November 5 – 8, 2006
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:
- Fighting the Quilt Code Myth on Wikipedia — Members find Wikipedia’s Quilts of the Underground Railroad page, edit it to note the lack of evidence, and add structure and sources. (see the article on quilt folklore)
- Pat Cummings on Museums and the Story — Pat Cummings answers a question about hate mail she once received and about what museums and institutions could do, and Candace Perry and Judy Schwender add their own experiences. (see the article on quilt museums)
- A Study Center on the Myth at AQSG — Julia Zgliniec and Sue Reich suggest a seminar roundtable on countering the myth at AQSG 2007, and Marilyn Withrow and Mitzi report on talks they attended.
- Rotary Cutters and Bias-Cut Plaids — The rotary cutter thread continues with points about how bias-cut plaids gave antique Log Cabin quilts their lively look.
- Target Quilts by Other Names — Members find that Target quilts were also called Pine Cone quilts, cite a December 1976 Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, and compare small Russian “carpets” made the same way.
- Questions, Finds and Corrections — A member follows up on an eBay quilt using the book Remember Me, another asks for LeeWard Mills catalogs, and Judy Schwender clarifies a quote about the Seven Sisters contest.
Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 02:54:36 -0700 | From: gingham
About 2 weeks ago Pam Weeks wrote asking about a tree of life applique kit quilt and its date of origin. I just ran across another one in the Illinois State book History from the Heart on page 181. It is dated 1980 and the kit was purchased from Herrschner’s.
Sandra Starley Moab, Utah professional quilt appraiser, teacher, artist
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 08:32:49 -0600 | From: Andi (andi0613)
One place to start de-mythifying UGGR disinformation is at Wikipedia. This is a portion of what turns up when you go to the home page of this free, entirely compiled by people like us, information source and search for “underground railroad”:
“[edit] Folklore Since the 1980s, claims have arisen that quilt designs were used to signal and direct slaves to escape routes and assistance. The first published work documenting an oral history source was in 1999, so it is difficult to evaluate the veracity of these claims. Many accounts also mention spirituals and other songs that contained coded information intended to help navigate the railroad. Songs such as “Steal Away” and other field songs were often passed down purely orally. Tracing their origins and exact meanings is difficult. In any case, a great number of African-American songs of the period deal with themes of freedom and escape, and distinguishing coded information from expression and sentiment may not be possible.”
Because the site is monitored by the likes of us, Barbara Brackman or Pat Cummings (or any of us, but not me because my knowledge is only what I read on this list) is free to go to the site and enter text (edit). If something is there that is incorrect, they are free to remove it. Because of this flowing way of managing information, the site needs to be checked frequently. During an NPR interview on the “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” show yesterday afternoon, the site’s founder noted how rapidly readers dispute “facts” that cannot be proven. So, I suggest that this heavily used homework research site is a good place for quilt historians to begin to set the record straight. Here’s the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_railroad
I also suggest that correct UGGR info be cross-referenced at whatever shows up when the word “quilt” is the search term.
Andi in Keota, Iowa
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 09:41:45 -0500 | From: Karen Evans
I just edited the wiki with a few sentences stating that there is no evidence for the quilt theory, that Pat and Barbara have raised serious questions, and that Giles Wright has published a pamphlet debunking it. I’m heading out to church in a few minutes or I’d do more – anyone up for the challenge?
Thanks for the tip, Andi. This is a great way to start!
Karen Evans
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 09:44:48 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
I’d forgotton they were the same thing until I saw Teddy’s message. For those of you who are curious about what they look like there are some examples at the Old State House site in the A Piece of My Soul section. I think the best link to give you is http://www.oldstatehouse.com/piece-of-my-soul/quilts-types/ then click on the section that includes pine cone quilts.
You can then view each of the two pinecone quilts. Be sure to click on the link to the ‘find out more about pine cone quilts’ at the bottom of the page for the first quilt. There you will find information on how they are made.
Cuesta Benberry’s book by the same name has some information on them and the pictures are great so if you own the book take a look.
