“A Brief History of the ‘Feedsack'” by the late Jane Clark Stapel. The founder of the Feedsack Club provides some historical background on this American phenomenon. Feedsacks fed a nation and clothed it, too. Learn how feedbags went from practical necessity to beloved quilting fabric in American history.
A Short Introduction to Quilting in Europe by Lady Sarah Davies. Quilting is older than you think. Discover how it traveled from ancient Asia through medieval Europe long before American patchwork came along.
“The Civil War Quilt,” Diane and Jim Lockwood embark on an adventure when they purchase an old Georgia quilt. A thrift shop crazy quilt made from Civil War uniforms leads one couple on a journey through history, battlefields, and a Georgia family’s secrets.
Cleaning your Antique Quilt including a Stain Removal Guide. Found a vintage treasure that smells like a garage sale? You’re not alone. This guide walks you through safe, proven methods for cleaning antique quilts — from a gentle airing on the lawn to a careful machine wash. Learn how to test for bleeding dyes, choose the right mild soap, handle stubborn stains with sodium perborate, and avoid common mistakes that can permanently damage fragile fabrics. Find out when to call a professional textile conservator and why dry cleaning is a bad idea for antique quilts. Whether your quilt is destined for the wall, the bed, or a display rack, these practical tips help you protect an original piece of American history.
Conservation Resources Find suppliers for antique quilt conservation materials, archival storage, and a professional conservator referral service.
Dear Jane – the 225 patterns from the 1863 Jane A. Stickle quilt.
The Library of Congress. Enter “quilt” in the search engine and a great many images and articles will be returned, including WPA interviews with quilters during the Depression.
Southern Quilting — One hundred fifty years of a shared tradition. This historical study of quilting in the south was put on the web by Jamie Leigh, an undergraduate in the American Studies Program at the University of Virginia.
The Influence of 19th century women’s lives on textiles – Discover how the daily lives of 19th century American women shaped the textiles and quilts they made. From the heavy, restrictive clothing women wore at the start of the century to the explosion of decorative needlework that followed the invention of the sewing machine, this article traces the connections between women’s work, women’s rights, and the fabrics they created. Learn how economic hardship, the Civil War, and changing social expectations influenced quilt styles, color choices, and construction methods. Whether you are new to quilt history or a longtime collector, this illustrated overview brings the women behind the quilts to life, revealing the ingenuity, artistry, and quiet resistance stitched into every seam. Part of an ongoing series on the history of American quilting.
Threading your Research Needle; Research Methods for Quilt & Textile Researchers; 9 Steps for Getting Started to Finishing; and Online & Print Resources for Researching
Types of Quilt Appraisals. Click here for a list of appraisers.
Explore the history of quilts and the women who created them through links to pictures and brief articles. Very good for beginning quilt history enthusiasts, as well as classroom study. Enjoyable for everyone. Written by Anne Johnson
A display of Hawaiian quilts; text by Linda B. Arthur, PhD, Guest Curator Ginny Meade, MS, Horticultural Consultant University of Hawaii at Manoa
Nimble Needle Treasures Magazine, published quarterly,1969 – 1975 issues. All issues of the magazine, plus the interactive index, are now on CD. Written by Patricia A. Randolph