November 24 – December 3, 1999
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:
- Dating a McCall “Kaumagraph” Transfer Pattern — A member seeks help pinpointing the age of an undated McCall appliqué pattern package using the history of the Kaumagraph transfer process. (see the article on dating quilts)
- The Meaning of a Scissors-Motif Border — Members discuss a Whig Rose quilt bordered with appliquéd open scissors and whether the motif carries any known symbolic meaning.
- “Boxes Under the Bed” Project: History and Status — Guild members ask for background on the documentation initiative, and Alliance for American Quilts co-founder Shelly Zegart answers with its origins and current progress.
- Identifying a Mystery Woven-Look Quilt Pattern — A photo of an unusual, coverlet-like pieced quilt sparks a round of guesses — tulip, star, or Storm at Sea — as members try to name the pattern.
- Book Notes: The Ultimate Quilting Book and Other Reading — Members trade reviews and leads on reference titles, from Maggi Gordon’s newly remaindered antique-quilt survey to a conservator’s stitch dictionary and a Civil War-era sewing compilation.
- Are Imported “Antique-Style” Quilts Ethical to Sell? — A wide-ranging debate breaks out over how to spot mass-produced import quilts, whether dealers should disclose their origin, and what that means for collectors and makers alike.
- Finishing and Labeling an Old Quilt Top Responsibly — Members weigh in on whether and how to quilt an unfinished antique top, and share detailed advice for documenting a quilt’s maker and history on a permanent label.
- Recording an Elderly Relative’s Quilt History by Interview — A member new to the list asks how to gather family quilt history from her 81-year-old father-in-law before it’s lost.
- Knife-Edge vs. Bound Quilt Finishes, US and UK — A British member asks for clarification on a “knife-edge” quilt finish, prompting a comparison of American and English traditional edge treatments.
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 09:33:22 EST | From: [from unknown]
I know the scissors motif on quilts has been discussed in the past but I need a quick review. I recently purchased a red/green 4-block Whig Rose with a green vine border that has 28 pair of red scissors (open) appliqued on it. I’ve never seen this design used as a border, has anyone else? Was a conclusion made as to what the open scissors meant on a quilt. I’m finally getting back to quilting and research after AQSG and Houston and visiting in Colorado for 3 weeks with my first grandson, who graciously waited to be born until after the Houston show. He didn’t want me to leave but I told him I would be back in January.
Carolyn in N. Texas
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 11:52:45 EST | From: [from unknown]
I promised this info. to a QHL person but as I began to send the message I realized that many of you might like to have this. A very helpful book—-Directory of Hand Stitches Used in Textile Conservation put out by The Textile Conservation Group, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave., New York, Ny 10025 I bought this years ago and think it was
$20 – $25.
A great site—-Kent State University–Paisley Shawls
Happy Turkey Day, Lynn Lancaster Gorges, New Bern, NC
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 11:44:40 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix@
Went to an auction tonite, expecting to bid on gobs of fabric (have to harass the guy, this makes the second auction in a row he’s told me he’d have the fabric). As you’ve guessed, he didn’t have the fabric out, and I really don’t care. I got a quilt instead.
Such a quilt ……
It was there as you walked in, and I knew it was mine. Strippy summer quilt (barely-there batting) in my all-time favorites of double pink, madder, and double-chocolate (sorry, I don’t know the proper term). C. 1870. Back is more of the double-chocolate, one print. I shook from excitement (happens about once a year). And planned to spend a lot more money than usual. The quilt is in mint (looks to be unused/unwashed)
condition.
So I sit there, planning to spend money and deciding to let my family know the perfect gift, donations for this quilt (I was already feeling a tad – just a tad – guilty for spending that $$ at Christmas time). I even started the quilt at a reasonable price for here (I usually start it as low as possible). No one else bid !! Not one person. I got the quilt for $50. I am so excited/confused/happy it’s not funny. Yeah, $50 may sound cheap for a starting bid, but I probably could have started it at $10 tonite. Everything started at $10.
But anyway, I got it home and looked it over again, then realized I have a question about the double-pinks. The strips are not pieced patterns, just long pieces of fabric. One of the center double-pink strips has a zig-zag to the pattern. You can extrapolate this into a lattice pattern in the yardage. The yardage evidently has the lattice at one half along the selvage, and solid double pink at the other. Or maybe the fabric alternated lattice/solid along the length? My first thought was a faded section, but it doesn’t extend into the other strips, and it’s definitely a purposeful pattern. Aside from the fact the quilter pieced two strips so the lattice pattern matched in the center. I’ve never seen this before, and was wondering if anyone could clue me in? And while we’re at it, I also got a Pfaff Hobbymatic 947 sewing machine (when it got down to $10, I said what-the-hell – if it doesn’t work, I can chuck it for that price). I haven’t turned it on yet, but I was wondering if anyone has used one? And if it’s a decent machine or not? It has some decorative stitches and a button-hole, not much more. Maybe this will allow me to learn how to machine quilt.