Judy Anne Breneman
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 18:17:49 -0600 | From: Marcia Kaylakie (marciark)
Hi All, I am back from IQF in Houston after a wonderful, if slightly exhausting, day yesterday with a new quilt for my Mountain Mist collection! To my surprise, it has a tag on the back that reads “Indiana Qult Registry Project 1987-1990” and a number. If anyone on these lists worked on this project, would you please contact me? Thanks, Marcia Kaylakie, Austin.
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 23:27:51 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
Look what I just found on wikipedia – this one really needs help! Any volunteers?
Quilts of the Underground Railroad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilts_of_the_Underground_Railroad
Judy Anne
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 02:59:42 EST | From: Mitzioakes
OK! After 3 days of lecturing about the UGRR/Quilts and their myths, this article takes the cake. I looked into the site a bit, very confusing, never ever heard of it. What is happening to this farce about quilts helping runaways? I sure hope some group can get the truth out to the public. This article is the kicker. If I can help spread the word, let me know. BTW, I had great comments about my short lecture at our annual quilt show – a lot of visitors had questions already about this growing untruth. Mitzi from VT
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 07:01:22 -0500 | From: Karen Evans
I just edited the wiki to include a short paragraph at the end detailing the problems with the theory, and mentioning the work of Pat Cummings, Barbara Brackman, and Giles Wright. I almost feel like I’m playing cat among the pigeons here, but still…I really, really don’t like seeing this sort of hoax take root.
H.L. Mencken wrote a humourous but completely fictional history of the bathtub that became popularly accepted as fact within a couple of years, and it’s take almost taken seventy years to root out its influence from popular histories. I really don’t like seeing this happen to quilting.
Karen Evans
Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 13:01:44 -0600 | From: Susan Wildemuth (ksandbcw)
If anyone on the list has any LeeWard Mills or LeeWards (Elgin, Illinois) Needlework catalogs, would you please contact me off the list?
I would also be interested in talking with anyone who has a duplicate copy of “Patchwork Quilts: How to Make Them” published by Needlecraft Supply Company Chicago, Illinois. (circa mid 1930s)
Thanks– Sue in Illinois
Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 16:07:43 EST | From: Elpaninaro
I know exactly what you mean. Last year a couple of people I was working with on a consulting project invited me to a UGRR/Quilt seminar at the Menil Collection in Houston.
I pointed out some of the points made on this board and emailed a couple of people a link to one of the QHL-linked websites with an outstanding discussion at length on the topic- and I was dis-invited from the event and told we were all a bunch of racist white people.
Sorry to say it- but that is the kind of ugliness that is out there on this, and it makes me sick. I take comfort knowing there are so many of you who have researched this and are fighting to preserve the true and vitally important history of quilts in America.
In a message dated 11/3/2006 2:59:29 PM Central Standard Time, candace writes:
> So what’s the deal here really? I have a feeling there is a potential > dialogue here that can’t be had, or that would not be well received. > Perhaps you will understand what I mean…
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 07:55:00 -0500 | From: Karen Evans
Didn’t poor Pat Cummings receive hate mail over this issue? I seem to recall that at least one person accused her (and anyone else who didn’t agree with HIPV) of being a racist.
I really hope that Barbara Brackman’s book has an impact. I also think that we should have a study center or roundtable at the AQSG next year on how to counter HIPV in our local communities. This is reaching the point of becoming an accepted part of American folklore instead of a hoax, and who better than us to counter it?
Karen Evans
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:44:51 -0500 | From: sandy7827
More on the investigation of my antique quilt I purchase on Ebay, I just rec eived the book that you recommended “Remember Me” and the bl ock it in there. It’s called a chimney sweep, on page 52, 53 and 55
= that what my quilt block look like. I’m so excited about this! Since I work partime in a public library I’m going to purchase this book. Can’t thank the list enough for all your help and guided on the research of this quilt .Oh! One more thing, guess I can call my the Friend less Quilt too! 🙂
Sandra in Illinois
An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other cho ices in life
-Cora Lea Bell
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:56:34 EST | From: Mitzioakes
I agree with all of you and after my weekend, I hope I set quite a few individuals on the correct path concerning the UGRR. My nephew used a phrase recently that sums up some of this hype about the UGRR and quilts – he called it using revisionist history. It makes for a good answer. Mitzi from VT
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 10:19:40 EST | From: BJOckelton
Can I suggest that one reason some Victorian log cabin quilts look so dainty compared with more modern versions is that -certainly in England- a lot of velvet and silk ribbons were used for these quilts. By the time you have taken two seam allowances of a ribbon,its getting to be quite narrow.
