September 28 – October 1, 1998
These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.
Primary topics of this QHL Digest:
- Copyright, Folk Art, and Commerce — Continuation of the copyright thread, now focusing on whether heritage quilters should seek permission before copying museum quilts and how to balance folk-art tradition with intellectual property.
- Restoring an 1847 Signed Quilt — Susan asks whether to replace two badly damaged blocks in a signed and dated 1847 quilt, weighing preservation against visual integrity. (see the article on quilt restoration)
- Numbered and Marked Household Linens — Discussion of the historical practice of marking linens with initials and numbers, with references to Bogdonoff, de Bonneville, and Rabbit Goody’s dating classes.
- Bemis Feedsack Exhibit and Museum — Jane of the Feedsack Club announces that Bemis, Tennessee is establishing a historical society and permanent feedsack museum in the former company town. (see the article on the feedsack story)
- Dating Fabrics Book Reviews — Judy Grow and others review the new Dating Fabrics reference, and Kris adds it to the QHL review page. (see the article on dating quilts)
- Memory Quilts and Wedding-Dress Quilts — Bob Mills asks for advice on making a commissioned memory quilt, and members discuss repurposing wedding dresses and other clothing into quilts.
- San Francisco Area Quilt Resources — Alan Kelchner reports on quilt-related sites visited during a San Francisco trip, including the San Jose museum.
- Jane Austen’s Quilt — Members share sources for images and information about quilts attributed to Jane Austen and her family.
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 22:21:39 -0400 | From: Anthony Jones <ajones2 [at] tampabay [dot] rr [dot] com
This is important to all of us. Especialy in heritage quilters who may be tempted to copy a quilt we see in a museum or historic house. Besides courtesy, you have given us other reasons to ask the owners first.
By the by, I’ve been told, alas by a nonlawer, that quilts in the Smithsonian or other publicly owned museums and collections are not copyrighted. Is that true?
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 22:38:13 EDT | From: ZegrtQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
After reading the discussion about copyright issues, I e mailed one of the Alliance for American Quilts Advisory Council members who is on staff at the Folklife Center at the Library of Congress., Dr. David Taylor, who sends resource information for those of you who want to go to the “source” on this subject.
The Copyright Office has a telephone information line (202-707-3000), and also sends out packets of information describing standard procedures for copyrighting various created works. There’s also a number that’s called “Copyright Forms Hotline”: 202-707-9100. The Copyright Office can’t do copyright research (if that is the basis of your question), but information about works registered for copyright is available to the public if they wish to come to the Library to do research or hire someone to do research on their behalf.
.
I hope this information will be helpful and that the Alliance can continue to bring together groups and resources that might not otherwise come to quilts and quilt issues directly .
Shelly Zegart
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 23:58:20 -0400 | From: Anthony Jones <ajones2 [at] tampabay [dot] rr [dot] com>
I appreciate everyone’ help on this topic. But, I’d also like some feedback on the original question? Can we assure that our folk art doesn’t become just another business? I do recognize, respect, and value the business aspects. But, legal arguments aside, I feel obligated to assure that it continues to thrive as folk art. (I was taught, “if the law is a problem, change the law.” Good to see the rafflers feel the same way.)
As you know, quilting has become an expensive hobby, enjoyed primarily as a leisure activity of middle class women, and men. Many listmembers know that getting patterns or a book to market is no quick path to riches. There are a few marketing phenoms, but some of the best quilt artists earn little more than minimum wage.
For still more women, a $30 book is a full day’s take-home pay and the cost of a local class, excluding supplies, can be 10% of their monthly pay. In my area, they can’t afford to learn to quilt. The “business” is built on the sweat and toil of women just like these. Log Cabin, Ohio Rose, Jacob’s Ladder, Rocky Road to California, etc., all attest to the hopes, dreams, and especially the innovation of common folk. They left us a powerful legacy.
My question was, what do you think will survive as the legacy this generation is leaving for our grandchildren’s children? I do think there are answers. Certainly, strip piecing is one clear innovation that made quilting accessible to a whole new group of quilters.
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 01:39:20 -0400 | From: “susanlk” <susanlk [at] erols [dot] com>
Here’s a common question but I need an answer anyway..Everyone who knows about this, please jump in. I have a signed 1847 quilt with TWO blocks which are in very bad condition. I am debating leaving it alone or repairing those two blocks only. I need replacement fabric from BEFORE 1847 to preserve the date of the quilt and although I would simply tack the replacement fabric on top of the rotted out pieces (to perform a “reversible restoration”) I wonder if a professional restorer would do otherwise? Next question is I need referrals to sources of small amounts of authentic period fabric to make this repair…I know people who sell old fabric, but I’m interested in sources which are generally regarded as able to date fabrics with enough certainty to guarantee that they are from before 1847. All advice and comment are welcome . Thanks. SusanLK
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 08:24:50 EDT | From: JQuilt [at] aol [dot] com
Lurking and writing to individuals can be a wonderful thing.. Now that Shelly Zegart has given us the main source of copyrights(thank you Shelly)and Melissa has given invaluable legal advice(thank you Melissa) May I politely suggest that if your main interest in quilts, quilting, is legal ….that you direct your correspondence to Alliance for American Quilts Advisory Council
I would guess that 90% of quilters and collectors are, sharing not profit, oriented…
TIA jean
One nice thing about egotists: They don’t talk about other people.