Thanks for listed to me. I had to unload it – David’s tired of my incessant chatter <lol.
Alan
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 00:56:49 -0500 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow@
For many of you old hands, the following will be old hat, but I am sure there are many on this list who will not know about the following publication.
DH and I pore over the Maine Antique Digest every month when it is delivered, in all its huge bulk, to our mailbox. Besides the wonderful articles on all sorts of antiques-related ideas, research, and events, it lists all the important auctions *in the country*, also the shows and antiques malls and festivals. Maine is just the place where the publisher lives — it is a national monthly newspaper.
M.A.D. also has a web site, with a huge database of sales at auction of all sorts of items. I just did a search for the word *quilt* and came up with close to 60 small photos and thumbnail descriptions of the auction it was in, how the bidding went, and the ultimate price knocked down. The database goes back to 1997, which I know are out-of-date prices, but interesting none the less. The more recent sales are on the last pages. Interesting also to see the area of the country where those prices were paid. I assume they update the on-line database with each monthly issue.
http://www.maineantiquedigest.com/
Once you get there, in the center column you can click on the latest news, articles, a hidden picture contest, the dealer directory, a prices database, a site search, databases of appraisers, over 1100 book reviews, an interactive forum, a list of stolen art and antiques, software demos, a way to send us large files, a place to request sample copies, a place to subscribe, links to other sites, even a place where you can yell at us.
Search Maine Antique Digest Prices Database
This is a database of over 12,000 prices with pictures distilled from articles in Maine Antique Digest It searches by words, not categories, so if you are looking for highboys, search highboy, not highboys. If you wish to find words in order, “enclose them in quotes”–otherwise entries including both words will be found.
This search will bring up ten items with pictures per page. CLICK if you want more search options.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 07:42:49 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears@ (Roberta Geanangel)
Judy,thanks for the titles in this series. I managed to snag 3 of the books..now to find the years 1840-60 and the first one. I have 1790-1840,1860-1876 and 1876-1915. You were right, as much as I know about the history of these periods the books are still very interesting. Thanks also for the recap on the Maine Antique Digest. I never post book titles and such because I figure everyone knows all this stuff, but I guess I should because there are always newbies joining us. As an interesting aside, I just purchased a copy of “Ho For California” from a book store based in Australia. It took me 3 years to locate this book,it just wasn’t around.BTW, if you have one hold on to it..it has tripled in price!
Roberta
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 09:42:34 -0600 | From: Lisa <haley12@
Dearest Quilters,
I am the historian for the Oxford Piecmakers Quilt Guild in Oxford, OH. I am looking for more information on the “Boxes Under the Bed” project. I would like to present a program to our group on this subject. I have already read the two articles in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine. Would you have a name/address of someone involved with that group that I could contact? An email address would work also. Anything I can get at this point would be most helpful. I would sincerely appreciate your input. Thank you in advance for your help.
Lisa haley12@
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 16:47:01 -0500 | From: “Phyllis Twigg” <ptwigg@
Hi!
A new list has been formed for people interested in redwork. If you go to http://www.onelist.com/community/redwork you can join.
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 21:42:52 EST | From: Quiltr9218@
i too, am looking for information concerning Boxes Under The Bed, but in SC. I was signed up for it in our quild, but the person who was sent to the seminar has dropped the ball. i would appreciate any information available.
Susan in Charleston, SC
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 10:06:34 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord@
Shelly Zegart has been one of the orgainzers of this project, through the Alliance for American Quilts. She is on this list, but you can reach her at zegrtquilts@. If there is any question, you can say I gave out her name with regard to Boxes Under the Bed.
Xenia
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 00:41:02 -0500 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow@
Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? There is an odd 2-color block, and then 5-stripe sashing and 25-patch setting squares. Notice that the blocks are oriented in different directions, but not by any pattern that I can see. Very unusual, very striking. It looks like it might be (but obviously isn’t) something out of a Dover geometric design book.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ
judygrow@
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 07:34:45 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears@ (Roberta Geanangel)
This weekend while cleaning out files I came across the 1995 article from QNM written by Barbara Smith,”Planning Under Way For International Quilt Center”. This was the beginning of “Boxes Under The Bed”. I,too,would like to know what is happening with this project. Unfortunately, I missed the training sessions and caught up with it the year following the last workshop. If anyone is interested in the names of the original panel they’re listed in the article…very impressive list! Please post any informationn to QHL, there may be others interested.Thank you. Roberta
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 07:45:11 -0500 (EST) | From: quiltsnbears@ (Roberta Geanangel)
I did not mean to imply that 1995 was the start of “Boxes”. The concept was conceived by the Alliance for Amercan Quilts founded by Shelly Zegart,Karey Bresenham,Nancy O’Bryant and Eunice Ray in 1993. The first panel met in 1995 and this was originally planned as a 5 year project.
