99334 - 99336

Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 00:05:10 EST

From: EllynLK@aol.com

Just a funny tale here....

I work in TV production in Los Angeles (teleprompter operator).  As TV is

very much a "hurry up and wait!" medium, I often take stuff to do at

work...

and currently, that "stuff" means a baggie of cut fabrics to hand piece

into

blocks for a quilt for my mom.  Over the past eight years, I have pieced,

quilted or knitted on nearly every stage or theater in Hollywood and

beyond!

I was working at NBC on Thursday on a (dopey) pilot...  was busily

stitching

away.  A fellow I had never met stopped to see what I was doing.  He was

gingerly reaching out to touch the fabrics, wanted to know how you made a

quilt and so on.

A stocky camera guy walked by and stopped.  "Oh, man, are you PIECING A

QUILT?" he asked eagerly.

I was surprised--  the right terminology and everything!  I told him I was.

The cameraman turned to the utility guy.  "I'm tellin' ya, this is an ART

FORM.  I have NOTHING BUT RESPECT for people who do this sort of thing!"

He was rather-- passionate.  I asked him if he knew someone who quilts.

"No," he said.  "I work on that show on HGTV, you know, the quilt one.

Man,

to watch those women just go at it and put those things together-- it's

amazing.  Just amazing.  I mean, it's artistry.  You gotta really know what

you're doing."

I asked him just what struck him so strongly.  He said it was the doing of

it.  "And I never paid any attention to stuff like that, quilts, fabric,

you

know.  But after seeing what they do on that show, I have a whole different

outlook.  You gotta know that for a guy like me--  "  I took this to mean

he

thought of himself as rather macho.  "--  to be impressed with quilts,

well,

that really MEANS something. It's a lotta work and it's art."  He gave the

utility guy a sturdy nod and walked away.

I just got the biggest kick out of that!

(and for my own curiosity, I asked him how many episodes of "Simply Quilts"

they do in a day--on most "strip" shows, those that run daily, several

episodes are shot in a day--  before we were cancelled at "Dream Maker," we

did two; today I was on "Leeza" and we do three--  and he said they do five

SQ in a day, takes about ten hours.  It's a long day.

But he loves the quilts!

Lauri Klobas

Pacific PaKarendes, California

P.S.  Thanks to all who responded to my weaving question.  There are a LOT

of weavers on this list!

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

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 05:36:35 -0500

From: "Diane McGuire" <dianemcg@ici.net

Hi, QHLers,

Just sharing my easy and cheap light box. In the true sprit of quilting I

am

always looking for ways to reuse things. When I my old refrigerator died, I

saved some of the shelves for drying racks and the bottom frosted glass

shelf for a light box. I pull my dining room table apart and instead of

putting in the leaf I put the shelf across the opening and put a lamp

underneath.  I can tape a lined paper underneath and then tape the piece of

fabric over that.  It was plenty big enough for a friend to use for a quote

from Shakespeare in the center of an 18" wreath of flowers for a wall

hanging. If you don't have an old 'frig,  call your local appliance store,

they probably would be glad to give an old shelf to you rather than the

recycling center.

Happy quilting.

Diane in Southeastern Massachusetts where we are enjoying a very mild

December so far.

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

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 06:23:38 -0500

From: Debby Kratovil <kratovil@his.com

As a serious quilter for 15 years and just am amateaur quilt historian, I

must admit that I bought one of these Chinese bed quilts last week. Why?

Because it was king sized (my bed size), was in the colors of my newly

decorated bedroom (after 20 years), was applique and was on sale for $60. I

had been working up the energy to make a mammoth bed quilt, applique, for

this bed. My husband was with me and his question was, "Do you need it?" I

said, "of course I don't NEED it. I don't buy/make quilts because I need

them. I want it. I collect quilts. I love quilts. And I will love this

quilt."

I have mixed feelings about these quilts. I have well over 100 quilts in my

home, all made by me, with the exception of a few 1930's quilt tops rescued

from a junk shop which I finished so I could enjoy them as they were

intended. Sure, the quality is below that of what I could have done. But

the quilt called out my name, I bought it, and this is America where the

First Amendment still reigns: freedom of expression! We all are horrified

about the labor conditions in countries like China, but I have a Chinese

friend who now lives here in the DC area and he travels back and forth to

China creating trade opportunities. He has told of how crafts such as these

knock-off quilts create jobs for women who otherwise have no other source

of income. We are horrified at the wages, but remember, those wages are not

being spent here in America. They are buying things in China.