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 08:17:43 -0500 | From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.co [at] mail [dot] airmail [dot] net>
Susan, as to sources, without a doubt, Nancy Kirk at the Kirk Collection , and our own Kris are my first two calls when I need something. then Mary Koval
Betsy Tillford . These are the ones that I trust the most to have high quality *documented* datable fabrics. As well as fabric for restoration, I buy blocks and fabric from them for my textile identification and dating book that I keep to show cleints…Just know that we found block and yardage prices much elevated this year at Paducah than last year…someone has discovered our secret!!
If the fabric that you are planing on using for restoration is not too brittle, I for one would indeed applique over the piece. Just remember, when ever you have a really old piece, or something that you really want to protect the integrity of, *document*!!! I try to take before and after photos…not only to show the client, but for my portfolio…comes in handy.
Laura
At 01:39 AM 9/29/98 -0400, susanlk wrote:
>Here’s a common question but I need an answer anyway..Everyone who knows about this, please jump in. I have a signed 1847 quilt with TWO blocks which are in very bad condition. I am debating leaving it alone or repairing those two blocks only. I need replacement fabric from BEFORE 1847 to preserve the date of the quilt and although I would simply tack the replacement fabric on top of the rotted out pieces (to perform a “reversible restoration”) I wonder if a professional restorer would do otherwise? Next question is I need referrals to sources of small amounts of authentic period fabric to make this repair…I know people who sell old fabric, but I’m interested in sources which are generally regarded as able to date fabrics with enough certainty to guarantee that they are from before 1847. All advice and comment are welcome . Thanks. SusanLK
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 09:26:36 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
for a WONDERFUL map of milage check out
www.mapquest.com..TERRIFIC!!! From the tinest town to the big city..or vice- a-versa. So great for we who are tooling around to retreats, seminars, quilt shops..HOW DO YOU GET THERE???
Jane of THE FEEDSACK CLUB
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 10:12:36 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
There are so many new magazines within the last year or so..and because I had an extensive list acquired several years ago, I am contact OFTEN to share with guilds holding events..If anyone has a master list or can tell me where to find one, I would sincerely appreciate it..and so would the many guilds who contact me..these are magazines that a quilt show/event can be listed…Thank you..
Jane of THE FEEDSACK CLUB baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com please email me…
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 11:42:18 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
Melissa, thank you. I’m always very frustrated when these discussions come up for exactly the same reasons. When it comes to design copyright and it’s infringement, I think people tend to be too unyielding to the possibility of simultaneous creation. I’m thinking back to my first quilt, which was made from vintage ties (tumbling blocks). It was a year or two later when “Daddy’s Ties” came out. Chuckled for a while at the coincidence.
Alan
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 12:52:45 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
It was very strange to come back to work yesterday, after having spent the last 8 days in the San Francisco Bay Area. Deep breath, ignore the jet lag, and hurry forth.
Firstly, I have to apologize to anyone and everyone in the SF area for not contacting you. Had very specific plans (ideas actually) of things I wanted to do with the kid brother.
As for the rest of you, I highly recommend a trip to the Bay Area. I was absolutely blown away with the place. The hills surrounding the city have this gentle, smooth curve about them. Very soft and graceful. The hills are brown right now, since there hasn’t been rain all summer (I understand this is normal climatic conditions), but it didn’t detract from the beauty. Hey, if the area is that pretty when the plant life is brown, I’m scared to see what it looks like when it’s bursting with new growth. The city itself sits on the sides of the hills. VERY Mediterranean in it’s feeling, since the buildings are predominantly light colors. The plantings around the buildings were incredible for me, because I couldn’t expect to do the same thing here in Northeast Florida. There were crepe myrtles and oleanders in full bloom (they’ve stopped blooming here). The impatiens were incredible, as were the lantanas and the rose bushes. Poppies all over the place, and gazanias used as a ground cover. Temperatures ranged from around 80 in the day, to 65 at night.
And the light. The light was stupendous. Clear, bright, sharp and intense, while still being easy on the eye.
I drove down highway 1 (south from the city), through Pacifica to Half Moon Bay. Drive along a coastal cliff is wild and beautiful. Huge rocks (more than boulders) stood in the water at the beach side.
Before I left, I went to the Armstrong Grove, outside of Guernville, where there is a state park that encompasses a redwood forest. Incredible to see. The trees go straight up forever, the branches being rather minimal in number. There is very little underbrush, because the trees have a lot of tannin, and the leaf litter decomposing on the forest floor inhibits plant growth (only saw oxalis, some ferns, and one or two tiny saplings). And it was sooooooo quiet.
Needless to say, I want to move to the Bay area one day. I did go to shops like Lacis (pronounced Lah-sees – I’d always wondered), and a very nice quilt shop in San Mateo. Bought three quilting books – an out-of-print book on the history of quilting (as opposed to quilts and patchwork), Bets Ramsey’s and Merikay Waldvogel’s new “Civil War” book, and also “Northern Comforts”, about the Sturbridge quilts from 1780-1840 (I didn’t realize there was one for Sturbridge!).