Roberta
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 08:19:19 +0000 | From: Bobbie Aug <qwltpro@>
Judy, This pattern appears to be a pieced tulip, rotated a 1/4 turn in various blocks and pieced by some impressionist quiltmaker. That’s my best guess. We all may have seen it before, but it is unrecognizable in this “woven coverlet” appearance. Are there no borders? Has it been cut down? Bobbie Aug
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 17:23:27 -0500 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow@>
Kathi, It looks most like a coverlet pattern to me, but I don’t recognize it. Bobbi thought it looked much like a tulip, someone else saw a large star broken by the setting squares and stars. I can’t see any of it, except that I think it is a striking quilt.
I’ve had an unfinished project hanging on my conscience for about 10 years, which is also a coverlet pattern that I charted off. I’ve done it in 2 blues and white, and took the design from “Snails Trails and Cat’s Paws.” Your eye moves around the surface the same way it does with a “Storm At Sea” quilt pattern, but with STCP there are no triangles — It is all squares and rectangles.
I love the way it looks, but just got bored with ALL the strip piecing. I take that back. I got fed up with the ironing. Maybe I’ll pull it out again.
Maybe not.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 18:50:20 -0500 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow@>
Browsing in Borders Bookstore for Xmas presents yesterday, I came upon a wonderful book in the “remainder” stacks. It is called ” The Ultimate Quilting Book” by Maggi Gordon, and only cost $19.99. It was published in 1999 in London by Kiln House Books, ISBN 1-902615-034. I can’t imagine that it is already remaindered.
The book is 448 pages long and has wonderful, large color reproductions of antique quilts on at least 200 of those pages, many of them with 2nd photos in close-ups so that you can really see the fabrics and the quilting. The second half of the book is how-to, also with many good photos. As a matter of fact, photos are used in most of the step-by-step instructions instead of drawings, and they are quite good, as they are taken from the model’s eye location. I can’t imagine what kind of position the model had to be in for the camera to come in so close to her head. The color throughout the entire book is amazingly bright, and the images are very clear. Some of the antique quilts are familiar to me, but most of them are not. Many of the photos come from the America Hurrah Archives, and Museums in this country. I had thought that the credits would be for English quilts, but I could only find a couple that were not American. The author has chosen her photos very carefully, because the quality of reproduction is at virtually the same high level in every photo.
I have only read captions, not the text, since I brought it home, and have found a couple of simple editing mistakes in the captions. But since we quilters are mostly visual people, I don’t think that should deter you from buying the book. It really is gorgeous, and is a real bargain.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 19:53:12 EST | From: JBQUILTOK@
I don’t very often surf over to look at referenced quilts, but did this time. My first thought was Darting Birds. Then I got out my Barbara Brackman & see that it isn’t, but the square ‘head’ still reminds me of it.
Janet
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:39:04 -0500 | From: “sue reich” <mreich@>
Regarding “The Everyday Life in America Series”, I believe that you can find most of those books at the bookstore at Sturbridge Village. I purchased Jack Larkin’s “The Reshaping of Everyday Life, 1790-1840,” book there about two years ago.
Sue Reich in snowy Connecticut
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 22:40:32 PST | From: “Anne Copeland” <anneappraiser@>
That block looked like an Hourglass variation to me at first. Then I thought as Bobbie did that it was a Tulip variation. I know this much–it is definitely a variation! Anne
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 08:45:18 -0500 | From: “jawhite@” <jawhite@>
Judy, I take it back about the star. It’s not there today. I printed out a copy of the quilt so I can compare it with some blocks in BlockBase. But maybe this is just one of those wonderful abberations that is supposed to make us wonder.
Judy White – Ct
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 09:00:43 EST | From: Palampore@
Some time ago someone asked why there were not quilts of silk from the mid-1800’s. There were. I have a very good reference to this entitled—SEW AND SO FORTH of the ERA OF THE HOOP compiled by Heidi Marsh. I think I referred to this book over a year or so ago. I purchased it at a fabric store on the outskirts of Gettysburg,PA(Needle and Thread (717)334-4011). This person compiled writings from magazines and books of the mid-1800’s to assist CW reenactors (11 total). Much of the text is from Godey’s Lady’s Book, Peterson’s Magazine, The Lady’s Friend and Arthur’s Home Magazine. There is an extensive section on sewing machines from the book ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES written in 1870. There is a section on patchwork from Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine 1857 entitled “Patchwork” by Ellen Lindsay. A quote, “From the house of the rich mother who finds expensive silk sewed in pretty patterns, the choisest covering for her darling, to the poor hovel, where every rag is treasured to eke out the winer quilt for the litle ones, we find patchwork.” (pg. 123) On page 129 there are a number of references to the various materials used in quilts and “silks and satins” are mentioned each time. There are 10 pages of written material regarding patchwork and illustrating patchwork designs. The book also has information about “petticoat suspenders”. What a contraption!!!
