Date: Sun, 05 Jan 1997 11:21:09 +1000

From: J Marlow <jmarlowworld.net>

After reading "Legacy - The Story of Talula Gilbert Bottoms and Her

Quilts" you may like to have a look at the book "Family Ties- Old Quilt

Patterns from New Cloth" which is a treasury of elegant, colourful quilt

patterns based on the quilts of Talula Bottoms grandmother of the author

Nancilu Butler Burdick.

The quilt patterns illustrated range from easier to more challenging.

The "Pieced Quilts" section, for instance, begins with the Snowball, a

pattern often used in the past by grandmothers to introduce very young

girls to curved-patch piecing. The "Applique" section, however, is

offered randomly, because any quilter can see at a glance a pattern's

appeal and skill level.

Family Ties provides a rare glimpse of how older quilt patterns can

reach across generations to enrich lives and strengthen family ties in

our own fast-moving world.

It is Published by Rutledge Hill Press ISBN 1-55853-134-3.

No affil. just enjoyed both books. The Legacy book may inspire you to

try one of her patterns.

Jeanette

jmarlowworld.net

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 21:39:18 -0500

From: SadieRoseaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Speck more info on Baptist Fan quilting

Message-ID: <970104213917_1414025322emout13.mail.aol.com>

In the book "Treasures in the Trunk" the 'Baptist Fan' quilting motif is

called "elbow" quilting. Anyone heard it called this before??

"The curved lines of elbow/fan quilting were also easy to place for

quilting. A series of marks was spaced equidistant along a board. As the

lines were needed, the elbow was placed on the appropriate mark and the line

drawn as the arm swung the curve across the quilt." (pg 142 T i t T Mary

Bywater Cross)

Karan from Iowa where we are expecting new snow tomorrow

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 21:39:12 -0500

From: SadieRoseaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Quilt History books

Message-ID: <970104213911_843831478emout09.mail.aol.com>

I want to emphasize that this is my Personal Opinion.....

I think "Treasures in the Trunk" is a lovely book with some great quilts

and information on the quilt makers, families and their travel to Oregon over

the Oregon Trail.

The thing that really frustrates me is the 1990's interpretation of

women's lives and intents about making their quilts. I got so mad reading

about traditional designs being interpretted as 'Migration Quilts' that I

actually threw the book across the room in disgust! Poor DH couldn't figure

what was going on. He got a sermon on my point of view on this.

If there was a diary or written account by the maker.....and she said "I

chose this pattern to symbolize my migration to Oregon" then that would be

fine with me. But to interpret someone else's intentions 150 years later

(without documentation) ....is not history to me, but historical fiction.

The other problem with this is that future quilt enthusiasts may accept

these interpretations as "fact" (which has already happened with quilt

'history' over the years).

I hope that no one in 2145 looks at my Ocean Waves quilts, and decides

that I was drowning in technology.. or pining for the ocean, here in the

landlocked Midwest. I just like scrap quilts, and the Ocean Waves design.

Now my "Shooting Stars" quilt (actually the Japanese Snow Crystal's

pattern) was so named because I cut out the diamonds as I listened with

horror to the start of Desert Storm (had friends with sons over there).

I guess there are 2 sides to this....one is to be careful in your

interpretation of someone else's quilts....and the other, is to leave a

written record of how and why you made your quilts, so they won't have to

guess in the future!

Will get down off my soapbox now! Karan

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 05 Jan 1997 02:23:19 -0800

From: nomad1ibm.net

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Intro

Message-ID: <32CF8117.159Eibm.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi everyone!

Just introducing myself to all you facinating folk.I hail from Australia

-yes another one! My name is Hiranya and I too am nuts about quilts among

other things.

When some of you were talking about the Smithsonian Book ,were you

talking about "Quilts From the Smithsonian"? Or is there another

available?

Bye for now Hiranya

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 22:39:08 -0500 (EST)

From: Quilting Heritage ListServ <QRSmail.albany.net>

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Speck more info on Baptist Fan quilting

Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970104223654.27976fe0mail.albany.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Yes, as a matter of fact, at one of the shows I was at, an older woman came

up to me and told me that one of my quilt labels was wrong. I had refered

to the quilting pattern as "fan" quilting, she told me that, growing up, it

was always called "elbow quilting." I assumed that to be a Southern

reference, I didn't realize it was in Treasures in the Trunk, too.

Kris

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jan 97 22:25:47 PST

From: John & Cinda Cawley <cawleyepix.net>

To: "Carol L. O'Neill" <coneillCapAccess.org>, QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: RE: Speck more info on Baptist Fan quilting

Message-ID: <Chameleon.970104223019.cawley.epix.net>

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII

Hi Carol,

There was definitely more than one quilt in the Renwick exhibit

that had fan quilting.

Cinda in Scranton

-------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 23:14:43 +0000

From: "The Garretts" <bgarrettpo.fast.net>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: Quilt History books

Message-Id: <m0vgjzc-0004P9Cfast.net>

Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

Karen, aka Sadie Rose -

I loved your post about Treasures in the Trunk and agree with your point about

us creating quilt history facts without documentation. There are many untrue

"facts" being circulated because they have appeared in writing somewhere, and

then used as a reference for another writing. The domino effect can occur

quite easily. Authors need to be held accountable for what they write, and

they need to realize the importance of documentation as opposed to heresay. In

my opinion, there has been considerable "romanticism of quiltmaking" without

regard to facts. The romantic version reads/sells/sounds better. Actually, I

feel that if you dig deep enough, you can find the "true" romantic version.

That's why I enjoy being involved in quilt documentation so much.

Happy quilting from

Barb in southeastern PA

<bgarrettfast.net>

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 05 Jan 1997 08:41:25 -0800

From: nomad1ibm.net

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL:Nancy Sentipal

Message-ID: <32CFD9B5.406Bibm.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Nancy,never call Romance silly!The world certainly could do with more

Romance.Actually when one considers quilts,there is so much Romance

attached to them in a way,if you get my drift.

Reading the other Intro's I felt a bit guilty as I was so brief,I did not

mean to be secretive or snobby.Basically I did not want to Yakk too much!

Looking forward to chatting with you all,

Hiranya Loder from Sydney Australia

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 09:09:36 +0000

From: David Lewis <davidnodanw.demon.co.uk>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Durham Quilts

Message-ID: <tFZwDDAQ$2zyEwtznodanw.demon.co.uk>

This may appear strange, writing from England to an American group to

ask about English quilts.

A week ago, I saw a section in a video about Durham Quilts (that is

Durham in the North East of England).

So far, I have been unable to find any more information. Can anyone

point me in the right direction?

Thank you.

Marie

Marie Lewis

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 07:24:44 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Lending Library

Message-ID: <970105072440_1010212570emout05.mail.aol.com>

another thought and good business fo YOU..an article on antiqeu quilts, what

to look for, care of, prices to pay, etc..it could be a series..you fo course

get the fee/full credit..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 10:58:12 -0500

From: "J. G. Row" <judygrowblast.net>

To: "Quilt History Digest" <QHL-Digestcue.com>

Subject: Quilts touching wood

Message-Id: <199701051658.LAA05581fireball.blast.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

All this talk of putting quilts in chests, on frames or on wooden poles

has gotten me to unlurk. I am a professional picture framer. My education

has been in protecting paper and fabric from the inherently harmful effects

of wood and paper (also a wood product).

Unless all wood products are sealed permanently, acid migration will take

place and damage the artwork (quilts are art). Therefore placing quilts in

muslin bags will not be protective in a cedar chest or in a bureau drawer.

As the cellulose fibers in the lignan break down they form gases that, of

course, will permeate a muslin bag and stain what is inside the bag. The

muslin will get stained first, then the quilt. And if that cedar chest is

in the attic -- all chemical processes are speeded up by 10% for every

increase of 10 degrees.

And if the cedar chest is in the basement you have the problem of mold

forming in a moist environment. A thumbprint can be a banquet for mold

spores, so any quilt must be throroughly cleaned before storage. There is a

reason for wearing white gloves at quilt shows.

Judy in NJ

judygrowblast.net

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 97 08:17:50 -0900

From: Nick Fuller <nickfxyz.net>

To: <QHLcue.com>

Subject: QHL: Re:pre-washing

Message-Id: <199701051729.IAA06513origin.xyz.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

>Before I sign off, I would like to find out if everyone pre-wash their

>fabrics, before making a quilt? For those who pre-wash, how do you do it?

>With cold or hot water, in detergent or salt & vinegar, by hand or

>machine, etc, etc? And what are your personal reasons & opinions for

>pre-washing the fabrics?

I pre-wash everything; fabrics before quilting and new clothes before

wearing. I do it to remove any residual chemicals before I handle the

fabric, as I am sensitive to them. But I also figure if there will be a

problem with washing a fabric, better find out before I use it! So I wash

them same as everything else, mild (unscented) detergent and warm water.

I also wash finished quilts when done. Partly to remove any dirt or oils

that could adversely affect it and partly to be sure it will survive

washing before going to a new home. (Which they all will, sooner or

later, except those I wear out!)

Abby Fuller

nickfxyz.net

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 02:34:55 +0000

From: "Hester Butler-Ehle" <hjbeportage1.portup.com>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Introduction

Message-Id: <199701051933.OAA17367portage1.portup.com>

I've been feeling a bit guilty, having been on the list for a few

weeks without introducing myself, but now that the holiday rush is

over, I can do so.

I have really enjoyed reading this list--I'm one of those who has

at least as many history books as how-to-do-it books in my quilt book

collection, and probably more. I especially like the different state

quilt project books--it's fascinating to see the regional

differences, as well as the different ways the projects have been

run. Also, since I prefer to make traditional quilts, these books

provide endless inspiration!

There isn't really a quilting history in my family; my grandmother

made one top (from scraps of fabric from clothing she had made--my mom

can look at it and identify the dress or housecoat that each came

from) in the late forties or early fifties, but had it quilted by

someone else. Until last year I thought that was the only family

quilt, but then my mom found an old Ducks Foot in the Mud that my

grandmother had had. Unfortunately she has no idea who made it, as my

grandmother and her youngest sister (my great aunt) were the only

seamstresses in the family. We looked at it and the fabrics used

seem most likely to have come from the first quarter of this century,

but that's all we have been able to figure out. It certainly gave me

new motivation to make sure I sign *all* my quilts!

Looking forward to "meeting" you all,

Hester

hjbeportup.com

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 15:57:14 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Reading list ideas

Message-ID: <970105155713_1224027479emout11.mail.aol.com>

What a wonderful idea..and I too am very lucky to be in Pittsburgh, the home

ANDREW CARNEGIE..RING A BELL?? I myself will check to see if they can

acquire any that peek my interest. And sometimes they ask for suggestions as

to what to order..and you are welcome to borrow NE/TX..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 16:58:58 -0500

From: AJSNGSaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Reading list ideas

Message-ID: <970105165857_1856502625emout06.mail.aol.com>

Hiya Jane,

We watched part of the Steelers game....weird weather huh?