Went to Britex Fabrics, a four-story store in downtown SF. Overwhelming to be confronted by all that fabric. Literally left with empty hands because I couldn’t decide what to buy, but now I know I can send DB there with swatches if I need something!
And, sadly, I was disappointed with the American Quilt and Textile Museum in San Jose. I guess I was just expecting more than there was, and the current display left me empty. I hate high-hopes being dashed. But if you do go there, it is closed on Mondays, and it is not on S 2nd, nor Market. Boy did I learn the hard way! Went to San Jose *twice* to find it and get in to look. <G>
But I’m home, the latest restoration is a hit, and I’m actually looking forward to the next project.
Alan
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 14:06:18 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
This seems to be my week for collecting info for others..
a lady was in MORGANTOWN, PA and in a shop called The Hayloft..does anyone know of this shop and it’s address/telephone number>> She had brought home samples for a lady who contacted me, knowing I am in PA..to see if I knew of Morgantown, Pa..I tried the yellow pages available thru YAHOO and AOL..but to no avail…if you know of the shop/address please email dbrichta [at] ameritech [dot] net for Nancy Brichta…sincere thanx..Jane of THE FEEDSACK CLUB
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 18:12:30 EDT | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-09-29 08:26:06 EDT, JQuilt [at] aol [dot] com writes: << I would guess that 90% of quilters and collectors are, sharing not profit, oriented… >>
You don’t have to be profit oriented to need copyright information. In fact, many people infringe copyrights without any profit motive – precisely to share something. This usually happens out of ignorance that what they are doing is illegal. So this topic probably affects most quilters, either in actuality or potentially, whether you know it or not.
If all we do is raise the consciousness so people think twice before making photocopies of patterns to share with friends, because they now know it is illegal – or so they give the source of their quilt designs when they exhibit them – then I think that is good reason for these legal threads on quilt lists. Even if none of you ever intends to design, write a book, market your patterns, teach a class or make a dime off of your quilting.
Melissa
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 21:29:26 EDT | From: Qltldy10 [at] aol [dot] com
Hello, QHLers!
First news, the commission baby quilt, mariners compasses, took forever, never again, is a DONE object. Been weighing on me since July, couldn’t get on to anything else. Now, moving on…..to…
Jane Austen, but I need your help. I bought a kit for the directions and fabric. Much of the fabric, I think, isn’t right, but that’s ok. But the more I look at their picture, I think it’s not right, either. For the life of me, though, I can’t find a color shot of the real thing in it’s entirety. Seems to me one of the mags had a photo a while back, but now I can’t find it. Anyone know where there are shots of the real Jane Austen quilt?? Now the big news. Person came into office, and plunked down package. I open paper up (OK, first, we need to get it into something other than this heavy old wrap), and first thing I see is a seam up the back, whipped together with tiny stitches, with selvedge showing, and cross stitched numbers at the top. I gasp. It gets better. Here is a smallish perfect all pinkish ohio star, with stars made from very dark pink roller printed paisley, with picotage background. “Mom wants to clean things out of the attic. I brought you this one cause it was pretty. The others are kind of ugly, all browns.” Well, I’d like to see the brown ones, too. Pant, Pant. (Cyndi, I’ll bring it North this week.) Now, first things first. Who can point me to a description of using old, numbered linens on the backs of quilts? I know I’ve seen this just recently. Cross stitched= III III
Three and Three? for 33? Seems like a lot of sheets to me? Thread sewing quilt together is 3 ply (some coming out). Cross stitch thread looks like silk.
Now I know I’m not in Kansas anymore.
Beth in Maine qltldy10 [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 04:46:07 +0000 | From: dottie [at] crosslink [dot] net
To: QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com
Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Digest Digest V98 #282
Message-Id: <199809300845.BAA30418 [at] orbital [dot] cue [dot] com>
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
As you know, quilting has become an expensive hobby, enjoyed primarily as a leisure activity of middle class women, and men. For still more women, a $30 book is a full day’s take-home pay and the cost of a local class, excluding supplies, can be 10% of their monthly pay. In my area, they can’t afford to learn to quilt. My question was, what do you think will survive as the legacy this generation is leaving for our grandchildren’s children? I do think there are answers. Certainly, strip piecing is one clear innovation that made quilting accessible to a whole new group of quilters. Delurking at last…I disagree with these ideas. Quilting is an expensive hobby only if we want it to be. Sure, we can go out and buy $10-and-up per yard, absolutely wonderful fabrics. But calicoes are nice, too, and can be gotten on sale for sometimes less than $2 per yard. Yard sales can get you bags of great, if old, fabric at pennies per pound. And sewing clothing usually results in leftovers. Squares don’t require a $30 book, and innovation exists in some people for free.
And the whole idea of guilds used to be that they are teaching organizations, not rich women’s entertainment while hubby is at work….although both functions can be served if the rich ladies can be nice to everyone who comes in the door, don’t you think?
My guild has a lending library, so access to quilting books exists either as a supplement to the compulsive ones of use or for the use of whose who can’t afford to buy their own.
I hope our legacy is not to turn quilting wholely into a hobby. Art quilting is wonderful and inspirational, but it is not mainstream. I think our legacy will be in the quilts we leave, in our color choices and in each of our design choices. Some will be warm, some will be art, but all are our legacy.
