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Quilters Find a way to care

98264 - 98265

 

Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 22:27:59 EDT

From: Feathrwateaol.com

About men quilters:

(I hope that I am doing this right, not sending yesterday's list all over

again)

My husband learned to quilt shortly after I did, in the summer of 1976.  He

said it was the only way he ever got to visit with me anymore.  He soon

learned to out-quilt me, quilting both toward himself and away from himself.

His stitches were the envy of the older ladies who had taught me at the

Baptist Church.  He didn't use a thimble until one day, sore and poky, he told

me to go to town and get him one.  I told him that's not how it works, he'd

have to try one on. He told me he had no time for going to town to try on

thimbles, just to get him the biggest one, and to get all the threads off his

clothes, as he had to go to the feedstore   (A rough bunch hangs around

feedstores in West Texas).

   I was telling my group at First Baptist about his helping me plan a log

cabin quilt for our winter's project.  One lady asked f he was going to piece

it or quilt it.  I said he's probably do a little of both, and she said that

reminded her of how her husband learned to crochet: one day she was

crocheting, he came in and told her that that looked easy, and she went on to

say that before she could stop him, he'd made her two dresses, a red one and a

white one.  Hope I didn't go on too long, the gentleman just reminded me of

these old stories.

Linda

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

Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 23:02:12 EDT

From: Quilt97aol.com

The November 1998 issue of "Quilt World" which arrived in my mailbox today,

has a two-page article with color photos, entitled "Yes, Men Quilt!"

EKarenbeth

<< Anthony Jones <ajones2tampabay.rr.com>

 To: QHLcuenet.com <QHLcuenet.com>

 Date: Sunday, September 13, 1998 7:39 AM

 Subject: QHL: Re: male quilters

 

 >Hello QHLer, I'm an artist, teacher, and quiltmaker who happens to be a man.

As was inevitable, I've been asked to do a lecture on the attraction quilting

holds for men.  Although that's just as loaded as asking what attraction

carpentry holds for a woman, the intention is sincere, genuine and well

meaning.  I see it as an opportunity to educate and possibly breakdown some

stereotypes.

If you know of resources or have information or stories, personal or

otherwise, relating to male participation in the history of quilting, I'd

appreciate your help.  I'd like to make this as comprehensive as possible and

concentrate on the historical perspetive rather than the contemporary art

quilters. > >>

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

Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 23:08:10 EDT

From: Quilt97aol.com

Hi Debbie,

Thanks for the batting input.  Cotton is what I have just about decided upon.

Am waiting for the 26ths when Warm and Natural drops from $8.99 to $4.99 a

yard (96 inch wide) at Cloth World (Joanne's Fabrics).

EKarenbeth

<< debatqpsjuno.com

 To: QHLcuenet.com

 Subject: QHL: Re:

 

  I use Hobbs Organic cotton batting in my flannel quilts.  Its thin and it

 "breathes" so its not too warm or heavy. >>

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

Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 20:33:10 -0700

From: Audrey Waite <awquiltrsedona.net

The Utah Quilt Guild Show is September 23-26 in Ogden.  The location is

the Eccles Conference Center, 2415 Washington Blvd. and is open W-F from

9-9 and Sat from 9-noon.  Free admission.  Registration information for

classes, etc. is available from Virginia Anderson, e-mail:

va20juno.com.

Have a fun trip.

Audrey in Sedona, AZ

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

Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 20:41:58 -0700

From: Audrey Waite <awquiltrsedona.net>

To: ajones2tampabay.rr.com

CC: QHLcuenet.com

If you have a copy of American Quilt Study Group's UNCOVERINGS from 1990

you'll find an interesting research paper by Janet Carruth and Laurene

Sinema titled: "Emma Andres and Her Six Grand Old Characters".  Emma was

a quilter from Prescott, AZ that corresponded with many famous quilters

back in the 30s and kept a record of everything she received from them

in scrapbooks.

The 6 characters she corresponded with were:  Charles Pratt, Harry D.

Kendig, Albert Small, Arendt J. Kuelper, Leopold Aul and Milan H.

Johnson.  Should be an interesting read for you and others that are

interested.

Audrey Waite, Sedona, AZ

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 06:27:09 EDT

From: aol.com

First, I agree with Alan - do NOT make a big fuss over this.  If your son is

interested in quilting, treat it exactly as you would any other wholesome

interest:  encourage him, teach him basic principles, buy him books, and let

him explore the world of fabric and color.  So many men make fun of supposedly

"feminine" interests (and what exactly *is* feminine about sewing, except that

sewing done at home is traditionally done by women?  The most prestigious and

best paid sewing is done by male tailors and designers, and I haven't noticed

Karl Lagerfeld worrying about being in a "feminine" profession while he rakes

in the millions) that at the very least you'll have a son who won't make fun

of quilting.

