Archive for the ‘Reader Mail’ Category

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Caesar’s Crown Block Image Sent by Reader

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

A short while ago, a pattern for Caesar’s Crown block was requested by a reader who had seen the one that I made to illustrate an article about quilt blocks inspired by the Bible (one of several articles about the topic that are currently on our website). Not able to put my hands on the design, not having the time to hunt through sources, and not remembering whether or not I drafted the block myself after seeing a small line drawn image of it (which was probably the case), unfortunately, I came up dry. The reader was undaunted and her tenacity to find and re-create the block design paid off, when she was able to locate a pattern elsewhere.

Today, Peggy Arbuckle sent a photo of a beautiful quilt block. The background is a white on white fabric. She had success finding the “Roman” and “jewel” fabrics at Hancock’s, she states. While my block was totally hand-pieced, she decided to piece hers on the machine. She reveals that it was a challenging task but “after several mistakes, (she) finally got it.” The result is gorgeous!

Caesar's Crown quilt block

This Caesar’s Crown block was made for a monthly quilt block exchange at a quilt group that calls themselves “Peaceful Partners,” and Peggy made it “to represent the ‘Ides of March’.”

Thanks so much to Peggy Arbuckle for sharing her beautiful block. The colors are just grand!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Response to Article about Bundling

Friday, February 12th, 2010

This morning, I received the gift of the following words from a lovely young lady. The poem she adds at the end of the letter reminds me of another song by Bruce Springsteen about “all that heaven will allow.” It is interesting how my words affect people in many different ways. I am happy that, in this case, the reader was able to feel validated in her present status. Thank you, “April.” The timing of your note is perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend. Take love at your own speed. True love can endure many obstacles.

card from our antique collection of ephemera

Happy Valentine’s Day to All! This beautiful card is from our antique collection of ephemera.

Dear Pat,

I just read your article about bundling. I don’t really know why I’m going to tell you all about the relationship my “friend” and I currently have-but I’m so relieved that there’s a name for it that I can barely contain my excitement. He’ll be excited too. First of all, I should probably tell you that this friend and I dated and lived together for 3 years. We were in college and not ready to get married. The relationship started growing stagnant and then I had to move away for a job. We broke it off, almost 3 years to the day. We didn’t speak again for almost a year. We tried to be friends but ended up not being quite ready for it then. We went another 6 months without talking. However, when we started talking to each other again last July it was as if we’d never been apart. Our friendship has grown by leaps and bounds. During the last 3 months or so, we’ve started sleeping in the same bed together. We talk, and we cuddle, and sleep in each other’s arms-but it never goes any further than that. We know it seems *weird* by today’s standards, but we also know that, again, we aren’t ready for marriage. Taking it to that next level could ruin it right now. We didn’t really want to call it dating, either. That tends to imply that you are kissing and doing other physically intimate things. I should probably also mention that we aren’t particularly super religious people. I’m an Episcopalian. I go to church and sing in the choir every Sunday and Wednesday night. However, my particular view on sex before marriage is not as stringent. He would describe himself as “spiritual, not religious” and doesn’t go to church at all-unless I have a solo. :-)

I know we aren’t “bundling” in the traditional sense of the word-it seems more like “bed courtship” to me. But I am SO glad it actually has a name! We’ve both always known that we were old souls. I just didn’t realize how old.

Thanks so much for your article!

April

And I’ve got all that I’m allowed
It’ll do for me, I’m thankful now
The walls get higher every day
The barriers get in the way
But I see hope in every cloud
And I’m thankful, thankful
I’m thankful, So thankful
I’m thankful, I’ve got all that I’m allowed

Elton John

The article that April mentions can be read on our website – “Bundling”

Patricia Cummings

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Pillow Talk

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

vintage pillow made by mother of Betty Wassum Hall

Vintage tinted and embroidered pillow made by Elizabeth Cox Wassum, photo courtesy of Betty Wassum Hall

Betty writes:

I read your article “Three Centuries of Decorative Pillow Making” (in The Quilter magazine) and really enjoyed it. I have read many of your articles and always enjoy them.

I am quilter and quilt collector and collect other hand made items. I wanted to share these pictures with you of a pillow I have in my collection. I don’t know how old it is, but I remember it being in our house before I started to school and I am 71 years old. It was made by my mother, Elizabeth Cox Wassum.

Betty Wassum Hall

Thanks you for this note and photo, Betty. We always enjoy hearing from appreciative readers.