Dottie in Fairfax, VA
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:29:39 +0400 | From: Xenia Cord <xecord [at] netusa1 [dot] net>
Hi, QHLers – On the practice of marking household linens with initials and numbers in cross stitch: for a reference, see Bogdonoff, Handwoven Textiles of Early New England (1975), P.95 – “Sheets were embroidered, usually in cross-stitch, at the center top near the [center] seam with a number and sometimes intials. The numbers were an effective method of rotating their use. This tradition persisted into the nineteenth century.”
I have several sets of linen sheets and pillowcases from one estate – the highest number on the sheets is 36! Considering that there is an estimated 600 hours of labor involved from planting flax through weaving the linen into usable strips, seaming and hemming them for use, this is a remarkable number. I also have a set of curtains and dresser scarves, hand-worked with blue chenille “wedding ring” circles in the 1930s, that are from a reworked linen sheet, unseamed and strips cut off the bottom to make the dresser scarves. The curtains are numbered and initialed near one top edge, and the cross stitch is split between the 2 curtain panels. BTW, this is REAL counted thread cross stitch, and was often given to young girls to do, because their eyesight was better!
Xenia, in Indiana
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 07:51:27 -0700 | From: “fall” <fall [at] teleport [dot] com>
Xenia,
In Francoise de Bonneville’s book titled “The Book of Fine Linen”, there are some interesting references to the number of sheets a bride should have in her trousseau. the numbers vary with the classes, but are still rather staggering.
He also goes into detail regarding the marking of initials and numbering.
It’s very interesting.
Gee, sometimes I’m glad I live in the era of automatic washers and dryers, but you sure can’t beat the feel of the old linens! I have 2 sets of wedding sheets that have been handed down for generations (my family is from Spain), and if they were not such treasures that I wish to preserve, I’d much rather sleep on the old sheets than my new ones!
Best wishes…
Cheryl
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 98 12:45:16 EDT | From: “Bob Mills” <decision [at] tigger [dot] jvnc [dot] net>
A few days ago, I had a call from a woman who would like me to make a memory quilt on commission. I am looking for some ideas and suggestions if anyone has done this before, or if anyone has some creative ideas. Her 16 year old severely handicapped son died a while ago. He was mentally functioning at a much younger age. She would like a quilt made from his clothes, some of his t-shirts and his colorful bandannas. He loved trains and was a sports fan-I think most of the t-shirts were sports logos. I am trying to find some ‘train’ fabric. Has anyone seen any recently? I have made t-shirt quilts-so I can do that, but I have made them in a more orderly fashion with plain setting strips, rather than a crazy quilt style. She would like this to be a throw size, to be on the back of the couch, We have had discussions on QHL about coffin quilts, and I have read the book on the graveyard quilt (name escapes me.) But this would be a 1990’s style quilt, not Victorian.
Her concept of this is somewhat unformed yet and I will be meeting with her next Wednesday, during which time I hope to present some ideas to her. So far, my only idea is to make a t-shirt quilt using bandannas as setting strips, perhaps bandannas as backing. I suggested the idea of scanning a photo of him and transferring it to fabric for use on the front, or on the back. She doesn’t want to buy fabric for the top, but to use his clothes. I see a jumbled top in my mind when I picture it with no continuity of one fabric. Hope this isn’t too off topic. I know that quilts have been made as solace for many years.
Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, comments or experience in this? I want to be very understanding about her ideas but also offer several suggestions. Please respond to the list and to my e-mail, as the digest is delayed sometimes four days.
Jan Drechsler in central NJ
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 11:41:50 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen [at] yahoo [dot] com>
One of the most interesting aspects of Rabbit Goody’s class at QRS in Albany two years ago was on this subject. She brought a number of examples with her, including a quilt that had a linen towel (if memory serves) being used as part of the backing.
I am working on another QHL conference, this one to be held in the NY Catskills and Rabbit has agreed to give another dating class. Details to follow….
Kris, using an alternate address.
—fall <fall [at] teleport [dot] com> wrote:
> Xenia,
> In Francoise de Bonneville’s book titled “The Book of Fine Linen”,
there are
> some interesting references to the number of sheets a bride should
have in
> her trousseau. the numbers vary with the classes, but are still
rather
> staggering.
> He also goes into detail regarding the marking of initials and
numbering.
> It’s very interesting.
> Gee, sometimes I’m glad I live in the era of automatic washers and
dryers,
> but you sure can’t beat the feel of the old linens! I have 2 sets of wedding sheets that have been handed down for generations (my family
is from
> Spain), and if they were not such treasures that I wish to preserve,
I’d
> much rather sleep on the old sheets than my new ones!
> Best wishes…
> Cheryl
_________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 14:42:31 EDT | From: BrickWks1 [at] aol [dot] com
In a message dated 98-09-29 22:20:22 EDT, you write:
<< Anyone know where there are shots of the real Jane Austen quilt?? >> QNM had a one-page full shot of one of Jane’s quilts (actually, I believe it was a ‘summer spread,’ unstuffed). Must have been approx. 1- 1 1/2 years ago. You could check an index, or call (303) 278-1010, and ask for Vivian Ritter or Jeannie Spears. They could find out for you.
