99085 - 99086

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DateThu, 25 Mar 1999 204302 -0800

FromAudrey Waite <awquiltr@sedona.net>

Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign to protest Orvis using

the name of Cabin Creek Quilts in advertising its foreign-made quilts.

If anyone has the address, I'd be happy to fire off an angry consumer

letter. I don't buy the "honest mistake" excuse.

Audrey Waite in sunny

Sedona, AZ

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

DateThu, 25 Mar 1999 224501 -0800

From"Anne Copeland" <anneappraiser@mailcity.com>

--I have several issues I need help with.

I live in Lomita, CA, and I have a number of antique quilts. Recently it has been around 80% humidity, and I am quite concerned about my quilts as I have realized that some feel damp to me. I am almost tempted to take them to the laundermat and put them in a dryer as they just don't seem to be drying out no matter what I do. Then I know it is a bad thing, but I have thought about putting the dried quilts in plastic boxes or something to protect them from further moisture. Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

And also, I am doing some experiments with homemade dyeing. I found some large seed pods from a tree that have the texture and color of dark nut pods, but these seeds are not edible. They come in 3s or more on a stem, and fall off in the street. I have put some in cold water to see what degree of color comes off from just soaking. Next I will try boiling. I want to dye a little piece of muslin as an experiment. Who knows what mordant I should use, and how much of it to treat a piece 1 yard or less?

Thank you so much for your help, Anne Copeland

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 072820 +0000

From"Debora C. Wykes" <wykesfcn@tdi.net>

To QHL list

I am an avid reader of QHL--I've learned so much by reading the posts every

morning. I thought that I could get some feedback on a project I am

planning with children.

After Easter vacation I will be taking over as a fourth grade teacher of a

class that has lost their teacher to a job change. This is a much loved

teacher who has taught at this small elementary school for over 25 years.

The kids cried when they heard she was leaving. She is staying in the

school district, however.

I would like to do a memory quilt project with these 10 yr. old 4th graders

to present to her sometime before school ends June 18th. I want them to

plan most of it, do the artwork (a square a piece done in fabric crayons,

fabric paint, or ?) plan (measure and plot) the border and backing and put

it all together. AND -because as much learning has to take place here- do

a scrapbook/journal of the experience and -if I can talk the technology

teacher into it -do a website of the experience. I also thought I could

have them research memory quilts, at least on the internet or see a picture

of the AIDS quilt project or something like that.

Has anyone else done a project like this? Am I crazy? What works and what

doesn't? I have alot of faith in kids and this seems like a good class of

cooperative kids-I'd like them to be able to honor their teacher, yet know

they are part of the vast history of doing so by a quilt. Math (planning

the quilt), art, technology, history, social studies, english and writing

are all involved here that I can see.

My questions what media can you suggest that the kids could use to make

their own squares? Any websites on the subject (outside of the regular

quilting websites)? Any encouraging words? This is still an unapproved

project, I haven't talked to the art teacher or tech. teacher or anyone

else, it's just an idea in my brain right now.

Thanks in advance. Feel free to email me privately if your post is long.

Debbie in Monroe, MI

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 084129 EST

FromAlineMcK@aol.com

NO! Don't put a damp quilt in a plastic box. Instead, look into de-

humidifiers for your storage spot. There are chemicals in buckets that you

can just put in a closet, and they'll absorb the moisture. You then bake the

goop to dry it back out, and re-use. I've also seen, but haven't tried, little

low-voltage electrical thingies. They look kinda like an aquarium heater. I

think they're in the "Home Improvements" catalog (which also sells the

absorbent goop). Or try your local hardware store.

Another thought is, if you've got an entire roomful, get a window air-

conditioner. Even if you run it at not-very-cold, it dehumidifies.

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 090216 EST

FromAlineMcK@aol.com

I've done group quilts with young kids. It's a wonderful group project.

A few thoughts There are slack spots where some kids are done with a

particular step, or waiting their turn, so have stuff on hand to fill their

time. I take plenty of quilt books along, so the kids can look thru them. The

larger, quilt-history books are best for this, more of a catalog of pictures

than a heavy-duty how-to book. The most popular ones, however, are the books

of story quilts or pictoral modern ones. I forgot that one of my modern quilt

books included a few nudes. The boys LOVED that! And man, they studied the

rest of that book like hawks. hee hee.