Note from Patricia: The Quilter, November 2009 (cover date) that features the article mentioned above is now off-sale, replaced by the January 2010 issue that has my article about a unique, antique “Lobster Claw” quilt. Back issues and subscriptions are available by calling (800) 940-6593 in the U.S., or (386) 246-0189 outside the U.S.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Old Oak Leaf Block – “What is the Design’s Name?”

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Someone from the Cleveland, Ohio area wrote a brief note to me on October 3, 2009 to ask if the block shown here might have been slave-made, or made by an African-American. Let me make some general comments about this quilt block.

Cleveland, OH - old quilt block

This old quilt block, from an unidentified maker, has an unusual pattern. This was not found in either Brackman’s or Khin’s standard reference books on appliqué designs.

Additional references that are helpful in identifying published quilt block names are listed in our website file about Pattern Identification.

This block looks like a good example of a 19th century quilt with brown fabrics that have disintegrated due to the iron content of the dye. Iron and cloth do not go well together, but it was not a lesson easily or quickly learned during that century.

The largest motifs appear to be in the shape of Oak leaves. The center circle in yellow and the blue “cross” within the circle could be symbolic, but do not have to be. Not all designs carry symbolism, and if we do not know the quilter’s intent, then it is dangerous to read too much into an interpretation. My next step is to investigate similar symbols in several books that I own to see if the center is known to carry any particular symbolism.

As you can see, three diamond shapes were added, between the “leaves.” These may have represented flower petals as if often the case of abstract-looking designs of this kind that are pieced and then appliquéd.

From a photo, it is difficult to tell, but this block seems to have a lot of quilting on it. If that is the case, one would think of a “lady of leisure” as having made this, as stitches do not add to a quilt’s warmth and only serve as surface decoration (and to hold the quilt together).

It is dangerous to take guesses as to whether or not a quilt was made by a slave or an African-American based solely on visual clues. Scholars have been embarrassed, in the past, by their quick leaps to judgment. Anyone could have made this quilt block!

So many times, quilt historians have exclaimed: “If only the quilt could talk! The stories it would tell!”

Of course, quilts were not always given a certain name. It is not until the late 19th century (1800s), when more quilt patterns were published, that many quilt block designs acquired names, perhaps some assigned by publishers.

We enjoy hearing from readers of our website.

If anyone has further information about this block, I’d love to hear from you. Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com

Thanks to the reader who sent in this question.

P.S. I did look at one of my books about Symbols. The equilateral cross is an ancient symbol used to form the basis for the architecture of Greek churches. The group of four directions of an equilateral cross can depict the four seasons or the four winds. The shape is the symbol of the Red Cross.

A circle can represent eternity – as it has no beginning and no end. For any symbol, its meaning is known only to the person who creates it.

As people who enjoy art, we can try to interpret a meaning, but it is pure conjecture. To make this quilt-related, please see my many (Underground Railroad and Quilts) files … about quilt blocks and their interpreted meanings as described in the book, Hidden in Plain View and in other books.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Reader Enjoys Mile-a-Minute Scrap Quilts

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Charlotte Croft of Vermont wrote the following note after viewing some recent blog posts:

Hi Pat, I was just browsing in your blog, seeing the scrap quilt question. I decided to send this photo of the quilt I made for my niece Linda Rose who was married June 27th. I think I’m addicted to this method of using up scraps. They’re not the prettiest quilts ever made but such a satisfying feeling to know all those tiny bits were put to use. I have two twin tops ready to tie and about 40 more blocks in various sizes waiting to be completed. I enjoyed seeing “Yum Yum,” but couldn’t help thinking of the cat in the Cat Who series. I read two or three of those this summer. All for now. Charlotte

Mile a minute quilt

This is a scrap quilt in the style designed by Carol Coski of Westminster, Vermont. Carol owns a quilt shop there.

We had heard of “Mile-a-Minute” quilts but this is the first time we had seen one. Thanks, Charlotte. We always appreciate the photos you send.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Renee Award

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Renee Award logo

Today, I was very pleased to receive the Renee Award from Gayle Pritchard, artist, book author, and curator, from Ohio. I am honored at this attention.

Be sure to read Gayle’s blog, “Uncommon Threads,” at: http://gaylepritchard.blogspot.com/ and visit her website:
http://www.gaylepritchardart.com

Gayle is currently working on a book about the gifted fiber artist, Susan Shie.