I sure wish somebody would bring ME brown packages with great quilts peeking out! Based on your description, that quilt may well be 1830-50. Now, for the request: I am hip-deep in research on Crazy quilts. Need to check as many back issues (or commentaries) as possible on Peterson’s Magazine and Godey’s Lady’s book from 1800-1890. The reference librarian looked at me as if I were nuts when I asked her about this, but it turns out that there are indeed several reference works to these mags. The only problem is that they are, with one exception, not in Colorado, and I can’t get my hands on them easily.
I’m looking specifically for mention of Crazy quilts, as well as “mosaic” or “kaleidoscope” quilts. Can any of you help me? A xerox would be fine, or just what words say on the page. Issue date would also be needed for my files. I would be happy to pay costs if it’s a reference commentary — either to buy, or just to pay shipping costs from, then back to you. I would also be happy to swap vintage fabric, blocks, or trim in exchange for info. Thanks for any and all help; it will be gratefully appreciated. This will be an ongoing thing, but the biggest push must finish before Dec. 1 for me. Feel free to e-mail me privately. My fax is (303) 660-8875.
Cindy Brick
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 21:26:13 -0300 | From: KAREN BUSH <Birdsong [at] worldnet [dot] att [dot] net>
Dottie- I agree! I still like the ‘make do’ method to my piecing, it’s more satisfying not to mention challenging! I don’t get to piece that much with my schedule, and I’ve failed miserably with my dd’s as far as the quilting heritage being passed down in my family, (they don’t know how to thread a needle)…but, I hope to pass down what I’ve learned to others, including guilds. That’s why I’ve donated several of my books I wrote along with other books I’ve collected over the years to some local (and very small) guilds and to the school in my town. Now, if I can just convince a l2th grader that it IS enjoyable to sit at a frame making tiny stitches!! haha…
I’ve talked to several shops and people who’ve bought my book, or are carrying it in their shops, and they’re pleased with the fact that it’s ‘affordable’…it proves that ‘making do’ works. I couldn’t afford, or would want to try, to go through publishers/printers/photographers and then the distributors to get my book out on the shelves. It was a ‘test’, I couldn’t see a reason to NOT try it.
I also have a few things lined up in my local areas for ‘teaching’ the non-quilters to use for therapy both physical and emotional therapy. That’s what got me started long time ago. Since these places are close by, within 50 miles of me, there won’t be a charge, I just want them to See for themselves, to try it, and they can take it from there. I still have people e-mailing me with questions that I’m more than happy to answer, or try to find the answers For them..I suppose that’s my part of the ‘legacy’….
I hope this doesn’t sound self-serving, or like a commercial, I certainly don’t mean it to. I do this for a living, and for pleasure, both. And, anytime I can help a fellow quilter new or experienced, it makes me feel good. kb
— Quilting is an
> expensive hobby only if we want it to be. Sure, we can go out and buy $10-and-up per yard, absolutely wonderful fabrics. But calicoes are nice, too, and can be gotten on sale for sometimes less than $2 per yard. Yard sales can get you bags of great, if old, fabric at pennies per pound. And sewing clothing usually results in leftovers. Squares don’t require a $30 book, and innovation exists in some people for free.
My
> guild has a lending library, so access to quilting books exists either as a supplement to the compulsive ones of use or for the use of whose who can’t afford to buy their own.
****************
http://www.idahoquilt.com
KAREN BUSH- “QUILT AS DESIRED” The Tell All book on Hand Quilting AND Professional Hand Quilting Services
Member of American Quilter’s Society
Member of the Professional HandCrafters
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 23:07:04 EDT | From: QuiltNews [at] aol [dot] com
I deleted my copy of #282…..could someone forward me a copy….or is there a specifc procedure or place where archives are found?
Thanks
Ann
QuiltNews [at] aol [dot] com
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 21:05:40 -0700 | From: Audrey Waite <awquiltr [at] sedona [dot] net>
Thanks Alan for the wonderful prose on San Francisco and the area surrounding. I haven’t been there for a long time and miss those golden hills – I often wondered when living in CA if it was called the “golden state” because of the gold found there or the way those hills look with golden grass – you really can’t call it brown.
I had heard the quilt museum in San Jose was moving but you didn’t give us the new address. I have a lawyer friend that had his office in the same building and he has been inviting me to come visit offering a trip to the museum as the plum!
Hope all our list members were spared the ravages of Hurrican Georges.
Audrey Waite in Sedona, AZ
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 22:59:09 -0700 | From: susan silva <woody [at] ior [dot] com>
Dear Quilt Friends,
I have to share a recent purchase with all of you. I purchased a quilt from a woman in Kansas City Missouri. She obtained the quilt about 10 years ago from a 90 year old woman. Since that time she just stuck it away in a chest, as she had dogs and didn’t want them to damage it. A note that was attached to the quilt sayes “very old autographed quilt of M.A. Moore’s (Aunt Mollie Rankin) sent by Amelia Rankin to Mother (E.H. Harvey) Jan. 1966. Mostly Fain & Earnest names and dates 1850’s and 1860’s.E.E. Harvey 11/76.