Brigid Ockelton in Whitby, N. Yorkshire
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 07:35:04 -0800 | From: Julia Zgliniec (rzglini1)
Dear QHL, Karen wrote:
also think that we should have a study center or roundtable at the AQSG next year on how to counter HIPV in our local
I am AQSG 2007 Seminar Round Table Chair. OK – This topic would make for lively discussion indeed! WHO would like to be the “leader”? A Roundtable Leader need only facilitate a discussion and need not be an expert on anything – maybe notetaking skills would help.
OK Step up someone! I will schedule the table if we get a leader – maybe more if there are a lot of you!
Julia Zgliniec
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 9:22:22 -0800 | From: suereich
Great idea, Julia. A Study Center to combat the myth will be a sell-out. I am going to a museum event about combating myths on Friday. I’ll share details with the list. I have thought for years that we need to do an UGRR spoof quilt much like the “Demise of Sunbonnet Sue” with everyone making a block that combats the myth, and offer it up for quilt shows. A few years ago, people thought it would not be PC to face the erroneous information head-on but times have changed. PC has gone so far to one extreme. It iis not what it used to be. Plus, the quilt history people are becoming more and more ticked about seeing UGRR at every turn in the road. I would help with a study center if there were to be a panel discussion or something like that. sue reich
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:29:27 -0800 (PST) | From: Judy Schwender (sister3603)
Hi all, Actually, in “the pattern is quite difficult because of the curved seams, and the committee was afraid they wouldn’t get enough entries” I am slightly misquoted. The “New Quilts from an Old Favorite” exhibit is an annual juried and judged competition held by the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society, and I discussed this with Jane Porterfield, who is new at the Arts Council, and not a quilter. I spoke with George Alexsovich, ACH director, this morning, and they LOVE this exhibit!! The reception was a hit! I know when I talked to Jane last week she was very excited about the quilts and the reception. And, I think we may make a quilter out of her….
What I was misquoted about was I said “inset seams” and somehow that became “curved seams.” So, I think, yes, we can laugh! But we are gaining quilt converts every day with exhibits such as these. And, eventually some of those quilt converts will be bitten by the quilt history bug. And, that is a GOOD thing.
If you live in the Hendersonville, NC area, do try to see the exhibit. Their press release is below.
Judy Schwender Curator of Collections / Registrar Museum of the American Quilter’s Society Paducah, KY
Arts Council Hendersonville, NC Brings National and International Quilt Exhibit and Lecture by Georgia Bonesteel
The Arts Council of Henderson County is pleased to announce an exhibit it is hosting from the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society; “Seven Sisters: New Quilts from an Old Favorite 2005” The exhibit opens Friday, November 3 with an opening reception from 5:30- 7:00 pm. The exhibit runs through December 16. A guest lecture by renowned quilting artist Georgia Bonesteel has been planned in conjunction with the exhibit. The lecture will be held November 14th at 7pm at the gallery. The exhibit, opening reception, and lecture are all free and open to the public.
This exhibit displays winners and finalists from the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society’s 2005 competition. This year’s competition challenged quilt makers to interpret a single traditional quilt block, the “Seven Sisters,” in a work of their own design. The results are spectacular. Eighteen quilts from Japan, Germany, and 15 states including one by North Carolina’s own Scott Murkin, will be on display. This exhibit has traveled to select locations throughout the country, and the stop at the Arts Council of Henderson County is the only remaining opportunity to see these fabulous quilts in the southeast.
The Museum of the American Quilter’s Society focuses on celebrating and developing today’s quilt making. Each year, they hold their annual “New Quilts from an Old Favorite” competition. The Museum selects a traditional quilt block design and challenges quilt makers to interpret it incorporating their own unconventional creativity. The competition was created to acknowledge the quilt making heritage and to recognize innovation, creativity and excellence, thus linking the past to the present and the future.
