September 13 – 15, 2005
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:
- WWII Red Cross Quilt Stories Keep Surfacing — More members report tracking down family memories tied to Red Cross quilts made during the war.
- Researching Redwork Patterns in Old Mail-Order Catalogs — A University of Nebraska-Lincoln librarian offers to check historic Sears and Wards catalogs for early redwork designs. (see the article on redwork and outline embroidery)
- Thick Southern Quilts and Sleeping Pallets — Members discuss why quilts from the rural South were often especially thick, doubling as makeshift bedding.
- Wool Batting Sources and Washing Tips — Quilters trade brand recommendations and washing advice for wool batts. (see the article on quilt batting)
From: Elaine Kelly
I mentioned WW2 Red Cross quilts last week. The stories keep turning up, and shortly after that post I was contacted by the friend of a lady in her 70s who is worrying where ‘her’ RC quilt will end up in the future. . . Its label declares it to come from Kitchener, Canada – if there’s anyone who knows the place I’d love to hear from you).
Hello, all. I have been lurking for some time but a couple of recent threads have pulled me in!
Regarding Kitchener, Ontario — As others have noted, Kitchener is in south/central Ontario, Canada. It’s about an hour west of Toronto (where I was born and raised). Many local history accounts indicate it was formed in the early 1830s by a Mennonite who moved to the area from Pennsylvania. It was originally called Berlin; the name was changed in 1916 for obvious political reasons.
The town has a very large German population, and in fact, plays host to the one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the world each year.
Of more interest to quilters, the area (Waterloo County, which remains quite rural, although there are a lot more bedroom communities in the last 20 years) is home to a large community of Mennonites. An annual Mennonite Relief Quilt Auction is a huge event and fundraiser.
I went to university at the University of Waterloo (Waterloo and Kitchener are two towns that blend right into each other) and first fell in love with quilts when visiting St. Jacobs in Waterloo County. Lots of Amish quilts and my very first quilt (vs. fabric) shop! Still a wonderful little town to visit.
With fabric, cardboard templates, and scissors in hand (oh, yeah, and a sewing machine!), I made my first quilt in the mid-80s — Gentleman’s Fancy or Goose in the Pond. (Man, was I happy when I discovered strip piecing — putting those 1″ squares together into nine-patches was not something I wanted to repeat!) Took me four years to finish hand-quilting. The quilt still makes me happy.
So, I LOVE the traditional patterns . . . and am still surprised when other quilters don’t respond to the old quilts and fabrics.
Favorite pattern — that would be too hard. Although as I work on categorizing the hundreds of quilt and block patterns I have on my computer certain types of quilts keep cropping up — block patterns that form secondary geometric patterns when put together, and pretty much anything with flying geese!
Elaine Kelly Reston, VA
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:25:55 -0400 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>
Dear Carol, Which wool is the one you have used? Is it from Quilters Dream ? I want to put up a top with the wool batting from Hobbs for the Winter. Presently I am quilting with Hobbs cotton on a Civil War pattern much like Texas Rose or Steeplechase design found in Glorious Quilts book on the clamps frame. (drafted the design from an old Civil War quilt with scraps …Quilted a little one with reproduction civil war fabrics that won a little ribbon..time to make a big top of the design) Have a Quilters dream on the lap basted Grandmothers Garden to take along.Busy fingers are happy fingers. Velia
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:54:05 -0400 | From: “Velia Lauerman” <velialive@>
Please forgive my blunt comment on your quilting it yourself Virginia. As in scratching on a blackboard with fingernails, I have met sew many so called quilters that refer to themselves as Quilters and are designers or make tops to send out to be quilted. Would like to see more reference to tops, designs, patterns, and other necessary steps that go into creating a bed cover addressed on quilt shows and quilt groups. The average layperson believes that a quilt top is the rest of the story. As we know “It isn’t a quilt until it is QUILTED. Velia
From: Alan Kelchner
But But But ……..<g> Don’t the silks from Victorian times shred from the dying process (which is illegal to do now), not because silk is too delicate?