I took advantage of an accident with my dog. Brought along a lap quilt that

the dog had chewed, so they could see how the batting, top and backing all fit

together. Thanks to BJ, one edge was a perfect cross-section. (Only reason the

dog's alive is 1, he's cute, and 2, it was just a scrap lap quilt I threw

together in a weekend.)

I cut the fabric into squares about 2" larger than the actual cut size, and

pre-drew both the inside square lines and the outside cutting lines. I learned

the hard way you can't just ask them to imagine the inside line...they'll

color right up to the edge of whatever you draw. Then they taped the squares

to pieces of shirt cardboard, and used fabric markers to draw. (the markers

are expensive...I still have a full set not in use. I can loan them by

mail...postage, even both ways, is much cheaper than buying a full set). Then

they can cut out the squares on the cutting line. Use large seam allowances,

of course, for margin of error. I did 4" finished size with 1/2" seams. So

they worked with 6" squares that they then cut down to 5".

If these are elementary kids, they're not going to have too much patience for

designing the mechanics of it all. You might pre-cut several different colors

of border, and let them choose which they want, give them choices of colors

for the dark squares, let them choose if the finished quilt'll be square or

rectangular, etc.

For design, tape an old flannel sheet (thrift store!) to the wall, and have

them stick up the squares. I alternated 4" squares, plain dark with decorated

light. Perhaps bring a selection of precut darks in various colors that would

coordinate, and have them play with arranging those as the color scheme.

(Precut them large, and let the kids cut them down into sewing size, as with

the decorated ones.)

I brought my machine to class, and sewed the squares into horizontal strips,

which they then pinned back up on the flannel to see it take shape. If there's

time, you can then join the strips, or do that overnight. While I was sewing,

they really enjoyed being in charge of bringing me the squares, one by one, in

correct order.

Good luck!

Aline

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 101300 EST

FromQuiltFixer@aol.com

As soon as I have a nice warm day in spring, I start airing my quilts. I have

two wooden old fashioned clothes dryers and I put clean sheets on them and I

put a quilt over to air. I put them outside, but not in the sun. This seems

to work well and then I put them in clean pillowcases. I try to rotate my

quilts throughout the house in the winter so that they get good air exposure.

Some on beds, some hanging, and some on my quilt rack. I would not advise

putting quilts in plastic boxes or bags. You may want to store in acid free

boxes, but I would still take them out from time to time. Toni Baumgard

QuiltFixer@aol.com

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 102204 EST

FromPalampore@aol.com

ToQHL@cuenet.com

Three or four years ago I went to Fabric Camp done by Barbara Brackman and

Terry Thompson in Lawrence, KS . For a week our group of 7 students were

immersed in the study of antique textiles and quilts. We had a wonderful time

and left there great buddies. That was also when Barbara was working on the

CW quilt book and several of our group members made quilts for the book. Upon

leaving we decided that we wanted to keep in touch, so we began a round-robin

letter/package. Now about every 9 or 10 months I get a wonderful big envelope

stuffed with 7 plastic gallon baggies and in each is a letter, pictures of

wonderful quilts seen & or made over the year, and maybe a few pieces of a

neat piece of cloth to share from each member.

Last year one of the envelopes contained a picture of a memory quilt in memory

of John Denver made by the 4th or 5th (?) grade class of Jeananne Wright of

Colo. They had made a wonderful quilt and then had an evening to celebrate

his life and music. It has since traveled to many locations and the Denver

Family apparently feels very special about this quilt. Now this year this

creative and talented teacher has come up with another great idea. They are

making a Homerun Quilt as a tribute to baseball and are getting lots of the

blocks signed by famous ball players known for their homerun history.

Jeananne will be retiring soon and I know she will be missed greatly for she

is a great testimony to what teaching should be all about!!! If any of you

want to get in touch with her please email me privately.

Now on to another subject----- This week I saw a quilt at the local

historical society and I am very curious about it. It was a quilt made up of

applique blocks about 16-18 inches in size. All of the blocks were the same.