On November 14th, Ms. Bonesteel’s guest lecture will examine how ideas relate to design as quilters expess themselves, and how motivation and design play a part in the final process. The lecture is part of The Arts Council of Henderson County’s “Lectures in the Arts” series.
The Arts Council of Henderson County is a community organization that advocates for the arts and provides opportunities to enrich the lives of our children and adults through the arts by offering exhibits and art education. The gallery is located at 538 North Main Street (at the corner of 6th Ave.) in Hendersonville on the 2nd floor of the Old Skyland Hotel. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday from 1 pm to 5 pm and Saturdays from 1pm – 4 pm
For more information on the exhibit or the lecture, please contact the Arts Council at (828)693-8504 or visit www.acofhc.org. For more information on the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society, please visit www.quiltmuseum.org.
*This exhibition was organized by the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society, Paducah, Kentucky.
KathrynHerrmann wrote: MAQS’s Seven Sisters competition quilts are coming to our little town’s Art Center. Last year we got the Monkey Wrench quilts from the same MAQS challenge contest. While it is wonderful that our Arts Council is including the fiber arts in their exhibits, I got a chuckle out of the spokesperson’s observations on this pattern:
“The museum was a little doubtful about using Seven Sisters for the contest,” said Arts Council of Henderson County gallery assistant Jane Porterfield. “The pattern is quite difficult because of the curved seams, and the committee was afraid they wouldn’t get enough entries.”-Hendersonville Times-News
Of course, there’s a huge picture of one of the quilts with this article that clearly shows absolutely no curved seams. This should generate another quilt related article explaining the construction of the Seven Sisters quilt pattern.
-Kathryn Sterling Herrmann Easily amused in Hendersonville, NC
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:48:06 -0800 (PST) | From: Judy Schwender (sister3603)
Hi all, Another factor in antique LC quilts’ visual appeal is that many of the plaids are cut on the bias. Take a look at the next antique LC quilt you see, and look just for bias-cut plaids, then note how lively they are.
Quilt making today is assuredly a hobby. As such, thrift alone is not a consideration when purchasing materials, or when constructing the top. The next time you make a quilt top, same all your scraps, then weigh them. A yard of 44/45″ wide fabric weighs 4 1/3 ounces. Figure out how much money is in the fabric you wasted. I bet it is not more than $2-$3. I did just this one time, and was amazed at how “cheap” the scraps were.
Bias edges abound in antique quilts where you would not expect them to be. Remember, the quilt police weren’t invented until fairly recently!
Judy Schwender
Sally Ward wrote: I’m still reading early posts in this thread so forgive me if someone else has already made these comments….
I started making a log cabin some time ago which was based on the dimensions and fabrics of a turn of the century quilt owned by a friend. I had a good mix of fabrics, and a marathon slicing session with the rotary cutter seemed the obvious first step. After constructing a lot of the blocks – using the traditional method of foundation piecing onto fabric – I stood back and looked and found the whole thing looked wrong. I finally figured out that it was the accuracy of the rotary cutting which had taken the life out of the quilt. Going back to the original I saw small differences in the width of the strips, and slight variations in the width along the length of the strips. Although I had tried to cut my strips randomly I obviously hadn’t been able to resist the lure of the ruled measurements. Too late to undo all my work, and with enthusiasm lost, I now have a pile of nice-but-dull orphan blocks to bemuse some future historian.
The other thing I notice is how the use of the rotary cutter spawns more and more complicated methods of making blocks which waste an enormous amount of fabric. Just a couple of days ago I watched a demonstration on the QNN videostreaming channel which enabled the construction of a fairly ordinary star with a diagonally quartered centre. The premise was that you could do this without having to cut a single triangle. There was much sewing of strips and turning of blocks and slicing off of huge chunks of fabric. Not only did I wince at the bias edges being produced, but my ‘land of expensive fabric’ heart bled to see the amount of fabric being discarded.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my rotary cutter and discovering it (and a wonderful pattern book by Janet Kime) was what put me on the road to quilting. But I do think that like fire it can be a good servant and a bad master.