From: “Margaret Geiss-Mooney”
Good evening, QHLers – I love the typo, Alan! Sorta appropriate for silk. It’s actually a combination of factors: fibre inherent vice (the presence of an extremely light sensitive amino acid, tyrosine); mordanting inherent vice (the use of tin and iron); some dyes also “tenderize” the fibres they are applied to; greedy manufacturer who overloaded the silks with silk and iron to increase the weight of the fabric (cheaper than using more fibre). And you haven’t even worn it yet, slept under it yet, draped it over the piano in the formal parlour yet. <g>
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:26:59 -0700 (PDT) | From: Becky Gockel <majormaam@>
I found some info about silk in a text book that I had in college; Kadolf et al “Textiles” Seventh Edition, Macmillian Publishing, New York. There is a lot of info like “it contains 15 amino acids in polypeptide chains” but I gleaned some info that might be interesting to this discussion:
“Silk is on of the strongest natural fibers,… It may lose up to 20 percent of its strength when wet…it is not as elastic as wool.” pg. 67
“Silk can be damaged and yellowed by stong soaps or detergent and high temperatures… however, bleaches of hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate are safe to use if the directions are followed carefully….silk is weakenend and yellowed by exposure to sunlight… silk my be attacked by insects… Wighted silks* deteriorate even under good storage conditions and are especially likely to break at the folds. Historic items often exhibit a condition known as “shattered silk”, in which the weighted silk is disintegrating.”…pg. 68
*Weighting is the treatment of silk with metallic salts to increase the weight, hand and dye affinity of the fabric; may result in accelerated degradation of the silk….pg 399
Becky in the high desert of California
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 08:46:08 -0700 (PDT) | From: catz@
>> 1. What old quilt block pattern is your favorite? I have three favorites really. Log Cabin – just about the most versatile block in the world – color possibilities – can easily be hand or machine done – uses small scraps very efficeietnly etc etc. I also love Pickle Dish and Double Wedding Rings… how can you NOT love them ?! >> 2. How often do you see new quilts that are made from old classics? Every day almost,at every show and in every quilting friend’s collection. – it’s why they are classics ! >> 3. If you make quilts, do you ever make a quilt from an old favorite? Yes, I have made at least one of each of my favorites – I guess, for me, that’s WHY they have become my favorites — They generally are the patterns that I keep going back to – trying to make them in an updated way .. >> 4. Do you think that the intricacy of some of these old patterns are >> proving too challenging for quilters? I think that is true for some perhaps. My friend’s used to kid me because almost all of my quilts had some sort of a circle in them … we did a group project and I required all of my friend’s to make rings – they were none too happy – but after they did it most agreed that it was not as hard as they had anticipated. I too did a Dear Jane quilt – it was my real introduction to doing fine applique – and yes, I did gain more confidence from this project and yes, I did move on to more complicated applique projects from there. I think that there is an emphasis in our society for quicker, faster hurry-up methods for making quilts. That’s not where I want to be anymore – and it’s not what I admire in vintage quilts.
It would be fun to know if there ends up being a “tally” to these questions ! Cheers, Marie Johansen
From: “Andi”
My DH emailed me this brief op-ed article about the Smithsonian. To forward or email the link, you must register with the New York Times, which I am not inclined to do and did not wish to inflict on any list member. The gist is: Congress has so perennially underfunded maintenance of the Smithsonian, our national treasures may be at risk. Perhaps the underlined link from my husband’s email to me will take you directly to the article. I’m hoping those who live in proximity to Washington can elaborate or enlighten us about this issue.
Andi in Keota, Iowa
From: “Marcia Kaylakie”
Will the person who was talking about the signature quilt index or database contact me please ASAP. I need to obtain some updated information about it. Thanks, Marcia Kaylakie Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 08:12:44 -0700 (PDT) | From: CAROL GODREAU <imaquilter2@>
Velia, J.T.Trading, based in Connecticut carries the wool I use. Jennifer is the owner. I have added the web page and you might want to email her any questions you might have. I really enjoy using her product. Very easy needling and the quilt feels so soft and light yet is so warm when finished.
I’m certain their are other wools on the market but I have not used them. Perhaps the quilt history list people will have more info to share with you.
Your quilts sound marvelous. Happy Quilting!
http://www.sprayandfix.com/shows.html
Carol
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 12:05:56 -0400 | From: “Judy Lyons” <judy.lyons@>
I can’t seem to find the origial posting about the quilt from Kitchener, Ontario Canada I live very close to the area, and work the local quilt show. If I can be of help to whoever is looking for information, please contact me privately Judy Lyons AQS Certified Canadian Quilt Appraiser
From: “suereich” <suereich@>
We are planning next year’s Regional event and we are updating our list. Unfortunately, due to a computer glitch, we lost our addresses and are attempting to reconfigure the list. If you are or know the following attendees could you please email me privately with addresses, phone and email.
Diana Jepson Martha Grey Sandra Keller Ann Penn Inid Sackin Reddick Debbie Suits Pamela Tomik and Tomick Barbara Bell
Many thanks, sue reich ——_NextPart_000_0066_01C5BA13.98F8E300–
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 21:20:11 -0400 | From: “Teddy Pruett” <aprayzer@>
Hi all – do any of you have access to old Sears or Wards catalogs from the turn of the century, teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s? I own a couple from the 1950’s. I want to know the descriptions and weights of the various types of batting offered for sale. I often tell my appraisal clients that you could buy good, better, best, really great, awful, not so awful, etc…..and I would really like to verify my info.
Because you are such a bright, capable group, I am sure someone may have some websites or other places I might search. I appreciate any help.
