Online since 2002. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH.

"Telltale Textiles" Quilt Exhibit
at Historic Deerfield, MA - 2003

by Patricia L. Cummings

Snow, snow, snow. That seems to be all that Mother Nature has on her mind these days. We woke up to two more inches of the white stuff on top of the glare ice caused by dropping temperatures and the all day drizzle of yesterday. This winter will probably go on record as the coldest, most windy, most snowy one in a long time. Today is a good day to sit and quilt and perhaps look outside once in awhile to admire the beauty of the winter birds scurrying for food at the feeders, and the branches decorated with a layer of white frosting.

The quilt season for guilds is almost here. In New England, the first show around here usually happens in March. For the most part, we enjoy the smaller shows the best, especially those in rural areas because they often feature more antique quilts. Of course, the larger shows have more vendors and more of a selection of beautiful, contemporary quilts, so it is always a toss-up in terms of measuring which we might enjoy more.

We visited Historic Deerfield, Inc. to see the exhibit, “Telltale Textiles.” We always love to visit this museum that is located in Massachusetts. On warmer days, it is pleasant to stroll along the tree-lined streets, stopping to visit the houses that comprise the museum. Guided tours are available that are a look into life as it was in other centuries.

Deerfield has a rich textile collection: bed hangings, embroidered coverlets (formerly called coverlids), quilts of many styles, including a stenciled one that I love, and at least one wool, embroidered bed rugg. The special exhibit of quilts was displayed until March 2004. For more information about the museum, please see their website:  http://www.historic-deerfield.org/