I am pleased that Gayle is a regular reader of the offerings on this blog, as well as our website. Thank you, Gayle.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Posted in Breaking News, Reader Mail | 1 Comment »

Jean Carlton’s Patriotic Miniature Quilt

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Jean Carlton, well-known in quilt history circles, was inspired to make a patriotic mini quilt based on my pattern that is a reproduction of a small quilt from circa 1890. The free pattern is located on our website: Patriotic Mini

She has graciously sent some photos of the 21″ x 24″ doll quilt she made. She decided to reduce the block size to 3″ and to include double-pink fabrics, a color that was very popular during most of the entire nineteenth century. She drew “fan” quilting designs, by “eye,” and stitched the lines with hand quilting stitches. The back is a lovely, miniature toile fabric that she was saving for a special occasion. To learn more about Toile, visit our website.

We think this quilt is very cute! Here are some photos:

Jean Carlton mini quilt

Jean’s doll bed quilt

toile back

Toile back

close-up of section of Jean Carlton's doll quilt

Close up of section of the doll quilt

We are always happy to hear from readers who have enjoyed something from our website. Thanks again, Jean, for sharing your work with us. Looks as though you had some fun, putting your own spin on this and “making it your own,” as countless other quilters have done, in the past. Aren’t reproduction fabrics just great? Love ‘em!

Best wishes,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Story Sent In By A Reader – “A Quilt for Pat Taliaferro”

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

A quilt for Pat

A Quilt for Pat Taliaferro

by Carole Carter

In May 2008, my mother became very ill. Driving herself to the emergency room, she was admitted to the hospital, then transferred to another hospital in Houston over 70 miles away from her home. As I live over a thousand miles away, I couldn’t be there in the beginning. My cousin Pat, who lives just a few blocks away from my mother, came to the rescue. Over the four weeks my mother was in the hospital, she drove the hour and a half to the hospital almost daily to support and encourage my mother through a harrowing ordeal of endless tests, major surgery and recovery.

Pat quietly kept the bills paid, organized the neighbors to take care of the cat, kept my mother’s house clean in case family needed to stay there, went to the house daily in the afternoon to check on things, picked up the mail, got mom’s car inspected, and made countless phone calls to provide information and support to the rest of the family and friends.

She did so much more behind the scenes all while taking care of her own home and family. She never said one word about it being hard or difficult. In fact, she sent me a card assuring me that what she was doing was not a burden. How do you thank someone for giving so much of herself without a thought for herself? Maybe it can’t really be done, but a quilt is a start.

Before I went to see my mother at the time of her surgery, I began contacting friends to exchange blocks so the quilt I made for her would be many different prints. I wanted it to represent all the different things she had done.