Teddy Pruett
From: Kay Triplett
If you are easily offended by four letter words, do not read this article in the Houston underground newspaper. This paper is well respected by many, and has won some prestigious national journalism awards. However, they have their own standards and political views which are not always in keeping with the decorum expected of newspapers afraid of offending advertisers. The article teaser made the front cover saying “Fear the Quilters, A powerful group almost rises up.” The gist of the article is that there would be he** to pay if the quilters didn’t get to have their convention.
http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2005-09-15/news/hairballs.html
Kay Triplett in still hot, humid Houston
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 00:03:34 -0400 | From: “Louise” <ltiemannstny.@>
Hello, does anyone know about the All-American Series quilt that was published in The Record (California ?) from November 1932 to March 1933. There are 31 motifs that were printed every Tuesday and Friday in the newspaper. If anyone has some info, could you please send off list? Thanks, Louise
From: “Leah Zieber”
Hi all, Though my question is not quilt related – I did come across the issue while looking for antique quilts in Orange Circle (Orange County, California) and thought it may qualify for my favorite quilt history list. So here goes… while shopping, I came across some daguerreotypes that showed men from the Civil War era. There were several different dags that showed men sitting or standing (didn’t seem to make a difference) and all were grasping their left lapel. A note by the dag collector mentioned the “grasp of the left lapel showed Confederate sympathies” or “note the Rebel stance.”
I was just wondering if anyone could clarify this – have not heard of it before. I searched the internet for more information – google and such – and have found that the Confederates did wear pins on the left lapel but could find no mention of how holding the left lapel indicated sympathies with the South.
Appreciate clarity on this issue.
Leah Zieber Temecula California ——_NextPart_000_0023_01C5BA42.E9581940–
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 06:38:32 -0400 | From: Debby Kratovil <kratovil@>
My thanks to Andi on this list for mentioning the sewing of basic quilts using the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). I never knew of them. Just that morning I had been impressed to respond to an article in the AJC (here in Atlanta) about a displaced family taken in by neighbors of mine. Our section of Atlanta was devastated by a tornado 7 years ago ( 2 years before my time) which wiped out large sections of Atlanta/Dunwoody. A family who had to rebuild (it took 20 months) found a N.O. family and brought them in. I saw four faces of a family who are still shell shocked.
I had been mulling around how many children’s quilts to make to give to kids here in Atlanta when I realized that I could dig around in my closets for 4 large quilts for this family. (I make samples for our magazines and I knew I could come up with something). I found two for the teen girls, one very large house sampler for the mom (it was symbolic, to me, that she WILL live in her own home again in a neighborhood) and then the fourth one I pulled out contained the colors of Mardi Gras. I gasped! This was providential and I began to get really excited. It was large stars using the purple, green and gold and it was going to be for the dad, Andre. And, believe it or not, I had a duplicate of the magazine issue in which it appeared. I took the quilts to the family on Wednesday night and it was so gratifying to me to give them something personal. Andre was ecstatic and swore he would frame the quilt (it’s 60″ square) and the magazine. I insisted he use it for a lap quilt when he watched tv in his new home! These were quilts to be used. Lorena swore she would sleep under hers that night (it was bed sized).
Anyway, thanks for sharing about the colors. And thanks also to the person who insisted we sign these quilts with our names, etc. This event is one of the real BIGGIES of our nation’s history and someday someone will do quilt searches for the tens of thousands of quilts donated by regular people like us in an attempt to comfort those who lost so much! Debby (who didn’t even make a dent in the stash of quilts in her closets) — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil Quilt Workshops & Programs http://www.quilterbydesign.com
From: “Rosie Werner” <rwernerrconnect.com>
I looked through all 20 of my notebooks on quilt kits and did not find anything like the red bird. Why do you think it was a kit? Are there stamped lines visible? I have documented over a thousand kits, and just when I begin to think that there aren’t any more to find, someone finds one I haven’t seen. Rosie from Minnesota ——_NextPart_000_0016_01C5BA97.600F4A50–
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 08:54:10 -0500 | From: “Karen Musgrave” <karenmusgrave@>
I wanted to let everyone on this wonderful list know of this exciting opportunity. You can’t beat the powerful combination of quilts, caring people and a good cause!
On September 18, The Alliance for American Quilts will launch a series of ongoing weekly auctions on eBay. Items to be auctioned have been donated by our wonderful board members. These auctions will give you an opportunity not only to purchase great things but also to support The Alliance’s efforts to document, preserve and share our great quilt heritage. What a deal!
100% of the final sale price benefits The Alliance for American Quilts and is backed by Mission Fish! We guarantee everything being auctioned. Our condition listings are on our About Me page. Go to www.eBay.com and search for “AllianceQuilts” to see all the items available. (You have to wait until the auctions begin.)
The FIRST auction begins at 10:00 pm PDT on Sunday September 18 and ends on Sunday September 25 at 10:00 pm PDT. This auction will include stunning quilts, vintage fabric from the 1880’s, and out-of-print books that document America’s love affair with quilts. (You can also view two of the quilts we will have for purchase on our acution page at www.centerforthequilt.org/auction.php.)