Yes, there were silk quilts during this time period. It just appears that very few survived.
If any of you want to know more about these books there are CW Reenactor Sutlers on the Internet who probably carry these books as well. I also bet Deb Russell on our list could help you out with who is the best to deal with since she reenacts that time period.
Hope this is helpful to some of you.
Lynn Lancaster Gorges, Historic Textiles Studio, New Bern, NC
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 09:45:36 EST | From: [from unknown]
This letter is in response to comments about The Boxes Under the Bed project.
We at The Alliance for American Quilts continue to be committed to developing this grassroots effort to identify and preserve important documentation about quilt making and quilt makers.
This past year has seen the advancement of a number of Boxes efforts around the country. The Michigan Boxes pilot statewide effort has gone forward, with a number of groups using the Boxes toolkit and developing documentation projects within Michigan. Boxes seminars have been held around the country, including one in Indiana at Quilt America and recently a seminar at the AQSG conference at Michigan State University at East Lansing, Michigan. Boxes is only one aspect of the important work of The Alliance for American Quilts to gather, preserve, and share American quilt history. We also have developed:
� The Quilt Index, a comprehensive Internet resource for quilt research � The Quilters’ S.O.S. Project, an effort to chronicle the stories of living American quilt makers through tape-recorded interviews which debuted at the Quilt Festival in Houston in October.
� Quilt Treasures, a project to capture and preserve oral histories of the leaders of this century’s quilt revival, and to create multi-media presentations of those stories on the Internet.
For each of these efforts we are currently developing a consortium of University and Museum partners who have the capacity to fully develop the projects .
This work is critical to the preservation of the stories and understanding of the quilt into the next century. The stories are important not only because they are your stories, but because they are stories of American families and communities, and ultimately, of our nation.
For more information about the Alliance and its efforts, email me directly .We are currently working on our websites with the help of MSU. More info on them to follow.
Sincerely,
Shelly Zegart
Co-Founder
The Alliance for American Quilts
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 10:14:06 EST | From: JQuilt@
hope everyone got to see Shelly Zegart on Simply Quilts this past week.
jean
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 22:40:09 -0000 | From: “Jenni Dobson” <jenni@>
As a British quilter I was interested to read Judy’s comments about the book by Maggi Gordon, published in the UK, & note her surprise that the book is already remaindered.
Would just like to say that this seems to be the way many publishers work these days – when a book’s been out for about a year, they just remainder it to make room in the warehouse for the next titles! I was told by a friend that my RD title was offered amazingly early at a knock-down price by Amazon – *less* even they they let me buy it over here!!
Haven’t seen the one Judy mentioned but it sounds good. The explanation for so many quilt credits being US may be the author’s nationality – I spoke with her recently as I’m contributing in a small way in another book she’s authoring & she sure sounded American to me! VBG> Her next book is called The Quilters Guide to Pictorial Quilts, pub. Collins & Brown & will be out in Spring 2000 – presumably also in the USA?
Jenni Dobson in rather chilly & windy UK.
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 08:43:59 EST | From: CToczek@
What percentage of dealers wash/clean the quilts before selling? Does that practice fetch higher prices for the quilts? Is it for a certain clientele…i.e….home decor collectors rather than historians? In many instances I would prefer to see/buy a dirty quilt in original colors than a clean, faded one.
Carla at West Point where Jack Frost turned to Ole Man Winter today….brrrrrrrrr
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 09:34:02 -0600 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co@>
Carla,
I totally agree with you. I have dealt with several dealers over the years that when I started buying from them for my store they thought that the quilts had to be prestine…….but then when you tell them that if you were 90+ years old you’d have spots on you too, they kind of soften. I am “training” a former client that has “turned into a quilt snob and am starting a business to sell off my early purchases so that I can buy what I *really* like and know about”. She brought 35 quilts to me for fair market appraisals and consultations and asked everytime for the first 8 or so…”Now, Should I wash it? Wont that help increase the value?” Maybe in a hoity-toity decorator shop, but not to the knowledgable or even just beginning quilt collector. We can see through those grimy borders and storage stains. I know what I do to wash quilts, and after 20 years Ialso * know what NOT to do*. I would rather take a chance on getting the stain out gently **without using bleach** that might cause other fabrics to fade or run.