Some of the signed blocks have the following writing in them. Be thou faithfull til death and I will give thee a crown of life. M.Josephine Barnett, dated 1857. Continue ye in my love. Ida Earnest Feb.27,1857. Love us oh god of our salvation. Kate Earnest Rhea Tenn. 1857. Amanda Naff (this is a stamped signature). Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is the Lord of God. E.r. Fain Dandridge 1857. Elizabeth Roadman Oct.24, 1856 & Oct. 27 1856. Eliza c. March 7, 1858. Kitty C. Earnest Feb 1858. “If God before us-who can be against us” Joseph H. Earnest Feb. 1857. It is good for me to draw next to God. Ann K. Earnest Feb. 1857. Emma G. Broyels. Good Gain Dandridge tenn. Sarah Earnest 1857. Be ye reconciled to God. Mary a. Earnest Feb.
1857.
The blocks are the “chimney sweep” or friendship signature block pattern.The fabrics are browns, purples, madders and some plaids. It is in great shape, though brown with age, and the pencil for quilting is still visible. Some of the blocks have no signature but it looks like something got wet and there are some slightly darker spots (perhaps where the ink dissolved?) One square has deteriorated fabric but luckily this fabric was only used once. Otherwise it is in great shape. One of the muslin fabrics has writing on it but I can’t quite make it out. On the back the name M.A. Moore is printed twice, like a stamped or stenciled name. Checking on the map I discovered that Dandridge is east of Knoxville. Rhea county is in the western part of the state, so the family who made this quilt must have been spread out. I feel incredibly lucky to have this quilt, yet it makes me so sad that this piece of family history is not with a family member. Oh well, at least it has a great home now! If anyone has any ideas, or feedback on this quilt I’d love to hear from you!
Take care,
Susan C. Silva in Sunny Spokane Wa.
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 03:18:58 EDT | From: BrickWks1 [at] aol [dot] com
I thought I’d beat Kris to the punch on the conference:
“From the Needle’s Eye:
Textiles and Their Place in History Through the 21st Century”
August 4-7, 1999
Hollowbrook Lodge
Greenville, NY
Learn while you relax in one of the loveliest areas in the East: the Catskills. Intensive seminars in an intimate, friendly setting. Four centuries of textile history, including:
**Rabbit Goody on wovens. One of the country’s foremost experts– some of you may remember her from the Quilt Restoration Conference in Albany a few years ago. Rabbit’s business, Thistle Hill Weavers, replicates historic weaves for, among other customers, museums and places like Williamsburg. **QHL’s Jane Clark Stapel on feedsacks. Who else but the Feedsack Club Lady could tell us more about these great vintage pieces of history? **Yours truly (cindy brick) on Crazy quilts. I have been studying and researching them for years, and have published several articles on the subject. (I hope to have a book out soon, as well.) I’m also the managing editor of the Crazy Quilt Society’s newsletter, as well as a lecturer during their 1998 conference.
**Kathryn Greenwold on the future of quilts and textiles during the 21st century. A professional appraiser and teacher in the New York area, she lectured during last year’s QHL conference on Adirondack quilts. **Debbie Roberts, AQS appraiser, will do appraisals.
**Barb Garrett, a consultant for the York County quilt documentation program, and an expert on Pennsylvania German quilts, will also be featured. **In keeping with QHL tradition, we’ll also have a behind-the-scenes visit at the Farmers Museum in nearby Cooperstown, NY, as well as what Kris calls an “inner sanctum” look at their textile collection.
**Other speakers (tentatively Merikay Waldvogel) and events to be scheduled.
One fee for the conference includes all seminars, museum trip, admission to a vendors area, and one continental breakfast, one dinner (‘supper’ to all us farm girls!), and three lunches. Add in GREAT room prices, and this conference is a real value. It will be an opportunity to consider quilts, coverlets, clothing and other textiles in the framework of the 18th-21th centuries…and put them in perspective. Don’t miss it.
If interested, check out http://www.hickoryhillquilts.com/conference.htm, or fax (518) 875-9141. Be sure to include your e-mail address if responding by fax. Specify if you want registration info by fax or e-mail. For a brochure, send a SASE to Hickory Hill Quilts, P.O. Box 273, Esperance, NY 12066.
Due to the intimate, hands-on nature of the conference, spaces are limited. In just the few weeks since it has been mentioned publicly, nearly a quarter of available spots are already spoken for! So don’t delay if you plan to attend.
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 04:43:34 EDT | From: BrickWks1 [at] aol [dot] com
Jan Drechsler, I’ve tried to send you a personal e-mail response 3 times now! It keeps coming back, and I don’t want to bore the fur off everyone else, talking about it on list. Help!
FYI, Mary Cross, regarding mis-cataloguing of your book on quilts and the Mormon migration — my library (in Colorado) got it right, and put it in quilts/crafting section. But then again, I get the feeling that some of the librarians are quilters — we have a fairly rich category in quilting books.
Cindy b.
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 07:54:17 EDT | From: Baglady111 [at] aol [dot] com
I am just so pleased with the exhibit and gathering in JACKSON, TN a few weeks ago. I spoke with my partner in this event, ANNA LUE COOK who is a cotton historian and she gave me wonderful news that I want to share..actually, I want to scream from the hilltop..and since I am on my way to my home in the Blue Ridge Mts of Va for a retreat I am holding, I will do JUST THAT..get up on our acreage and SHOUT THE NEWS..