This book list thing could get confusing but it still will be fun. Kris said

she would like to borrow "Soft Covers..." after me, so would you like me to

send it on to her when I'm finished, or do you want it back first? Stupid

question, I know, but it's your book so I feel that I should ask it anyway.

And put me in line for the Oregon Trail....

Nancy in VA (where going back to work tomorrow is really getting in the way

of doing all the stuff I really need to be doing--like reading your book, and

buying quilting stuff, etc.!! (smile).

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 97 14:34:24 PST

From: Geolink P/L <geolinkozemail.com.au>

To: QHL <qhlcuenet.com>

Subject: QHL: My Intro and Books.

Message-ID:

<Chameleon.4.01.2.970106144316.geolinkozemail.com.au.ozemail.com.au>

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Good-day there - I am Leanne from Darwin, Northern

Territory, Australia and am thoroughly enjoying the few

weeks that I have been on this list.

I have only been quilting for 4 years but have spent lots of

time while the children are little doing quilts (large and

small) and am addicted to quilting!!

I am starting to collect the history-of-quilting books now

after having bought many how-to-do-quilting books.

I have 5 for the list of books:

1. Treasures in the Trunk - quilts of the Oregon Trail.

2. Old Patchwork Quilts and the Women Who Made Them.

3. Signs and Symbols - African images in African-American

Quilts.

4. Pieces of an American Quilt - behind the scenes of the

movie "How to make an Amercan quilt".

5. Amish Women - lives and stories.

All the best for 1997 everyone and happy quilting!!

From

Leanne McGill.

Leanne McGill and John Humphries : Say G'Day

Geolink P/L, ACN 009 640 215 : and

PO Box 886, Palmerston, NT, AUSTRALIA 0831: Smile!

geolinkozemail.com.au : * *

Ph: (08) 89831905 Fax (08) 89831334 : \_/

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 12:19:51 -0800

From: deb roby <robydamodex.com>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Digest Digest V96 #30

Message-ID: <32CC1867.39F5modex.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

>Someone said:(I was too ambitious with my editing):

>

> I have one more comment about storing quilts. I said borax would ward

> off silverfish but in the years I have dealt with quilts I have found the

worst

> damage from mice, especially in quilts stored in the attic.

>

> I wonder what is the best way to discourage them. I have read that

> mice do not like newspapers and if there were a layer of newspaper around what

> you stored they would leave it alone. Again have a couple of layers of cotton

> or something nonacid between the quilts and the newspapers. Does anyone

know if

> this works or what does work? moth balls? they cause such a bad odor? ??? So

> many things to consider, maybe a safe would be better. ;-) Ah better yet have

> them out where all can see, use and enjoy. :)

> I have been told that mice do not like hte scent of citrus. Infact I planted

orange-mint around my sheds to discourage the mice from inhabiting them.

(The mint

died in the shade of the sheds; the mice thrive inside the sheds). Still, I

would

consider mixing lemon/orange scented herbs to discourage mice before I would

use

newspaper or mothballs. The mice we have love to nest in paper (and

insulation, and

potting soil, and tractor engines...).

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 07:37:41 +0000

From: "The Garretts" <bgarrettpo.fast.net>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: circa 1930s quotes

Message-Id: <m0vhEKF-0004JbCfast.net>

Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

I enjoy going to yard sales and flea markets, always hoping to find something

interesting. Last night I was looking through a box of miscellaneous quilting

papers I had been fortunate to find - the kind of stuff that usually gets

thrown out because it appears useless. But, when not thrown out, the owner

says it is really valuable because it is "old." This was just things torn out

of magazines, sketches made by people, etc. - the kind of stuff I save and have

piles of, but is the closest I have come to finding personal journals and the

like.

The few things with dates say 1932 to 1937. Several sheets of notebook paper

have Alice Brooks newspaper patterns glued to them - the pictures for ordering,

not the entire patterns. On the back of one of the pages, someone had typed

the following paragraphs. By the way they are written, I am guessing someone

found this written somewhere, liked it, and wanted a copy - not unlike what we

do today, only we have easier means at hand. I found what she said very

interesting and hope some of you do too. Sorry, but it is fairly long. I

don't know the original source for the quote, but feel it has to be from the

1930s or earlier. Anyone recognize it? Enjoy --

She made a patchwork pattern of pointed oblongs clear red on white; she set the

bright peaks around square beyond square in ranges that keep the eye climbing

upward. She named it the Delectable Mountainss, and it is an outburst of joy.

Only the guilt itself can give its effect. At the sight every face brightens.

How can mere pieces of cloth sewed together have this power to lift the human

spirit. No one can explain this; it is the mystery of art.

This mysterious power will chill you when you see these same pointed oblongs

set in a distrubing pattern of dark colors; they convey a feeling of fearful

uncertainty even before you know the pattern's name: Kansas Trouble. It

speaks of those years of raids burnings murder and massacre in Bloody Kansas

before John Brown came out of them to raid Harpers Ferry and kindle war's

atrocities from Canada to Mexico.

Then look at these two patterns. Lincoln's Platform and Little Giant. When

the self-taught backwoodsman, rawboned Abraham Lincoln, met Stephen Douglas,

the cultured gentleman, in the debates that still are brilliant expositions of

American political philosophy their ardent partisans made these patchwork

patterns. Lincoln's Platform is study, four square, crudely candid; the Little

Giant, firmly decisive, is elegant and subtle. Both are honest; the lines in

both are straight and in Little Giant the straight lines frame the firm center

in what seems to be gentle curves. Patchwork triangles never have been used

more skillfully.

The uses of triangles are inexhaustible though. Simply following each other in

rows they have such life and movement that on the Atlantic coast they are named

Ocean Waves while beyond the mountains the inland women call the Birds in Air

or Wild Goos Chase. Set triangles into triangles in widening rows, apply a

bias strip or bit of tape for a handle, and you have Flower Basket, a modern

design two centuries old. Triangles set into triangles in colored circles

blazing out from a round center make Rising Sun, or the wetern desert's Blazing

Sun, or, when the circles split and the colored run to brilliant points, the

Star of Bethlehem or the Lone Star of Texas.

Square bits of cloth, cut across into triangles, oblongs, diamonds; with these

simple forms and scraps saved in the rag bag thousands of unkown women have

expressed their tastes, interests, emotions, beliefs, hopes, and fears; they

created a folk art and it becomes a record of American life & American history.

Only listen to the names of some of the patterns - Coronation, King's Crown,

Brunswick Star, Bear's Paw, Tomahawk, Log Cabin, Pine Tree, Birds in the

Window, Union Star, Potomac Pride, Washington's Quilt, Martha Washington's

Flower Garden, Dolly Madison'a Star, Mountain Pink, Lemon Star, 54-50 or Fight,

Oregon Trail, Kansas Trouble, Kansas Sunflower, Lone Star of Texas, Calaifornia

Star, California Poppy. Only a few and how much they mean.

Let us treasure as part of American culture the infinite variety of old

patchwork patterns that record their gallant lives, and honor as culture

bearers the thousands of housekeeping women who created and enriched this

heritage that is ours to carry on and leave, enriched, to our grandchildren's

grandchildren.

Hi, it's me again - hope some of you liked it too. What I liked is that this

wasn't someone in 1980s or 1990s writing about how the women felt in 1930s, but

was their writing instead.

Barb in southeastern PA

<bgarrettfast.net>

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 08:49:15 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: lending library

Message-ID: <970106084745_1491778032emout20.mail.aol.com>

I have the info on the FEEDSACK BOOK for our list.

TEXTILE BAGS (The Feeding & clothing of America) Identification & Value

Guide. it ANNA LUE COOK .

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 08:56:07 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: library

Message-ID: <970106085607_171504638emout18.mail.aol.com>

sorry, hit the wrong button again..

ANNA LUE COOK 7892 Cross Pike DR, Germantown, TN 38138 it sells for $12.95 +

$1.00 p&h..total 13.00. she will autograph on request..I spoke with Anna

last night and she is setting aside 3 books to lend..if you feel you want to

own one for your collection contact her for buying it or having her send you

a NEW one if you have rec'vd a used one..right now they will be brand new.

This is an excellent book, in black and white, prices ACCORDING to dealers

so they are higher than what you would pay at auctions/yd sales..but there

are pictures so that you will recognize many of them, and history as well..No

matter how many I carry to my lectures, I sell out..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 09:58:47 -0500 (EST)

From: aardvarkime.net (A.A. Harkavy)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Prewashing fabrics

Message-Id: <199701061458.JAA06942ime.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Abby Fuller asked why subscribers prewash fabrics and how. I'm really

opinionated on this subject, so I'm going to risk boring some of you to tears.

1. I *hate* unpleasant surprises. I want prewashing to be the worst thing

the fabric will have to endure.

2. Fabric as purchased often has residues of detergents used to remove

excess dye (it often smells like Synthrapol), sizing to make it feel

stiffer, etc. I don't want this stuff in fabric I store, and I don't want

in my sewing area any fumes from chemicals on unwashed fabric.

3. All fabric may not shrink in the same proportions, if it shrinks at all.

Prewashing assures that everything I put into a quilt is in about the same

condition from the get-go.

Here's what I do:

1. Contrary to popular advice, I wash all fabrics in *hot* water on the

theory that if I give away or sell the quilt this may happen. Since I was

quilts (even antiques) in hot water and use only cotton batts, this works

fine for me.

2. Unscented, uncolored liquid detergent's my stuff of choice. Orvus quilt

soap is simply concentrated detergent (sodium lauryl sulfate). If you use

*that*, then dilute the paste in a cup of water before adding to washer.

Orvus quilt soap is expensive unless you buy it (as Orvus horse soap) by the

tub at a feed or ag supply store.

3. After a 12-minute wash cycle on *hot*, I use a cold rinse. After

wash/rinse cycle is complete, fabric still may smell like

industrial-strength detergent (such as Synthrapol). Whether or not it does,

the fabric gets a *second* rinse cycle in cold water. Then I dry on cotton

setting, which is *higher heat*.

Note: never have I lost the metallic stuff on a metallic fabric, and I have

had absolutely no disasters using this treatment.

Note: Wash lights and darks separately. Pretest dark fabrics by placing a

corner in a white bowl of hot water. Just because water colors, it does not

mean that the color will be deposited on other fabrics. In fact, it usually

will not be. But you can't be sure ... so when prewashing, make sure darks

and lights are nto washed together!