I love him dearly but John Sauls here in Texas is one of the worst at throwing quilts in the washing machine. At least I broke him of tossing them in the dryer too!! Wish that we all could have a wonderful washing tray like Lynn Georges has built!
Just MHO!
Laura
In many
>instances I would prefer to see/buy a dirty quilt in original colors than a clean, faded one.
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 18:14:11 -0500 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judy@>
To answer you, I think most general antiques dealers I know don’t bother but just sell them as is, but some of those who specialize in quilts may wash a quilt IF it is really dirty or grimy (as opposed to having storage or age stains which usually will not come out no matter what). The good quilt dealers will not buy a quilt that is badly soiled unless they think it can be cleaned. I sell quilts and occasionally buy dirty ones that I think will come clean. I wash them by hand and dry them upside down on a sheet on the grass – they smell heavenly and feel wonderful. Using a gentle soap and lukewarm water, this process has never faded a quilt for me – in fact, the colors are usually much brighter once the grime is removed. The dirt is also bad for the quilt (especially bodily fluids!) and over the years will weaken the fabrics. Not to mention the bad odors that often come with the soiling. I remember years ago buying a dingy Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that looked and smelled so bad no one bought it from the dealer for weeks and it ended up in a heap under the table, just getting dirtier. I bought it, washed it to bring out the true colors and make it smell fresh, and sold it immediately – it turned out to be a beautiful quilt with no stains and no fading. Of course, there are quilts and there are QUILTS – I also take into consideration the value of the piece and proceed cautiously, if at all, if the quilt is a really good one. Judging from Marie’s description, this quilt was really dirty when she got it – most reputable dealers would not sell a quilt in that condition. And a note about your distinction between “historians” and “home decor collectors” – most of my quilt buyers want them for decoration and want them clean. And can’t someone be both? I have some quilts and tops put away in my collection but use others in my home (rotated throughout the year). At 08:43 AM 12/01/1999 -0500, CToczek@ wrote:
>I’m interested in Marie Miller’s description of her quilts for sale. What percentage of dealers wash/clean the quilts before selling? Does that practice fetch higher prices for the quilts? Is it for a certain clientele…i.e….home decor collectors rather than historians? In many instances I would prefer to see/buy a dirty quilt in original colors than a clean, faded one.
>Carla
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 07:08:39 -0500 | From: “John/Karen Finck” <finck@
I just recently bought a quilt that I am starting to question it’s age. I wonder can you tell me some surefire ways to identify an import quilt? Also when did they reach this country as we know them today, the $39.99 quilts. This quilt is mostly red but the backing has a sheen to it. Almost looks polished cotton.
The blocks are definitely hand pieced baskets onto muslin base. I can see pencil marks where the handles were to go. It is all handquilted, scalloped edges. It is from Tennessee.
The one thing that made me think it wasn’t an import is that some of the muslin behind the basket blocks is pieced with 2 different aged pieces. Not every one. Just some.
The fabric in the basket is the red with maybe fabric that looks like the 50s.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Karen in nh finck@
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 19:38:57 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord@
One really easy clue to imports is that many are not bound with separate binding, or with back-over-front. The edges are knife-edged. Something to do with customs duties and the addition of binding putting the item in a different, more expensive category – at least that’s what I have heard.
Otherwise, maybe the only “surefire” way to try to be familiar with the kind and quality of fabric and fabric design that is being sold as quilting material in the US. Sometimes you may see a quilt that is pleasant, and the color arrangement is ok, but there is something “off” about either the prints or the quality of the fabric, or both. I think a lot of import quilts are making their way into the antiques field, where they are sold by untutored/disinterested generalists who equate quilt with antique. (No flame- I am a dealer in antique quilts myself, and I do see this.)
Xenia
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 08:42:07 -0500 | From: Sandy Boyette <sandy.boyette@
I agree with you Xenia on the quilts making there way into the antiques arena. In southwest Ohio the quilts” have popped up at many flea markets and antique shows. What makes me mad is when people are claiming “just like the quilts your mother and grandmother made”. At an antique flea market in Springfield Ohio I approached an individual who was selling these quilts. I asked her why she would not only sale these quilts but say they were family heirlooms. According to her a “buck is a buck” and the individuals buying doesn’t know any difference. If that is the case I asked her why wasn’t she honest and advertise them as imported and not family heirloom. The lady had no reply – she just told me to leave since I was not going to buy anything.
People who are selling and buying these “quilts” are devalueing (spelling?) not only my work but the work generations of women have put into there quilting. When I make a quilt great consideration is given to the pattern, fabric, and what I intend to do with the quilt after completing it.