Second, the first person associated with quilting, patchwork or applique whose

name we know is a man.  Phillipe de Vignuelles was a tailor in Metz, France in

the early 16th century.  In 1507 he wrote a letter (quoted in QNM about three

years ago) boasting of how he'd designed and executed a 7,000 piece patchwork,

all on the bias, and exhibited it in the marketplace as a challenge to the

public.  De Vignuelles offered 10 gold pieces to anyone who could duplicate

his feat, and had no takers.

Third, if your son is getting a hard time over this from his friends, here's

what my mother did when I was eight.  I was interested in adventure books,

classical music, horse racing, and embroidery, not rock 'n roll, Barbie dolls,

and playing dress-up.  When I asked my mother why I didn't have any friends

(or why my friends didn't understand), she told me that I could either give up

what gave me pleasure to go along with everyone else, or I could do what I

enjoyed and risk being teased.  I was too stubborn (and hated Barbie dolls too

much) to go along with the crowd, so I decided to do what I pleased.  It

wasn't easy for much of my school days, but once I got to college, I was

independent, already knew what I wanted, and fit right in with the other

iconoclasts on campus.

He'll be fine.  Just don't make him feel like he's "weird."  Weirdness is

relative, after all...

Karen Evans

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:47:46 +0100

From: "Sally Ward" <swardt-ward.demon.co.uk>

  Hi Anthony

I suggest you check out 'Quilt Treasures' - the book documenting 

results of the heritage search of the Quilters Guild of the British

Isles, also 'Quilts of the British Isles' by Janet Rae.  You will find

information on military quilts, often made from heavy dress uniform

fabric using very small squares with marquetry-type precision.  They

were sometimes made by soldiers convalescing in hospital or serving a

sentence in a military prison, or even as prisoners of war.  The Royal

College of Surgeons of England has a painting showing a Pte Walker

sewing a quilt in a hospital bed whilst recovering from a fractured

skull suffered in the Crimea.  I have seen a quilt of 1" uniform fabric

squares in the York Castle Museum which if I recall correctly was made

by a prisoner of war. 20

Also, there is reference to a legendary figure in British Quilting -

'Joe the Quilter' who was a professional quilter in Northumberland  and

was murdered in 1826 at the age of 76 allegedly because he was reputed

to have made so much money from his profession.

BTW -  Someone told me Robert Redford quilts...Is that an urban myth?

Sally in UK

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 09:40:17 -0400

From: "Kelchner, Alan" <Alan.Kelchnerstdreg.com

I remember Marta Adair had a quilttop from the last century that was made by

a boy while he recuperated from an illness or injury.  This was used as a

way to keep a boy entertained while bedridden.

Also, I recall seeing a quilt made by sailors, from their discarded

clothing, that was used to settle their bill at a tavern.

And what about the professional quilting pattern drafters that traveled from

town to town? (or was that embroidery patterns - rats, my books are at

home).

Myself?  We'll deal with that later.

Alan

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:29:35 EDT

From: QuiltFixeraol.com

For my research of Redwork Quilts, I was able to purchase a quilt signed and

dated by a boy who was 13 years old and lived in Blandon, Pa.  There is a lot

of references to boys and girls making Penny Squares and it was a form of

entertainment for them.  Does anyone out there live near Blandon, Pa?  Blandon

is sited on State Rt. 73, between Reading and Allentown, closer to Reading.  I

would like to research as much history as I can about the family, Robert and

the town he lived in.  Any help would be appreciated.  Please E-mail to my

address, QuiltFixeraol.com

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:34:58 EDT

From: QuiltFixeraol.com

Can you help me with a color copy of an article in Traditional Quiltworks #32

1994?

I have been unable to purchase this and I would be glad to pay copy cost and

mailing.  The article is entitled "Redwork Quilts".  I just need a copy of

article, not the magazine.  Thanks, Toni.   Please respond to

QuiltFixeraol.com

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

Date:   Tue, 15 Sep 1998 07:39:03 -1000

From: Laurie Woodard <lwoodardhawaii.edu>

To: "QHL Digest" <qhlcuenet.com>

Subject: QHL: Male Quilters in Hawai'i

Message-Id: <98Sep15.073826hwt.148425(8)relay1.Hawaii.Edu>

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

The Mission Houses Museum featured male quilters in their annual Hawaiian

quilt exhibit in 1997.  "Na Kuiki Hawaii Na Lima Kane, Hawaiian Quilts by

Men's Hands," is a feature article available online from the Star

Bulletin newspaper at

http://starbulletin.com/97/06/02/features/story1.html.  You can also get

there via the Museum's web site at http://www.lava.net/`mhm/quilt.htm

(which also features a Hawaiian redwork quilt from the 1998 "Na Kapa

Apana Hawaii I Humulau Ia, Embroidered Hawaiian Quilts show").