The background was an off-white cotton. Appliqued to each was an eight

pointed star in the center made of turkey red fabric. It was a radiating star

not a block style star. Above and below was a heart made of orange cotton,

but each one had the bottom tip of the heart squared off. In the four corners

was a cross on the diagonal made of green calico. Was this symbolic of some

group? I haven't had time to sit and look thru all of my books, but I hope to

over the weekend. The blocks were framed/sashed with a bright pink and white

tiny check fabric. The borders were in turkey red. It was outlined quilted

and had a loftier batting than that age fabric quilt would normally have.

Thanks in advance for any input on this.......

Lynn Lancaster Gorges in rainy yucky cold New Bern, NC (Spring keeps coming

and teasing us and then leaves!)

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 102654 -0500

FromMargaret Wolff <hrtworks@telenet.net>

ToQHL@cuenet.com

to all old sewing machine aficionados,

There is a book available, "Sewing Machine Blue Book" which can be used

to date machines. I have one, and it lists most machines by model number,

gives a <underline>very</underline> brief description of the features and

lists value. The values are very low, since few machines have much

monetary value, other than the collectors models.I mean really low,

$6,$10,$20.If you have the book for your old White, look up the model

number and I'll try to give you a value from this book.

Margaret

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 075132 -0800

From"Julia D. Zgliniec" <rzglini1@san.rr.com>

Dear Anne and All,

Where I live, near San Diego and about 10 miles inland, moisture is not

much of a problem. But this is what I do.

Sprinkled about the drawers and cupboards where I keep my collections of

lace, fabric etc., are the desiccant packets that come in medication

containers, luggage, and purses. Whenever I purchase something that has

one of those, I save it and use it in the drawers and closets. the

hanging quilts don't seem to need them. It is simple, cheap and no

stress on the textile.

I believe one could make their own with silica gel that is sold for

drying flowers.

Dyes, there are many books on "natural dying" and there is a "dyers

list" I just read about in my newest issue of "Spin Off ". They could

answer your questions. I can't find it at the moment but you could

probably locate it through Susan Druding's page at the Mining Co.

Regards,

Julia

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 110821 -0500 (EST)

From"Joanna E. Evans" <jevans@bluemarble.net>

ToQHL@cuenet.com

Please join us for the Second Annual QHL Dinner in Paducah.

*6pm on Thursday, April 22*

We have a reservation at the Pines Restaurant at 900 N 32nd Street in

Paducah. Their phone number for directions is 502-442-9304, or look them up

on smartpages.com and you can print out a map that shows their location. We

have a big long table reserved. That's not ideal, but their round tables

only seat six. Let me know if you would prefer to have a couple of those,

and I'll request them.

If you won't have a car, let me know and I'll try to hook you up with

someone who is willing to help out. Similarly, if you don't mind giving

someone a lift, please let me know in your email.

Please RSVP to me by emailing me privately so I can give them a final

headcount.

Thanks to Barbara Woodford for her thoughts and assistance.

Hope to see lots of you in Paducah.

Joanna Evans (jevans@bluemarble.net)

Bloomington, IN

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 075056 -0400

FromLorraine Olsson <sven@pnc.com.au>

Thank you Judith for your research and thank you to every one else who

had good ideas about dating the sewing machines.

One more triumph for the group o}}

Lorraine in Oz

Judith Brainerd wrote

>

> Lorraine, your machine is a Family Vibrater and the date is 1917. I

> called the White Company at 1-800-446-2333 (or 216-252-3300). *Ü*

>

> Judith B

> Olympia WA

>

>

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

DateFri, 26 Mar 1999 200308 -0500

From"John Cawley" <cawley@goeaston.net>

I'm back online, now in Easton, MD. I've really missed QHL. It's =

lovely here. I've joined the Bayside Quilters. I'll be back and forth =

between here and Scranton until I get my life sorted out. Can anybody =

fill me in on the quilt world of the Eastern Shore and surroundings. =

Thanks.