I will not enter into any conversation about this

political/economic/WTO-type word-wrangling. It doesn't belong on this list.

But suffice it to say, I really like this quilt and saw it as an alien

wanting a home where it would be loved and appreciated. It certainly isn't

one of my natural born quilts, but it sure is welcome in my home! It comes

from the hands of some woman somewhere, and just because those hands are

Chinese, doesn't make it unworthy. And I will tell anyone who admires it

that it's not an American quilt, but it's a quilt by anyone's standard.

Have a happy day loving all your quilts! Debby

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

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 06:27:27 -0500

From: PICKETTBW@aol.com (

have some questions about quilts that maybe you can help me with.

have a quilt that I am positive that is over 100 years old.  I started

quilting about 25 years ago.  I left it on the frame, and now I see water

damage on the ends on top.

I haven't unrolled it because I'm not sure I want to see how it is is

underneath.

Please email me if you can help me or know someone who can.

Also, I have a quilting frame that is over 150 years old.  A hundred year

old

woman gave it to me 30 years ago.  I just want to know the value of this

frame.

Thank you,

Bonnie

PICKETTBW@aol.com

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

Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 14:30:56 EST

From: Bethquilt5@aol.com

I went to NYC last spring and went to the Gazebo store. The store is just a

small boutique. The quilts were rather ordinary.  I have their catalogue

and

let's put it this way, they have a great photographer and graphic designer.

It was easy for an experienced quilter to recognize the mass production

qualities of these quilts. The quality of stitching and workmanship were

indeed a cut about what the Asian imports are, but they are definitely the

works of designers and not quilters. The fabrics were too safe, the variety

of fabrics too shallow and the colors were overmatched. Don't get me wrong,

they were nice quilts, sold at a fair price (no $39.99 specials), but they

miss the individual style and flair of a quilter's quilt.

Last summer I went to a small town on the Mississippi, (Stockholm,

Wisconsin,

I think) and they had the most beautiful Amish made quilts I have yet seen.

They were made for the marketplace, so they weren't all traditional solid

fabrics, but everything about these quilts were beautifully done. There

were

also a few that were made in Amish colors and styles. They're prices were

in

the $600-$1200 range and I would recommend them to anyone who wants a great

quilt and isn't lucky enough to have a quilter in their family!

Beth Donaldson

Lansing, Michigan

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

Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 16:09:14 -0500

From: "pepper cory" <pepcory@bmd.clis.com>

I can confirm Laurie's story. The folks at Simply Quilts bust their

you-know-what's when they're filming. I've got nothing but admiration for

Alex Anderson! I've seen her work a solid 14 hour day, and then stay

another hour to tape voice-overs. She's a pro who makes it look spontaneous

when the whole show is highly scripted and planned.

It's lovely that the TV crew guy recognized your work Laurie! Here's

another funny story---it happened while on an oversold flight going into

Chicago when I had less than 30 minutes to catch the last connection back

home. I sat next to a man who looked at my piecing, we talked, he said,

"You're the person who wrote that big purple book!" (that was the original

Quilting Designs from the Amish-) "My wife loves that book!" I autographed

a napkin for his wife and then understanding my predicament, he and his

friends formed a flying wedge and put me in the center as we rushed off the

airplane and into the terminal. They were NBC sports cameramen returning

from filming a football game someplace! An unlikely but welcome reward for

quilting fame! Macho guys do too love quilts and aren't we grateful!

Pepper Cory

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

Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 21:33:52 -0000

From: "Jenni Dobson" <jenni@dobson4qu.freeserve.co.uk

- and I want just to add that I too have often used Pigma pens for

labelling quilts. They don't come with 'fixing instructions' but like

Judy, I believed that if 'cured' and ironed they would be fast.  So I

just want to say that the label better include a note that the quilt

must be washed in a 'colour-safe' product! I borrowed my

grand-daughter's quilt back for an exhibition and was dismayed at how

the Pigma writing had faded - especially by comparison with the photo

transfer next to it. I re-inked all the writing (it included  three

columns of names of quilters who'd contributed rabbit prints to the

quilt!) & returned it with (I hope) a tactful word to my D-in-law

please to use a colour-safe washing product instead of the regular

stuff!

