Capital Region Quilt Study Group 

The Capitol Quilt Study Group of Albany NY held its first meeting on March 13 2004 in the Heldeberg Room at the Guilderland Public Library.  17 People attended, bringing 22 quilts from c.1800 to c.1950.  Below are highlights of this event.  The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue Guilderland, NY 12084 (518) 456-2400

The pictures below are thumbnails, click on them to see them close up.  

We will evolve as group’s need are identified. Right now: informal discussion of items brought in by attendees.

Crazy Quilts popular between 1880-1890 lasting not more than about 25 years Kate Greenaway first published in 1882 -- good dating reference dates may not indicate finish date unless specifically identified as such -- may be any other date of significance to the maker or source of the fabric piece -- birth, death, anniversary, engagement embellishment types: painting, ink drawings, embroidery -- “Ornamental Stitches for Embroidery” published in 1885 fabric types: silk, commemorative ribbons, satin, velvet -- could order/buy swatches resulting in multiple colors of same fabric -- leaded silk

Para-phrased from Brackman’s “Clues in the Calico”: In the last quarter of the 19th century, lesser-quality silk was being mass-produced. To give the fabric more body, mineral salts (such as lead) were added to give the fabric more “body” by doubling the fabric weight and adding a rustling sound. The mineral salts abraded the fabric fibers resulting in “shattering” or shredding.

-- flannel and fake fur: started Civil War era -- fake silk (acetate?): developed 1890s -- many never finished beyond “top” stage -- result of shattered silk? Myth: Crazy quilting got its start at the 1876 centennial. -- earliest “crazy” patchwork ( no embroidery) known is a Japanese garment from the 1500s Symbolism included -- bee -- referred to Napolean, also referred to religion -- horseshoe -- points down for good luck on quilts, but points up to hold the luck in for a house -- web with or without spider -- good luck

It is commonly believed the spider web is the only “truly American” symbol used in crazy quilting embroidery or symbolism. Question: Can anyone identify a reference documenting this?

Example: One-Large-Square Format Foundation pieced

Example: Star-in-a-Star Format Found in window seat of father-in-law’s house in Bennington, VT. No one in family known to be quilters. Mother-in-law frequented garage/tag sales and may have acquired it this way. Foundation pieced

Example: Large Crazy Squares Format Foundation pieced Some foundations are glazed cotton -- glazed cotton indicates ~ 1885

It is commonly believed glazing on cotton was the result of a substance, such as egg whites or potato starch, being applied to the fabric surface and then “sealed with heat.” Current thinking seems to dispute this as not being feasible, especially on large lengths of fabric: a) would have required a great deal of the glazing substance, b) would have been wasteful use of food that likely couldn’t be spared, and c) would have resulted in more damage than we are seeing from pests/rodents seeking protein source. Question: Can anyone identify a reference documenting this?

Example: Small “Roman-Stripe” Squares Format Foundation pieced Suit-weight wool -- typical near end of crazy quilt popularity (1920-30)

Other Quilt Types Flannel batting: 1940s trend result of World War frugalness

Example: Log Cabin Foundation pieced Also known as “Lincoln Logs” in honor of Abraham Lincoln -- all red centers, except for one black center: may be mourning Lincoln’s death Flannel and fake fur used

Example: Wool Blanket Commercially made Possibly for Civil War Narrow and long Embroidered star -- likely identification mark of owner who may not have been literate

Example: Toile Possibly cover for bed canopy that extends from head of bed short distance Possibly French fabric with mythological theme -- haven’t been able to locate in any references yet Back pieced of odd-sized and -quality linens Tape binding One segment has batting, the other does not Both segments have inner fabric that appears to also be toile Late 1700s?

Question: Can anyone identify the fabric? French? Theme? Year?

Example: Bowtie Shirting background: majority single color, one had two-color print Black bows with a few tan bows -- Were tan bows originally black? 1930s/40s

Example: LeMoyne Star with Diamond Border Early fabrics, including chrome orange Rounded corners with diamonds eased in 1870s?

Example: Pink Irish Chain Corner squares appliquéd (rather than pieced) on plain blocks -- older technique Main fabric: pink with tiny white dots Binding: pink “bubbles” of various sizes 1930s?

Example: Radiant (or Touching) Stars Front: black, red, white fabrics -- turn of the century (1900)? Back: red fabric with black figures -- 1940s?

Example: Pillowcases Early fabrics Small size: child? PA origin?

Example: Yellow/Blue Starburst Each segment embroidered with names Fabrics not good for dating -- will have to base on name research

Example: Double Wedding Ring Belonged to owner’s grandmother Used on bed daily Back soft (not lavender) purple

Example: Mary E. Osborne Red/Green Applique Documentation pocket on back with known history enclosed

Example: Tree Everlasting Strippy set Large size Narrow binding rolled from back Teal color still brilliant: French? Some mordant damage from black dye

Example: Center Medallion Large size Wide yellow/red border fabric Center: pieced blocks alternating with block of fabric with brown design on ecru

Example: Red/Green Album Narrow binding rolled from back Quilting: clamshell/hexagons Much damage/fading to red/grn fabric 1950s (?) attempt to over-applique red Border: double saw tooth/dogtooth applique facing center of border

Question: Is double appliquéd saw tooth/dogtooth border typical of a particular time frame? Or location?

Next Meeting Same place/time/format -- no theme Possibly on June 19th -- will need to confirm later -- unable to reserve room more than 2 months ahead of time

Believed to have been made by Mrs Lyke of Union Street, Schenectady	Given as a gift to the mother of the woman who brought it	A musical instrument	Salt sack foundation
		Crazy quilts with lots of embroidered designs and two ribbons (left) from Troy NY &   Cooperstown NY.	The Troy ribbon is dated August 16, 1919
		Look at the embroidery on this rail fence!	this is the back Interesting indigo blocks
showing the damaged silk on this quilt
wonderful silks, satins, velvets and... ties!	Quilt backs can be quite informative!  The polished cotton foundation fabric of this quilt helps date it.	More polished cotton.  Note the sticker on one block (above)
This was our oldest quilted piece, late 1700's or early 1800's.  We weren't quite sure what this quilt was.  It seems to be two pieces put together (with a gusset!).  One end is heavily quilted and in worse condition that the other end, which had scalloped edges.  Could this have been a bed treatment?
a quilt scrap	a very unusual quilt top, made as a pillowcase.  Purchased in Brimfield MA.	We think maybe the tan was a home dyed black that was bleached
A family quilt			same family
a poorly restored quilt			we held it in front of the window to see details
four inch stars		note the star pairs in the border	click on the thumbnails to these up close!
1940's utility quilt	note the beard (or whisker) guard at the top of the quilt (left in the picture)	we decided this was Buckeye Beauty	click on the thumbnails to these up close!
unusual signature quilt			click on the thumbnails to these up close!
great fabric study
quilt block	pillowcases	seen at a different time