Addy

aardvarkime.net

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 97 10:42:10 PST

From: Sharon Harleman Tandy <harlemanmicron.net>

To: "A.A. Harkavy" <aardvarkime.net>, QHLcue.com

Subject: RE: QHL: Prewashing fabrics

Message-ID: <Chameleon.970106105023.harlemanharleman.micron.net>

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=us-ascii

Addy makes an excellent point about the chemicals in unwashed fabric. My

best friend worked in a fabric store for several years and like many of us

had many allergies. Every Wednesday at work she would lose her voice, be

completely hoarse, had difficulty breatheing and nearly lost consciousness

more than once. The manager discovered this all happened within 30 seconds

of the new bolts being unwrapped after a delivery! I don't know what it is

used for but there's formaldehyde in new fabrics. (So my friend stayed in

the office during unloading and unwrapping and worked on the books.)

Apparently it is also in new carpets and guess what her husband did for a

living? Right, carpet layer. Any fabric I bring home goes to the laundry

before it goes to the sewing room as I also have too many allergies to

encourage a really dangerous one like that. Sharon in sunny, blue-skyed Boise.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 13:48:34 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Fwd: Posted on Gardening Chat Board

Message-ID: <970106134426_2021397475emout07.mail.aol.com>

In a message dated 97-01-06 09:33:41 EST, JackJumpUp writes:

<< Subj: Posted on Gardening Chat Board

Date: 97-01-06 09:33:41 EST

From: JackJumpUp

To: Baglady111

Subj: Re:herb repellent/Baglady111

Date: 97-01-06 09:28:24 EST

From: JackJumpUp

Baglady111 writes >>We are a group of quilters with a net forum dedicated to

the research and care of antique quilts..the preservation of our textile

history. Peopple think moths attack quilts (which are in most cases total

cotton) when in actuallity we are given to understand that silverfish can be

a serious problem. Years ago a friend (herbalist) concocted a repellent

using herbs that worked like a charm. I have no idea what was in it..so we

are looking for that answer as well as any other herbs that would protect

stored quilts, other antique fabrics as well..<<

````

Baglady/Jane posted another request that was more specific to silverfish,

but I found this one first. I don't ever recall seeing an herbal reference

specifically mentioning silverfish, but herbs were historically used with

fabrics for their ability to repel moths (as well as other insects), and some

were added simply for fragrance.

I've been reading a 'new' book (this was a Christmas gift), and was just

reading about 'Sweet Bags and Fragrancies.' I thought some of you might be

interested, so I'll post it a short excerpt.

This is from Magic Gardens, by Roberta Clarkson, The Macmillan Co., 1939.

`````

Note: Roberta Clarkson is quoting from an 1864 issue of 'Godey's Lady's

Book.' These were directions for perfuming clothes:

" 'Cloves, in coarse powder, one ounce; cassia, one ounce; lavender flowers,

one ounce; lemon peel, one ounce. Mix and put them into little bags, and

place them where the clothes are kept, or wrap the clothes round them. They

will keep off insects.'

[Roberta Clarkson]... "Besides filling bags and pads with spices and herbs,

the crushed herbs mixed with freshly crushed cloves may be scattered among

clothes...Laying in the dried tops of some herbs is also effective, the tips

of santolina (lavender cotton), rosemary, southernwood, yellow melilot (sweet

clover), thyme, wormwood, mint, tansy, lavender, also flower heads of the

lavender, and dried and sliced roots of valerian and sweet flag. Choose what

combination you will and mix about two tablespoonfuls of crushed spices to a

scant pound of herbs. Southernwood used to be so universally used in France

that it was called 'Garde robe,' its modern name 'citronelle' coming from the

distinct odor of lemon which it has."

````

Jane~ there were other herbs used like sweet woodruff, Florentine iris root

(more commonly called orris root), etc. I'd like to suggest a trip to the

library. Several of my older herb books (and a few new ones) list several

other herbs and recipes. You might also contact something like a textile

museum or Sturbridge Village, Colonial Williamsburg, etc. There's a lot of

information available, but hopefully this will get you started. ~JJUp

P.S. If you learn about something that works with silverfish, please let us

know. :-)

>>

---------------------

Forwarded message:

Subj: Posted on Gardening Chat Board

Date: 97-01-06 09:33:41 EST

From: JackJumpUp

To: Baglady111

Subj: Re:herb repellent/Baglady111

Date: 97-01-06 09:28:24 EST

From: JackJumpUp

Baglady111 writes >>We are a group of quilters with a net forum dedicated to

the research and care of antique quilts..the preservation of our textile

history. Peopple think moths attack quilts (which are in most cases total

cotton) when in actuallity we are given to understand that silverfish can be

a serious problem. Years ago a friend (herbalist) concocted a repellent

using herbs that worked like a charm. I have no idea what was in it..so we

are looking for that answer as well as any other herbs that would protect

stored quilts, other antique fabrics as well..<<

````

Baglady/Jane posted another request that was more specific to silverfish,

but I found this one first. I don't ever recall seeing an herbal reference

specifically mentioning silverfish, but herbs were historically used with

fabrics for their ability to repel moths (as well as other insects), and some

were added simply for fragrance.

I've been reading a 'new' book (this was a Christmas gift), and was just

reading about 'Sweet Bags and Fragrancies.' I thought some of you might be

interested, so I'll post it a short excerpt.

This is from Magic Gardens, by Roberta Clarkson, The Macmillan Co., 1939.

`````

Note: Roberta Clarkson is quoting from an 1864 issue of 'Godey's Lady's

Book.' These were directions for perfuming clothes:

" 'Cloves, in coarse powder, one ounce; cassia, one ounce; lavender flowers,

one ounce; lemon peel, one ounce. Mix and put them into little bags, and

place them where the clothes are kept, or wrap the clothes round them. They

will keep off insects.'

[Roberta Clarkson]... "Besides filling bags and pads with spices and herbs,

the crushed herbs mixed with freshly crushed cloves may be scattered among

clothes...Laying in the dried tops of some herbs is also effective, the tips

of santolina (lavender cotton), rosemary, southernwood, yellow melilot (sweet

clover), thyme, wormwood, mint, tansy, lavender, also flower heads of the

lavender, and dried and sliced roots of valerian and sweet flag. Choose what

combination you will and mix about two tablespoonfuls of crushed spices to a

scant pound of herbs. Southernwood used to be so universally used in France

that it was called 'Garde robe,' its modern name 'citronelle' coming from the

distinct odor of lemon which it has."

````

Jane~ there were other herbs used like sweet woodruff, Florentine iris root

(more commonly called orris root), etc. I'd like to suggest a trip to the

library. Several of my older herb books (and a few new ones) list several

other herbs and recipes. You might also contact something like a textile

museum or Sturbridge Village, Colonial Williamsburg, etc. There's a lot of

information available, but hopefully this will get you started. ~JJUp

P.S. If you learn about something that works with silverfish, please let us

know. :-)

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 13:12:27 -0500

From: RLHlink3aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Prewashing fabrics

Message-ID: <970106124118_1491806631emout17.mail.aol.com>

I would like to ditto Addy's message (and others who have said similar

things) --with an additional emphasis on the personal sensitivity to the

chemical additives to fabrics. Another big plus I find in the prewashed

fabrics is that it is easier to hand sew/quilt!

Good day to all

Linda

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 14:17:12 -0400

From: tkorpitatitanic.cs.umass.edu (Terrie Korpita)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Quilting and economics

Message-Id: <v01540b03aef6ee0cc19a[128.119.41.6]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This thread on the connection between quilting and economics in the US and

Australia is fascinating. May I throw in a bit of personal experience? My

grandmother used to sew all the time, made most of my mom's and aunts'

clothing throughout their growing years (through the depression and then

into the war years). This is in Massachusetts. My mom always has

associated sewing with saving money. I still have trouble shopping with

her because if I admire anything that costs more than twenty dollars, she

examines the hem and pronounces We/I could make something much nicer for

half the price. I first learned to quilt from an elderly neighbor when I

was a kid. When I asked Mom if Nana had made quilts, her reaction was to

the effect of "We weren't that poor." Clearly, quilting meant taking

scraps of clothing and piecing them together to patch or reinforce an old

worn out blanket. Luckily Mom is open-minded and admires new quilts for

what they are. She even took a quilting class with me once. But she

cannot get over the idea of people actually buying fabric to make a quilt.

She just shakes her head.

Of course we are not old "Yankees" which in Massachusetts means folks with

American heritage dating back 200 years or more. We are Irish and German

immigrants who only "just" got off the boat about 1870. I wonder if that

colors the perception. And yes, I have some connection to the heritage of

the textile mills, but through male weavers, not the women. (Sorry I can't

elaborate, I only just learned that tidbit myself)

Terrie

tkorpitacs.umass.edu

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 97 14:07:25 PST

From: John & Cinda Cawley <cawleyepix.net>

To: David Lewis <davidnodanw.demon.co.uk>, QHLcue.com

Subject: RE: QHL: Durham Quilts

Message-ID: <Chameleon.970106141552.cawley.epix.net>

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Hi Marie,

Janet Rae in Quilts of the British Isles, (E.P.Dutton, 1987)says

"Wales, Durham and Northumberland developed a reputation for fine quilting

and making whole cloth and strip quilts." The book has a number of

references in the idex to Durham. You might also want to check out Quilt

Treasures of Great Britain(Rae et al, Rutledge Hill Press, 1995).

Cinda in Scranton

-------------------------------------

Name: John & Cinda Cawley

E-mail: cawleyepix.net

Date: 1/6/97

Time: 2:07:26 PM

This message was sent by Chameleon

-------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 17:16:43 -0500

From: QuiltLineaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: articles on antique quilts and quilt storage

Message-ID: <970106163504_37348698emout02.mail.aol.com>

Regarding the idea for articles on antique quilts, what to buy, what to look

for...

Speaking as an AQS certified appraiser, such an article would be wonderful,

but can you imagine - with the numbers, types, kinds, eras, styles, etc. It

would really be a book, rather than an article.

When looking at quilts, one way to determine value is look at it with a good,

better, best viewpoint. , For instance: (assume that the condition on the

following quilts is the same - let's say very good, assume time period and

fabrics are also the same.)

_

Good: A red and white Irish Chain quilt, 78x84, moderate amount of

quilting, 7-8 stitches/inch, in allover grid, pattern 1"apart. Binding 1/4"

applied straight edge of red.

Better: A red and white Irish Chain quilt, 78 x 84 moderate amount of

quilting, 10 stitches to the inch, all over grid in hanging diamonds,

3/4"apart. 4"red inner border and 2"white outer border. Binding 1/4" applied

straight edge of red.

Best. A red and white Irish Chain quilt 78x84, moderate amount of

quilting 10 stitches to the inch, all over grid quilting pattern in the

pieced blocks 3/4" apart, a 10" diameter feather wreath pattern in the

unpieced blocks, with the wreath's center of a hanging diamond grid. A

4"inner border of red, with chainstitch quilting and a 2" red and white

sawtooth outer border with quilting to pattern. 1/4" applied straight edge

red binding.