I find this entire historical thread fascinating, because your perspective is so different from ours. Someone should be asking the same questions over here about the quilting revival, because our revival is so US-driven that the genetic material of UK quilting has been completely altered by it.
Sally Ward
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 13:28:00 EST | From: KathrynHerrmann
Judy, That’s what I figured had happened! As I said, I’m simply easily amused.
I certainly plan to attend the Seven Sister’s exhibit this week. One of my friends on the Arts Council says it has been well attended so far and had a wonderful opening.
-Kathryn in Hendersonville, NC
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:48:09 -0500 | From: Barb Garrett (bgarrett421)
Karen Evans wrote:
>> I just edited the wiki to include a short paragraph at the end >> detailing the problems with the theory, and mentioning the work of Pat >> Cummings, Barbara Brackman, and Giles Wright. >
A personal opinion — I would include the work/website of Leigh Fellner (Hart Cottage Quilts) when mentioning people’s work. Her website is wonderful, easy to read, even for the non-quilter, and encompasses so much. It and Giles are the references I refer people to for complete information.
Barb in cold southeastern PA
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 14:38:38 EST | From: Mitzioakes
Sue – I just did lectures at our show meeting this weekend on the ‘UGRR/Quilts Myth and had some great comments on it (no, I did not defend it!). You will be at our guild tomorrow night and I’d like to talk to you a bit about it (I have been googling this for months now) and maybe I could help somewhere (paperwork etc.). It really is getting worse (I am sure you have seen the latest of Frederick Douglas’ statute going up in Harlem with granite or marble quilt blocks as part of the make up (God, hopefully the blocks didn’t come from VT!). Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night! Mitzi Oakes
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:04:44 -0500 | From: joan kiplinger (jkip)
I agree with Barb. Leigh’s investigative research into family dates sure messes up many childhood claims of Ozella and family. This site is a great resource.
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 12:39:21 -0800 | From: Karen Evans
Ooo, even better. I’ll check it out and see about including some information on the site.
Karen
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 19:57:08 EST | From: JLHfw
What is the address for this web site? janet
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 17:05:56 -0800 | From: Marilyn Withrow (marilynquilts)
This is my first introduction to that name…..but when I was in Russia in 1999, I saw many small quilts made in this manner. They call them “carpets” and put them just inside their front doors to step on when you come inside. I have one or two that I brought back with me and share with audiences in my Russian program. They’re more the size of a placemat than a quilt, though, and I think they resemble a pine cone or an artichoke. And, they’re done by machine, round and round. M Marilyn Maddalena Withrow Professional Quilt Appraiser, Judge, Historian, Designer and Speaker Oregon State Co-Coordinator, Home of the Brave Project Editor, “Blanket Statements,” AQSG quarterly newsletter www.marilynquilts.com www.footscreekfarms.com
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 00:17:26 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
I found the “Quilts of the Underground Railroad” page when I searched for “Underground Railroad” on Wikipedia. I was scrolling down through the list and there it was.
I’ve noticed information on Wikipedia that they want people to list sources of information. It would be good to list some books as well as the links to other websites. Barbara Brackman’s first book on civil war quilts would be good as well ad her upcoming book.
I notice it is listed as an orphan page which means it has few if any links to it. That means it isn’t being found much. That’s just as well with what the original poster wrote on it. What Karen has added is good as a few people will find it and they need to see information on the truth.
We could start a new page titled “Underground Railroad Quilts” and put in more complete information. Then if we put some links to our article it would be dominant. But then it would take constant watching as people can change it as any time.
Judy Anne
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 09:49:50 +0000 | From: Sally Ward (sallytatters)
On 6 Nov 2006, at 17:48, Judy Schwender wrote: > look just for bias-cut plaids, then note how lively they are.
Absoulutely – particularly evident in quilts incorporating heavy open-
=
weave plaids which couldn’t be used in this way unless with a
foundation. > > , thrift alone is not a consideration when purchasing materials, or
=
> when constructing the top.
I’d have to disagree! 45″ wide craft cotton in the UK shops
currently sells at around £8-9 per yard, which is around $15 and
upwards. At these prices I don’t use any pattern which requires me
to cut and cast aside even a small piece. One of the commonest
remarks I hear from non-quilters-who-might-have-been is that its too
expensive an activity for them. Personally I trawl internet sites
for sale fabrics and buy shirts from charity shops. And you should
see the throngs around the £3 ($5) a yard stands at the shows!!