Here are some highlights from our opening auction:
* An exceptional early American (1835-40) Tumbling Stars quilt with floral border and tape binding will delight its new owner. This hand quilted 110 x 98 inch quilt is a heart stopper. (Shown at www.centerforthequilt.org/auction.php I will admit I wanted to keep this one a secret.)
* “Quilts: A Living Tradition” by Robert Shaw is available in its original shrink wrap! This out-of-print book, published in 1995, has a 5-star rating on Amazon.com.
* “Kaleidoscopic Tidbit” signed and dated 1993 by Paula Nadelstern. Hand quilted. Here is your chance to acquire a quilt made by this magical contemporary quiltmaker. Paula has been able to combine the symmetry and surprise of a kaleidoscope with her quiltmaking talents to create breathtakingly beautiful quilts. This example of her technique is well illustrated by the complexity of the design and attention to every detail in this miniature quilt, a true blending of art and quiltmaking.
* “Jackie O Auction” by RIVA is a remarkable quilt by former quilt artist Ruth Reynolds. Ruth is well known in the quilt world for her hilarious cartoon character RIVA from the RIVA Series. This quilt brings RIVA to the auction of Jackie’s pearls with the expected result and humorous remarks. This signed quilt was also featured in the now out-of-print book “RIVA” by Reynolds.
Our members will be receiving advance notice of items that will be up for auction. To learn more about membership, go to http://www.centerforthequilt.org/membership/.
Support The Alliance’s efforts by purchasing something from our online eBay auction. Spread the word! Help this growing organization tell more people the story of quilts.
Keep the stories alive!
Karen Musgrave
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 09:21:47 -0500 | From: Carolyn K Ducey <cduceyunlnotes.unl.edu>
Hi Teddy,
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Library has a number of Sears and Wards catalogs in the American Quilt Study Group Research Library. Many are housed in Special Collections, which means that they won’t be available for loan – they need to be used on site – but some might be available through interlibrary loan. I believe you can access the information by going to the library website: http://iris.unl.edu/
Carolyn
>
|
Hi all – do any of you have access to old Sears or Wards catalogs from the turn of the century, teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s? I own a couple from the 1950’s. I want to know the descriptions and weights of the various types of batting offered for sale. I often tell my appraisal clients that you could
buy good, better, best, really great, awful, not so awful, etc…..and I would really like to verify my info.
Because you are such a bright, capable group, I am sure someone may have some websites or other places I might search. I appreciate any help.
Teddy Pruett
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 | From: Barbara Burnham <barbaraburnham@>
A stamped design could also be an iron-on pattern sold in newspapers and catalogs for redwork or applique, such as Laura Wheeler, Alice Brooks, etc.
Rosie Werner <rwernerrconnect.com> wrote:I looked through all 20 of my notebooks on quilt kits and did not find anything like the red bird. Why do you think it was a kit? Are there stamped lines visible? I have documented over a thousand kits, and just when I begin to think that there aren’t any more to find, someone finds one I haven’t seen. Rosie from Minnesota
From: Ark Quilts <quiltarkmv@>
Recalling the discussion over the last few weeks regarding battings. Thought I would share some information about wool battings that I have discovered over the last year.
I have 2 Cheviot sheep and last spring my 2 sheep and the flock of 20 they came from were sheared. I bought the wool fleeces & had half of the 105 lbs. processed at Zeilinger Woolen Mill in Frankenmuth, Michigan http://www.zwool.com/. They are a family owned mill (one of several around the U.S. that process raw wool -unwashed- and are very good at answering questions. The wool quilt battings and wool comforter battings came a few weeks ago and they are lovely.
Last week my Amish friends and I quilted a large wall quilt with the wool batting. We all agreed that the wool was wonderful to quilt on. It is buoyant or springy like the polyester battings but has some weight to it like the cotton battings. The wool is not quite as heavy as some of the Hobbs or Warm & Natural or other cotton battings out there. But the wool battings have enough weight to them to drape nicely. The wool battings needled very easily but honestly I think poly batts are softer to needle through–we had no complaints about quilting on the wool.
There are a lot of advantages for using wool, natural fibers keep you warm in winter & some people I know use them in the summer too. The disadvantages seem to come from washing the wool batts differently from what we are used to doing for cotton or polyester battings we can just throw in the washer. Wool battings cannot be washed in a washer…..the agitation causes the wool to curl up and pull against the stitching. Wool battings cannot be washed in hot water…..the hot temperatures also cause curling. The wool battings should not be “wrung out” by hand either…also promotes twisting or curling of threads. Wool battings cannot be dried in automatic dryers…..the heat causes them to curl or shrink.