There is a relationship between the quilts, yet each one from good to best

took more thought in planning and in workmanship.

Another thing to consider in value, is rarity of pattern, collectability etc.

I could go on and on.

Another Certified Appraiser is lurking out there, Carol E. how do you feel

about this?

When I look for quilts, I take those I have to choose from and apply this

method. Good, Better, Best. No, you don't usually have the senario which I

have described above to choose from, but you can tell what quilts have had

more thought, care and workmanship. These are the best quilts. I allways

consider, which quilt do I get the most of for my $$$ It's hard to pass up

a quilt sometimes, because it's a quilt, but frankly sometimes it pays to

wait, even if you have to spend a little bit more.

Now to another subject - the discussion on the muslin bags. It wasn't

suggested that the quilts be left in a muslin bag inside a cedar chest or

anywhere else indefinately....it should have been made clearer that one needs

to inspect the quilts frequently, and just as you have to replace the

acid-free tissue paper, no less often than every year, you should wash your

muslin bag periodically, to get any acids off of it, then re-store your

quilt. Not to offend anyone, but, I really feel that the washing off of

every fingerprint on a quilt, it is not practical without a museum setting,

and the oils from one fingerprint most likely, will not ruin a quilt in our

or our grandchildrens lifetime. If we wish to preserve our quilts like this,

then we should donate them to museums to care for them. If we enjoy having

them, then we need to understand that after time....as everything does, as we

do, they will show their age, and in time, will fade away....nothing lasts

forever. I don't want to sound cavalier, I try to take as good of care as

reasonably and affordably I possibly can of my quilts so that my daughter can

share them with her daughter. But there is only so much we can humanly do in

life - all things pass away. Does this make any sense?

I don't want to leave on a sad note. On Penny Nii's web page - you can see

part of the Esprit collection's Amish Quilts. They are wonderful, even

though they are only 2"x2". The page can be opened at www.penny-nii.com.

Also, with regards to collecting and buying quilts. At the AQS show in

Paducah in April, Gerald Roy (the Pilgrim/Roy collection) will be teaching a

class on Buying quilts: What to look for when buying and collecting antique

quilts.

Bye for now.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 18:10:09 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: feedsack samples

Message-ID: <970106180044_1525410597emout05.mail.aol.com>

The response to receiving feedsack squares for identifying has been

great..these wil be 3 sqs measuring 2 and a half " you can keep these to

carry with you when out at yard sales/auctions and wonder IS IT OR ISN'T IT??

a 32cent stamp on a self addressed envelope will be fine..someone asked when

feedsacks came about..when the sewing machine was invented..til then

everything was stored in barrels, boxes,or tins..they wanted to use bags

because they were less cumbersom..it would be easy to throw a sack over the

back of a mule/horse..but with barrels, you needed a wagon.. no one was able

to sew a seam strong enough by hand to hold the content of the bag..as soon

as the sewing machine came on the market..in came the bags and out went the

barrels..the first man on the scene was J.M HURD of NY..but for some

reason,his bags just didn't off..but JUDSON BEMIS of St Louis..was the

forerunner in bags..it wasn;t long till others entered the market, and then

the competition began..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 97 23:28:00 GMT

From: l.evans5genie.com

To: qhlcue.com

Subject: QHL: Unidentified subject!

Message-Id: <199701062350.XAA19416relay1.geis.com>

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dare I say it? The best way to protect against mice is to get a cat,

allergies allowing...:)

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 19:55:01 -0500

From: HKnight453aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Tied quilts

Message-ID: <970106183143_1558972123emout06.mail.aol.com>

I have seen many tied quilts from the 30's on in my area, and wonder why

they get no respect. Tied quits today are not eligible for most formal

competitions. However, in our pursuit of perfect craftsmanship, one must

remember that women then and today do not always (or ever!) have time to

create a masterpiece. Tied quilts often wash well when the ties are 3" or

less. They take less time, cutting down on UFOs. They are good for everyday

quilts that are meant to be used and loved.

Sincerely,

Heather

HKnight453.aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 21:41:45 +0000

From: "The Garretts" <bgarrettpo.fast.net>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Tied quilts

Message-Id: <m0vhRV2-0004HuCfast.net>

Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

In my part of southeastern PA, a bed covering made of 3 layers that are tied

together is called a comforter. In northcentral PA, if it is made out of wool

it is called a hap. Haps are usually pieced - out of scraps. A comforter can

be either pieced, appliqued, or whole cloth - I have seen all three in my

documentation work. We define a quilt as a bed covering made of 3 layers held

together by quilting stitches, either done by hand or machine.

Back around 1981, I had the good fortune to go to Vermont with my family and

got to go to a store called The Vermont Quilt Store - something like that,

anyway, Quilt was in the name. I was so excited that we could stop, but when I

got in the store, there was not a quilt in the entire store, by the definition

I knew. Every pieced top was tied to its batting and backing. I have no idea

if this is typical of that state, or was just the beginnings of the make it

quick for tourists, they won't know the difference anyway, approach to selling

quilts. I since have seen pictures and books of beautiful Vermont quilts that

are quilted, often heavily, so I still don't know the answer to why these

coverings were tied and advertised as quilts. I have never been back and don't

know if the store even still exists. In my travels I have seen new quilts for

sale in many states - Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho -

and never have I seen a tied comforter advertised as a quilt.

I would be curious to know, and please post to the list, what bed coverings are

called in your area. It will be interesting to see regional differences, if

there are any. Please be sure to mention your state since e-mail addresses

give no clue to where you are from, and please mention if there is a difference

between historical quilts - which I date as before 1940 - and current quilts

for

sale.

Heather, where is your area which has numerous tied 30s quilts. Do you feel

most were tied, maybe half, or only a few from that time period. I am really

curious about regional patterns. Thanks.

Looking forward to continued interesting reading on QHL.

Barb in southeastern PA

<bgarrettfast.net>

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 97 22:37:19 PST

From: John & Cinda Cawley <cawleyepix.net>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Vermont quilts

Message-ID: <Chameleon.970106224609.cawley.epix.net>

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Barb Garrett wrote about tied quilts. I try to get to the Vermont Quilt

Festival whenever I can (mid-July). It's my favorite quilt show because of

the spectacular display of antique quilts they come up with year after year.

Each time we go DH and I manage to find a wonderful new corner of that

beautiful state. I too have noticed that almost all "quilts" for sale are

tied. There are often tied quilts in the antique display at the show

(never, of course, among the contest quilts). I think many old quilts were

tied in VT--a higher percentage probably than here in PA. In the book on VT

quilts Plain and Fancy by Richard Cleveland and Donna Bister (Quilt Digest

Press, 1991) a tied quilt is pictured on p.67. There is no index and I

don't remember if the text discusses the issue of tying quilts.

Cinda in Scranton------------------------------------

Name: John & Cinda Cawley

E-mail: cawleyepix.net

Date: 1/6/97

Time: 10:37:19 PM

This message was sent by Chameleon

-------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 22:07:25 -0700

From: lv2quiltfrii.com (Heidi Hoff Wurst)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: acid-free quilt storage

Message-Id: <v02140b00aef77ca0e38d[208.146.243.34]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi All,

I am new to this list and am thoroughly enjoying everyone's comments.

Although I just started making quilts about four years ago, my maternal

Grandmother, and my paternal Great and Great-Great Grandmothers all did

patchwork. I am fortunate enough to have inherited some of their quilts.

Most are in realtively good shape and I plan to continue the 'tlc' quilt

care tradition, except nobody left me any instructions!

Judy in NJ (professional picture framer) is on to something important about

the "inherently harmful effects of wood and paper". Her point about the

acid producing environment is well taken and maybe she can enlighten us a

bit more with her Museum quality framing expertise. I have done some custom

picture framing but it was a while ago and I am no longer up to speed on

the archival materials currently in the market place. There may be some

viable alternatives from the archival end of the picture framing industry

that can be applied to storing and preserving quilts. Michele in CA, is

another picture framer on this list - maybe her $ .02 worth will help, too!

We need some answers.

What about lining shelves, cedar chests, with 100% rag board? Would the

acid buffered mat boards or acid free foamcore boards, do just as well?

Would you need to seal the wood first and what is the best way to do that?

Also, give us the scoop on barrier papers. Any information that you both

could share with us will be greatly appreciated.

I live in Colorado where it is very dry, so no problems with moisture, but

the thought occurred to me to use desiccants (those little moisture

absorbing packets) in the folds of the quilts to minimize problems with

mold or mildew. Anyone have any experience using those?

Heidi Wurst

(more questions than answers!)

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 00:27:21 PST

From: psierajuno.com (Pam D Siera)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: tie quilts

Message-ID: <19970107.004943.10022.5.PSierajuno.com>

OOOOOOO . . . I'm afraid tied comforters made me mad but also brought

up something I've been thinking about?

What *is* a *quilt*? What defines a *quilt*? Are we talking about

quilting i.e. running stitiches in patterns? Or are we talking about

piecing small pieces of fabric into larger blocks that make up a

*-------* what? Top? If it's tied it's not a quilt?

The only quilted i.e. running stitch blanket I have from my family of

quilters then is the first one my mother made with her grandmother, an

Sunbonnet Sue. It's appliqued, not pieced except for the sashing and

it's embroidered but it's quilted.

My grandmother, under whose blankets I've slept all my life always

backed her quilts with flannel and tied them.

My mother never made another quilt that I know of. I've tacked,

tied, quilted in the ditch, and quilted by machine and by hand.

What is a quilt? I'm confused. Pam in Santa Rosa

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 00:12:14 PST

From: psierajuno.com (Pam D Siera)

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: pre-washing fabrics

Message-ID: <19970107.004943.10022.4.PSierajuno.com>

I confess I always pre-wash my fabrics, separated by lights and darks,

in hot water, cold rinse and dry on hot. I don't like surprised

either. And this is a habit I can't seem to break.

However, I was talking to a major big quilt store owner who says that

the fabric companies put preservatives into the fabrics and when we take

them home and wash them, then, they sit on the shelf for years before we

use them, they are deteriorating as they sit there.

Also, I've been reading about cotton batting and unwashed fabric and

the really cute way it shrinks up and looks like an old quilt. Well,

I'm almost ready to switch to cotton batts and I might want one to be

cute and shrink up.