I have quilts my grandmother made. She did not get paid pennies a day for working in an overseas quilt factory – these quilts were made with love for her family. Times were hard and she had to make quilts using what was on hand. As a child I can remember sleeping in the upstairs room at the farm under stacks of these quilts.
I believe it is up to us to educate the public about the imported quilts – how and where they are made. Thank you all for listening to my ramblings
Sandy in Ohio
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 15:27:22 -0500 | From: “Wykes Family” <wykesfcn@
Does anyone know about botanical quilts? I believe they are appliqued green on white quilts that are strictly leaves that are done scientifically correct. I’ve only seen one in book long ago, do you know where any pictures of one or more are? What is the history?
Thank you so much,
Debbie in Michigan
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 17:49:21 -0500 | From: “Gunter” <gunter@
This weekend the MDQPN will be holding its Winter Solstice Quilt Show. For those who have seen Phyllis Twigg’s beautiful redwork quilt, this would be a great opportunity to see her Victorian Redwork Sampler again. She will be at the show with her quilt along with her book of patterns. The show runs Dec. 3-5 from 10:00 – 6:00 at the Battle Theater, 571 Steinwehr Ave. in Gettysburg, PA. More information about the show as well as directions can be found at www.jcdesignworks.com/mdqpnsho.htm
Judi Gunter
//members.xoom.com/quilters2/
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 19:01:45 -0500 | From: “Mary Perini” <maryperini@
“Ditto” Judy Kelius’ response. I have two basic customer profiles: quilt historians /research buffs and those who want to use a quilt as an accessory in his/her home. Sometimes the same person fits both profiles, but generally, these two customer “types” are looking for different things in a quilt.
Whether or not I clean a quilt depends on: it’s significance as a piece of quilt history, overall condition and age; and its likely purchaser. There are times when a quilt needs cleaning in order to prevent further damage. It has taken years of cajoling to convince the pickers with whom I trade to let me see quilts before they toss them into the washer and dryer.
Mary Jane Perini
Hagerstown, Maryland
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 19:10:10 -0500 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judy@
I agree with Xenia when she says to look at the binding. I think the knife edge is a sure clue. I don’t know about customs – I always assumed they did this to save labor – the top, batting, and back are sewn together and turned right side out before quilting so when the usually meagre quilting is completed, the quilt is done. As you all know, adding a separate binding is time-consuming!
Another clue may be the kind of batting – I often see a flannel sheet used.
(It doesn’t need much quilting!)
Yet another clue is running of the dyes in the fabric after the quilt is washed – I saw bad running in two quilts a naive buyer wanted me to sell on eBay for him (I said no). The fabrics are often cheap rip-offs of ones that are popular in this country. Even so, I can’t understand how these quilts can be sold for $39.99 – that means the store probably paid around $20 each – how can the other $20 cover materials, shipping, AND labor? I don’t even like to think about what the quilters get paid.
I usually tell people that if a quilt has a good or great design but shoddy workmanship and materials, it may be an import.
I actually bought what I think is an import quilt at an antiques mall yesterday (not brand new, reasonably priced, and not misrepresented) because I thought it was such a great piece to use during the holidays – green and white delectable mountains with a zig-zag border. Better quality than many of the imports I’ve seen – it has cotton batting, there is no running of the dyes, and it has a good bit of quilting (although larger stitches). It may not even be an import, but I’m still feeling a bit guilty for having bought it, so I’m confessing my “sin” to you all!
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 20:14:59 EST | From: Qltldy10@
I know we’ve had this “imported quilts” conversation before— and will for years to come no doubt. Where are the folks who were cataloging imports?
I just found, in my stash of books, a Gazebo catalog. Very high priced, very traditional patterns, made from “fine American cotton fabrics. Cheap Far East imports don’t have the variety…” They are not low quality, they are not cheap fabrics, and they do have bindings. None of us would be able to tell, I think, that they were not constructed in the USA- and, the wording in the catalog is “…the world’s largest selection of traditional new handmade American quilts.” and, oh yes,
“…our quilts are made in
Haiti.”
These are definately not the 39.95 variety, prices are ~ $600.00 for twin, $1200 for queen. Imported, yes; cheap, no.
I think we need to separate the issues: poorly done quilts being sold as good quilts vs not American made being sold as American made vs newer quilts being sold as antiques.