The recommended way to launder quilts or comforters with wool battings is to air them frequently to help keep them clean & if and when they must be washed, they need to be spot cleaned or washed by hand in a clean bathtub with cool or tepid water and a mild liquid cleanser. The quilt can then be drained of excess water by opening the drain & letting the water drain out for a hour or so & leaving the quilt in the tub. I like to hand wash the quilts (with or without wool batting) in the tub, let the excess water drain off, and them wrap them in a large, clean blanket to absorb off more excess water. Then they can be hung to dry. I usually drape a sheet over the metal railing of my upstairs and drape the quilt over it to dry overnight. If it isn’t completely dry, it is draped over a bed & turned a couple of times. I don’t always hang anything considered a delicate textile out in the sun unless it is covered by a sheet for protection against birds, etc. –just a personal preference. After washing many quilts in the tub, it is my preferred method of cleaning because it doesn’t stress the fibers (but it is not much fun when you have 3 cracked ribs!).
As I asked questions of people in the woolen mills, I discovered that the little Cheviot sheep we have can produce up to 10-12 lbs. of wool each year if they are only sheared once a year. Their fleeces have hairs that are 4-8 inches long and the longer hairs are excellent for all types of fiber processing: yarn, weaving, quilt & comforter battings. It takes about 1.5 lbs. of raw, unwashed wool to process into a wool quilt batting and about 2.5 lbs of raw wool to process into a comforter batting which is usually thicker. Some woolen mills, like Zeilinger’s, will cover the comforter batting with cheesecloth and tie-knot the layers to minimize shifting. A thinner quilt batt when quilted also minimizes shifting. Depending on where you go, it costs about $4.75 to $7.75 per pound to process raw wool into battings or other useful fiber forms. It was really a treat to hear people at the woolen mill “ooh and aah” over the fleeces produced from the Cheviot sheep. They grew very nice fleeces for the mill to process.
There is a helpful discussion on the internet http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art10201.asp by Kim Noblin (quilting editor of BellaOnline) that is very interesting.
I think I’m going to like be a Cheviot sheep herder—-quilt baaaattings are a nice product!
Best to you all from NW Ohio where it finally cooled off–Connie Ark
From: Laura Fisher <laurafisherquilts@>
The Log Cabin format wins hand down; I don’t make ’em, but I sure love to buy ’em. Who knows exactly how many variations there are among American quilts of the late 19th century.– there’s the Barn Raising, Light and Dark, Straight Furrow, Courthouse Steps variations with which we are all familiar. Then there’s the rarely seen Church Windows, using a block with three sides, not four. Occasionally a fresh, original unnamed variation surfaces that makes the seach for Log Cabin varirations so challenging. And that’s just in the U.S. Look back through old Quilt Engagement Calendars to see what contemporary Japanese quiltmakers have done with the Log Cabin format — it’s mind-boggling, and some are even reversible!! The Log Cabin pattern also was in use in Scandinavia in the 19th century, and probably migrated here and underwent mouch experimentation to produce new variations as the pattern crossed the U.S.
In 19th century silk crazy quilts and other silks, I have found battings that are wool, spun so fine and gossamer that the quilt feels light as a feather; now what’s the source for that airy batting?
I have had other silk quilts with no batting; because the cotton squares on which the quilt was foundation pieced sufficed. Some silk hexagonal mosaic quilts, and “string” pieced silk quilts, have retained inside for added body the paper templates on which they were shaped and sewn; these present cleaning and restoration challenges when the paper inside dries and cracks, in addition to the problem of shattering silks on the top. And some late 19th-early 20th century silks were made of the cheapest thinnest china silk scraps purchased en masse from manufacturers; this kind distintegrates when you breathe on it, it seems, but. we admire great examples of silk quilts anyway ,and continue to buy and hopefully try to preserve them.
Now that I think about what has passed through my hands, perhaps regular old cotton batting may be the exception for Victorian silk quilts, rather than the norm.
Back to work now, thanks for the respite…….Laura Fisher
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 23:36:14 -0400 | From: “J. G. Row” <JudyGrow@>
Last Sunday I went to my guild meeting, and of course everyone was talking about making quilts for the people who lost everything and were displaced by hurricane Katrina. So I told everyone how Southern quilts are often thicker than our Northern quilts, because they were really used for warmth, and many of ours were only for pretty. We have central heat for our long cold winters, but many of the Southern homes did not, the climate being generally much milder. So they could use thicker batts for the quilts they want to make for donations.
Then someone contradicted me and said that Carey Bresenhan, from Houston, who is, I guess, quilt central for donations, is asking for thin quilts, the better to store and stack them before handing them out. My question is, what good is a single thin quilt on a night when the temperature drops pretty low for the deep South? The donor might feel good about donating the quilt, but how warm will it keep the recipient on a cold winter night?
What say you Deep Southerners?