Stan Yates' Hawaiian quilts are featured in Robert Shaw's "Hawaiian Quilt

Masterpieces" which should be available at your local book store. Stan

likes to play with positive and negative space in an Escheresque manner.

Dean Jamieson, retired entymologist, from Kauai is known for the insects

hidden on his Hawaiian quilts. His quilts have been featured in quilting

magazines; unfortunately, I don't have any references to hand.

There is an interesting article by Janene Ford in The American Quilt

Study Groups' newsletter "Blanket Statements,"(Issue 48 Spring 1997)

called "John Tam's Peculiar Passions:  Needlework and the Theater."  John

Tam (1860-1896) or "Mr. Ravella", a professional fire-eater, did

elaborate crazy quilting, constructing "a pieced, embroidered, and

'spangled' stage set."  There is a photo of him against his hand painted,

embroidered and spangled backdrop.  It's beautiful. He took up crazy

quilting out of boredom, sitting in the dressing room between acts. He

describes his needlwork in considerable detail for newspaper writers of

the day. Mr. Ravella at one time visited and performed in Hawaii.

Have fun with your talk.

Laurie Woodard

Hawaiian Quilt Research Project

http://openstudio.hawaii.edu/hqrp/hqrp_index.html

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:47:57 -0700

From: "Mary Cross" <mbcquiltweb-ster.com>

To: <QHL-Digestcue.com>

I tried to send this message to the person who requested information about

quilts in Utah. Unfortunately, it came back to me because of the wrong

address. So I will try it this way in hopes others might be interested.

Having done the major research project on migration quilts of Utah pioneer

women, I do know the collections fairly well.

It depends on where you are going in Utah. Salt Lake City has the largest

collection in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Pioneer Musem at 300 N Main.

All their quilts are on display, except they are folded in bundles on glass

shelves.  Some are displayed on beds on the 3rd floor but not many. The

staff are volunteers. They are dear and dedicated. If you go there,

please inquire if Edith Menna is available. Tell her I referred you to see

their quilts upon your request.

        Another place in SLC for contemporary quilts is Mormon Handicraft. They

have been downtown in the Deseret shopping center. They may have moved to a

new location.

        SLC is currently a mess with construction of new light-rail and highways

in anticipation of the upcoming Olympics.

        If you are north of Salt Lake, go to Brigham City, stop at the local

museum

there. They often have contemporary quilt exhibits as well as some historic

ones.  Odgen also has a DUP museum that is a treasure. 

        If you are south, stop at the Territorial Musem in Filmore where they

display many pioneer quilts. Springville has the most wonderful little

museum, south of SLC. The building is a treasure in itself. Often, they

have a quilt show but it is in the summer. St. George in the "Dixie" area

of southern Utah has a wonderful

Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum. They have quilts on display.

        Remember though, they treasure their heritage and believe everything

should be out where all visitors can see the artifacts. Also, they are all

volunteers giving lovingly of their time and effort.

        If you wish to see the quilts in full, pick up a copy of  Quilts and

Women of the Mormon Migrations. It will add greatly to your understanding

of your Utah experience.

        Let me know if this helps.

        Mary Bywater Cross

        

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 18:25:25 EDT

From: Crowcreek2aol.com

To: QHLcuenet.com

In a message dated 9/15/98 11:48:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time, mbcquiltweb-

ster.com writes:

<< If you wish to see the quilts in full, pick up a copy of  Quilts and

 Women of the Mormon Migrations. It will add greatly to your understanding

 of your Utah experience.  >>

Hi Quilters, I have the book mentioned above, my DH happened to buy it for me,

what  a sweetheart! I spend many hours reading it and looking at all of the

beautiful quilts.  It gives a chronological history of the quilt, and where it

came from.....very well worth the read! 

"when you sleep under a quilt you are comforted by LOVE"  Denise in Henderson,

NV

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 18:31:29 EDT

From: Crowcreek2aol.com

<< Boy am I glad I wasn't at the only JoAnns that was crazy!  I >>

Well, I avoided the madness sale, was I "mad"?  I was in joanns yesterday, and

asked how it went, and she said "mad", but that they were the only ones who

had an Elvis impersonater at their store.  She was very proud of that, I'm

sure it helped with those waiting in the lines for so long...to be sung to at

the same time......dream dream dream   Now I wish I was rational and went to

the sale.  Denise in Las Vegas, NV

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 19:08:06 -0500

From: Swede <kittyboxerstoledolink.com>

Just a note to you all who were so kind to respond to my request of how

to research the age of my house and bones in my backyard.