Lots of folks on ebay sell things I played with 20 years ago as old/vintage/antique, so that’s a common habit by some vendors, I’d say. The quilts in the Gazebo catalog look better than many of mine will ever be- and I do quake a little when folks talk about big stitches as a sign of something…I guess I won’t be showing you my quilting. Being represented as American made when it’s not is a little more of an issue, bound to get cloudier as history prgresses- are those Hawaiian quilts, made before Hawaii was a state, American made? What about things from Puerto Rico, an almost but not quite state? What if Puerto Rico becomes a state in another 40 years? You get my drift- and golly, I’d love to own a Toile quilt- by the way, made in England of imported French fabrics, then brought over here in 1850, and oops, claimed as an American antique?!? I’ve always worried about the “What is it worth? Did I get rippped off?” kinds of questions. It’s worth what you paid for it, and I hope you bought it because you love it to look at. It’s only if you buy as an investment (or for resale, of course),that it’s being misrepresented to you is an issue. Caveat emptor, and all that- so sorry! Off the soap box.
Ding, next round!
Beth in Maine
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 20:17:06 EST | From: JBQUILTOK@
I don’t think it would be a mistake to include a few import quilts in a quilt collection. (Properly documented, of course.) These may end up the ones that facinate future generations more than our master pieces. Using feedsacks used to be considered a sign of poverty – now anyone who gets their hands on a quilt made of them thinks they have the greatest treasure on earth. So if you want an all-inclusive collection, I would think you’d include imports, double knits, uglies, etc. They’re being made & used and are the antiques of the future.
Janet
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 22:04:25 -0600 | From: Russell-Hill <russhill@>
Hi all,
I haven’t written in a long time but am reading the digest and learning lots. I enjoy this list a lot. Now I have aquestion asked of me by a lady who does Civil War reenacting. She was wondering if seersucker was around in the 1860’s. Any help on the date of that fabric would be great.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrated it. I don’t know where the time has gone since then, I did not even here that whoshing sound either as it fly by.
Debbie
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 12:43:59 -0500 | From: Alan Kelchner <quiltfix@>
The imports around here are all over the place – auctions, malls, shops, etc. And they usually get more than older ones at auction, since they go with current interiors. Look at the colors. If it looks like last year’s palette…..
Also, check every last inch of the edge for a remnant of the “Do Not Remove” tag ! That’s the first and most sure thing I use when looking to determine age of a suspicious quilt. Most every quilt gets that tag ripped off. Few dealers seem to take the time to remove the tag by opening the seam.
Flannel blankets and knife edges are only clues, remember. My grandmother and great-grandmother (they lived around Lancaster Co., PA) used blankets as batting, and also finished their quilts with a knife edge regularly. I’ve always thought of this as a community thing, since they did a lot of bees at the church. But old blankets make a good, cheap source of batting.
But whenever someone asks me if they should buy an import, my first question is “why do you want a quilt”. If they want it for a bedspread, or to “decorate”, I wholeheartedly endorse it. I’d rather they used that quilt up than a good one. I saw the remnants of one a couple of days ago – c. 1870 red/green appliqu�, machine stitched BTW, heavily quilted, and ROUND. Only thing I can figure is it was a table cloth recently. Sad.
Alan
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 07:32:08 -0500 | From: “John/Karen Finck” <finck@>
In your opinion if I have purchased an antique top from let’s say turn of the century. And back it with present day material and machine quilt it have I just committed the biggest boo-boo?
Do you recommend to maintain integrity to hand quilt it but I wouldn’t be fooling anyone because it would still be using modern day products? Can you equate this stripping an antique piece to make it good for you? Have we lost the value or is the value what you want it to be? I am not reselling , this would be for me.
Karen in nh finck@
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 08:52:58 -0500 | From: “pepper cory” <pepcory@>
On the subject of Gazebo quilts-didn’t I hear someplace that these quilts, plus those from Judi Boisson (respected antiques dealer who branched out into better-made but still imported new quilts) were made in Haiti? Cheap ‘Far East’ indeed! How about ‘Made in the Caribbean and Still Not Paying Workers Very Much’ as a better label?
Pepper Cory
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 09:02:41 EST | From: CToczek@
In regard to Janet’s note “these may be antiques of interest in the future” I remember Laura in Texas saying “only if they survive the washing machine.” That’s so true because I’ve owned two import quilts by choice (red face) and both split seams the first time through the washer. The first import (which also ran colors) went to my mother who adopted it for the grandkids’ guest room. The second is still on my bed. I bought it, a double wedding ring, from the Country Living magazine buyer’s page. I knew I’d never make the double wedding ring pattern and I wanted pastel colors for spring. As far as import quality, it was made with cotton batting, pre-washed for the crinkled look, and uses near quality fabrics with average-to-large sized quilt stitches. No separate binding, though. It’s very pretty and might actually fool folks who don’t study quilt styles. I won’t go as far as to recommend purchasing one, but if you do, just don’t wash it very often!
