Archive for the ‘Myths’ Category

“Analysis Paralysis” – An Editorial Comment

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

In this society, it often seems that we are like lemmings being led to the sea, or that we are listening to the riveting tunes of a Pied Piper. The theory seems to be that if one is not in possession of facts, then one should just dazzle the public with rhetoric. Perhaps then, people will feel as though the speaker/or writer has a higher calling and truly knows more.

The quote in the title of this essay, “Analysis Paralysis,” is brilliant, if not taken out of context. The two words are attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, that African-American visionary-martyr, who was educated, and whose words resonate, even after all of the years that have passed since his death. He will be revered forever, as a spokesman for the truth, and that is what makes him an icon, for all races.

“There is nothing so powerful as the truth, and nothing quite so strange.” This statement was spoken by New Hampshire statesman, Daniel Webster, a hard-thinking, hard-drinking man, and a leader of the people. The first part of the sentence has become somewhat of a state motto. Another set of words to live by in the Granite State is, “Live free or die,” stated by General John Stark.

I believe in the truth. That is why I do not believe in the trumped-up notions that helped to weave together a tale about a secret quilt code, out of wholecloth. To weave something out of wholecloth is an idiomatic expression. If you are not familiar with it, you’d best look it up.

What would Dr. King think of this phenomena called the “secret quilt code?” As a man who stood for the truth, what would his “take” have been?

Eager to seize something warm and fuzzy (quilts) to add to a more rigorous learning environment (history classrooms), the idea of the secret quilt code, as actually having existed, captured the minds and hearts of many people. Now that this idea is in place, and has been endorsed by those “in high places” (in some instances, “educated fools”) and those who BELIEVE, the idea can’t be let go. To try to explain why this scenario could not have been, is met with heavy resistance, especially by those whose egos can’t/won’t let go of the idea because they have become so emotionally-invested in it.

Never, ever, believe all you hear, or all you read! Just because someone has a college degree more than you does not necessarily mean that they have all the answers or are the experts in everything.

I defer to reasoning and use solid facts to back up my ideas. That is the course of action that I think is correct.

People come and people go. Already, Ozella McDaniel Williams, the woman who offered up this “family secret quilt code” has crossed the River Jordan. Likewise, one of the greatest detractors of the idea, Giles Wright, an African-American with a Ph.D., has likewise succumbed to the brevity of life.

This is not a race issue and I refuse to see it as that. History is what happened, not what it is convenient to say happened, in order to make us all feel better, and somehow, sanitize the past. I will continue to speak the Truth, as I see it, until I “shuffle off the mortal coil.”

“Analysis Paralysis” is a term not likely forgotten. It sums up the mindset of those who refuse to look at the facts and do some critical thinking.

My comments do not come from out of the blue. They are offered in direct response to more statements online today (on a list) about secret codes. You know, stories are passed down through the generations. I came to know that I could believe less than half of what I heard. Stories take on a life of their own and are usually not reliable indicators of the facts of any matter. The storyteller’s viewpoint often gets in the way of a truthful account.

This conversation about the secret quilt code should have been terminated long ago. However, there are those who want to look at quilts and read into them more than is logical to assume. These individuals are motivated either by money or attention. That’s what the situation looks like from where I sit. Now, to give this topic a much needed rest!

Yours,

Patricia Cummings In the great state of New Hampshire, where we calls ‘em like we sees ‘em.
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags: , , ,
Posted in History, Myths, Quilt History | 3 Comments »

Quilt Myths

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Numerous quilt myths have arisen over the course of time. Some of them seem to be harmless stories that, repeated, have become legends of their own.

An example of a myth is the belief of the Hmong people that babies live in the clouds before they decide to descend to earth. Many cultures have their own creationism stories, and that is but one type of a story that explains how something came to be.

Other times, stories are simply not true, and don’t have a whit of truth about them, yet are repeated often enough so that everyone comes to believe them as fact. Let’s be more concise when it comes to quilt history!

Lately, I have come across some new fallacies that have been widely-distributed in print or on the Internet. They are presented in this “short list” here.

1) Quilts were used to help “conduct” slaves on the “Underground Railroad.” True or False?

Answer: False. There is no supporting evidence for the statement and the known facts are contrary to this claim.

2) The Amish called a certain hand quilting pattern a “squash seed” design. True or False?

Answer: False. The common terminology used exclusively for this type of quilting design is “pumpkin seed” quilting. Same church, wrong pew.

3) Dwight Eisenhower made a quilt when he was only three years old. True or False?