BEMIS, TN has been incorportated by JACKSON, TN..it is the home of the Bemis Facorty, no longer in operation..but it is a company town..Judson Bemis was one of the forerunners of producing feedsack fabric. What better place for our annual exhibit and gathering!!!
Because of our interest in the historical importance of feedsacks, and continually seeking recognition for feedsacks to take their place along with ANY fabric produced in our country and be included in our textile history, the town of Bemis has started a historical society ,and the Bemis Co is negoiating to purchase the local (closed) theater in Bemis as a permanent museum..CAN YOU BEGIN TO IMAGINE!!!!
For those who attended the exhibit and our special event this year, thank you for your support. Regretfully I was unable to attend..but WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR..
When the FEEDSACK CLUB began in Floyd
Va where I am holding the retreat this week-end, I often wondered if I was making a difference those early years plugging along..AWESOME!!!!
Jane of THE FEEDSACK CLUB
www.his.com/~queenb/feedsack.html
www2.netcom,com?~leelman/feedsack.html
www.hickoryhillquilts.feedsacks.htm
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 08:37:50 EDT | From: SadieRose [at] aol [dot] com
Sorry for the double posting!! I have no idea how or why that happened, believe me, I didn’t type or send it twice!!
Karan from chilly Iowa
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 08:48:27 -0400 | From: roosien <roosien [at] ibm [dot] net>
I have a friend that made a quilt for the wife of a male cousin that passed away from cancer. She took one of his long sleeved button down shirts (denim) and appliqued the body of it to the crazy quilt top, leaving the button part open and the sleeves free. This way when the wife was feeling sad, she could put her arms in the sleeves of his shirt and wrap the quilt around her. I hope I described this in a way you can understand.
Chris R. from western Michigan
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 09:17:00 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
Sorry I didn’t give the address for the museum in San Jose. I can’t remember the address, and since I’d scribbled it on a piece of scrap paper while standing at a pay phone, I didn’t keep the sheet! All I can tell you it is in an outdoor walking mall, between S. 2nd and S. 4th St.’s, near a college (it’s actually a few blocks from the original S. 2nd address). I think a perpendicular cross road is San Fernando (boy, the saints are really well-represented around there!).
Alan
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 09:29:04 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
No, it’s not MY wedding dress! <VVBG>
A good friend’s mother died Tuesday morning. It’s truly a blessing – she’d become quite infirm, and was in the hospital as often as she was at home. She was in her 70’s. Sadly, her husband’s ancient, best-buddy dog died within 24 hours of his wife. Please say a prayer for him. But while I talked to Cathy, I told her that if I could do anything, ask. She did. She wants to preserve her mother’s wedding dress. It’s cotton eyelet lace (probably c.1940-50). Is there anything special? I’d say clean it well and put it away in the acid-free paper and box. But I’m not really into clothes, so I’m not certain (there may also be another clincher, as I haven’t seen the dress yet, just going on Cathy’s description. I also need to help her with the family quilts. This is the lady with the to-die-for 1930’s fan quilt in screamingly bright candy colors on white.
Alan
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 09:32:16 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
“Northern Comforts”, the Sturbridge Village book, discusses mosaic piecing in the 2nd or 3rd chapter. I’ve begun to read it, and it’s an easy read (for a history book).
And they mentioned the professional quilters in London of 1747(?). Men. But they also said that unless the quilter could afford to buy his own supplies, he’d never get rich doing this. Makes me feel better that there’s a long tradition of this.
Alan
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 06:54:53 -0700 | From: “fall” <fall [at] teleport [dot] com>
Alan,
My mother in-law asked something similar of her wedding dress. But instead of preserving it, she asked me to cut it up and make a ring-bearer’s pillow for every grandchild.
I have not yet done so, and I should think about starting. When she gave me the dress, she only had 5 grandkids. Now she has 9. The dress is in such excellent condition – late 40’s tea-length lace with a matching lace bolero-type short jacket – I just can’t bear to cut into it! I need a pep talk from the listers telling me to just start cutting – after all it was what my husband’s mother wanted…..
Thanks,
Cheryl
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 10:08:07 -0400 | From: “Kelchner, Alan” <Alan.Kelchner [at] stdreg [dot] com>
Sorry, can’t tell you to start cutting. Maybe you could save the jacket intact (for yourself as a “fee”?), and incorporate pieces of the skirt into the top of the pillows?
I find the request a bit odd. What if the child is male and doesn’t care (female too), or if they don’t marry, etc., etc……….. Maybe you could make something less event-oriented?
Just an thought.
Alan
> ———-
> From:
fall[SMTP:fall [at] teleport [dot] com]
> Sent:
Thursday, October 01, 1998 9:54 AM
> To:
Kelchner, Alan; QHL [at] cuenet [dot] com
> Subject:
Re: wedding dress
> Alan,
> My mother in-law asked something similar of her wedding dress. But instead of preserving it, she asked me to cut it up and make a ring-bearer’s pillow for every grandchild.
> I have not yet done so, and I should think about starting. When she gave me the dress, she only had 5 grandkids. Now she has 9. The dress is in such excellent condition – late 40’s tea-length lace with a matching lace bolero-type short jacket – I just can’t bear to cut into it!