Friends and I constantly compromise over the fabric we use against
the fabric we’d like to use.
> > Bias edges abound in antique quilts where you would not expect
> them to be. Remember, the quilt police weren’t invented until
> fairly recently!
Here I do agree, of course. But incorporating random bias edges
through thrift, handled by someone used to handling fabric and often
sewing by hand, seem to me a different proposition from having every
outside edge of a block deliberately cut on the 45 degree bias. We
know that a bias edge requires careful handling, and the technique I
was watching was selling this method as quick and easy for an
unskilled sewer to shove through a sewing machine. It just seemed
that the imperative to use a rotary cutter and ruler was making the
process unnecessarily complicated, wasteful – and indeed risky \<G>.
Sally Ward
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 02:13:28 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
I have been reading the posts about UGRR with interest. To answer Karen’s inquiry, I did receive hate mail, but only from ONE person.At the time, I published it here.
My writings about the UGRR have reached thousands of people, quilters and non-quilters alike, 1) on my website, 2) in Unravel the Gavel newspaper; 3) in NeedleArts magazine, and 4) in The Quilter magazine, as well as in letters to the editor, at the Cape Cod Times.
The myth has taken on a life of its own. Hopefully, the teaching that any of us do on the subject will have a “trickle down” effect to mainstream America.
It does not surprise me that some people are playing the Race Card on all of this, just to confuse the issue, if nothing else. If I were a person with prejudice in my heart toward any of the world’s people, I would not be singing Hebrew, German, Spanish, and Japanese songs on my website, nor would I write about Hmong works, or the embroideries of Afghans, to name just a few instances of my all inclusive approach. I certainly would not have a link to the Jim Crow Museum website on my pages.
No, I just appreciate historically correct information and the UGRR/Quilts myth does not fit the bill. Thank you all for your ongoing concern and work toward setting the record straight. I wrote what I wrote because I was compelled to share the truth at a time that public information was scant.
I, too, am looking forward to Barbara’s new book. I hope that the information provided in it celebrates the facts about Black History, and does give alternatives for participating in the quilting process in a meaningful way, and with understanding.
Leigh has contributed greatly by her website entry and it is a must-read for any serious student of this subject.
Kim Wulfert, Giles Wright, Leigh Fellner, Barbara Brackman, and I all have presented information that bears reading by any graduate student who might consider writing a thesis about the situation, as well as any serious student of Black History.
If I have left out anyone, which is often a possibility when naming names, please forgive me. Early on, there were so many sincere and helpful people, like Sandra Munsey, Jan Drechsler, Sue Reich, Kris Driessen, Karen Evans, Laurel Horton,(with her conference presentation and her podcast at UNL), and more recently, Mitzi Oakes, and others who have shown an interest in helping to clear the record. Thank you to ALL, even if I’m too foggy-brained at 5:00 in the morning, to post your name. You know who you are, and you know that we all appreciate your efforts.
Happy Election Day! Please remember to vote!
Patricia Cummings http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 13:23:38 +0000 | From: Sally Ward (sallytatters)
> > If I have left out anyone,
Can I give a nod to Xenia Cord, who had an article published recently in the UK magazine ‘Popular Patchwork’. Few quilters in the UK are aware of, nor probably even interested in, the depth of research and scholarship which is applied to quilt history in the US. Or, now I come to think of it, in the UK \<G>. Emancipation and the UGRR are things we most of us only know about through a few folk songs and a diet of hollywood movies. So this article had to be delicately judged to present this information from the basics upwards in a way that would be attractive to the magazine’s readership. Xenia, of course, got that absolutely right – and included pictures of her own ‘debunking the myth’ quilt, now in the collection of Sharon Harleman Tandy.