Judy, now in Flemington NJ aka The Ringoes Kid
From: Jccullencrew@
Hi, I’m not southern but have lots of friends who have headed south as they’ve gotten older. Older people ALWAYS seem cold even if it’s 70 degrees outside, plus they have A/C if it gets too hot, and they then like a warm blanket at night. I’d send my friends one that was definitely not that thin. JMHO Carol Grace
From: amdresner
Greetings from central Texas,
As one that was born and raised here in Texas, I can tell you that it does not get that cold for that long here. Having said that, I can also tell you that when it does get cold here it is miserably cold. As a child I recall having so many quilts piled on top of my sister and I that we could not even turn over in the bed.
Most homes these days here in Texas do have central heat and air. That, however does not keep your body warm on those really cold nights. Once in bed you need warmth and a good heavy quilt is the answer. Not to mention, as did Judy, the elderly. Their blood thins either by medication or just age. Then find it hard to keep warm on a nice 98 degree day, much less at bed time.
We do have a tendency to make our quilts heavier than up north. I suppose one could compare it as such; up north anything above 90 degrees is hotter than blue blazes while the south thinks nothing of 102 in the shade. So is the comparison of the cold. The northern states think nothing of ice, snow and freezing temperatures, while the south thinks anything below 38 degrees is frost bite.
Wasn’t God awesome in planning out the climate of the world. It makes it possible for each of us to help each other when we take time to discuss these types of things. Go have a Blessed weekend and “keep up the laughter as it is the medicine of the soul”.author unknown
AnitaD
From: “Teddy Pruett”
<<My question is, what good is a single thin quilt on a night when the temperature drops pretty low for the deep South? The donor might feel good about donating the quilt, but how warm will it keep the recipient on a cold winter night?
What say you Deep Southerners?>>
This deep southerner, who happens to be researcing this stuff a tidbit at a time, says that the “big old fat old” were the norm for rural southern quilts from the civil war through WWII. We are no longer a third world country on our own – we caught up in the 1950’s. So thin will be just fine.
Not meaning to sound terse – just the facts, gals. Teddy Pruett, as south as you can get – Florida
From: “Carroll”
RE: the Katrina quilts. Bresenhan and the Houston organization, Quilters Comfort America, say they have more than enough quilts now and are asking that no more be sent to them. You can read it on their site (and see some great photos) at http://www.quilts.com/
Be sure and check with other organizations before sending your quilts.
Laurette
From: Pepperb Cory
Hello friends, While it’s true that quilts made in the rural South were often rather thick, I think that’s because those quilts doubled as palettes (sleeping mattresses). I’ve heard many an old-timer talk about sleeping on a porch or breezeway on hot summer nights and using the thick old quilts as bedding. And when family comes to visit and there’s lots of little ones, thick comfy quilts turn into kiddy beds. I’ve noticed that a lot of the thick quilts were also utility quilts, often scrap quilts, and thus their makers must have had in mind from the git-go that these might get rough wear. But the same quiltmaker, if the funds and time were available, might make a thin “show” quilt for a special occasion. What we are in the South is versatile!
About the Katrina quilts: while the Houston organization may have quilts to the rafters, please don’t stop making them! Or if you were going to make one and haven’t gotten around to it, consider “Quilts for the Coast,” the program my friend Patti Brown from The Quilted Butterfly in Morehead City NC has organized. Patti’s hometown Waveland MS was utterly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. While I realize the hurricane bad news is depressing, keep in mind these folks need our support for the long-haul. See http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/01/obliterated.town.ap/ and another more recent account http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/090205/new_leveled001.shtml to learn about Waveland.
Here’s Quilts for the Coast in a nutshell: when you make a quilt, please send it before December 1 2005 to: Quilts for the Coast C/O The Quilted Butterfly 110 Little Nine Road Morehad City NC 28557. If your quilt’s a small or twin, it means your name goes into a drawing once and if you send a larger quilt, that means two chances in your name. You can send as many quilts as you like and increase your chances! On December 1, one quiltmaker’s name will be drawn and the winner gets their choice of either the Pfaff Quilt Expressions 2046 (the high-end quilter’s edition) OR the new Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter with Inspira Quilting Frame (the quilting machine). What happens to the quilts? Come December 2, they are on their way to Waveland MS residents who will be extremely grateful since it even gets cold in Mississippi in December! Many thanks from a Southerner who is still picking up from Hurricane Ophelia who blew through here Wednesday! Pepperb Cory
From: “Teddy Pruett”
Wow!!! Ask and ye shall receive! I now possess page after page after page of scanned catalog pages containing batting descriptions. Everything I could ever want to know about batting……except for who bought them. My enormous thanks to Joan Kiplinger, who could not have been more giving if it had been her own research, and to SewSewSarah, who also sent pages.