DH and I were reroofing our garage today and when the roofing was torn

away I inspected the wood underneath everything (I've never been on my

garage roof in the 20 years I've lived here). Getting down very close, I

saw micro fragments of dark red paint on it (weird for a roof that has

always been shingled!). I asked DH why he thought someone would paint

the structural wood before roofing it. He suddenly remembered that the

couple who sold us this property (they bought it during the Depression ~

and we had the pleasure to know this kind couple until the late 80's and

early 90's when they passed away in their 80's) told him that the roof

was barn wood (the base is brick). How odd! But I think I've put one

more piece of the puzzle in (albeit a tiny one!). There had to be an old

barn in the area that was being torn down. Hard to imagine in this busy

urban, business district!

My Magical Fabric Art book arrived today and I've only had time to flip

thru it (I've been on a roof all day, remember? ;~)   But as soon as I

have a chance to seriously get into it, I let you all know what I think.

Hugs,

Annastina

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 17:39:19 -0700

From: BLFfwpa.com (BLF)

Recent talk of male quilters prompted my memory that several years ago there was

an exhibit of quilts that were all made by men at the Grout Museum in Waterloo,

Iowa.  I believe it was titled, "Man Made Quilts".  I didn't see the exhibit but

I spoke to Robin Ventor, the curator, about the exhibit and she said that lots

more men came to this exhibit than to their usual quilt exhibits and some said

quietly to her that they too had made a quilt!

Good luck with your talk. 

Bobbi

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

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:32:23 -0500

From: "Karen Erlandson" <erlandcooke.net>

To: "QHL" <QHLcuenet.com>

A long time ago, there was a discussion about quilt show insurance on QHL -

is there anyone out there who could recap this for me and tell me about NQA

insurance and any other experience with quilt show insurance.  Please email

me privately if you have any info.

 Thanks, Karen Erlandson

erlandcooke.net

 

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 06:29:53 -0400

From: Debby Kratovil <kratovilhis.com>

The National Quilting Association provides quilt show insurance. The NQA

has a website (I know because I'm webmaster and also host their pages on my

own personal space). Get to their site and then if your questions aren't

answered on their various pages (I can't remember everything I've loaded!),

then you can contact Gayle Sternheim who fields email for the NQA.

NQA - http://www.his.com/queenb/nqa

Debby Kratovil -- Quilter By Design

mailto:kratovilhis.com

http://www.his.com/~queenb

Paper Piecing Patterns & More!

Mac Pfaffie 7570

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

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:39:00 -0500

From: Merry May <gridgeesalgorithms.com

Hi, Anthony, and welcome to the QHL list!

 

I saw your post about researching men and quilting, and wanted to point

you toward an article in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine.  It was their

issue #232 from May 1991, which includes an article about Albert Small

and his three quilts... His first quilt, made in 1933-34, contained

36,000 pieces, each 3/4" wide hexagons.  Quilt #2 from 1939 contained

63,460 pieces, each 1/2" wide hexagons.  His third and final quilt, made

from 1941-44 contained 123,200 hexagons, each 1/4" wide.

It's an interesting article.  Issue #232 should still be floating around

out there somewhere!  Perhaps someone on QHL has a spare copy.

Take care.  We can't wait to hear what you come up with!! 

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

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:47:09 -0500

From: Laura Hobby Syler <texas_quilt.comail.airmail.net

Well, while my so-called partner in crime Karen Erlandson  is pretending to

be a college prof again, (sitting in for a former co-worker that had

surgery) I'm going to toot our collective horn! We have an article on Red

dyes that is in the current issue of Quilt Magazine. Winter, 1998...pgs

32-33....  Not to mention the fact that there are several pics of quilts

from Karen's massive stash of quilts scattered throughout the magazine!  I

also have word that there is to be another article on "Blue" in a upcoming

issue. .........The Feedsack Club newsletter reprinted an article that I

wrote on One Patch designs (originally for the VQTS newsletter!) in their

most recent issue.  From one who switched majors in college from journalism

to

elem ed/Art/ Eng lit.......

.......oh, this IS fun!!!

Laura

IN r~e~a~l~l~y rainy N. Texas (YEAH!!!)