But except for the two bags of end rips I've bought and incorporated

into a "quick" quilt, everything is washed. I hate the sizing and the feel

of unwashed cotton. Why bother with 100% cotton if you don't get to

work with that nice feeling stuff? Pam in Santa Rosa

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 08:45:54 EST

From: debatqpsjuno.com (Deborah A Welch)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Digest Digest V97 #5

Message-ID: <19970107.084558.13006.6.debatqpsjuno.com>

This is my two cents on the wash or not to wash question. I always tell

my customers and students to prewash fabrics. Most manufacturers use

different greige goods and they shrink at different rates. I wash all of

my fabrics in cold water, thats how I will wash the quilt, and if I am

questioning whether one will run or not, I thow them all in together a

second time. Its not whether they will run or not but whether the

lighter fabrics will accept the excess dye from the darker ones. I have

a blue and white quilt that the blue ran constantly, it didn't matter

tho, because the white will not accept the excess dye. Also, the

chemicals used the the fabrics will dry your hands out like crazy as you

use them, which I never realized until I opened a quilt shop and handle

fabric all day! If you like, you can put the sizing back into the fabric

with a product call Sizing Magic, which you can find right next to the

Niagra Starch in the grocery store.

On a different vein, my relatives landed in Massachusetts in the mid

1600s. They came from England and no quilting still exists from them.

They were fisherman and landowners. My great aunt quilted but she came

from France in the late 1800s. The only quilting done that we have is

from my grandmother, who came to Mass from Nova Scotia in the 1920s, on a

boat all by herself when she was 18 to start nurses training! What guts.

I never knew this until after she passed away, I wish I had been able to

talk to her about it. Anyway, we have the beginnings of a Dresden plate

she did in the 30s and the beginning of a Wedding Ring that she must have

done about the same time.

Debbie in NJ

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 08:55:43 -0500 (EST)

From: Susan Hood <vh22689concentric.net>

To: qhlcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Unidentified subject!

Message-Id: <199701071355.IAA03201newman.cris.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello All,

I have been following the thread on the difference between the

development of US and Austrailian quilting with great interest. It seems to

me that there are several factors and at least a few critical questions.

The first question is my mind is this: How far developed was quilting in

England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany when people from those countries

began coming to the American colonies. There were counterpanes and there

were strip quilts--were there actual patchwork (as we think of it) patterns?

I know about English paper piecework, but who got the idea from whom, and

when? In other words, to what extent was patchwork developed in the U.S?

Where did we start from? If patchwork was largely developed here (and I

don't know, must read the books that Cinda posted, thank you Cinda) then it

would not have been much of a part of Austrailian culture.

When did women begin quilting in Austrailia? Did they bring that

knowledge from England or were they influenced by outside information from

elsewhere (patterns in newspapers)? Are there patchwork patterns that were

unique to Austrailia?

I've tried to summarize some of the factors suggested in earlier

posts and add a few that I am wondering about.

1) Time of immigration (US earlier than AU)

2) People who immigrated (US--religious refugees[families],

fortune hunters, transported convicts, perhaps a few people

from the aristocracy appointed to government posts

or awarded large blocks of land for some service, poor

individuals and families----AU--transported convicts

and later families???)

3) Social structure (a more "normal" social structure probably

developed earlier in the US colonies because of the

higher proportion of families that were here)

4) Poverty (There is a great deal of difference between working 15

hours a day and having enough to eat and working 15 hours

a day without enough food and without the security of

future food.)

5) Availability of fabric (What were the differences here?)

6) Weather?? (Would influence need and time available to work--in

our midwest winters, farm work was and is reduced to

livestock care--this would leave time for indoor work)

7) Proximity of others (I have it in my head, perhaps wrongly,

that ranches

and farms were further apart in AU, and any women in such

locations would have been more isolated and less likely to

learn from each other.)

Well, I'm sure that there were other factors as well, but this post

is already too long. Perhaps I may be forgiven as I so rarely post.

Exploring all of the avenues above would be about equal to a Ph.D

dissertation, but I plan to seek an answer to at least my first question.

Will start with Cinda's books. If anyone would like to tackle any of the

others, please let my know. Perhaps we can get some organized research

going. long-winded Sue in Charlotte, NC

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 10:37:24 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

in regards to Heidi Wurst's inquiry, contact Ann Russell with the HOLLINGER

CORP. at 1 800-634-0491..her company makes all of the acid free

boxes/tissue/items for storing..they deal with the Smithsonian and many other

wall known musuems..she will tell you everything you need to know..and she

MIGHT be able to send you a box, or at least samples of various productswith

info for your guild..but HURRY!! they are about to eliminate her job as they

feel there is NO CALL for such info among quilters..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 10:55:54 -0500

From: Baglady111aol.com

My mother always said that bay leaves were great repellent for silverfish

and we had them when I was a kid. We lived in Arizona at that time and were

plagued with them then. Worth a try:)

karen

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 97 10:17:00 -0900

From: Nick Fuller <nickfxyz.net>

I agree with Addy's theory to subject the fabric to stress before you use

it, in addition to removing any chemical residue. And it was someone else

who asked the original question, I've forgotten who, I was quoting her

question before answering it, I guess not all mailers show the quoted

part clearly. I wanted to add a suggestion: I often wash mine right in

with the family laundry, very easy; when you wash your darks, add a pair

of white cotton underwear (an old diaper would probably do), if anything

runs it will be picked up on the underwear! But you can still use it

after, who cares if it's no longer white?

Abby Fuller

nickfxyz.net

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 16:00:23 -0500

From: RLHlink3aol.com

As a follow-up to the message from Pam of Santa Rosa....

Some of the nicest old quilts I have seen have been made, not of new

fabrics or even of dressmaking scraps, but of the "still good" areas of worn

clothing.

Linda/N CA

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 16:05:14 -0500

From: RLHlink3aol.com

.....and I meant to say, therefore unwashed fabric. But I guess that

inference was obvious. :)

Linda/N CA

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 16:47:25 -0500

From: SadieRoseaol.com

Today on the SIMPLY QUILTS show on HGTV, the hostess Alex Anderson says "See

how a few teabags can turn a quilt into an instant antique." (Note: today's

show is with Alice Berg of Little Quilts).

I would like to hear what the long term effect of tea (tannic acid) dyeing is

on cotton (quilt) fibers?? My personal choice is to use darker fabrics, NOT

to tea dye, as I don't care to take chances. Hope Rabbit or someone with

some technical knowledge can comment on this. Thanks!! Karan

------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 18:49:29 -0500

From: "J. G. Row" <judygrowblast.net

The Jasmine hoop and stand that I ordered from Pine Tree Quiltworks (no

affiliation) came yesterday, and I spent 4 hours last night using it. The

current project is a 1930's Brides Bouquet top on muslin with bright yellow

sashing & green setting squares and lots of green and lavender in the

bouquets. I quilted the sashing first, on my floor model q-snap. It is

really the best tool for the job, as I can do longish straight lines.

Now I am into quilting the 48 blocks. I designed a loopy continuous

line pattern to loop through the bouquet and handle, kind of like the

designs that are put out for continuous line machine quilting. Only I am

doing them by hand. I did the first 12 blocks in a 14 " hand held hoop,

one a night, and thought it would take forever to get this quilt done.

Yesterday I did 2 entire blocks, with ease and pleasure on the Jasmine. I

love it!

I'll go back to my q-snap and the sleeves I made for it when I get to the

5" border. Every tool has it's proper function. For individual blocks the

Jasmine is a Godsend!

By the way, the only change I would , and will, make to the Jasmine is to

glue felt to the bottom of the stand. We don't cover our 1860 wide board

pine floors with rugs and DH wants to make sure they stay beautiful.

Moving the stand around in one spot at my chair would probably wear the

finish off the floor eventually. I have to give in to him. He spent a

year decorating the walls and the ceiling in the parlor and the dining room

with a gorgeous mural of a stone ruin, in the Gothic tradition. No matter

what I do in those rooms, they belong to him! (My sentiments, not his).

Judy in NJ

judygrowblast.net

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 97 00:30:00 GMT

From: l.evans5genie.com

First of all, tea dyeing isn't great for fabrics but it isn't nearly as

destructive as you might think - the real fabric killer isn't tannic

acid, but harsh metallic mordants. It's why black fabric before the

20th century always rotted first. The only effective black in those

days was created by boiling iron filings with a tannic acid source like

oak galls or sumac, and the iron just destroyed the cloth. One of the

reasons why Victorian crazies often are in shreds is because metallic

salts were used to weight silk to give it a nice swishy sound...and the

fabric rotted at a dramatic rate. I don't think tea dyeing cotton will

particularly hurt it, especially if it's a weak solution.

Second, someone asked about how developed patchwork and quilting were

when America was colonized. The answer is *very* highly developed in

terms of quilting and applique, and reasonably developed in terms of

patchwork.

Quilting has been known in Europe since at least the 12th century, and

was definitely known in England, Spain, Portugal and France by the

16th and 17th centuries when the colonies were founded. Most quilts were

done in linen or silk and were luxury items, so probably didn't come over

with the colonists...but quilted petticoats almost unquestionably did.

Applique had reached a very high level in Germany and Scandanavia by the

Renaissance (there's a magnificent appliqued funeral pall pictured in

Rose Verney's book on applique; pall dates from the 14th century and

is elaborate enough that the average Baltimore quilter probably would have

cringed), and was certainly known in England. And as for patchwork -

there's a patchwork vestment pictured in Jill and Andrew Liddell's =The

Patchwork Pilgrimage= that contains no fewer than *four* patterns:

Star of Lemoyne, Forgotten Star, Roman Stripe and Snowball. There's also

patchwork shown in numerous Old Masters, including works by Breughel,

Carpaccio, and Signorelli.

The earliest American-made quilts I'm aware of date from the 18th century

and seem to have been made and used by upper class families. Cruder

use quilts probably disintegrated. There's been some interesting

research in =Uncoverings= about early quilt ownership as revealed in

wills and estate inventories - you might want to see if you can find a

copy.

A good book on early quilting is Averil Colby's classic =Quilting=.

The Orlofskys' book on quilting in America is also very good.

Hope this helps!

Karen Evans

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 20:19:12 -0500 (EST)

From: Quilting Heritage ListServ <QRSmail.albany.net>

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Administrative Note

Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970107201658.303f56a2mail.albany.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

First, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome our new members. We

have been steadily growing in size, and I continue to be amazed at the level

of expertise we have and the extreme willingness of our members to share

their knowledge, their memories and - most precious of all - their books!

<G> I am truly amazed at the generosity so many people have shown.

I would like to remind everyone, though, that we should limit our

discussions to our Quilting Heritage. The odd misplaced note *is* going to

happen, but this is not the place to discuss how to subscribe to another

list, or when an IRC chat will be held. Emphasis on the discuss. If

someone's posting (including mine) makes you uncomfortable, or if you aren't

sure if you should make a post, please send me a note to QRSalbany.net or

oldquiltalbany.net. Keep in mind that we do have a members page (which now

has links to all the other Quilting lists *and* IRC), let use that!