Yall are just the best, my schedule absolutely allows NO TIME for digging into obscure sources. Your kind help means that the sources are instantly available and not so obscure after all. Many thinks to all who answered – Teddy
From: mopalka <mopalka@>
These topics bring back such fond memories. I guess the quilts were called pallets if it was too hot to sleep under them and quilts when we needed a cover. They were so heavy, we could barely turn over! We cousins (all eleven of us) would have a sleep over and get out every quilt we could find. We learned to fold things neatly by folding all the quilts the next morning and putting everything away. Great Grandma Hannah made wool, tied comforters with who knows what as batting! I should open one to see! Oh, “ma” is NOT pronounced maw. That was indeed an insult!
With pleasant memories of growing up in the South.
Susan(in Alaska with 49 degrees. I’ve just cut back all the perennials, Sweet William, delphinium, peony, hostas, dicentra(bleeding heart)… the silly lilacs are blooming again! Tomorrow I plant bulbs.)
From: “Rosie Werner”
I, too, love to use wool batts inn my quilts. I have succesfully washed them in my washing machine by using the following method: (Much easier on the back.) 1. Fill the machine with warm water and soap. I use Orvis Paste, unless I am concerned about colors running. Then I use Synthrapol. Put the quilt into the water and soak for 15 minutes. Push down on the quilt to force water through the quilt. Do not allow the machine to agitate. After the soak, advance the machine to spin to get the water out. 2. Fill the machine for the rinse, but, again, stop it before it begins to agitate. (On my machine, I just have to leave the cover open.) Push down on the quilt to get rinse water through the layers. Advance to spin and let the machine finish the cycle. If you think it needs another rinse, repeat step 2. 3. Carefully lift it out of the machine. To dry, I spread a sheet over a carpeted floor and put the quilt on the sheet. I block and measure to get it square and let it air dry. You can put a fan on it to speed the process. Usually takes about half a day, depending on humidity.
I’ve used this process successfully with dozens of quilts with cotton, polyester and wool batts, even the ones I’ve entered in competition. I’ve had no problems with them.
We used to raise sheep and I’ve had the fleeces made into mattress pads. Now that’s luxury! They cushion these aging bones and, being natural fibers, allow air through to keep sheets dry despite night sweats. Rosie
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 17:00:58 -0400 | From: sewsewsarah@
<< Everything I could ever want to know about batting……except for who bought them. My enormous thanks to Joan Kiplinger, who could not have been more giving if it had been her own research, and to SewSewSarah, who also sent pages.>>
While I was looking through my hard back repro of the Ward’s 1920-something catalog, I saw marking powder and perforated patterns used for quilt marking advertised. Didn’t this list have a conversation about that not too long ago?
~*~Sarah in WV~*~
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 15:22:45 -0500 | From: Gail Ingram <gingram@>
I’m almost afraid to mention a hurricane, but for those who believe in good thought waves and prayers, I would call attention to Lynn Gorges, who has home in Atlantic, NC, where Ophelia stood grinding up beach for long time.
Gail
From: Patricia L Cummings
Hi!
Yesterday, we took a little ride and visited a museum which had only a few quilts on display. Just as I was about to despair of them not having more textiles, I spotted the most amazing quilt. Made in 1864 by the Ladies Aid Society, it is a potholder style quilt. Each brown block (there were 20 in the quilt), had various motifs: appliquéd buntings and flags, a lighthouse with a flag, crossed swords, canons and canon balls, a wonderful eagle with arrows, and olive branches, etc. Many of the large blocks were hand quilted vertically. Others had echo quilting. Three blocks had indiscernible inscriptions in black ink (unreadable from where I stood). A poem appears on the back, the museum page stated. A true relic of the Civil War, it has stood the test of time well.
We also had luck at a bookstore. Found a first edition copy of Quilts in America, a signed, first edition copy of Plain and Fancy (the one with antique artifacts from Winterthur Museum), and an excellent condition copy of the Rose Wilder Lane book. The sun was shining and it sure was good to hit the road and head north.
Loved all the G.A.R. silk military ribbons, and all of the other Civil War memorabilia in the museum. It’s always fun to find special things at unexpected times.
Picked up a copy of Lynne’s article in The Magazine Antiques. Great job, Lynne. Love your diagrams of wholecloth quilts!
Best,
Pat Cummings
From: “Alan”
I don’t know, I prefer several thin quilts. Traps air, making for good insulation. Besides, that weather doesn’t start in N. Fl until December.
Alan
Alan R. Kelchner Fiber Artist Http://www.alanrkelchner.com —– Original Message
From: Palampore@
Ophelia hit eastern NC coastline heavily because it hit on a high tide and a full moon in many areas. We have a family beach house that has been with us for 44 yrs. We had never been flooded before, but this time we got 10 inches of salt water in our family room, and tons of rain poured into our upstairs attic and trailed into 3 rooms. Along with that our duct work under the house is soaked/ruined. (No flood insurance—hadn’t needed any.)
