Archive for the ‘and Needlework Care’ Category

“Aunt Jemima’s Quilt”

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

From the book, Rhymes and Roses, copyright 1895, Frederick A. Stokes Company.

section from an old Crazy Quilt

This is a photo of a portion of an old Crazy Quilt for those of you who are not familiar with this Victorian style quilt.

“Aunt Jemima’s Quilt”

by Anonymous

A miracle of gleaming dyes
Blue, scarlet, buff and green;
O ne’er before my mortal eyes
Such gorgeous hues were seen!
So grandly was the plan designed,
So cunningly ’twas built,
The whole proclaimed a master mind –
My Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

Each friendly household far and wide
Contributed its share;
It chronicled the country side
In colors quaint and rare
From belles and brides came rich brocade
Enwrought with threads of gilt;
E’en buxom widows lent their aid
To Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

No tapestry from days of yore,
No web from Orient loom,
But paled in beauteous tints before
This strange expanse of bloom.
Here glittering stars and comet shone
O’er flowers that never wilt;
Here fluttered birds from worlds unknown
On Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

O, merry was the quilting bee,
When this great quilt was done;
The rafters rang with maiden glee,
And hearts were lost and won.
Ne’er did a throng of braver men
In war clash hilt to hilt,
Than sought the smiles of beauty then
Round Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

This work of art my aunt esteemed
The glory of the age;
No poet’s eyes have ever beamed
More proudly o’er his page.
Were other quilt to this compared,
Her nose would upward tilt;
Such impudence was seldom dared
O’er Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

Her dear old hands have gone to dust,
That once were lithe and light;
Her needles keen are thick with rust
That flashed so nimbly bright.
And here it lies by her behest,
Stained with the tears we spilt,
Safe folded in this cedar chest –
My Aunt Jemima’s quilt.

This poem refers, no doubt, to a Crazy Quilt of the late 19th century. While I enjoyed most of the poem, I just about shrieked at the ending. The thought of a Crazy Quilt folded in a cedar chest was so alarming! To read tips about properly storing quilts and fabrics, please read my book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care II, available on CD as an e-book, and sold on my website or at amazon.com

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Pieces of the Past – Who Truly “Owns” Them?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

If a quilter mentions to anyone else that she/he makes quilts, no doubt, the other party will say that their grandmother or aunt or mother also used to make quilts. Many of these items are no longer within families. People die and let’s face it, material goods often “live” far beyond our lifetimes, and eventually find a new home.

What happens when family members think of old quilts as something just to get out of their hair? Well, usually, the family, unknowingly or not, calls in a “picker” or an antiques dealer who buys a job lot of whatever. and proceeds to disburse household goods.

Most often, dealers are unaware of the history of every item that passes their hands, and do not know, or take the time to find out the monetary value of them. Keep in mind that values fluctuate a great deal based on workmanship, condition, and desirability.

Collectors are drawn to certain items for very different reasons. They may like to collect pieces from a certain time period, or may like certain colors, or place value on an item that seems to be unique to them.

Twice within a short time, I have been contacted by family members who are related to some of the people who made quilts that are now in my collection. They wish to reclaim items that they got rid of without another thought, that I bought from a dealer, and that I have taken the time to research and/or publish. Keep in mind that these same items were of NO value and of NO consequence to the family before now. But since I have bothered to elevate their status by paying attention to them in a meaningful way, suddenly, these items are demanded back, free of charge, to boot! I am mystified by this attitude.

Truly, I believe that a dedicated collector oftentimes values family material goods far more than the family itself. Collectors know how to care for items in their collection to preserve them in the best way possible and not allow antiques to be used, or in the case of special textiles, be ruined by the unknowing who do not have any information about care, display, or storage of textiles.

I feel no obligation to “return” items that I have acquired legally. After I have spent so much time with them, a part of myself has gone into their study and I feel a real connection to the quilter and her work. Some day, with any luck, these items will find another “good home.” Any thoughts?

Patricia Cummings

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Quilt Historian/Appraiser Endorses our new e-book: Straight Talk About Quilt Care II

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Beth Davis of Rush, New York, a certified quilt appraiser and member of PAAQT, sent the following review of our latest e-book publishing effort.