Kris

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 22:17:09 -0500 (EST)

From: Qltldy10aol.com

To: QHLcue.com, QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Just thoughts on things

Message-ID: <970107193104_439811758emout16.mail.aol.com>

Hi all- I am an antique quilt lover and occasional buyer in Maine. More

often, though, I see an antique I like and can't afford, so reproduce it to

get it. I don't, however, quilt. I prefer to shop for fabric, design, shop

for more fabric, piece, shop for fabric, look at photo, shop for more

fabric... when the top is done, I decide what kind of quilting it needs, and

decide how much is still in my checkbook, and send it off for quilting- in

the same vein as "what determines a quilt?" am I a quilter? I quilted about

six inches once by hand, so I hope I'm now able to use the term when I

describe myself. Does it really matter, in the enjoyment of the quilt, if it

meets somebody elses definition of "quilt"? I'm sure fiber artists would

have an opinion here, as well.

In making or repairing quilts, sometimes I wash and sometimes I don't. If

I'm using antique blocks, I prewash new fabrics to use with them. If I'm

using antique fabric with antique blocks (fabric that doesn't seem to have

been washed) I don't. If I'm using all new fabrics to create an old looking

quilt, I don't prewash- I want the fabric to shrink in relationship to the

batting, and I control the look by the time in the dryer. I wash with cold

water, but that's because that's all i have hooked us to the washer. So some

of this is very intellectual, and some is purely environment/economics.

I don't make utility quilts, I make user friendly quilts- they are intended

to be used and seen. I would like them to be cared for and appreciated, so I

store them in glass cases on painted shelves with layers of acid free paper

between. But honestly, if I take one to someone to show, I fling it over my

arm, toss it on the seat of the car...

And mother, forgive me for I have sinned. I hang them on the wall, and we

heat with wood.

I love quilts, and fabric. I love the feel I get just looking at them, and

the color, and the pattern, and the history. I want to make informed and

knowledgeable choices about what I do, but really, I want to be close to

them, and I have no guilt.

This is maybe, too long....:> Beth in Maine

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 11:00:54 -0600 (CST)

From: Phil & Lee Spanner <philspanwin.bright.net>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: "QHL" Friendship Block Request

Message-Id: <199701081700.LAA27304bucky.win.bright.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dear Fellow Quilters,

I am making this request on more than one list so if you are reading this

again, please delete now.

I am my daughter (Stephanie) subscribe to many quilt lists and enjoy them

very much. I have made some great friends via these lists. I have requested

and received your help many times, and have tried to help whenever I was

able. I thank you all for being there. I now have another request.

I can only ask now, and must ask you all to email me privately at

<philspanbucky.win.bright.net> if you are interested in participating. My

daughter is not subscribed to any of the lists right now because she is in

the process of moving. Therefore, it is safe for me to post this.

She is planning a wedding for June or July this year (will know date soon I

hope). I would like to make her a quilt with friendship blocks from all list

members who would be willing to make and send one to me. I would like them

to be 6 1/2" blocks with a light color section that has your Name, City,

State, and Country written on it (and any other message you wish to

include). She is very new to quilting and is very fascinated with scrap

quilts right now. So, choice of color is yours.

If you are interested in sending a block, please email me privately and I

will give you my mailing address. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Lee :^)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.win.bright.net/~philspan/anilee.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 12:22:18 -0500

From: "J. G. Row" <judygrowblast.net>

To: <lv2quiltfrii.com>

Cc: "Quilt History Digest" <QHL-Digestcue.com>

Subject: Archival helps

Message-Id: <199701081821.NAA21968fireball.blast.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

All wood should be sealed if it will be in an enclosed atmosphere with

items you want to protect. Ragboard or acid free foamcore would work to

separate the items from the acidic wood, and are ph neutral in themselves,

so won't harm anything coming in contact with them. But if they touch the

wood, they will eventually be spoiled because they are absorbant. They

will have to be replaced periodically.

I think I would lay down a barrier of mylar. Thin, transparent, and

will do just as good a job as the other materials just mentioned. Not

absorbant. It has the advantage of coming on rolls, and can be used to

completely encase shelves. What tdo others think?

Judy in NJ

judygrowblast.net

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 12:29:09 -0500

From: "J. G. Row" <judygrowblast.net>

To: "Quilt History Digest" <QHL-Digestcue.com>

Subject: use of dessicants

Message-Id: <199701081828.NAA22177fireball.blast.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

The dessicants mentioned are little packets of calcium carbonate, I think,

which do absorb moisture from the atmosphere. I would not use them in the

folds of a quilt, but I would put them in the enclosed space where the

quilts are stored.

I use them in my sewing machine cases (especially in my Featherweight

case). The old paper-covered board cases can sure pick up some awful moldy

odors when closed up -- especially here in humid, New Jersey. I also use

them in leather briefcases and purses when I am storing them. Try them in

winter shoes and boots. I found them in the pockets of the leather coat I

bought when I brought it home.

There is a special glass I buy for my picture framing business and all the

boxes are packed with about a dozen of these packets. I have lots of them,

therefore.

Judy in NJ

judygrowblast.net

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 14:25:18 -0500 (EST)

From: Quiltfixaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Digest Digest V97 #6

Message-ID: <970108141907_1890525812emout15.mail.aol.com>

I was reading this issue and have a couple of comments.

Heidi Wurst is considering using dessicant packets to decrease humisity

levels in her quilt collection. After all the discussion she had regarding

acid-free environments, I want to point out that the packets themselves may no

t be acid-free. Also, would the chemicals inside leach out somehow? If there

was a water accident, would the chemicals melt?

Deborah Welch says she washes her fabrics, even after a store owner told her

that manufacturers put preservatives in the fabrics. Why do they do that?

Quite frankly, if I have to be concerned that the fabric will deteriorate in

a few years without the preservatives, I won't use it. I'm quilting a c.

1900 quilt top, and the fabrics are like new with no deterioration

discernable. If the greige goods and dying processes of modern fabrics are

of good quality, I would think preservatives shouldn't be necessary. I

always wash new fabrics in the warmest water possible (same for rinse) using

plain old laundry detergent, and then dry them in the dryer. My completed

quilts are washed with care, but I have no guarantee that some future person

won't use a harsh method to wash the quilt. I want the quilt to have a head

start in surviving those ignorant of proper washing techniques.

Alan Kelchner

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 97 15:17:15 EST

From: "Bob Mills" <decisiontigger.jvnc.net>

To: "Quilter's Heritage List" <QHLcue.com>

Subject: QHL: NY Beauties

Message-Id: <decision.1203142275Ctigger.jvnc.net>

Pam in Santa Rosa asked me to write a paragraph on the book NY

Beauties:Quilts for the Empire State, Atkins and Tepper.This is part of a

project by the Museum of American Folk Art, NYC, with the project Director,

Ms. Tepper to locate, document, preserve and create an archive for NY

quilts. It is written in the context of the history of the state with the

stories of the women who made the quilts and includes some diary extracts

and photos of the quilters. There are 156 color plates and 56 halftones of

these beautiful quilts. I expect that the NY QHL folks are a lot more

knowledgeable than myself-and could add to this.

It is not a book on how to make the quilt "NY Beauty."

Why couldn't 5th grade history have been this interesting and fun and

beautiful? Well organized, thoughtful and a joy to read. I hope you enjoy

it. I am willing to loan it for those who can't get it thru their library,

but Pam has first dibs.

And no, Pam, lots of us wouldn't think that 57 degrees was cold!

Jan Drechsler in NJ

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 16:16:41 -0500

From: quiltmagmindspring.com (Jean Ann)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Welsh quilts and the Amish

Message-Id: <v01540b04aef9be09cc0e[168.121.76.43]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Susan, i have a friend who has family roots in Wales. The early Welsh

quilts, some much earlier than our Amish quilts, could easily be taken as

Amish quilts.

English quilt historians now think that the Amish might have found the

source for their quilt designes from early Welsh miners to the

Pennsylvanic/Ohio region.

On another note, some years ago i bought an antique quilt made in Ohio. It

was a strippie quilt with wide plain strips of fabric alternated with

pieced strips. The pieced strips were squares on point, reminding me of

Trip Around The World, except the center squares all down the center

meeting point to point were red and the others were various scrap fabric,

mainly shirtings, etc. It had Baptist Fan quilting. A few years after

buying the quilt i saw one EXACTLY like it in Dorothy Osler's book on

English quilting. The quilt in Dorothy's book was said to be a Welsh quilt.

I have since given this quilt to my friend in England as she is always so

hospitable when i visit there.

Jean Ann Eitel

America's Favorite Quilter

http://www.quiltmag.com

Let's Talk Quilting: dal.net IRC - /join #quilttalk

http://www.quiltmag.com/QuiltTalk/

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 17:03:36 +0000

From: "The Garretts" <bgarrettpo.fast.net>

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Welsh quilts and the Amish

Message-Id: <m0vi676-0004KICfast.net>

Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

It is my understanding that the Welsh quilts probably do predate the Amish

quilts. The German immigrants - Amish, Mennonite, Brethren, Reformed,

Schwenkfelder - did not bring a quilting tradition to America. They brought a

weaving tradition - making heavy woven coverlets - and learned to quilt from

the English after arriving in America. That is why traditional Amish quilts -

those made between 1860 and 1940 - are machine pieced. As a group, they did

not start making quilts until after the invention of the sewing machine, and

therefore used it for their piecing. The Welsh/English quilting tradition

predates German immigration to America.

Barb in southeastern PA

<bgarrettfast.net>

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 22:56:14 -0600

From: Mary Persyn <mpersynwesemann.valpo.edu>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Help identifying fabric

Message-ID: <32D47A6E.5A49wesemann.law.valpo.edu>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

At our guild meeting this evening one of my guild mates brought in a

tied quilt (comforter) that she recently purchased. It is a honeycomb

pattern made with approx. 3 in. hexagons. One of the little pieces of

fabric had HAVEPEACELETU printed on it (with the letters run together).

A little lower on the fabric it said NTWILSONG (the only part that we

could see). In between the two lines of printing were little

footprints, what looked like a hatchet, and another unidentifiable

image. Have any of you ever seen anything like this?

The quilt also had little 13 star american flags with the word Union

over them on white fabric and also another piece of fabric with Lady

Liberty holding an American flag. It looks like 4th quarter 19th

century fabrics. The American fabrics are maybe Centennial fabrics?

Any information or speculation welcomed.

Mary in soon to be snowy Valparaiso, IN

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 20:46:41 -0900

From: Opalka <mopalkaalaska.net>

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Quilt Videos

Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970108204634.006f0df0alaska.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Kathy, I would love to see a listing of quilt videos. If it is "not

appropriate" here, would you mind e-mailing it to me? I'm sure that others

would be interested. Perhaps we need to not worry quite so much about

"appropriateness" and just share? Thank you, Susan in Alaska where it

has warmed up to minus 10 and we might hopefully get snow by the weekend.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 08:23:33 -0500

From: quiltmagmindspring.com (Jean Ann)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: History and other stuff

Message-Id: <v01540b03aefa8fb6a648[168.121.76.43]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Re: Australia - I guess we forget just how hard our pioneer ancestors

really had it in setting up new communities in a new world. We like to

romanticize the best parts and ignore the others. But it stands to reason

when England sent prisoners to Australia, they weren't sending featherbeds

with them. Actually they were very neglected.