Cinda

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

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 122114 EST

FromPennstudd@aol.com

ToQHL@cuenet.com

Have been reading the daily posts for about a month now, and have learned more

from the posts than any book could ever teach me. A great book that I got at

Barnes and Nobles about fabric and their dyes is called "The Art Of Dyeing"

and is amazing. I though about dyeing a bunch of fabric for my next quilt so,

I got some of the cakes from K Mart and used the washing machine version well,

I sleep on the couch for the next week. I seemed to have forgotten to rinse

the dye from my last batch of reds and my wife threw in my daughters school

uniforms and turned them all wonderful shades of red and pink. Oh Well, I told

her it could have been worse. Bill

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 111743 -0800 (PST)

FromElaine Baglo <elainb@pinc.com>

Did anyone pick up the newest Mary Englebreit Home Companion magazine yet?

In the most recent issue, there is an informative article about feedsacks

and our own Jane of the Feedsack Club. If you haven't seen this magazine

yet, it's a really nice one and well worth a look at especially if you're

interested in quilts, artists and antiques.

Elaine

elainb@pinc.com

Victoria, B.C., Canada

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 185245 EST

FromJBQUILTOK@aol.com

ToQHL@cuenet.com

In a message dated 3/23/99 51135 PM Central Standard Time, SaraLMcN@aol.com

writes

<< Another thing that I have noticed and after talking to other vendors is the

smaller number of historical / reference books being published with not many

in the works. I think as we continue to see the changes in spending occur in

the quilting market that there will be a focus on books, etc., that appeal to

the largest group. >>

One problem I have with quilt books is the way the price has gone up & up.

The history books seem to be more expensive than the pattern books. While I

fully realize they are well worth the extra money, I often have a hard time

justifying spending it. I'm fortunate to have a guild that stocks 2 libraries

- one for history & one for techniques & patterns. So, while I may drool when

I read about the newest history book coming out, when faced with it on a shelf

at $30+ I usually tell myself I'll get it another day when there's more left

from the paycheck.

Maybe we should push to get quilt history books stocked in our local

libraries. Those I do own give a much better insight into daily lives over

the last 100+ years than the who-bombed-who books that are 'history' in a lot

of libraries.

Janet

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 164308 -0800

>If you have the book for your old White, look up the model

number and I'll try to give you a value from this book.

Margaret, my White is a 1935 "Crinkle" Rotary treadle. It's the 33X

series. Does your blue book have it? When I called the White Company

to find out the year, they had trouble finding this particular machine

in their book.

Thanks!

Judith B

Olympia WA

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

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 212124 EST

FromAlineMcK@aol.com

Toqhl@cuenet.com

Oh my, it feels good to be sitting down after two days at the Dallas quilt

show. I don't want to talk about my knees or my wallet.

But I did find a gorgeous set of late 1800s blocksan unusual setting of

pieced stars with all my favorites of doublepinks, mourning prints, an only

half-faded purple, and a large intact madder print. They're in the sink in

Textile Soak, with me biting my nails and agitating them about one-half stir

per hour.

I noticed on back of one square, "GM" in inch-high letters on the plain white

muslin. It appears to be stamped or printed, not written. Letters are blocky,

sans-serif, like this

GM

Anyone got any ideas? Please, no car jokes. And that includes Gremlins.

Aline

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 224530 -0500

FromAlan Kelchner <quiltfix@mail.jax.bellsouth.net>

If I was reading properly, there's another guy on the list !! I'll be

damned. <G> Welcome, Bill, welcome !

Alan

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 222749 -0600

From"Peggy McBride" <jlmpam@netins.net>

I suggested to our local library that some quilt history would be of

interest and was told, rather shortly I might add, they they weren't

interested in adding quilt history books, even when I offered to contribute

a couple of books one being Quilts in America. So I went on my way, and

just add the books to my personal library. The funny part is, several

months later the library called and asked if I would be interested in

loaning my personal books to someone. I said I would have to think about

it. I am still thinking.

(actually the answer is no - DH says he doesn't care what I spend on books,

but I am not lending books)

Peggy in Iowa

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

DateSat, 27 Mar 1999 235931 -0500

From"rainbo" <joandana@graham.main.nc.us>

I am a new quilter and i have a basic question...i have not had any lessons,

but just started putting together scraps then sandwiching some batting

between that and the backing (whatever turns up) . when I started trying to

quilt on the machine the backing puckers. what should i do to correct this?

joan