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

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:09:48 -0800

From: "Norma I. Herbold" <normaholypen.com

To all those who responded privately and through the list to my inquiry

reguarding "appliquing  or not appliqueing" over the product information

on a old crib quilt kit , I very much appreciate the information you

shared with me that I was able to pass on to my friend.  Xenia provided

some very valuable information reguarding the maker of the kit to add to

the history of the quilt.  I thank you all.

My belated thanks are due to the wonderful celebration that has

surrounded my 50th birthday.  Oliver, the cat, threw me a fantastic

party, with guests bringing their favorite quote to write on a piece of

muslin.  Each piece is part of a block, and before long, I hope to have

a picture of the quilt to scan and share on my web site.

Thanks again to those of you who so generously share your knowledge with

those of us who want to learn.

Norma Herbold

Greenhaven Enterprises

Quilt Retreats on the Olympic Peninsula

http://www.olypen.com/normah

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

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 98 14:07:10 EDT

From: "Bob Mills" <decisiontigger.jvnc.net>

To: "Nancy Kirk" <KirkCollaol.com

What an incredible experience to attend the Restoration Conference.  Alice,

I don't know how you had time to put in daily reports to QHL when so many of

us were up til 1:30 looking at old quilts, swapping late night stories in

the lobby while working on hand piecing projects, talking about what we

learned or questioning others for restoration tips...  By Sunday, I was into

sleep deprivation.

Jennifer 'forgot' to mention that she negotiated 20 $60 seats for $5 apiece

to hear Marilyn Horn singing with the Omaha Symphony on Saturday night.

Jennifer, I need you around to negotiate for the next quilt or top I buy!!

The Opera house was a 1920 decorative wonder of chandeliers, gilding,

artwork and period architecture.  Worth a trip alone.

The two days that many of us spent with Deborah Bede was an eye-opener.  I

had writer's cramp from taking so many notes.  The labwork included sewing

techniques, chemistry of detergents, various materials to use in repairs and

washing a quilt in a wonderful, huge tilted washtub which had an adjustable

tilt using a car jack on one end.

If I learned anything from Deborah, it was the notion that conserving

involves stabilizing and doing no irreversible repairs.  The soap for

cleaning was Orvus, in greater quantities than the label suggests.

Two things were extremely important for me at the conference.

The first was meeting people that also were fanatic about old quilts, who

had this urge to rescue quilts that spoke to them and who were interested in

quilt history.

The second was seeing and touching so many examples of quilts and fabrics

from a wide time span.  Quilts were laid out on tables, were pulled out of

suitcases, were draped over stairways.  One could compare fabric in quilts

from the end of the 19th c to those in an early 19th c quilt sitting side by

side on a table.  If a question arose re how something differed, Sharon

Newman or Bobbie Aug would pull two examples from a stack for us to examine.

The faculty were always available and many were in the classes themselves to

learn and share information.  Eileen Trestain's book on fabric swatches by

dates was delayed in the binding process so was not yet available, but I

hope that Kris will carry it.  I will snap it up as soon as it arrives. 

Eileen was kind enough to date the fabrics in the fabric swatch books that

J. G. Row and I brought to her.

During a break in Saturday's quilt show and tell, my 1870's double sided

comforter was determined to have another quilt inside.  Two seam rippers

came out and Sue and Kathy carefully picked out an edge of the comforter to

reveal a much worn Irish chain in worn yellow and double pink with a

wonderful, 1/2 inch wide pieced zig-zag style border.  So now I will have

three tops.  I asked the conference participants what to do with the

comforter.  The vote was almost unanimous that I should separate the tops

and quilt them as two quilts.

Although this was billed as a Restoration Conference, those who would love

to have the opportunity to see antique quilts up close and talk with their

owners and the experts should save up their money for the next gathering.

Nice work Nancy Kirk.

Jan Drechsler back in NJ

 

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

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 18:02:26 EDT

From: KareQuiltaol.com

This just appeared on the [Virginia] Quilters Unlimited's e-mail newsletter

[QU Digest - September 16, 1998]. Is it a subject that the QHL list members

would like to participate in also?    Karen Alexander

SILK THREAD - Debbie Babin (McL) would like information about the YLI Silk

Thread that everyone seems to be using.  Some of her students have questioned

its durability over time.   The pros of using it are that the taupe and brown

shades can be used for almost any color of applique, so thread colors don't

have to be constantly matched to fabric.  In addition, the thin silk thread

makes stitches virtually invisible.  The question is whether it will endure

over time.  Other than sunlight possibly damaging it, or harsh washings

possibly breaking it, are there any other reason why silk thread should not be

used on applique for posterity's sake?  Send Debbie your feedback, and she'll

compile results for the QU Digest.  her e-mail is:

babin4ameritel.net

  98266 ]



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