We also romanticize going west on a covered wagon in America. In that

public radio program, Quilts - Art with Heart, there was a romantic account

of women walking to Oregon and hand sewing quilt pieces as they walked.

Seems impossible to me! I would keep falling down and jabbing my fingers

with the needles.

NEW BOOK....i just got a wonderful new book. It is called Quilts Of

Provence - The Art and Craft of French Quiltmaking, by Kathryn Berenson. It

is a terrific quilt history of French quilts and quilting. the photos are

spectacular. For collectors of quilt history books, this is a must have.

The quilts are exquisite. The publisher is Henry Holt & Company, New York.

I am sure you can order it from a bookstore. It is pricey, $45, but worth

the price, hard back and beautifully done. I said that didnt i! any, enjoy.

Beth in Maine -- I like the term user friendly quilts. fits better than

utilitarian...which almost sounds like unitarian, and is hard to roll off

the tongue. I make user friendly quilts too. mostly scrap quilts and quilts

for my grandkids, friends, etc. However, i love looking at the imagination

and creativity in the art quilts being made today.

Also..i was interested in reading some of the digests for the past week,

but can seem to access the digest page on the web. I know i am a techno

klutzo... can anyone give any advice on this?

Jean Ann Eitel

America's Favorite Quilter ;-)

http://www.quiltmag.com

Let's Talk Quilting: dal.net IRC - /join #quilttalk

http://www.quiltmag.com/QuiltTalk/

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 10:18:27 -0500 (EST)

From: MHerron4aol.com

To: QHL-Digestcue.com

Subject: Help with a crazy quilt ?

Message-ID: <970109101823_1325294120emout01.mail.aol.com>

Dear wonderful quilters,

This is my first time writing to you all. Part of why quilting appeals to

me is it is part of herstory. I got into quilting 3.5 years ago. My cousin

taught me to piece and my Aunt to quilt. I love it! It's meditative,

relaxing a creative outlet, people love quilts you can give one to a baby or

someone of any age and it will be cherished. Then there is all the wonderful

herstory tied to it. You might be able to tell this is my passion. Any way I

just turned 35 January 3rd and it has to be one of the best birthdays ever

because I've been recieving beautiful crazy quilt squares made by my friends

and relatives--when they all come in I'll have 9 with the square I'm working

on. They are gorgeous, velvet and silk scraps embellished with hand

embroidery and charms. My aunt made me one with a piece of my Grandfather

Herron's bow tie in it and some scraps from the general store he and my

grandmother owned in Roswell New Mexico. My friend Karen included a piece of

a hankerchief that has the eiffle tower on it and says "Paris" that her dad

brought back as a soldier in WW11. I've worked in scraps of silk from some

of my husband's old ties and my mother gave me a hand emboidered heron from

china to put in the quilt -- I plan to use some scraps from Xmas dresses

from my girls--my friends have embroidered their names on the squares they

made and almost every square has a spiderweb and spider. I know

it'straditional in crazy quilting--I'm guessing because of the web

representing a network of friendship? That's one question for you. The other

thing I need is advice...I'm on a limited budget, I want to do this quilt

justice and have it in keeping with traditional crazy quilts--what are my

material options for backing it? Do I use batting? I read somewhere that

many were tied, are there other options? Piece ;^) Mary PS I only get

the digest. If any of you would like to email me answers directly my email

address is MHerron4aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 15:49:35 -0500 (EST)

From: QRestoreaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Help with a crazy qu...

Message-ID: <970109152812_1459447341emout13.mail.aol.com>

MHerron;

The embroidered spider in the spider web that appeared so often in the

Victorian Crazys was a sign of good luck - many superstitions in those days.

Victoria Montgomery

QRestoreaol.com

Boise, ID

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 14:12:54 PST

From: psierajuno.com (Pam D Siera)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: need advice

Message-ID: <19970109.141257.17646.1.PSierajuno.com>

DD (who is 18 this week) again asked to have the Sunbonnet Sue quilt

made by my mother in 1934. I told her that if she repairs it she can

have it. Now, the question is this: the backing, which is muslin, was

wrapped around for a binding. It is frayed in areas so that I can see

that a think cotton batting was used inside. How to repair the binding,

or lack thereof? Would it be ok to take muslin strips and make a new

binding for the whole quilt? She wants to use the quilt, it's not

museum quality, but an important family heirloom. TIA Pam in Santa Rosa

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 18:20:28 -0500 (EST)

From: RFKerraol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Digest Digest V97 #7

Message-ID: <970109182028_272310522emout07.mail.aol.com>

Barb in Maine asks "am I a quilter?" and it struck a nerve all the way down

here to South Ga! Anyone you puts as much enthusiasm and obvious love into a

quilting project should be able to proudly call themselves a quilter. There

are many reasons that people can not or do not want to do the entire process.

The defination should never be so limited as to exclude folks like you.

As a personal note, I had two wonderful great grandmothers who made

beautiful quilts until they died within a few months of each other at the age

of 94 and 95. These two women met when their grandchildren were married and

developed a special friendship. One loved to piece quilts and the others joy

was to quilt them. Over the next 15 years, these two women completed almost

60 quilts ----- each working on the part of the process they enjoyed the

most. Neither was any less of a quilter for not completeing the whole quilt

themselves.

Just my .02 worth!

Mary Kerr

Pieced of Olde

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 08:36:11 -0500

From: quiltmagmindspring.com (Jean Ann)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: videos and reviews...

Message-Id: <v01540b0baefbf5c2d241[168.121.76.43]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

well actually, i was thinking of the name the videos...and...a brief review

like the great book lists that were shared.

I am getting the Home & Garden channel on TV now and Simply Quilts has been

on more than one day. Is it a daily program? If it is i think i will start

recording it day after day for some continuous programs.

Someone said that the Home & Garden channel has a viewers guide to

subscribe to. I havent seen it advertised.....can you share that info again

please.

thanks :-)

BTW...smile when you read my signature :-)

It is a joke, really it is.........

Jean Ann Eitel

America's Favorite Quilter ;-)

http://www.quiltmag.com

Let's Talk Quilting: dal.net IRC - /join #quilttalk

http://www.quiltmag.com/QuiltTalk/

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 08:42:13 EST

From: debatqpsjuno.com (Deborah A Welch)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Guazy muslin

Message-ID: <19970110.084210.4382.1.debatqpsjuno.com>

Hi, I had a customer bring in a quilt to the shop yesterday that she dug

out of her attic, she knew she had it, but couldn't remember where she

put it and found it while looking for something else. It is from the 30s

and the background is like a gauzy muslin. She wanted to know how to

wash it and if I thought the background would stand up to being quilted.

The background was literally see through, so I suggested the tub

method of washing and then to put a whole piece of good quality muslin as

a base, layer it with the batting and backing and then quilt through all

four layers. What do you all think?

This type of gauzy muslin is the same stuff that is in my grandmothers

Double Wedding Ring pieces that I am afraid to do anything with. Maybe I

should take my own advice and back the pieces with a good quality muslin

and go from there?

Why did they use this stuff?

Debbie at Quilting Possibilities in NJ

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 08:47:47 -0500 (EST)

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: History and other stuff

Message-ID: <970110084746_978911706emout13.mail.aol.com>

Maybe some of our Canadian readers can let us know the price of the book in

Canada, Jean..I will be up there in Sept on lectures and 'holiday' as they

say in Nova

Scotia..might be less pricey and I'll bring one home..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 10:04:06 -0500

From: gridgeesalgorithms.com (Merry May)

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: QHL-Crazy quilt backings; Quilts of Provence

Message-Id: <v0151010baefc07862e07[167.152.154.16]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have an old crazy quilt (silks, velvets, etc.) with a gold-color cotton

sateen backing. It looks really nice because it has that somewhat shiny

appearance to it. It's neither quilted nor tied. The front is turned to

the back for the edge finish.

I've seen some CQs that were tied from the back. The thread didn't

necessarily go all the way through to the front, but caught the seams

between the blocks, and was tied on the back where it wouldn't be so

obvious. Another CQ I have that's dated 1904 is mostly wools and flannels,

is quilted and has a thin batting. Its backing is a dark, "homespun-style"

plaid.

A couple of years ago, Kate Berenson presented a paper on Quilts of

Provence at the AQSG seminar. Her presentation was wonderful, and her

enthusiasm infectious. I'm sure her book is in the same realm as her

paper. Hopefully my "birthday fairy" will be reading my wish list sometime

soon, because this book is definitely on it!! :-)

Merry in southern New Jersey

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 10:31:08 -0500 (EST)

From: Baglady111aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Guazy muslin

Message-ID: <970110103107_712753334emout14.mail.aol.com>

sorry, read your post so fast, I thought you said it was feedsack..but I'm

sure the same applies..like anythng else..better or less quality..would be

interesting to see what the forum would say..or ADDY from AARDVARK..She does

testing on products..bet she would know why some is better/tighter than

others..Jane

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 10:33:49 -0500 (EST)

From: SadieRoseaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re:SIMPLY QUILTS & prog guide

Message-ID: <970110103347_780600381emout07.mail.aol.com>

Hi,

Will post this for everyone's information. If you don't get HGTV (Home &

Garden TV) - lobby your cable company - it is a great channel.

You can call and get a free sample of their program guide: 1-800-HGTV-ASK

(1-800-448-8275) When I called, I actually got 3 free pr. guides (they are

bi-monthly) before I had to subscribe to keep getting them. If you

subscribe, the cost is $9.97 per year. The program guide is 50 pages, color

photos, has articles about the shows, info on specials & new shows, etc,

besides the program listings.

SIMPLY QUILTS shows 2 programs each week, but these are repeated, so the

same show airs 3 times. Great if you aren't around to see one, or your tape

runs out in the middle of a show!!

SQ is on Tuesday at 9:30-10:00am EST, and 2:30 -3:00pm EST. The Tuesday

show is repeated on Saturday 1:00-1:30pm EST.

SQ is on Thursday at 9:30-10:00am EST, again from 2:30-3:00pm EST. The

Thursday show is repeated on Sunday afternoon from 4:30 -5:00pm EST.

Be sure to watch & set your VCR to tape the show next Tuesday, Jan. 14th,

as it is the SMITHSONIAN QUILTS show with Mimi Dietrich (who is on QHL).