Our entire street had damage of some kind in each house. We saw lots of houses with major flooding in Atlantic Beach and ripped off roofs. Then we headed up Hwy 70 along the southern most Outer Banks and kept seeing more damage and flooding. I don’t think that it is anywhere near what Katrina was, but I assure you it was the most destruction that area has had in the 44 yrs. I have been going there. It was a Category 1 that shocked everyone!!!
My sister and I had one heck of a weekend ripping out carpet, sucking up water, etc. But we did have food, water, A/C, electricity, etc. It could have been much worse. It’s the price we pay for living in paradise most of the time.
As for heavy Southern quilts—–my 2 cents worth—–I see the thick quilts being made at the turn of the century and on into the 20th Century. Prior to that the Southern quilts were most of the time thin and well quilted. I think it was a style thing as well as a social/economy thing. I think that quilting as an art was not as much in style so the stitches were getting bigger. (They are now more attached to their sewing machines, and fancy stitching is seen on crazy quilts, household decorations, etc.) They were doing it the quicker easier way. They found out that they could add more batt if they didn’t stitch it so closely. And, instead of throwing 3 or 4 of those thin quilts on the bed, 1 or 2 big fat one would do just fine. Same goes for palletts on the floor.
And remember that cotton was easy to come by for farm folks and relatively cheap for city folks in the south because it was being grown all over the SE. Those women were like us—-the more conveniences they had, the less time they had for things they used to do…… The houses didn’t get much warmer until the 1950’s & 1960’s when we finally began to get central heat down here. Winters could be brutally cold, and piling on the quilts was done often at my house when I was a little girl. Rarely did bedrooms have heat, especially in the older big houses. I remember sleeping at our neighbor’s house under so many quilts in the winter that we could hardly move. And our noses would be frozen! Good night, and sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. Lynn Lancaster Gorges New Bern, NC
From: Palampore@
Hi, my husband who is a Civil War expert( owner of Battleground Antiques & www.civilwarshop.com) says that holding the lapel is just a photographer thing. Has nothing to do with political persuasion. Lynn Gorges, New Bern, NC
From: Gloria hanrahan <
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Floursacks-Floral-Coverlet-like-quilt_
I know we have had some interest in items made with bias tape.
From: “Linda Heminway” <ibquiltn@>
Just want to report that I recently washed a quilt that I was fearful to wash. I had posted a long time ago and brought the subject up as “I know it’s taboo, but what if you really just need to wash an old quilt”…. Xenia, I tried the go take a nap thing several times and just couldn’t get past that it was filthy, period. This quilt was downright dirty, with ground in skin oils and soil after years and years. It’s around 1890 – 1910 in age and was just brown with dirt. It was just something I had to do in order to feel comfortable working to repair it. It even smelled, let’s actually be truthful here, it was beyond a smell, it “reeked”.
I tried the usual Orvis and soaking in the tub routine and it just didn’t seem to cut the ground in oils and dirt at all. When I drained water out of the tub before refilling it, I noted the smell was lessened, but not completely gone. I was exasperated as I really wanted the quilt to be clean. I decided to be brave (sorry to offend any of you who wouldn’t ever dream of this, but I just want to work with this quilt, and then display it and know it was “trash” otherwise) and tried spraying Simple Green concentrate in a fine mist over top of the quilt as it was already immersed in water and had been re-filled several times and rinsed following working with the Orvis. I gently swished the water after spraying the cleaner in and left it sit, swishing occasionally. I refilled the tub and repeated the process twice and then refillled with clear water several times.
It took guts to do this and I don’t recommend this to anyone else unless you just have one of those really soiled quilts that you wouldn’t want to touch unless something cleaned it, and thoroughly. At any rate, I feel this cleaner worked. The fabric brightened and I didn’t take note of damage. I re-filled the tub quite a few times with clear, cool water to rinse, and see a remarkable difference. The fabric is not damaged now that the quilt is dry and it’s not smelly any longer and the stains, ground in soils and all seem to have lifted. No fabrics ran as well.
I wonder if I am the first to try this or has anyone else had any luck? I chose Simple Green as it is recommended for laundry issues and non-toxic (my husband says it’s actually safe to drink, not that anyone would) and biodegradable. It is highly concentrated so the tiniest amount is all you need. I have had great luck with Simple Green in restoring antique sewing machines, my other passion. So, if it won’t damage the fine gold decals on antique machines, I figured it was worth a try on this quilt. I am very pleased with the end result, I feel the fabrics have a soft glow and the reds and pinks have become exactly that again, red and pink and not dusty brownish pink. The indigos in it are exactly that, not brownish indigo.
So, just thought I’d toss this all out to you and see if you all have any remarks. If I did something that might cause further damage to the fibers down the road, I am sorry for this, however, this was truly the ONLY way I could salvage this quilt and let it have a new life again. Thoughts? Linda Heminway Plaistow NH
From: kathie holland
How lucky your are that this worked. I am happy for you as now you can enjoy this quilt….would it be possible for you to post a picture of the quilt? Thanks Kathie in NJ