But since the photo transfer still looked like I remembered - perhaps

that's the answer? Make labels on your computer & have the photo

transfered to fabric? Have done this on a couple of more recent items

but as yet have conducted no 'wear trials'.

Jenni D in chilly UK.

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 19:13:17 -0500

From: "Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Quilts" <oldquilt@albany.net>

I am sure those of you that surf Ebay have seen this quilt top:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=214640477

but I bet you didn't realize it was made by one of our  members! Karen Bush

is

a very talented lady, she is

the author of one of our more popular books, "Quilt as Desired." Now I

realize

she is a wonderful applique

artist as well. My mommy heart swells:-))

I wrote to Rabbit asking her about Martha Stewart and this is her answer:

"Weds 9 am on CBS. When you see what else I am paired with the next day

and the day before you'll practically barf. Pass it on. Seriously I am

almost embarrassed but they do a link to my web page. And after all that

they called the carpet a rug"

VCR alert!

Kris

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

Date: Tue, 07 Dec 1999 11:04:16 +0200

From: Ady Hirsch <adamroni@netvision.net.il

I'd like to thank Judy for the reference to "The Ultmate Quilt Book" -

having seen her post, I ordered it from the UK and it's great. More than

200 pages of great antique quilts, some wel known, others less so. The

teaching part is pretty basic, but it's a great addition to any library.

Thanks again, Judy

Ady in Israel

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

Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 08:52:58 EST

From: CToczek@aol.com

I so enjoyed Lauri's and Pepper's stories of chance meetings with quilt

lovers...and something else struck me.....have any of you stopped to wonder

at the wealth of experience represented on this list?  Yes, we're all quilt

lovers/historians/collectors and many of you are authors or experts with

credentials, but I also refer to our "other" lives, like Lauri's

teleprompting in L.A.   Behind our quilting I guess we probably represent

an

interesting slice of society, wouldn't you say?

Carla Toczek

West Point, NY

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

Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 10:12:10 EST

From: QuiltFixer@aol.com

In a message dated 12/7/99 5:53:50 AM Pacific Standard Time,

CToczek@aol.com

writes:

<< Yes, we're all quilt

 lovers/historians/collectors and many of you are authors or experts with

 credentials, but I also refer to our "other" lives, like Lauri's

 teleprompting in L.A.   Behind our quilting I guess we probably represent

an

 interesting slice of society, wouldn't you say?   >>

One of the nicest benefit from attending the QHL Conference was meeting the

people behind the screen names! Yes, we are a very varied group and some of

the additional talents and backgrounds are fascinating and very rewarding.

I, for one, cannot say enough nice things about all the knowledge and

friendships I have gained from this list.  It's a very special part of my

life.  Thanks everyone!

Toni Baumgard

QuiltFixer@aol.com

The Redwork Lady

redworkldy@aol.com

www.redworklady.com

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

Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 10:55:36 EST

From: Palampore@aol.com

Yesterday I visited my neighbor and his cousin from Conn. was there.  He

said

that he understood that I was involved with quilts.  He said that his

daughter is also. He said that she works for a large company who has quilts

made in China.  She is  their quilt designer.  I held my tongue and didn't

say that she does a very controversial thing and that a Quilt History List is

questioning her business daily.  There was no point.  This a proud father

who

sees his daughter designing lovely quilts.

I guess this will make me see the quilts in a different light also for I

now know that they also help support my neighbor's distance cousin here in the

US.  It made me question some of my personal opinions.

I guess my major beef is not with the US department stores who sell them

for what they are--Made in Where Ever.  It is with the people who try to pass

them off as quilts made by grandmama on the farm in rural US.

I don't want to be flamed for this statement, so please just take it for

food

for thought and nothing more------Think of the lovely antique quilts we all

treasure and love.  Were the textiles in them always produced in the best

of

circumstances?  I doubt they were.  Think of the conditions of the mills in

Lowell and other places.  How about brown lung disease?  Watch the movie

"Norma Rae".  We have cleaned up things here a great deal but in the

process

manufacturers have run away from our country in order to offer consumers a

"good deal" and to keep their fat pockets full.  None of us can get real

pious about this until we buy only products made in the US.

Life continues to be a sociological wonder...........and a mystery to never

be solved.

Now I am off to put together a slide show on the care and preservation of

textiles.  That's much more fun than talking about import quilts.