There are lots of other great shows on HGTV (this from a confirmed TV

hater)- decorating & interior design, home building & remodeling, gardening,

craft shows, etc. They did a wonderful Christmas special about Biltmore

Mansion. I taped it for a friend who had visited Biltmore on vacation, but I

enjoyed it too. They did special coverage of the Tournament of Roses

parade...which was far better than the regular networks.

So, check it out!! Karan from Iowa, with 2 inches of new snow, high

winds, artic cold and blizzard warnings. My boys are mad because they didn't

call off school!!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 14:56:29 +0000

From: Rayna Gillman <RG2worldnet.att.net>

To: quiltmagmindspring.com (Jean Ann), QHLcuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: videos and reviews...

Message-ID: <19970110145627.AAA25487LOCALNAME>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Jean Ann -- you can e-mail HGTV at commentshgtv.com

The told me that Simply Quilts airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am and

2:30 pm, eastern time. Tuesday's shows re-air on Sat at 1:pm and Thursday's

shows re-air on Sunday at 4:30 pm. They'll send you a free issue of their

HGTV mag, but then you have to subscribe.

Rayna in NJ

RG2worldnet.att.net

Rayna in NJ

RG2worldnet.att.net

------------------------------

Date: 10 Jan 97 11:03:21 EST

From: Rabbit Goody <75444.1037CompuServe.COM>

To: "INTERNET:QHLcue.com" <QHLcue.com>

Subject: Re: QHL: Two things....

Message-ID: <970110160320_75444.1037_FHQ63-7CompuServe.COM>

NOt true about black You need to read some dye receipes from the 18th and 19th

century concerning black ok The BRonson Book the Bemiss book look for

publication dates of 1790- 1850's to find what they were really using Dont have

time to elaborate today but Logwood, madder, blue vitriol etc.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 11:56:50 -0500

From: Ricki Maietta <rmaiettacsrlink.net>

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: crazy back & binding

Message-Id: <199701101656.IAA10159orbital.cue.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

MHerron asked about backing on the crazy quilt she will be putting together:

At the recent Quilt Restoration Conference, Beverly Dunivant stated in a

lecture that she often used black cotton sateen as a back for unfinished

crazy quilts. I thought this was a pretty good idea, & "filed it away" for

future reference. Also, the crazies that I have had contact with in our

local museum have no batting, are foundation pieced & tied, or some have

embroidery circles, almost like little round buttonholes, that tack the

layers together. And, all those special blocks from friends & family -

really a special gift - lucky you!!!

Regarding Pam's Sunbonnet Sue that needs binding - is the rest of the

backing okay? I tend to be very conservative when doing quilt repair. If

it were mine, I would probably put new binding on, covering what is already

there, & removing nothing. One question, thought - if this is a special

family heirloom, are you sure you want your daughter to use it? My

experience is that a couple of years on a bed, & you will have major fabric

loss. Why not repair it & put it in some special place to enjoy (away from

sun, etc.), & you & your daughter work together to make a replica!! Sounds

like fun to me. . .

Ricki in PA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 12:07:39 -0500

From: quiltmagmindspring.com (Jean Ann)

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: crazy back & binding

Message-Id: <v01540b01aefc27045f7f[168.121.76.43]>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Ricki....thanks so much for the black sateen tip. I am restoring, (just one

very small black silk piece that was disintigrated) a beautiful Victorian

Crazy Quilt that is a family piece of a friend of mine. It was made in

1854. I also need to bind the edges. I will purchase some black sateen if I

can find it this weekend for the backing and the binding. I was undecided

about backing it until I got your suggestion. She plans to mount the quilt

to be a wall quilt and I feel a backing is necessary to protect the back.

The quilt is beautifully made. I wish I had such an heirloom!

Jean Ann Eitel

America's Favorite Quilter ;-)

http://www.quiltmag.com

Let's Talk Quilting: dal.net IRC - /join #quilttalk

http://www.quiltmag.com/QuiltTalk/

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 13:35:03 -0500 (EST)

From: RLHlink3aol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: Re: QHL: crazy back & binding

Message-ID: <970110133501_1991518672emout04.mail.aol.com>

I, too, appreciate the tip re: the cotton sateen for backing CQ's. Actually,

someone else had mentioned that earlier, I believe, or maybe I heard it

somewhere else. ANyway, appreciated more confirmation. When I was looking to

back my old crazy, I looked and looked locally and in a few catalogs for

cotton sateen, but to no avail. Was told by shop owner that it is very hard

to find, hadn't seen any for years, etc. Does anyone have suggestions as to a

source? Thanks for any help.

Linda/N CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 13:57:22 -0500 (EST)

From: JQuiltaol.com

To: kaffee-klatschquilt.com, QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Discovery/Rememberance of Things Past

Message-ID: <970110135721_1857304009emout16.mail.aol.com>

My tiny apartment looks like someone came in with a leaf blowing machine and

went through....

I decided.. because the footpath between my "stuff "had gotten so narrow..It

was either go thru and throw out..or walk sideways...

Of course this type of mission(should I decide to accept it) always leads to

a "Discovery/Rememberance of Things Past"

Does anyone need, for mailing purposes, styrofoam pellets, bubble paper,

cardboard boxes,slightly used wrapping paper, tan colored, paper

envelopes(complete with an address of the company that sent me something in

it)...Don't go to Staples or Office Depot, just come to what used to be my

clothes closet...

I discovered I had enough batting(it was always bought on sale) to batt

enough quilts to cover The Badlands in South Dakota..Maybe all of South

Dakota...

I found the instructions and materials for the baskets I was going to make

..And enough ready made baskets to supply the Easter Bunny for all his stops

next Spring.

Wool....I sent it all to the Senior Center ...They'll be crocheting and

knitting mittens, hats and afghans until 2000...There's one really older,

slightly forgettful sr.citzen at the center. who is still knitting scarves

for the Doughboys who are fighting so bravely in the trenches of the

battlefields of WW1....God Bless her and the Doughboys of her reality....

If I don't fall and break anything climbing over the giant bags of .."Give

away, send away and throw it out" stuff.

I ought to have my 2 room apartment, back to normal by Spring..well maybe

early Summer...

Have to go.. the Salvation Army, and I do mean army, is here to take some of

my treasures to a good home...

Jean Laino

jquiltaol.com

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 14:53:52 -0600

From: R D <holmrexecpc.com>

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Book Question

Message-ID: <32D6AC60.57C8mail.execpc.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi all,

I have a book question that I need help with. Because of a mail order

mixup, I have a store credit in a store that is in another state. I

have decided that I would like to purchase one of two books. One book

is: Quilt Restoration by Camille Cognac, and the other is The

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns by Barbara Brackman. The problem

is that I'm sure that both books are excellent books, but I can't

actually see them to make the decision. Does Barbara Brackman's book

give a history of the block too, or just the name? If you are familar

with these two books, I would appreciate your input.

Please email me privately.

Thank you in advance,

Donna in Wisconsin

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 17:36:21 -0500 (EST)

From: Quiltfixaol.com

To: QHLcue.com

Subject: QHL: Re: Crazy Quilt & Us Guys

Message-ID: <970110172928_1242131190emout15.mail.aol.com>

Can we change the way we describe quilting to "our"-story, rather than his or

hers? I pay close attention to male quilters past and present, and while a

minority, they're still there. I even know of a quilt that has been passed

from the first male child to the next since the mid-1800's!

But enough. I really really like this list. It has people talking about the

stuff I want to talk about.

Regarding the crazy quilt top - don't use batting. These quilts

traditionally have a top and lining only, and were more often than not tied

from the back. The ties are sewn to the seam allowances, so they don't

intrude onto the top of the quilt. Also, spend some money on good velvet

for the binding. Not only is it also traditional, but it can hold it's own

against the top. As for the backing, well, are you planning on embellishing

it too, or putting the quilt history on it? If so, I'd splurge on a nice

fabric. Otherwise, I think a plain quiet fabric in the same tone as the top

would suffice, and wouldn't detract from the top.

I also have a question for y'all. Last year, on the Sunday of the QRS

conference, I purchased the most striking silk quilt I've ever seen in

person. I almost left it there - who needs another UFRP (unfinished

restoration project). I have many and couldn't justify another, but the

price was good and the quilt, well.........I had to!! Anyhow, it is about

8'x8', made of many colored silks, and in the baby block pattern. Only two

fabrics are affected by weighting. Unfortunately, one of the two fabrics is

the black, which predominates throughout. It was paper pieced. The back is

great. A 7'x7' square of perfect green plaid silk (chiffon?)is surrounded by

a border of black. The black velvet binding was piped with green silk. Now

for the question: The quilt has five velvet loops, on the corners of one

short side and one long side. The remaining two loops are in the center of

these same sides between the corners. The loops and binding appear to be

original to the quilt. What are they for? I'd thought of hanging from the

wall/ceiling, or maybe as a bed hanging, but three loops is not enough to

support it . The only feasible idea I have gotten came from Nancy Kirk, who

speculated that they were used to tie the quilt to the bottom and one side

rail of the bed, in the style of European duvet covers. One side and the top

would be left untied so you could get in bed. Sounded even better when a

non-quilter pointed out that it IS silk, and since silk is slippery, this

would keep the quilt on the bed. Any other ideas? I like Nancy's really

well, but will continue to take all theories.

Keep me in mind this weekend. My latest project should no longer be a UFRP

by Sunday!

Alan

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 97 23:00:00 GMT

From: l.evans5genie.com

To: qhlcue.com

Subject: QHL: Black Dyes

Message-Id: <199701102316.XAA07329relay1.geis.com>

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Logwood was added sometimes to an iron-tannate dye to give it a dark blue

undercast *along with more iron tannate and sometimes copper salts* after

1600. Very early dye recipes were virtually all the oak gall/iron

filings recipe. There's also something called dye failure black, whcih

involved overdyeing madder and a yellow dye like osage orange or weld

with indigo.

I'm learning pre-1600 dye recipes, which excludes the use of cutch,

logwood, and black walnut. J.N. Liles has some good recipes adapted to

modern use, and there's always the Renaissance =Plictho=. The older ones

all use some combination of iron and tannin, and they always cause

fabric deterioration. They're also quite toxic (though not as bad as

chrome yellow), which is why I don't use them often.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 22:50:22 -0800

From: nomad1ibm.net

To: QHLcuenet.com

Subject: QHL:Colours etc.

Message-ID: <32D7382E.2E5Cibm.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Dear All,Hi there!I have decided to stop lurking and ask a question?

I am facinated as to how coluors got their names,e.g Elijah green? Madder

brown etc.I would enjoy learning what other such names exist and how they

came about.Its just so grand belonging to this list even though I have

only lurked so far.Our computer bill came in-$100 for this month.My

DH shrieked and groaned and said "Not only are we starving,spiders are

moving in with us and now we are going to end up in the poor house!!

Men are such Dramatist Artists!!