> I need a pep talk from the listers telling me to just start cutting – after all it was what my husband’s mother wanted…..
> Thanks,
> Cheryl
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 07:10:20 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen [at] yahoo [dot] com>
Ann,et al.
If you check http://www.cuenet.com/help/listserver/man.html#1.2, cuenet will explain how to get archives, but I find it very cumbersome to use. I have been experimenting with other methods & will let y’all know what I come up with.
Kris
_________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 10:09:16 +0000 | From: Jocelyn <jocelynm [at] sw1 [dot] socwel [dot] ukans [dot] edu>
> I find the request a bit odd. What if the child is male and doesn’t care (female too), or if they don’t marry, etc., etc………..
Alan and Cheryl,
I agree whole-heartedly about not making it conditional on marrying. Just because someone doesn’t marry doesn’t make them less deserving of a memento of their grandmother! Once upon a time ‘marriage’ also meant ‘establishing one’s own household’, but not any more. Also, a lot of weddings don’t use ring-bearers. I know that I probably won’t….I had thought that after having a nephew I might, but now it’s beginning to be questionable as to which one of us would marry first! <G> At any rate, he’s looonnnnngggg past the age of being a ringbearer.
Making lovely decorative pillows of the dress, that COULD be used as a ringbearer pillow, is one idea….but please, if your MIL is still alive, convince her that it would be hurtful to some of her grandkids to see their cousins get an heirloom, and not receive one themselves. Especially for those who’ve decided they won’t marry…..
Jocelyn
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 11:33:31 -0400 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow [at] blast [dot] net>
My Dating Fabrics book arrived from Hickory Hill while I was at work yesterday. DH and I spent last night pouring through it page by page. What a pleasure. My only thought right now is that I should buy a second copy immediately, for when this one gets so tattered as to be unusable, or for one in the car, one at home. I’m thinking about making a cloth slip-case for it to make it easier to carry around without damage. Great job, Eileen! It’s a classic already!
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow [at] blast [dot] net
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 12:05:39 EDT | From: Lalalawyr [at] aol [dot] com
Thank you, Dottie, for saying exactly what I was thinking! After all, quilting existed for generations long before classes and books and the whole quilt business came about.
I’m glad I have the money these days to support my habit at the classes/workshops and expensive fabric stash level, but I taught myself to quilt in 1977 when I was earning about $2 an hour, with a cheap Sunset book and just enough fabric for one project. And you can even get the books from the library and/or guild lending libraries for free.
If you ask me, people who think that a $30 book or an expensive class is the only way to learn and just give up if they can’t afford these things probably aren’t that motivated – because that certainly isn’t the only avenue available.
I have no data to back this up, but I think the general decline of hand-work and sewing – on an every day level, that is, not on a hobbyist level – is one of the main reasons that women at all economic levels aren’t learning to quilt. Many people don’t even have basic sewing skills, or feel daunted by hand crafts – so acquiring these skills and then taking it a step further and learning to quilt may be a deterrant – probably more so than the cost involved.
Melissa
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 12:10:14 -0400 | From: “Judy Grow” <Judygrow [at] blast [dot] net>
I just posted a mini-review of Eileen’s book – “Dating Fabrics” to the other lists I am on, and realized that there might be others on this list of quilt history-types who don’t know what this book is and might want to know. So I have copied the review I wrote and will post it here:—
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 12:30:37 EDT | From: Chyral [at] aol [dot] com
Has anyone received a QRS newletter dated beyond Winter 1997 (Vol. 2, Issue 4)????
Just wondering….
Cheryl
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 13:30:53 -0400 (EDT) | From: quiltsnbears [at] webtv [dot] net (Roberta Geanangel)
The comments about money spent on quilting-as-a-hobby, and who can & cannot afford it, raises some interesting points.
Perhaps the main reason anyone who CAN afford expensive fabrics and equipment might feel guilty is that patchwork and quilting have their psychological roots in austerity and ‘make do and mend’ thinking. We feel we OUGHT to be thrifty. There’s nothing to stop people like me from enjoying the challenge of using left-over fabrics, remnants and so on, to make useful and (hopefully) beautiful objects. But I could only feel virtuous about this if I then DIDN’T go out and buy new patchwork cottons just because they caught my eye!
Other hobbyists – photographers, wood-workers, potters, to mention just a few – don’t appear to have these problems.
Surely one of the reasons for having a hobby is precisely that it’s something to spend both your time and your money on if you’ve got them to spare?
Poor people can’t afford LOTS of things and sending money on P & Q is just one of them.
If, as a quilter, you feel guilty about spending money on it – STOP and send the money to a charity!
Yours, Celia Eddy (Solway Coast, UK)
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 11:05:24 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen <krisdriessen [at] yahoo [dot] com>
Thanks, Judy! I assume it’s okay to add this to the QHL review page?
Kris
—Judy Grow <Judygrow [at] blast [dot] net> wrote:
> I just posted a mini-review of Eileen’s book – “Dating Fabrics” to
the other
> lists I am on, and realized that there might be others on this list
of quilt
> history-types who don’t know what this book is and might want to
know. So I
> have copied the review I wrote and will post it here:—