I cut out 6-inch squares and made the quilt with the pattern, “Disappearing Nine Patch.” In a way, the pattern itself matches her deeds, as the underlying nine patches are obscured in the final design, just as all her work stayed in the background. Today my mother is doing well and back home, and I hope the quilt will tell the story of Pat’s unselfish and generous gift of love.

~~~

Thanks, Carole, for sending us this story. We are happy that your mom is doing well, and also happy to see the efforts of Pat recognized with a quilt, a very pretty one, indeed!

Pat and Jim Cummings

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New Recipe and Redwork Design Posted

Friday, November 14th, 2008

On November 13, 2008, Jim Cummings posted a new recipe that we have enjoyed twice this week. He posted a design that can be worked in Outline Stitch embroidery, as well. Here is a response from someone who lived through the hard times of the Depression, and whose husband served valiantly in World War II. Here is the link to the recipes page: http://www.quiltersmuse.com/frugal-soup.htm

Hi Pat,

I had a few extra minutes so looked at the recipe and the design. Did I have a good laugh for myself!

I married a man born in Scotland of very frugal Scottish parents. NOTHING was ever wasted. My parents weren’t Scottish, but they didn’t have a lot of money either, esp. during the depression when my father wasn’t working, and if it wasn’t for the fact my grandparents raised vegetables and chickens, we might have gone hungry at one point. But we had a chicken once a week and just about every day thereafter in one form or another for quite a while. We even used the feet to make a wonderful, rich soup that you can’t make today.

The favorite quote in DH’s house was Waste Not Want Not so I will so much enjoy embroidering this for my kids who also heard it at least once a day. We grew up not wasting anything, and my kids and even grandkids couldn’t understand why the lights had to be turned off when you left the room, or you shut the water off and just didn’t let it run when brushing teeth, don’t waste food … well, the list goes on and on.

This piece will be a warm reminder of my in-laws and parents, the Depression, and my life to a great extent. I’m so glad Jim did this … it’s like it was made for me (and for many others I’m sure). Thank him for me.

Regards,

Carol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Carol,

Thanks so much for your kind note. I am sure that Jim will be happy to read it.

Best,

Pat

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An Angel’s Love by Bob Rotruck

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

More poetry from Bob Rotruck:

An Angel’s Love

I’m a very lucky person you know,

I have been blessed by an angel’s glow.

How you ask, can I know for sure,

That angels even exist all glorious and pure.

Trust me, I know, I have seen one in action,

An angel that gives love for pure satisfaction.

This angel has tended her husband for years,

A guy that occasionally brought her to tears.

An angel that raised two wonderful boys,

They’ve become fine men and her greatest joys.

But angels are more than just mothers and wives,

They go above and beyond in the living of their lives.

They take on a task that no other would take,

And do it out of pure love, no pretense or fake.

Such as tending a Mother that was frail in years,

Many times their relationship brought her tears.

But she would go back, day after day,

Because she knew that love was her pay.

She watched this tiny woman so frail,

Day after day she began to fail.

It got real bad down near the end,

But the love of an angel can never bend.

For the one thing that an angels got,

Is the backing of the Father for their lot.

An angel only knows how to share God’s love,

When you’re an angel, God fits like a glove.

Now God has rested this angel dear,

He has taken her Mother to heaven it’s clear.

This angel can rest, she has done her best,

There is no doubt she passed God’s test.

I’m a very lucky person you know,

I can boast I have an angel to show!

God bless you my angel dear,

You are my angel, it’s clear.

Rotruck – ‘02

This poem, as you can see, is dedicated to Bob’s wife. Every woman should have such an appreciative spouse! Thanks for sending this one, Bob, and Happy Easter!

Patricia Cummings — See more of Bob’s poetry in past blog entries and on this website: Quilter’s Muse

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Reader Mail Reveals Links for Quilters

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

From: Mike Pilon, President, MapMuse Inc.

To: Patricia Cummings

Hi Pat,

I came across your website while looking for a recipe for Tourtiere. It was a traditional dish my Mom made every Christmas eve. I am going to start to make it for my family as well.

Anyway, your website name of course caught my attention since it is similar to mine. We also have quilting information you might be interested in, so I am passing along the links to our quilt shop map and other quilting related places.

Please Note: I have replaced Mike’s long url with a “tiny url” that is easier to handle. Here’s the link:

http://tinyurl.com/3xedxv

Merry Christmas!

Mike

__

Michael Pilon, President
MapMuse Inc.
1326 14th St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
v 202-387-3857
f 202-387-3245
Latitude 38 54.49′
Longitude 77 01.92′

Dear Mike:

Thanks for the nice note and links. Merry Christmas to you!

Patricia Cummings

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Embroidered Cards by One of Our Readers

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

As a result of the discussion here about embroidered cards, Margie Phelps has sent some images of cards she makes. I have selected four of them to feature here and am publishing them, with her permission.

A cat’s photo is the central motif of this card, embroidered with polychromatic thread.

A festival of spirals and pink flowers are seen on this card made by Margie Phelps.

Sailboat card

For something a little different, a sailboat on this card of “Congratulations.”

Pink card

This is the center only portion of yet another card made by Margie.

We always enjoy seeing the work of our readers. This selection of cards will provide some ideas of the possibilities of paper punched and embroidered greeting cards. Many thanks to Margie for sending us these photos.

Amy Rochelle has sent us a link to a commercial site that has educational tutorials about how to make cards such as those seen here.

Patricia Cummings

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Correspondence from Reader of Bluework Article in The Quilter

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

Noel Briand's Quaddy Quiltie quilt

We are always so happy to hear from readers! Noel Briand has written a letter to the editor which was forwarded to me from The Quilter magazine, along with a photo of a quilt that Noel made.

The designs are from the “Bedtime Story Quilt”, more commonly known today as the “Quaddy Quiltie” quilt. My article in the September 2007 issue explains why.

Ruby McKim taught grade-school, and she purposely designed these animal figures in an angular fashion, thereby making it easier for small fingers to embroider them because of their many straight lines. The characters from Thorton Burgess’ Old Mother West Wind are loosely interpreted by McKim in this quilt. The designs, from a newspaper, were found among Noel’s mother’s belongings. She states that her mother was born in 1910.

Thank you for sharing a photo of your quilt, Noel. Keep up the good work!!!

To contact The Quilter magazine, please visit: www.thequiltermag.com

My next article is about European Bluework with examples I have collected, as well as some pieces from Margareta Faust’s collection, with photos taken by Esterita Faust.

Pat and Jim

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