textiles and related subjects. While monthly meetings in the Dallas, Texas area are available for those who can attend, our monthly newsletter mailed worldwide enables those members to participate by contributing articles and book reviews pertaining to the selected topic of the month. Membership dues are $24.00 anually US membership, International membership $30.00 US funds only
**For more information, contact <vqts1 [at] airmail [dot] net> (that’s vqts*one*)
or write to
VQTS
2401 Blue Cypress
Richardson, TX 75082 for a complimentary copy of the newsletter and membership application. ******************************************************** At 0841 PM 11/15/98 -0600, Hope Seider wrote
>I attended the Missouri State Quilt Guild’s Fall Retreat in November, and enjoyed every minute of it! Judi Robb and Nancy Graves of Kansas presented a trunk show of their gorgeous quilts. Most of Judi’s were very gorgeously and heavily hand quilted. I asked her what she used for batting because I loved the look of these quilts. She said she uses mostly wool for batting because it needles so well.
>I wanted to ask this list, what is your experience with wool batts — both in quilts you have made and/or own, and in vintage quilts? I would be reluctant to use this on bed quilts — washability and all — and what about moths and other varmints? But I am so tempted because these looked so beautiful. And I neglected to ask her about her source for wool batts.
>Would be interested in hearing your comments and observations.
>Thanks, Hope in SW Missouri
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 11:31:32 EST | From: QuiltFixer [at] aol [dot] com
Are you referring to Allan’s article in Issue #59 (November, I think?) I have a Xerox copy a friend sent to me and I would be glad to copy and send if you will send me your name and address. The problem with washing the blocks is not an easy one to solve. I need more information before I can be of much help. Did you use hot water? I don’t recommend that. Scrubbing may have stretched the fabric and not the thread. I do not know how old the blocks are, but if they are very old, they would be done in turkey red, single strand thread and I find that that does not stretch. Try soaking one block in the buttermilk recipe If you don’t have that let me know, and then washing in Orvus. Sometimes you have to wash over and over very gently Also, if all else fails try taking a block to a cleaner and ask them if they would be will to try. Do you have any idea what is on the blocks? Just dirt, just yellowing, or?
Let us all know how you do, so we can learn too.
To: ni Baumgard,
QuiltFixer [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 11:31:59 EST | From: Palampore [at] aol [dot] com
A week or so ago a person posted that she had a pattern published in a quilting magazine recently which used old jeans. Went to the bookstore and can’t locate such an item. Thought my children would like them. I thought she said Traditional Quilter but the one I saw didn’t have it. I need month, magazine and page please.
Aside from quilting. This is just a note for I feel you are all like friends. I live in a neighborhood that is akin to “Mayberry”,or so we thought. We have recently had several break-ins and last week a brutal attack. It was all because people were too trusting of this atmosphere. Please lock your doors even if just running out for a few minutes, check your windows, and be more cautious. It was done by a worker in the area who apparently took note of this casual trusting behavior and took advantage of it. Please just be more careful, especially as we approach the holidays. We’ve had 2 bikes stolen which we aren’t sure if it is connected to the rest, but we sure are now much more careful. Sorry if this offends anyone that it has nothing to do with quilts. I just wanted to share in hopes that our errors might help others. In rainy New Bern, NC, Lynn Gorges (palampore [at] aol [dot] com)
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 12:12:26 -0500 (EST) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 20-NOV-1998 075024.3 texas_quilt.co said to JOCELYNM
>successfully. The best I can remeber was that a change in temp. during washing and drying was the key problem to shrinkage. Does anyone remember this? Can we repost the information.
Laura,
Wool ‘felts’ when exposed to water, agitation and a change in temperature.
The more agitation and temperature changes you can avoid in washing it, the better. Of course, the only way to avoid water is by dry-cleaning. But that’s not really good for wool. Remember, wool is sheep hair, and we wouldn’t use dry-cleaning fluid on our own hair! For that reason, shampoo and conditioner are good choices for washing wool garments. (conditioner in the rinse water does well to take away that ‘scratchy wool’ feeling.)
Jocelyn
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 12:11:57 -0500 (EST) | From: JOCELYNM [at] delphi [dot] com
On 19-NOV-1998 231331.7 decision said to JOCELYNM
>blocks. When they dried, the redwork shrunk and shriveled up the center of the squares. I tried rewetting and steam ironing it flat but just ironed the wrinkles in with no stretching. Help!!!!
Did you block them? Get something soft (like a bathtowel) and pin the block to: it, stretched, before you steam it. You might have to do this a few times before it gets back to the original size. Stretch it while it’s wet, steam it, let it dry still pinned to the backing. Then measure it, stretch it some more, etc.
I wouldn’t normally recommend this for quilt blocks, but, hey, they’re trash if it doesn’t work, right?
Jocelyn
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 11:48:47 -0600 | From: Russell-Hill <russhill [at] ctesc [dot] net>
Good Morning everyone,
I have the wool batting bag right here and this is what the Hobbs company saysIt can be washed by hand or in a very gentle cycle not or little agitation. Agitation causes felting. Use tepid or warm water to wash and rince that of a babys bath water is correct. DO NOT CHANGE WATER TEMP. FROM WASHING TO RINSING. I’m not screaming that is how it is printed on the bag. Use an extremly gentle wool detergent when washing the finished product. Harriet highly recommends Orvus Paste. Rinse thoroughly make sure the water runs clean during last cycle, spin on gentle to remove excess water. Dry flat.Do not dry in dryer (to save space )it shrinks. Dry on an absorbent surface and when it is barely damp it can be fluffed in the dryer on AIR only.
Hope this helps.
Debbie russhill [at] ctesc [dot] net
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 15:37:19 EST | From: BrickWks1 [at] aol [dot] com
Xenia, I read your article in 1995 UNCOVERINGS and have a question — can you e-mail me privately?
Thanks, Cindy Brick
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:31:52 -0800 (PST) | From: Marilyn Maddalena <marilyn [at] crl [dot] com>
Thanks, Barbara, for the interesting info on the laser beams. That makes me feel better. I’m sure the laser beams used in eye surgery are a lot more powerful than two AA batteries, also! Now I think I can use it — with speed — in confidence. Marilyn
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 20:27:53 -0500 | From: Terri Ellis <tquilts [at] cyberramp [dot] net>
Peggy, I was a first-time vendor at the Houston Quilt Festival this year, so I can reply to your questions. It was a very interesting experience, which I probably will not repeat. I paid $850 for a small booth, which is the standard rate, and I shared larger space with 4 other vendors, so together we had 5 booths. On top of that, if you want carpet, telephone hookup, etc. you have to pay through the nose. The whole thing is exhausting – 4 whole days plus 5-10 pm on opening night, and you never get any rest. I made some money, but not enough to make me want to go back. I feel that the IQA is really being greedy with all the charges, and then charging the general public $9.00 per day ticket just to: get in to see the show. This may be more than you wanted to know, but I would not encourage most people to go to Houston to sell. I don’t know about Paducah, since I haven’t ever tried to sell there. Terri Ellis