Sally Ward
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 09:18:15 EST | From: Mitzioakes
Thanks for including me in your email – novice that I am about the UGRR/Quilts. One new word that I have been including in some of my short lectures is REVISIONIST HISTORY. It somehow fits some of the items that have been making the history lists. Mitzi from Vermont
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 08:31:56 -0600 | From: Karen Musgrave (KarenMusgrave)
The Alliance for American Quilts (www.centerforthequilt.org) eBay auction ending Sunday, Nov. 12 is a filled with great books. You will find Kentucky Quilts 1800-1900, Patchwork by Averil Colby, 20th Century Linens and Lace, The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in American and more! Do miss this chance to add to your library and help a great organization. You may check the auction by going to http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZalliancequilts or by searching under the seller name (alliancequilts). Remember new items are available every week and these auctions are bringing in much needed funds.
Thanks, Karen Musgrave
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 11:56:09 EST | From: Mitzioakes
Karen – just a quick note – I will be sending back the ‘Roof’ quilts tomorrow (I had to get a new box as the one that they came in had got wet somewhere along the way and wasn’t safe to return them in. I will be talking (via email) more about the show and the reception your Roof Quilts got! All I can say is WOW ! They stole the whole show. What I did also was ask them to vote for their favorite and I would send the winner a year’s membership to our guild (she will get the newsletters, etc.). The winner was # 34 – the 2nd place winner in your judging. But it was a smash – hopefully some pictures can be sent off soon of their hanging. Thank you for sharing. We also saw a lot of your newsletters disappear and the few left will be distributed thruout our the VT guilds etc. Mitzi
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 16:44:00 EST | From: TEXTIQUE
Hi all;
I have been following this discussion with great interest. How do institutions that deal with textile history in any capacity handle this controversy? Also, how do y’all think it should be handled?
Jan
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 15:19:43 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat L. Nickols (patlnickols)
Another reference to the thread on Target or Pine Cone quilts can be found in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, December 1976 on page 21. Another name for this pattern or folded fabric technique is Folded Star. Small squares are folded to the center, add rowes of contrasting prints and a star pattern is formed. A decorative pot holder emerges, but heavy and protective too. I taught this class so often in the 1980s I felt I could do it blindfolded. I even did a pattern for a miniature version for the wooden Christmas trees in the 1980’s.
In sunny San Diego where our summer weather continues, and my shorts are put away. . . Pat L. Nickols
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 16:07:35 -0800 | From: Marilyn Withrow (marilynquilts)
Okay, Julia, I’ll bite — as the new Editor of “Blanket Statements” — and certainly not an expert on UGRR, but I DO take great notes after being a legal secretary for more years than I’d like to admit — I’ll step up and offer to moderate a discussion at the 2008 AQSG Seminar on the UGRR. IF you still want someone to do it…………………and IF all the experts will be on the panel! Marilyn Maddalena Withrow Professional Quilt Appraiser, Judge, Historian, Designer and Speaker Oregon State Co-Coordinator, Home of the Brave Project Editor, “Blanket Statements,” AQSG quarterly newsletter www.marilynquilts.com www.footscreekfarms.com
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 22:25:58 -0700 | From: Judy Anne (anne_j)
There is an interesting article by Xenia on the UGRR situation at http://www.historyofquilts.com/underground-railroad.html
Judy Anne
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 14:48:27 -0600 | From: Carolyn K Ducey (cducey)
Don’t forget, as you rally your sources to fight the myth of the UGRR, you can access Laurel Horton’s very thoughtful reaction to the code in a podcast lecture on the International Quilt Study Center’s website:
http://www.quiltstudy.org/
Carolyn Ducey Curator of Collections International Quilt Study Center HE 234, University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583-0838 402/472-6301 cducey1
Barb Garrett
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 06:36:38 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
Hi!
Here we go again!
This note is to address several issues that have come up, first of all, the role of institutions such as museums. Potentially, were they willing, they could be of great use in helping to dispel the UGRR myth.
In reality, while a number of museums have “booked” talks that were basically a lot of hype that inadvertently promoted false information on the topic, particularly because the other side of the “argument” was not heard, few institutions, if any, are willing to take a public stance.
Why are museums not more pro-active? Funds, of course. They do not want to turn off potential donors. They think it’s more safe to appear disinterested in the facts, or to give a pleasant nod, and then hope the whole thing just goes away.