Lynn Lancaster Gorges

Textile Conservator

New Bern, NC

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

Date: Tue, 07 Dec 1999 22:32:29 PST

From: "Anne Copeland" <anneappraiser@hotmail.com>

You made some good comments.  You know, I am reminded of how, in our own

country, people decried the fact that women and children worked in the

textile mills at the turn of the century.  Still, they were being paid for

work they had previously done for free on the farms, and laboring perhaps

just as long, but in a different manner than before.  And perhaps someday,

these people may take the skills they have learned and become expert

quilters, working in their own style and earning money for it.  We cannot

know now about this, but I do expect that quilting, even without much or

any

pay, is so much better than breaking rocks.  Anne Copeland

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

Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 09:48:38 -0500

From: "Ann N. Richardson" <pastcrafts@erols.com>

I think that we are making a mistake to equate the imported

reproduction quilts with the real, home made 19th and early 20th century

quilts that we all love, (despite the uneven nature of their

quality.)    The imports share only the name "quilt", due to the same

basic construction techniques.  They are in fact "consumer products".

There is absolutely nothing shameful or embarrassing in purchasing a

household consumer product.  The QHLer with the fox terrier who sleeps

with her, me and my 3 cats who nest on my bed, and anyone with kids who

get sick on the bed covers, all benefit from these imports that have

visual appeal.

   In the furniture business, there have been reproduction Chippendale

style chairs ever since the original was first produced.  They are not

really reproductions but rather "continuations".  Good design is good

design and is always being recycled. Isn't that what makes some of the

Amish quilts so difficult to date? The variable is in the quality and

techniques used to make the object.  I have seen exquisite Chippendale

style chairs that were made in Wales the 1870's.  They were

"continuations" not "reproductions". The cabinet maker was 4th

generation and was known large and wide for the work he did in that

style. There was no intent to dupe the public.  But they almost fooled

an American dealer until instinct told him that there was something not

quite "right" about them.  We actually see it most in the US with Shaker

style furniture.

People who know, can tell the difference.  The construction techniques

and materials differ from period to period even if the design remains

constant.

   So, too with textiles.  There are many different qualities of

consumer goods to choose from.  Do unscrupulous, or just plain ignorant,

dealers pass these off as "old", of course. I can't begin to count the

number of c.1890's Colonial Revial Chippendale chairs that I have seen

in antique shops that were being passed off as 18th c.  Do people get

taken?  Certainly, until they bring it to me, or anyone else with some

knowledge, to be appraised!

   Our jobs as historians is to reach out, spread the word, teach our

fellow consumers the difference between the imports and reproductions

and the "real" thing.  I have no qualms engaging a dealer in a chat

about an object that is mis identified.  90% of the time they are

grateful for the knowledge.  Lets face it, textiles are a very narrow

specialty!

   Lynn is right, of course.  The working conditions in the mid-19th c.

textile factories were not good, neither were the conditons of the lace

makers and embroideresses in Scotland and Ireland, yet we do not apply

the same standard of rightousness to their textiles, laces, &

christening clothes that we seem to to those quilts currently produced

in third world countries.

   There will always be "shisters" and "dupes".  Lets just make it our

mission to educate the dupes and unmask the shisters when ever possible!

Lets face the mass appeal that creates the market for these low quality

imports is the same force that gets Pepper recognised in the airport,

gets Rabbit on Martha Stuart, and brings me loads of goodies to evaluate

out of hiding in peoples' attics!  It is a double edged sword!

Hope you've all done your Christmas shopping, HA!

Cheers,

Newbie Richardson, material cultures historian

Alexandria, Va.

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

Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 20:43:37 -0500 (EST)

From: JOCELYNM@delphi.com

On  6-DEC-1999 16:18:16.9 pepcory said to JOCELYNM

   >football game someplace! An unlikely but welcome reward for quilting

   >fame! Macho guys do too love quilts and aren't we grateful! Pepper Cory

Pepper,

     Reminds me of a story I read in one of the state quilt documentation

books.

     The interview was with a cowboy, who was talking about how he admired

his wife's quilting, and how he even 'helped out' from time to time. He

made it sound like he drafted patterns for her, a time-honored contribution of

quilters' menfolk. Then SHE was interviewed, and she told of how, during

the

long winters when he was cooped up indoors, he'd watched her...then shyly

asked to try...and now he was piecing quilts himself. She concluded with,

'But let someone drive up to the ranch, and he drops it like it was

red-hot!' <G>

Jocelyn