Carla Toczek
West Point
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 10:02:33 -0500 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judy@>
My two cents on this one:
– A lot depends on the top – if it is an outstanding piece, then I recommend quilting it only if you are experienced in working with old fabrics and can use materials the same age as the quilt top. (If it is a “museum piece,” leave it as is!) If it is nice but not outstanding, then I think quilting it with cotton batting and using reproduction fabrics similar to those in the top is acceptable. 19th Century quilts were also machine quilted, so I don’t think that is going to make a big difference in an “ordinary” quilt (don’t flame me on this – I know that NO quilt is “ordinary” – this is just to separate the so-so ones from the “wow!” ones). – Personally I think the best thing that can happen to an antique quilt top is for someone to finish it, using proper materials (especially cotton batting – no polyester please!) and preserving the integrity of the original design. Quilt tops, especially pieced ones, are unfinished objects – pieced quilt tops were never made to be used as tablecloths, curtains, decoration, etc. – the tiny seam allowances are much too fragile. I cringe when I see good quilts or tops used as table toppers in decorating magazines. I’ve seen too many beautiful tops RUINED when someone used them and then decided they needed washing, threw them into a washing machine, and ended up with a mess of frayed seams! If you quilt an old top properly, only an expert will be able to tell that it was quilted recently (and some of them can be fooled as well!) – even if you sign and date it (something I recommend), its value will be fairly comparable to a similar quilt that was quilted right after the top was made.
Becky Herdle’s book on “Time Span Quilts: New Quilts from Old Tops” has some good advice on working with old tops and shows some examples of ones she has machine quilted. I disagree with her about the use of polyester batting – she thinks it can be used with some old tops and I think it should be outlawed altogether, even with new quilts!
At 07:32 AM 12/03/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>In your opinion if I have purchased an antique top from let’s say turn of the century. And back it with present day material and machine quilt it have I just committed the biggest boo-boo?
>Do you recommend to maintain integrity to hand quilt it but I wouldn’t be fooling anyone because it would still be using modern day products? Can you equate this stripping an antique piece to make it good for you? Have we lost the value or is the value what you want it to be? I am not reselling , this would be for me.
>Karen in nh
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 06:46:58 -0600 | From: “Wayne or Ruth Fulks” <Wayne@> (by way of List Mom
I have been lurking for a few weeks and learned a lot. I’ve now summoned up enough courage to ask a question. My dear 81-year-old father-in-law has given my husband, daughter and me some of the family heirlooms since our daughter is that last of his direct family line. Although we live in Canada, my husband’s people were originally from Arkansas (White county, I believe). He has given us a hand-woven blanket made from homespun which I believe his grandmother made, and also a quilt which was his when he was a little boy and was made by his mother. He remembers the quilt being a beautiful blue, but it is almost completely white now.
I would like to gather accurate information about these textiles but don’t know the proper questions to ask after “Who made this? When did she make it? When did she live and die?”. What would be other good questions to ask? Remember, I will be getting my information from an 81-year-old man who can’t sew on a button, but who has a good memory and an interest in family history. His physical health is beginning to fail and that is spurring me on to ask these questions while I still can. Thanks for any suggestions, Ruth in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 13:31:04 -0500 | From: “John Cawley” <cawley@>
Thank you Judy for reccommending this series. I’ve just finished the first volume which covers the 17th century and am wondering if there isn’t one that comes before The Reshaping of American Life 1790-1840. What happened to the 18th century?
Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 17:36:44 -0000 | From: “Sally Ward” <sward@>
Can someone clarify this for me? Is this where the quilt edge is sewn around as if you are making a pillow case, with right sides together, and then turn out the right way – what I would think of as a modern ‘quick finish’. Or do you mean kind of finish we associate in the UK with our older quilts (wholecloth and ‘frame’ quilts particularly) where the two edges were turned in on each other and finished with a line of stitching on the edge and another anything up to half an inch in? Binding is not traditional here and nearly all old quilts I have seen have this type of finish.
Sally W
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 14:47:03 -0500 | From: “Judy Kelius (judysue)” <judy@>
At 05:36 PM 12/03/1999 +0000, Sally Ward wrote:
>Can someone clarify this for me? Is this where the quilt edge is sewn around as if you are making a pillow case, with right sides together, and then turn out the right way – what I would think of as a modern ‘quick finish’. Or do you mean kind of finish we associate in the UK with our older quilts (wholecloth and ‘frame’ quilts particularly) where the two edges were turned in on each other and finished with a line of stitching on the edge and another anything up to half an inch in? Binding is not traditional here and nearly all old quilts I have seen have this type of finish.
I would call either kind of finish a knife edge finish – the kind done by hand is common in antique American quilts as well. Many of the imports have a machine sewn knife edge (i.e., the layers are put right sides together along with the batting, stitched, and then turned – then the piece is quilted). As you say, it is a “quick finish”!