WEARY WARRIORS
As someone who has written a lot about the UGRR myth, I am feeling so weary of it all. I am not compelled to sit on any panel among fellow quilt historians. To me, that would be like “preaching to the choir.”
If people have not read, absorbed, or been interested in what I’ve said so far, in writing, why would I want to waste my time beating on an old dead horse?
That is not to say that a discussion, as proposed, might not clear the air and solidify ideas in the minds of listeners at such an event, or make the thoughts of a relatively small group of informed, educated quilt historians, a little more visible.
In my opinion, the key to effecting any change in societal outlook, across the spectrum, is to contact the GENERAL PUBLIC, especially people who have formed their opinion about the matter based on hearsay. The person may have heard statements at their local quilt shop from a shop owner who just wants to sell a book or fabric for an “Underground Railroad Quilt”; or perhaps, an adult has been told of these types of “quilts” via information taught at their child’s school, perhaps based in fictional children’s literature. Certainly, the National Park Service and other federal agencies seem to have embraced this new (yes, Mitzi- “revisionist history”), and have promoted it via their UGRR poster, and talks given at national sites, like the Spy Museum.
When I set out to correct the record based on an analysis of the facts, I did so to from the standpoint of outrage that such misinformation about quilts and about Black History had been passed along.
Yet, I am so weary of trying to enlighten others, at the risk of sounding like a very disagreeable person.
I pass the torch to those who have the stamina to continue the battle. What I did was to plant some seeds that brought the discussion into a larger public arena. Now, you all have to water the plants.
The idea of setting up a new Wikipedia, that would then have to be monitored constantly, is unappealing to me, personally, especially when I have such a comprehensive file on my website already, should anyone care to sift through all the search engine entries to eventually find it.
I am happy to say that a number of serious researchers in the academic field have done just that. But again, while the content of their papers and books is definitely important, their words will never reach mainstream America. The media rules public opinion and the story of quilts and the underground railroad as a point of connection to “history,” has been exploited. In mainstream media exaggerations, we have had the makings of the new American Myth.
Yet, of all who “believe,” (in the myth), I am finding that FEW people have read the source of all this aggravation: “Hidden in Plain View.” If people have heard of the book at all, they call it, “Hidden in Plain Sight.” So much for the brilliance of the American public.
I care. I also don’t know what words I would need to use in order to make this debacle, this travesty, this nightmare, just go away.
Patricia Cummings http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 16:19:44 -0500 | From: Candace Perry (candace)
In terms of museums, I know of at least one — and I shall not name names — that simply would not take a stand, and alluded to the fact that the slave quilt code “could have been.” They would not really take either side… Yes, and the US military could have been storing alien corpses at Area 51. And I could have once been a size 6. Candace Perry PS: I have no good reason for interpreting the UGRR at my institution, but I do take every opportunity to share the anti-HIPV gospel.
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 15:44:11 -0800 (PST) | From: Pat Cummings (pat)
After looking at the current “orphaned” page of wikipedia, regarding the UGRR issue, I added to the information, although there is a whole lot more that could be said.
I didn’t feel comfortable adding other people’s websites. So, if you have information that you want to share, from your own website, it would be a good thing to add that info. yourself.
The page did not have people linking to it, as far as I can understand this, and that is why it is considered “orphaned.” I plan to put a link from my website, to the existing page. I think we have a good start, and I’d like to thank whomever started the page. I hope that more quilt historians will contribute information to the page.
Thanks to Judy Anne for bringing this to our attention, and to Karen Evans for being justifiably upset that this misinformation continues to be used by public officials to make decisions based on presumptions.
The site again is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilts_of_the_Underground_Railroad
Patricia Cummings
Patricia and James Cummings Quilter’s Muse Publications/ Virtual Museum 462 N. State St. Concord, NH 03301-3245 website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com Pat’s blog: http://quiltersmuse.com/blog/
Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 16:46:13 -0800 | From: Freda (fredap)
A decorative pot holder emerges, but heavy and protective too.
My all time favorite pot holder which I still use today! This was my first exposure to patchwork. Sure liked the pot holder better than the Christmas ornament using pins and styrofoam balls.