Patricia Cummings has just revised her book Straight Talk About Quilt Care (originally available in print form in 2005). There are only a few books on this subject but this is one of the best! She has updated the information and research resources in what was already a valuable and one of the most complete guides for quilt care and restoration. The book now has 124 pages. Pat focuses not only on quilts, but also other textiles (of both natural and man-made fibers) with some practical techniques to gently clean and properly store your treasured quilts interspersed with a few humorous stories to get the points across. There is an interview with a quilt restorer, with before and after pictures of damaged quilts. The colored “tips” boxes highlight pertinent information. The data in the document can be quickly searched by simply typing in a keyword in ‘Find’ in the Toolbar and the Table of Contents is linked to the corresponding chapters. Whether you are interested in repairing or if you simply want to learn more about the quilts you have, this e-book is perfect for your library.

Thank you for this overview, Beth. We are so happy that you enjoyed Straight Talk About Quilt Care II.

Beth Davis at her booth

Beth Davis, an active quilt historian, appraiser, and one who loves old textiles, often sets up a booth such as this one (2007), to share her knowledge of antiques and tips about quilt care.

Beth holding her book

(Elizabeth) or Beth Davis, as known by friends, wrote a book about the quilts of the Genesee Country Village and Museum. She is demonstrates hand quilting when the museum is open. Her book, A Stitch in Time, is still available at the museum shop.

You will find Straight Talk About Quilt Care II to purchase, only at Quilter’s Muse Publications. We carefully produce each book, as orders come in, insuring that you are not buying a shop worn or scratched CD. In these inflationary times, we wanted to offer a very useful and complete tool for the understanding of quilt and textile care, and do so at an affordable price. Please visit our Products Available page to order via Paypal or to view other payment options. This is not a download. The physical CD will be mailed to your residence. If you prefer the written word, you may print out one copy of this book for your personal use. I think you will enjoy the navigational abilities of an e-book, the way we have formulated it.

Thanks again, Beth, for your kind words about our new book.

Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings (writer), and James Cummings (photographer)
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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“Cutter Quilts” – What Does this Term Mean?

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

If you visit eBay and key in the term “cutter quilt,” you will find some interesting offerings. Today, I looked at just page 1 which included several books for “rotary cut quilts,” but that is not what we are talking about here. The term, “cutter quilt” refers to an old quilt that has been re-purposed: cut up to make Christmas stockings, ornaments, and even pieces of jewelry.

Let’s examine the reasons why a quilt might be given this designation of one to cut up. One seller provides four common justifications: 1) the quilt smells musty; 2) it has a lumpy batting; 3) it has “blown-out blocks” and 4) it is stained.

First of all, the “musty” smell could mean that the quilt has been exposed to less than ideal storage conditions and has some mold and/or mildew. Avoid buying anything that has that odor. You do not want to introduce mold/mildew into your home, nor expose yourself to it (as a health precaution).

Lumpy battings can be replaced easily, if the quilt is tied. In fact, if the quilt had been heavily-quilted, the batting would not have shifted to that degree, in the first place.

A good restorer can replace “blown-out blocks.” However, if every block in the quilt has damage (holes/rips) and fading due to cleaning agents and bleach, it truly becomes a hopeless situation fast.

Stains are another situation. They can be difficult or impossible for either the novice or the professional to remove, if they have set for a long time.

Some silk quilts are inherently self-destructing but I get a little nervous when I see folks cutting up Victorian crazy quilts which often have some very unique silk ribbons or features, including embroidery stitches. Silk crazy quilts are not good candidates for re-use in other projects. I have found that some dealers indiscriminately cut up old Crazy Quilts. I have a remnant of one that I wish I’d been able to view the whole piece as the piece I now own is fantastic!

In my latest e-book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care II, I do discuss this idea of “cutter quilts” and ask the reader to question his/her own motive for collecting any old textile. The e-book is a treasure trove of ideas, information, and practical facts that anyone can use who owns or loves textiles, quilts, and embroideries. For more information, please visit: Quilter’s Muse Publications. There is still time left to order this book for a holiday gift, for yourself, a friend, or a library!

Patricia Cummings

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