Answer: False. The former president would have been beyond precocious to have done so. The answer is False with a capital “F.” This statement was thoroughly researched.

4. New Hampshire’s early quilt historian’s first name was Emily. True or False?

Answer: False. Her first name was “Ellen,” and she was never called “Emily,” although two friends of hers who were sisters were named Ellen, and Emily, and had the same last name, as she did, of Webster. Her full name was Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster, and she was called “Elly,” by boys who teased her, but only for a short time at school.

5. Quilting in America has always been a scrap craft affair, with poor people cutting up their clothes to make warm bed covers. True or False?

Answer: False. The earliest quilt tradition in America came here with the immigrants and was that of wholecloth quilting. Quilting was the domain of the wealthy who had the time to quilt and the necessary materials and money. Wool blankets were in use by the Shakers who have only a slight history of quiltmaking for people outside their community. Sheep were plentiful in early New England and were distributed all the way to Virginia, thus yielding, presumably, many wool blankets to keep warm.

6. Colonial Women quilted a great deal. True or False?

Answer: False. While we do have written accounts of quilting bees and quilting in early New England, these instances appear to have been rare. Who would have had time, considering all that the women had to do? They were buy stoking the fire, cooking, birthing children, tending to the sick, making soap and candles, processing food, etc. It is no wonder at all that many women died at a much earlier age than women do today. They were simply worn out.

7. Women purposely put a mistake into every quilt they made, in deference to the fact that only God is perfect. True or False?

Answer: False. If you have ever made a quilt, you know that you do your best not to make mistakes, so if one happens to occur, this statement is as good a cop-out in any age, as you’ll find. No, most women would not purposely make a purposeful mistake because of a calling to “humility.”

8. Blackwork Embroidery is the same as Redwork, Bluework, Greenwork, Pinkwork, Orangework, etc. in technique. True of False?

Answer: False. Blackwork embroidery is a specialized, counted thread technique, most often associated with Catherine of Aragon (Spain) who went to England to marry King Henry VII, and later, his brother, King Henry VIII. The other types of embroidery mentioned refer to thread color and are all Surface Embroidery techniques, better known as “Outline Stitch Embroidery,” collectively.

9. Kate Greenaway, British children’s book author and illustrator, designed patterns in the 1930s. True or False?

Answer: False. Kate was a Victorian Age artist. By 1930, Kate had been dead for 29 years and was not composing anything.

10. All African-American made quilts have the same attributes. True or False?

Answer: Completely false. People are individuals and create their own quilt styles outside the realm of any prescribed or overlaid theoretical model. Quilting is about self-expression and being unique, not one of the crowd.

Now, it’s your turn. Can you think of any quilt myths you have heard? There are others! Be sure to write to us, if you’d like to chime into the discussion.

Don’t be fooled! Don’t believe everything you hear! To meet others who are interested in the facts about quilt history, consider joining the American Quilt Study Group.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags:
Posted in Myths | 1 Comment »

Holly and Its Legends

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

The recollection of the song, “The Holly and the Ivy,” made me wonder a bit today about the significance and the symbolism of “holly.” This is what I learned. A legend that is told worldwide is that when King Herod sent his soldiers to find and slaughter any male children, Mary attempted to hide baby Jesus under a scraggly bush. Immediately, the leaves began to grow to plush proportions and the wee child was spared.

Holly survives in the coldest climates and is available in many places to bring into the home as a decoration. It is believed that holly once had white berries, but that the crown that was placed on Jesus’ head caused blood to stream over the berries, transforming them to the red color we know today. For Christians, holly can be a symbol of Christ’s sacrificial blood.

The Ancient Druids that occupied Ireland viewed holly as a religious symbol that possessed mystical powers. This superstition carried forward to the Celtic people who inhabited the same area. They placed holly at entry points of the house, thinking that it would ward off evil spirits.

Even the ancient Romans used holly while observing their December 12th Festival of Saturnalia, a special celebration to honor the Sun God, Saturn. The god supposedly favored holly by allowing it to retain its deep green color all year long.

The holly bush was thought by Roman scientist, Pliny the Elder, (23 A.D.-79 A.D.) to have the ability to convert water to ice.

Some Christmas traditions are observed in song and in action, without our giving even a thought as to the custom’s origin. I thought you might enjoy learning all of the above. Next time you hear the song, “The Holly and the Ivy,” perhaps you will recall these tales.

Patricia Cummings

Posted in Christmas, Myths | Comments Off